Explore the Great Smoky Mountains through ziplining, white water rafting, guided Jeep excursions, and scenic mountain coasters. Choose from active outdoor adventures or self-paced driving tours to experience the park's waterfalls and high-altitude overlooks.
Free Cancellation This two-hour tour includes six dual ziplines, four sky bridges, and a rappel finish after a 400-foot ATV climb.
Free Cancellation Control your speed on this 9-minute mountain coaster with four separate uplifts and 30-mph descents.
Free Cancellation Raft five miles of Class III and IV whitewater through the Pigeon River gorge in the Smoky Mountains.
Free Cancellation GPS driving tour of Great Smoky Mountains covering Cades Cove, Clingman’s Dome, and Cherokee history via mobile app.
Free Cancellation Walk a short trail to a Smoky Mountain waterfall while learning about local history and wildlife.
Free Cancellation See the Smoky Mountains' highest peaks from an open-air Jeep while a guide drives the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Free Cancellation You control the descent speed of this Smoky Mountain coaster via a manual brake system on smooth tubular rails.
Free Cancellation This 3-hour jeep tour from Pigeon Forge climbs to Newfound Gap before heading off-road for a rougher ride.
Free Cancellation Hike 2.5 miles past Smokies waterfalls and old-growth forest with a naturalist guide from Sugarlands.
Free Cancellation GPS audio triggers stories and directions as you drive to Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and the park’s highest peaks.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Great Smoky Mountains — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Tours in Great Smoky Mountains National Park navigate 800 square miles of steep ridges and heavy traffic across the North Carolina-Tennessee border. You'll explore via open-air Jeeps, self-guided audio apps, or rafts on the Pigeon River. Pick a guided option if you hate driving mountain roads.
This 5,046-foot pass marks where the Appalachian Trail crosses the state line. Jeep tours stop at the Rockefeller Memorial here.
An 11-mile valley loop known for black bears and 19th-century log cabins. Audio tours guide you through the historic homesteads.
Five miles of Class III and IV whitewater cut through the gorge. Rafting trips tackle drops like Double Sammy.
The park's highest peak reaches 6,643 feet. A steep half-mile paved path leads to a concrete observation tower.
Gravity-driven sleds run on tubular steel rails through the woods in Pigeon Forge. Riders control the speed with hand levers.
Dual ziplines cross the treetops after a 400-foot vertical ATV climb. Platforms sit above the branches for clear mountain views.
Most guided tours depart from gateway towns like Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg rather than inside the park. You handle your own transport to the trailheads for hikes and audio drives.
The park charges no entrance fee. You must buy a $5 daily or $15 weekly parking tag at a visitor center or kiosk to park anywhere inside for more than 15 minutes.
Self-guided GPS apps cost around $15 to $20 per vehicle and work offline. Guided Jeep tours cost about $125 per person and handle the driving on crowded mountain roads.
Kuwohi Road and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close completely in winter. Check the official NPS site for daily ice closures on Newfound Gap Road between December and March.
Rafting the Upper Pigeon River requires closed-toe shoes and a moderate fitness level. Guides provide helmets and life jackets for the Class III and IV rapids.
Zipline tours cap weight at 250 pounds, or 270 pounds for guests over 5'10". Mountain coasters limit sled weight to 375 pounds total.
Phone service drops to zero inside the park. Download audio tours and offline maps while you are still in Gatlinburg or Cherokee.
Federal law requires staying 50 yards away from black bears. Jeep guides and audio apps both emphasize safe viewing from inside vehicles.
Jeep tours and guided hikes do not include tips in the base price. Operators often add an automatic 18% gratuity for groups of six or more at check-in.
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| GPS Audio Drive | Open-Air Jeep Tour | Whitewater Rafting | Guided Waterfall Hike | Mountain Coaster | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Flexible | 2.5 to 3 hours | 1.5 hours | 3 hours | 9 minutes |
| Best for | Independent travelers with a car | Avoiding the stress of mountain driving | First-timers wanting Class III/IV rapids | Active visitors wanting trail context | Families in Pigeon Forge |
| Includes | Offline audio app, route map | Driver-guide, hotel area check-in | Helmet, life jacket, paddle, guide | Guide, snacks | Free parking, sled rental |
| Price from | $15 per vehicle | $125 per person | $46 per person | $95 per person | $17 per person |
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can drive Newfound Gap Road or hike most trails at any time.
The Cades Cove Loop Road is the main exception. It opens at dawn and closes at dusk daily. On Wednesdays from May through September, the loop is closed to motor vehicles entirely to allow for pedestrian and bicycle use.
Visitor centers, including Sugarlands and Oconaluftee, operate year-round but close on Christmas Day. Their hours change seasonally, typically running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
No public transportation enters the park. You need a car or a private commercial shuttle to reach the trailheads.
Local shuttle operators run seasonal service from March through October. They pick up in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and drop off at popular trailheads.
Late April through May brings wildflower blooms and moderate temperatures. October delivers vivid fall foliage across the elevation gradient. These are the best months to visit, provided you stick to weekdays.
June through August and October weekends are severely congested. Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Road often experience gridlock traffic. Arrive before 8:00 AM or after 3:00 PM during these peaks to find parking.
Mid-winter offers empty roads. Snow and ice frequently close high-elevation routes like Kuwohi Road and Newfound Gap Road between December and February.
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. You can check them out on a first-come, first-served basis from November to April. Between May and October, you must reserve them 3 to 30 business days in advance.
Kuwohi features a paved path to the summit, but the half-mile trail is too steep for manual wheelchairs without assistance.
There are no gas stations inside the park boundaries. Fill your tank in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Cherokee before you enter.
Restrooms are available at all major visitor centers, large picnic areas, and major trailheads like Newfound Gap and Cades Cove.
LeConte Lodge is the only non-camping lodging in the park. It sits near the summit of Mount Le Conte and is accessible only by hiking steep trails. All other overnight visitors must use the frontcountry campgrounds or backcountry sites.
No, the park is free to enter. If you drive yourself on an audio tour, you need a $5 daily parking tag to stop your vehicle for more than 15 minutes.
Yes. You download the app and the tour data over Wi-Fi before entering the park. The audio triggers using your phone's internal GPS chip as you drive.
Most guided Jeep tours depart from Pigeon Forge, specifically at locations like Harpoon Harry's. You leave your car in town and ride into the park with the guide.
The rafting trips run on the Pigeon River gorge just outside the park boundaries. The Upper Pigeon route crosses from North Carolina into Tennessee.
No guide can guarantee wildlife sightings. Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail offer the highest chances, especially at dawn or dusk.
No. The national park only allows dogs on the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail. Most guided hikes use trails where pets are strictly prohibited.
Yes, infants and small children can ride on an adult's lap. The driver controls the speed with a handbrake, so you can go as slow as you want.
Jeep tours run year-round, but routes change based on road conditions. Kuwohi Road and Roaring Fork close completely in winter, so tours stick to the Foothills Parkway or Newfound Gap.
The 2.5-mile hike climbs 900 vertical feet. It requires a moderate fitness level to navigate uneven surfaces and downed trees.
Both require closed-toe shoes with a heel strap. Flip-flops are banned on the river and the ziplines.
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A half-mile ATV climb gains 400 vertical feet to start the tour. You'll ride in a six-passenger vehicle to reach the first platform. Six dual ziplines allow two people to fly at once. You'll see your partner mid-air. Most platforms sit above the tree canopy, which leaves the mountain views clear of branches. Four aerial bridges connect the middle sections of the two-hour circuit. You’ll walk across these high above the ground before reaching the final platform. The tour ends with a controlled rappel to the forest floor. This descent is a steady, mechanical drop. Wear closed-toe shoes or the staff will send you back to the parking lot.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The Rocky Top Mountain Coaster is the longest in East Tennessee and the first to use four separate uplifts. It spans 20 acres of hillside. Rides last roughly nine minutes, which is double the length of most local competitors. You control the speed of your own cart using hand levers, topping out at 30 mph. It's a workout for your forearms if you're nervous. The track has 360-degree turns and several tunnels carved into the terrain. Expect a physical ride—the carts rattle on the rails and the G-forces pull on the tighter bends. If the person in front of you is slow, your ride will be too. Wait for a clear gap before the first drop. Thousands of colored lights line the rails for night runs. It's harder to gauge the turns in the dark, so the 30 mph limit feels faster. Skip the peak afternoon heat and go after 8:00 PM for the lights and shorter queues.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Arabic, German, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Five miles of Class III and IV whitewater cut through the Pigeon River gorge. This section runs east to west from North Carolina into Tennessee through the Smoky Mountains. You'll hit about a dozen rapids with names like Lost Guide and Double Sammy. It's the standard choice for first-timers who want a real workout. Expect to work. Water levels depend entirely on dam releases from the Walters Power Plant. These usually happen on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during the summer. If you book on an off-day, the river is significantly lower and the rapids lose their punch. Bring a change of clothes for the end—you'll be soaked before the first mile is over.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This GPS-guided audio tour covers the primary driving routes through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including Cades Cove and the climb to Clingman’s Dome. One purchase works for everyone in the vehicle. The app uses your phone’s location to play stories about Cherokee history and Appalachian settlers as you drive. You also get a tour of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Download the tour data over Wi-Fi before leaving your hotel. Cell signal is nonexistent in most of the park, but the app works offline once the files are on your device. 6,643 feet above sea level, the summit of Kuwohi provides views of seven states on clear days. Heavy fog often rolls in by mid-afternoon—hit the high-altitude viewpoints early. Access never expires. Use the guide for one day or spread the stops, like the hike to Rainbow Falls, across a week. This is a guide only and doesn't replace the required park parking tags. Check for seasonal road closures on the park website before driving.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Walk a short nature trail to a waterfall in the Smoky Mountains. The path passes streams and mountain overlooks along the way. Most people find the route manageable, but it gets slick after rain. Wear shoes with grip. You'll hear about local history and how to spot native wildlife. Black bears are common, so keep your distance if one crosses the trail. If you want a quiet walk, book the early morning slot. Midday brings the most noise and heat. Pick this one if you're traveling with kids who can't handle a steep hike.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This tour takes you along the lower sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway in an open-air Jeep to reach high-altitude overlooks of the Smoky Mountains. A guide handles the driving, so you're free to watch the ridgeline. It's the easiest way to see the 6,000-foot summits. The route climbs to elevations where the air is cooler and the forest changes from hardwood to spruce and fir. Bring a jacket. Even in mid-summer, temperatures on the Parkway often drop 15 degrees below the valley, and the open-sided Jeep lets the breeze in. You'll stop at several stone-walled pull-offs to see the peaks. Heavy fog can roll in quickly and block all visibility—book the morning tour for the best chance of clear skies.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
You control the speed of your cart using a manual handbrake. This coaster runs on tubular steel rails through the Smoky Mountain woods, which eliminates the jerky vibration common on traditional tracks. It's a smooth descent. You can push the lever for full speed or pull back to crawl. Wait for the person in front of you to get a head start. If they're slow and you're fast, you'll end up riding their bumper halfway down. The track layout includes several tight spirals and drops. It's open in most weather, but check the radar if it's pouring. Wear shoes that won't fly off.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
German, English
The tour departs Pigeon Forge for a 3-hour loop that climbs 5,048 feet to Newfound Gap. You'll stop at the Rockefeller Memorial, where Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the park in 1940, and see where the Appalachian Trail crosses the state line. It's usually 10 to 15 degrees cooler at the summit than in the valley. Bring a jacket even in summer. The return leg leaves the pavement for a series of steep, private off-road trails. The jeep handles vertical inclines and deep ruts that make for a loud, jarring ride. It's not a casual sightseeing drive. If you're prone to motion sickness or have back trouble, stick to the paved bus tours instead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This three-hour hike covers 2.5 miles of trail near the Sugarlands Visitors Center and climbs 900 feet past waterfalls and mountain streams. The elevation gain is steady. Ages eight and up can manage the climb. You’ll see moss-slicked boulders and heavy forest cover that keeps the air cool even in July. Naturalist guides find stream-dwelling salamanders. Along the trail, they identify wildflowers and old-growth timber that survived 19th-century logging. Photographers should bring a tripod for the dim light under the canopy. Ditch the heavy pack if you aren't used to the humidity. Trail rocks get slippery after a downpour — skip the flat sneakers and wear boots with actual grip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This GPS audio tour triggers stories and directions automatically as you drive through the Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll visit the log cabins of Cades Cove and climb to Clingmans Dome, the park's highest peak. The route crosses Newfound Gap, the lowest drivable pass in the range. It’s a solid choice for first-timers who want the history without reading a guidebook. The app uses your phone’s GPS to time the commentary, so it works without cell signal or Wi-Fi. One purchase gives you lifetime access and free updates. It includes itineraries for half-day transits or multi-day stays. Download everything at the hotel — the park’s thick canopy kills most data connections. Hit Cades Cove by 7:30 AM to beat the mid-day traffic jams. If the summit is fogged in, save the Clingmans Dome hike for another afternoon. It’s a steep walk for a view you might not get.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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