National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a National Park in North Carolina, Tennessee. The NPS currently lists 4 active alerts (3 closures), 13 campgrounds and 4 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

North Carolina Tennessee National Park No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

A clear sky with a vast snowy mountain scene. — Winter in the Smokies · Photo: NPS / Bob Carr (via nps.gov)

About the park

“Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most…”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/grsm

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

4 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 3 closures, 0 danger, 0 caution and 1 information.

Closure

Cherokee Orchard Road closed to pedestrian traffic

Cherokee Orchard Road is currently closed to pedestrian traffic due to bear activity. All visitors must stay in their vehicles. Do not stop or park your vehicle in the roadway.

Posted or updated Oct 19, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Closure

Park Headquarters Road is closed

Park Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.

Posted or updated Jun 25, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Closure

Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.

Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed.

Posted or updated Nov 11, 2025 ·Details on nps.gov

Information

Most visitors need a parking tag

All vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes require a parking tag. Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types: Daily ($5), Weekly ($15), or Annual ($40).

Posted or updated Feb 8, 2024 ·Details on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.Parking or transportation fees may apply.

Fee details on nps.gov

Things to do

A road through the woods with a sign for Lookrock tower on the right — Photo: NPS

Drive Foothills Parkway (Chilhowee to Walland)

Drive 16.6 miles (26.7 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Chilhowee to Walland.

Fee applies Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

A road with a scenic mountain view and large pull-off. — Photo: NPS

Drive Foothills Parkway (Cosby to I-40)

Drive 5.6 miles (9.01 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Cosby to I-40.

Fee applies Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

A roadway bridge with mountain views, the lower corner has a car icon. — Photo: NPS

Drive Foothills Parkway (Walland to Wears Valley)

Drive 14.75 miles (23.74 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Walland to Wears Valley.

Fee applies Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

See all 45 things to do in Great Smoky Mountains →

Activities the NPS lists for Great Smoky Mountains.

Arts and CultureLive MusicAuto and ATVScenic DrivingAstronomyStargazingBikingRoad BikingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingHorse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)Group CampingRV CampingFishingFreshwater FishingFly FishingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHands-OnCitizen ScienceHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorse Camping (see also camping)Horseback RidingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Operating hours

Primary roads are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round, weather permitting. This includes Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, and Laurel Creek Road.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet (267 meters) to 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) and the topography can drastically affect local weather.

Contact and directions

Phone: (865)436-1200
Email: [email protected]
Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Coordinates: 35.6012, -83.5082· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Cades Cove Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	—	Yes
Kuwohi Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	—	Yes
Oconaluftee Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	—	Yes
Sugarlands Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	(865) 436-1200	Yes

Campgrounds

Campground	Total sites	Reservable	RVs	Fee	Reserve
Abrams Creek Campground	16	16	Yes	$30	Recreation.gov
Balsam Mountain Campground	43	43	Yes, up to 24 ft	$30	—
Big Creek Campground	12	12	No	$30	Recreation.gov
Cades Cove Campground	161	164	Yes, up to 40 ft	$30	Recreation.gov
Cades Cove Group Campground	3	4	No	$35	Recreation.gov
Cataloochee Campground	27	27	Yes, up to 31 ft	$30	Recreation.gov
Cosby Campground	157	157	Yes, up to 25 ft	$30	Recreation.gov
Deep Creek Campground	92	92	Yes, up to 26 ft	$30	Recreation.gov
Elkmont Campground	211	211	Yes, up to 35 ft	$30	Recreation.gov
Elkmont Group Campground	4	4	No	$53	Recreation.gov
Look Rock Campground	68	68	Yes	$30	Recreation.gov
Smokemont Campground	142	142	Yes, up to 40 ft	$30	Recreation.gov
Smokemont Group Campground	3	3	Yes, up to 40 ft	$50	Recreation.gov

Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.

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More parks in North Carolina

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Blue Ridge Parkway Cape Hatteras National Seashore Cape Lookout National Seashore Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Guilford Courthouse National Military Park Moores Creek National Battlefield Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail Wright Brothers National Memorial All in North Carolina

Nearest other NPS sites

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site TN
Blue Ridge Parkway NC, VA
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site NC
Obed Wild & Scenic River TN
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park KY, TN, VA
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area KY, TN

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.