“Where there’s smoke, there’s mystery.”
In the Great Smoky Mountains, that blue haze drifting through the valleys isn’t just mist; it’s legacy. This is a place carved by ancient rivers, guarded by ridgelines, and steeped in stories older than America itself.
The Cherokee called these mountains home long before roads wound through them. Their legends whisper of spirit birds, shape-shifting witches, and sacred fire. Later, Appalachian settlers carried their tales—of moonshiners, midwives, and the music of survival echoing through log cabins and sawmills.
Today, this park remains the most visited in the country. And for good reason. You’ll find endless overlooks, hidden waterfalls, and winding trails that seem to slip into another century.
With this self-guided driving tour, you’ll unlock both the well-known wonders and the quiet corners of the Smokies at your own pace. Hear the tales of an ancient Cherokee monarchy as you ascend to Clingman Dome—cruise into Cades Cove, where deer graze, and ghosts linger. Stand beneath Rainbow Falls and learn why wildfires might be nature’s way of healing.
Other stops include Elys Mill, where past and present tangle like mountain laurel and stories of flora, fauna, and folklore that bring the park to life.
Disclaimer: Bears don’t accept selfies as payment. Keep your snacks and your distance.
Download the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trip Planner for more details on how to reach the park, must-see stops, best places to stay, when to visit, activities to do, packing tips, and more!
NOTE:
- Learn more about the road conditions, admission fees, and other pertinent information here.
- Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has fully reopened ahead of schedule, as of September 12, 2025 at 4 p.m. The road, which was previously closed due to a washout, has undergone extensive repairs and is now restored, improving access for visitors and local communities.
- The road is open on the North Carolina side, so you can access Newfound Gap and visit Clingmans Dome and other scenic areas along the way. However, if you want to visit Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, you will need to take I-40, which will add approximately 2 hours to your drive.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Map
Where To Start?
Great Smoky Mountains – Northbound (Cherokee): Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee
The tour begins on Route 441 near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee. As you approach northbound, you’ll see the visitor center on your right. Please note, this is a suggested starting point, and we are not affiliated with the visitor center here. Their staff will not have information about the tour.
Great Smoky Mountains – Southbound (Gatlinburg): 1151 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
The tour begins on US-441 Parkway near the parking lot at 1151 Parkway, Gatlinburg. As you approach southbound, you’ll see a gas station and the “Parking Entrance” sign on your right. Please note this is a suggested starting point; we’re not affiliated with the parking lot or any businesses here, and their staff won’t have information about this tour.
Great Smoky’s Roaring Fork Motor Trail: 114 Airport Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Centre
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Mingus Mill and Trail
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Beech Flats Quiet Walkway
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Webb View
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Clingmans Dome
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Clingmans Dome Tower
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Clingmans Dome VC
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Newfound Gap Story
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Rockefeller Memorial
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Morton Overlook
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Morton Tunnel
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Alum Cave
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Chimney Tops Overlook
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Turn for Cade Coves Tour Ahead
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Balsom Point Quiet Walkway
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Carlos Campbell Overlook
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Sugarlands Valley Trail
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Sugarlands Visitor Centre
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Cataract Falls
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Ripley's Believe It or Not!
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Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
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Ogle Place
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Rainbow Falls
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Grotto Falls
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Place of a Thousand Drips
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Baskin Creek Falls
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Ephraim Bales Cabin
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Reagan Tub Mill and Cabin
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Elys Mill
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Gatlinburg - Conclusion
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
It was actually a publicity stunt from Charles Webb, a newspaper editor in the 1920s. To encourage tourism to the Smokies, he hired a journalist and a photographer to capture the mountains’ natural beauty. Webb thought “The Smoky Mountains” was too boring; he needed to capture the grandeur, the scope, the sweeping majesty. So all his advertisements and brochures were emblazoned instead with “Visit the Great Smoky Mountains!” And that’s the name that stuck when the mountains were turned into an official national park.
You can bring your dog to campgrounds, picnic spots, and along paved roads, as long as you keep them on a leash. But please, DON’T bring your pet along the walking and hiking trails.
Yes! The Smokies have a vehicle route that allows you to observe the mountains on your Great Smoky Mountains driving tour.
Visit in September or October for stunning fall foliage. 80% of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is covered in hardwood forests: trees like birch, beech, and maple. Each of these trees flares up in vibrant colors in early fall. Whether you’re looking down at them from a scenic overlook or walking among them on one of the park’s many trails, there’s no understating how incredible it is to see the Smokies in fall.
How can you pick just one? Both the Tennessee side and North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park have so much to offer.
A driving tour through Great Smoky Mountains National Park only takes about two hours.
Most visitors come to the Great Smoky Mountains for summer vacation. July is by far the busiest month for the park. The park will reach its busiest point between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Try visiting before or after those times for a more relaxed experience.
The location in the Great Smoky Mountains that attracts the most tourists every year is the fabulous Cades Cove Loop Road.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
