Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains is one of the most visited areas in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year with breathtaking mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, outdoor adventures, family-friendly attractions, and charming mountain towns. Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning to explore more of the region, the Smokies offer something for every type of traveler.
This guide covers everything you need to know about visiting the Smokies, including how to get here, the best things to do, when to visit, and what makes each of the area’s most popular towns unique.
Where Are the Smoky Mountains Located?
The Great Smoky Mountains are located along the border of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. The centerpiece of the region is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans more than 500,000 acres of protected wilderness and is home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.
The most popular gateway communities on the Tennessee side of the park are:
These three towns sit just outside the national park and provide visitors with lodging, restaurants, attractions, shopping, and entertainment while serving as convenient bases for exploring the mountains.
How to Get to the Smokies
The Smokies are surprisingly easy to reach for travelers from across the Southeast and beyond.
Driving
Many visitors drive to the Smokies from nearby states, making it a popular road trip destination. Approximate drive times include:
- St. Louis: 8 hours
- Nashville: 3.5 hours
- Atlanta: 4 hours
- Charlotte: 4 hours
- Cincinnati: 4.5 hours
- Indianapolis: 6 hours
Flying
The closest airport is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee, located approximately one hour from the Smokies. The airport offers direct flights from many major cities throughout the United States.
Why People Love Visiting the Smokies
The Smokies offer a unique combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, family attractions, and Southern hospitality.
Visitors love the area because they can spend the morning hiking to a waterfall, enjoy an afternoon at a theme park, and finish the day with dinner overlooking the mountains. Some of the Smokies’ biggest draws include:
- Scenic mountain views
- Family-friendly attractions and activities
- Diverse hiking opportunities
- Wildlife viewing
- Waterfalls
- Natural swimming holes
- Outdoor recreation
- Dollywood
- Mountain cabins
- Year-round activities
- Fun annual events
- Incredible fall foliage
- Southern comfort food
The Smokies are also one of the few destinations that appeal equally to couples, families, friend groups, and multi-generational travelers.
Top Things to Do in the Smokies
Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
No visit is complete without spending time in the national park itself. Popular activities include hiking, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, picnicking, photography, and exploring historic sites.
Ride the Gatlinburg SkyPark
Take in spectacular mountain views from the iconic SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America.
Explore Anakeesta
This mountaintop attraction features zip lines, scenic overlooks, treetop walks, restaurants, shopping, and family activities.
Visit Cades Cove
One of the most popular destinations in the park, Cades Cove offers a scenic driving loop, historic buildings, wildlife viewing, and some of the area’s most iconic mountain scenery.
Hike to a Waterfall
The Smokies are home to countless waterfalls, including:
- Laurel Falls (pictured at right)
- Grotto Falls
- Abrams Falls
- Rainbow Falls
Many are accessible through family-friendly hiking trails.
Experience Dollywood
Located in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood is one of the top theme parks in the country and offers roller coasters, live entertainment, festivals, dining, and attractions for all ages.
Ride the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
Mountain coasters have become one of the area’s most popular attractions, allowing visitors to race through the hillsides at their own pace.
Enjoy Shopping and Local Dining
The Smokies are filled with unique shops, artisan galleries, pancake houses, barbecue restaurants, breweries, and local favorites.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Smokies?
The truth is that there is no bad time to visit the Smokies! Each season brings something different.
Spring (March-May)
Spring in the Smokies brings blooming wildflowers, mild temperatures, and fewer crowds than summer.
Best for:
- Hiking
- Waterfalls
- Scenic drives
- Wildflower viewing
Summer (June-August)
Summer is definitely the busiest season in the Smokies, with warm weather and endless outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, and visiting waterfalls.
Best for:
- Family vacations
- Dollywood
- Outdoor adventures
- River tubing
Fall (September-November)
Fall is considered by many to be the most beautiful time of year in the Smokies. The Smokies region becomes a canvas of vibrant colors during the fall season, offering a sensory experience like no other. For people that enjoy crisp mountain air and leaf peeping, there is no better time to visit!
The Fall is best for:
- Cooler temperatures
- Fall foliage
- Hiking
- Scenic photography
Winter (December-February)
Winter offers holiday events and lighting, seasonal attractions, and fewer crowds.
Best for:
- Holiday travel
- Cozy cabin getaways
- Winter scenery
- Skiing, sledding, and tubing
- Value pricing compared to the busier months
Get to Know the Smokies’ Main Towns
Gatlinburg
The southernmost town in the Smokies, Gatlinburg is often considered the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to its close proximity to the park. Located directly at the park entrance, it’s the closest town to many of the area’s most popular hiking trails and scenic drives.
Visitors love Gatlinburg for:
- Walkable downtown
- Mountain atmosphere
- Unique attractions
- Charming local shops
- Wide variety of restaurants
- Easy access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg is ideal for travelers who want to spend a lot of time exploring the outdoors while still enjoying entertainment and dining options nearby.
Pigeon Forge
Located just north of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge is known as the entertainment capital of the Smokies.
Home to Dollywood and countless attractions like water parks, miniature golf, mountain coasters, and The Island, this family-friendly destination offers something fun around every corner.
Popular attractions include:
- Dollywood
- The Island in Pigeon Forge
- Dinner shows
- Go-karts
- Mini golf
- Museums
- Shopping
Families often choose Pigeon Forge because of its wide variety of activities and convenient location.
Sevierville
Located just north of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Sevierville offers a slightly more relaxed atmosphere while still providing easy access to activities and attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Known as the hometown of Dolly Parton, Sevierville offers:
- Outlet shopping
- Restaurants
- Family attractions
- Scenic countryside
- Access to outdoor recreation
Many visitors enjoy staying in Sevierville because it provides a quieter setting while remaining close to everything the Smokies have to offer.
Where to Stay in the Smokies
The best way to experience the Smokies is by staying in a private cabin that gives you space, privacy, the amenities of home, and mountain views. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, family vacation, or group retreat, Compass Vacation Properties offers over 150 Smoky Mountain cabins conveniently located near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
From cozy mountain retreats to large cabins perfect for reunions and celebrations, you’ll find the ideal home base for exploring everything the Smokies have to offer. With amenities like private pools, hot tubs, game rooms, theaters, and more, your vacation to the Smokies promises to be memorable when you stay with Compass.
Start planning your Smoky Mountain adventure today and discover why millions of visitors return to the Smokies year after year!
