Explore the high ridgelines and scenic parkways of the Great Smoky Mountains on a guided open-air Jeep tour. Sit back while professional drivers navigate steep grades and switchbacks, leading you to waterfalls, the Appalachian Trail, and elevations over 5,000 feet.
Free Cancellation Walk to a Smoky Mountain waterfall while a guide points out local wildlife and historical landmarks.
Free Cancellation A guided Jeep tour along the Lower regions Parkway to the highest viewpoints in the Smoky Mountains.
Free Cancellation This 3-hour Jeep tour climbs one mile to Newfound Gap before heading onto rugged, unpaved forest trails.
Free Cancellation Ride an open-air Jeep to 120-foot waterfalls and mile-high overlooks with a 99% elk sighting rate on evening tours.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Great Smoky Mountains — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Open-air jeeps handle the steep grades and switchbacks of the Great Smoky Mountains. You ride in the passenger seat while a driver navigates the narrow, crowded mountain roads. Expect a two- to three-hour ride covering specific elevation changes, historic log cabins, and roadside waterfalls.
Jeeps climb to 5,046 feet on the Tennessee-North Carolina border. The overlook marks where the Appalachian Trail crosses the highway. Temperatures drop 10 to 15 degrees at this elevation.
A short walk leads to a 120-foot cascading waterfall on the Qualla Boundary. Water runs heavily over granite outcrops. The path is mostly level but requires sturdy shoes.
Afternoon tours near Oconaluftee have a 99 percent success rate for spotting elk. The animals frequently graze in the open fields near the historic Oconaluftee Baptist Church.
Drivers navigate the switchbacks along the lower region ridges. You look out over spruce-fir forests without having to watch the road or deal with narrow shoulders.
A 5.5-mile one-way loop winds through old-growth forest. The route passes 19th-century log cabins and roadside cascades like the Place of a Thousand Drips.
Jeep tours run daily from Pigeon Forge and Cherokee, lasting roughly three hours. You pay a flat per-person rate that covers the ride and guide, but you need to arrange your own child seats and tips.
Most Tennessee-based tours depart from Harpoon Harry's at 112 Community Center Drive in Pigeon Forge. You need to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
The national park requires a $5 daily parking tag for stops longer than 15 minutes. Tour operators handle commercial park access, so you do not need to buy a separate tag for the jeep ride.
Tips for the driver are not included in the base price of roughly $125. Operators automatically add an 18 percent gratuity at check-in for groups of six or more.
Children aged five and under require a car seat by law. You must bring and install your own seat in the jeep before departure.
Elevations range from 875 feet in the valleys to 6,643 feet at Kuwohi. Bring layers, as summit temperatures run 10 to 20 degrees colder than Pigeon Forge.
You can bring a dog weighing under 30 pounds if it sits on your lap. Larger dogs require you to purchase an additional child's ticket to secure the extra seat space, and you must call ahead.
Families: pick the Roaring Fork loop for shorter rides and historic cabins. Photographers: book the Newfound Gap run for high-elevation panoramas spanning 20 miles.
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| Roaring Fork Tour | Foothills Parkway Tour | Newfound Gap Tour | Elk & Waterfall Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours | Varies |
| Route Focus | Old-growth forest and streams | Scenic ridge driving | High elevation climb | Wildlife and Cherokee history |
| Key Stops | Historic cabins, Place of a Thousand Drips | Spruce-fir forests, granite outcrops | Rockefeller Memorial, Appalachian Trail crossing | Mingo Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway tunnels |
| Price | $124.59 | $124.59 | $124.59 | $149.99 |
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The only exception is Cades Cove Loop Road, which opens at dawn and closes at dusk daily.
Visitor centers operate year-round except on Christmas Day. Facilities like the Cable Mill in Cades Cove open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM between mid-March and late November.
Secondary roads follow seasonal schedules. Kuwohi Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close completely during the winter months due to ice and snow.
The nearest major airport is McGhee Tyson in Knoxville, Tennessee, located about 45 miles from the Sugarlands entrance. Drive south on US-129 and US-321 to reach Gatlinburg.
No public transit exists inside the park. Visitors must rent a car or hire a local commercial shuttle from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Cherokee.
Jeep tours typically depart from Pigeon Forge (Tennessee side) or Cherokee (North Carolina side). You need a vehicle or local taxi to reach the operator's check-in location before the tour begins.
Late April through May brings wildflower blooms and moderate temperatures. October delivers vivid fall foliage across the elevation gradient. Weekdays in these shoulder-season months avoid the worst traffic.
Skip June through August if you hate crowds. Over a million people visit each summer month, and roads like Cades Cove and Newfound Gap back up for miles.
Mid-winter (December through February) brings the fewest crowds. However, snow and ice frequently close high-elevation roads like Kuwohi Road and make the Newfound Gap crossing hazardous.
The Oconaluftee River Trail and the paved areas around the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitor Centers are flat, wide, and wheelchair accessible.
The park loans GRIT Freedom Chairs (off-road wheelchairs) free of charge for use on select trails. They are first-come, first-served November through April, and require a reservation May through October.
Jeep tours require stepping up into the vehicle. Infants can ride, but parents must supply and install their own car seats for any child aged five or under.
Restrooms operate at major visitor centers and popular trailheads. The park has no gas stations or restaurants inside its boundaries.
LeConte Lodge is the only non-camping lodging in the park, and it is accessible solely by hiking. All other visitors must stay in gateway towns like Gatlinburg or Cherokee.
Bring your own water on jeep tours. Bottled water is explicitly excluded from the ticket price on most commercial excursions.
Federal law requires visitors to stay 50 yards (150 feet) away from bears and elk at all times. Approaching wildlife or feeding them is a cited offense that can result in fines and arrest.
Drones are completely banned everywhere in the park. You cannot launch, land, or operate unmanned aircraft within park boundaries.
Swimming in rivers and climbing waterfalls is highly discouraged. Slick rocks and swift currents make the water dangerous, and drowning is a leading cause of death in the park.
No. The tour operator handles commercial entry fees. You only need the $5 daily parking tag if you drive your own vehicle into the park and park for more than 15 minutes.
Small dogs under 30 pounds can ride on your lap for free. If your dog weighs more, you must purchase an additional child's ticket to secure a seat, and you need to call the operator in advance.
No. Guests must provide and install their own car seats for any child five years old or younger before the tour departs.
Black bears live throughout the park, particularly around Cades Cove and Roaring Fork. Sightings happen often, but drivers must maintain a strict 50-yard legal distance from all wildlife.
Temperatures drop about 10 to 15 degrees when climbing from Pigeon Forge to Newfound Gap or Kuwohi. Bring a jacket even in summer.
Most Tennessee-based tours require check-in inside Harpoon Harry's at 112 Community Center Drive in Pigeon Forge. North Carolina tours depart from Cherokee.
No. The jeeps stay on paved and maintained gravel roads like the Foothills Parkway and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The national park prohibits off-road driving to protect the landscape.
Gratuities are not included in the base ticket. Operators automatically add an 18 percent gratuity at check-in for parties of six or more.
Yes, the vehicles run open-air to provide unobstructed views of the tree canopy and ridgelines. Drivers use tops or enclosures only during heavy rain.
The Elk & Waterfall tour departing from the North Carolina side focuses on the Qualla Boundary and Oconaluftee. Afternoon departures boast a 99 percent success rate for spotting elk.
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The trail leads to a waterfall along a short path in the Smoky Mountains. You'll walk beside mountain streams where the water runs over mossy rocks. Look through the tree breaks to see the high ridgelines. The path is mostly level. It's short enough for children but has enough roots to require sturdy sneakers. Guides identify signs of local wildlife like black bears or pileated woodpeckers and explain how families farmed this terrain before it became a national park. You'll see the stone foundations of old cabins along the route. If it rained the night before, the trail turns into a slick mud slide—wear boots with deep treads. It's the right choice for a quick morning trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This guided Jeep tour climbs the Lower regions Parkway toward the highest ridgelines in the Smoky Mountains. You sit in the passenger seat while a driver handles the switchbacks and steep grades. This lets you watch the spruce-fir forests and granite outcrops without worrying about narrow shoulders or traffic. It's the right choice if you aren't up for a long hike. The weather changes fast. Even on a humid July afternoon, the wind in an open Jeep feels sharp near the peaks. Pack a jacket. If the clouds roll in, the views of the distant blue ridges disappear instantly. Book a morning slot for the clearest air and the least traffic.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This three-hour Jeep tour departs Pigeon Forge and climbs a full mile above sea level to Newfound Gap. You'll stop at the stone Rockefeller Memorial and stand where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Tennessee-North Carolina border. At the summit, temperatures usually drop 10 to 15 degrees, so bring a light layer even in summer. It's the highest pass in the park. For the return trip, the driver switches from pavement to steep, unpaved forest tracks. You'll spend the final 90 minutes bouncing over rocks and ruts that would bottom out a standard SUV. It’s a dusty, jarring stretch of trail. If you’ve got a bad back or prefer a smooth cruise, stick to the bus tours instead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This open-air Jeep tour climbs to elevations over 5,000 feet for views spanning 20 miles across the Smoky Mountains. You'll pass through five historic tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway and cross Soco Gap at 4,340 feet. The route includes a stop at the 120-foot Mingo Falls on the Qualla Boundary. It's a bumpy, windy ride. Wear a jacket even in summer, as temperatures drop fast once you're a mile up. Afternoon tours have a 99% success rate for spotting elk. Guides from local Cherokee and Appalachian families narrate the drive, sharing history at the Occonaluftee Baptist Church and pointing out black bears or wild turkeys in the brush. You'll spend about four hours in the vehicle. It's the right choice for photographers who want height without the hike. Book the evening slot for the best chance at wildlife.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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