National park · Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The first national park ever funded with federal dollars, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve straddling the Tennessee-North Carolina line.

Entrance
No fee listed by NPS
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Established
1934
Region
Appalachia & the Mid-Atlantic
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park patch

The real park boundary. Scout checks whether your phone is inside this line.

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History

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is significant as it was the first national park funded in part by federal funds, setting a precedent for future parks. It is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its global ecological importance.

Key events

  1. June 15, 1934Great Smoky Mountains National Park officially established by Congress.
  2. The park was officially dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940.
  3. It is the most visited national park in the United States, attracting over 12 million visitors in 2024.
  4. 1983Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trails

  • Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte 11 mi · Hard
  • Rainbow Falls Trail 5.4 mi · Moderate
  • Grotto Falls Trail 2.6 mi · Moderate
  • Laurel Falls Trail 2.6 mi · Easy
  • Charlies Bunion 8 mi · Hard

Plan your visit

Hours · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Open 24 hours, every day

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. Secondary roads are closed seasonally.

Entrance fees

NPS lists no entrance fee for this park.

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Fall. Peak foliage October-November, active wildlife, comfortable temps
  • Spring. Wildflowers bloom, waterfalls at peak, baby wildlife
  • Summer. Lush greenery, all facilities open, water activities, but crowded
  • Winter. Snow-covered peaks, solitude, peaceful hiking, some road closures

Wildlife

Black bearsElkWhite-tailed deerWild turkeysSalamandersSynchronous firefliesBarred owlsWild boars

Nearby patches

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