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Tour Details

Tour Type: Driving
Duration: Each Tour 2 -3 Hours
Distance:Each Tour 25+ Miles
Audio Stories: Each Tour 30+
Purchase Qty: One Per Car
Tour At Your Own Pace
Valid for One Year
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Great Smoky, Cades Cove, Shenandoah & Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tours Bundle
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Welcome to the Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Bundle Tour

Explore these picturesque mountains, uncover the rich history of the Cherokee and early settlers, and discover why this is the most-visited national park in the country. You’ll discover beautiful overlooks, hiking trails, and waterfalls on one tour, then dive into the pioneer and Civil War history of Cades Cove with the next! If you don’t want to miss a thing, this is the deal for you.

About the Bundle

Your combo tour consists of a main Smoky Mountains tour and a tour of scenic Cades Cove. The main tour begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. From there, you’ll head past the Mingus Mill, a remnant of a once-thriving town. As you drive, you’ll hear accounts of the Cherokee who once lived here, their legends, and their struggles to hold onto their land. Then you’ll arrive at the Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, a perfect spot for a meditative stroll through nature.

After that, you’ll come to the first major overlook: Charles Overlook. Once you’ve snapped some stunning photos, you’ll continue toward Clingman’s Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies. Atop that dome, you’ll also find an observation deck offering unparalleled views of the mountains.

Then you’ll come to the trail for Alum Cave, one of the most popular hikes in the park! After that is Chimney Tops Overlook, offering more phenomenal mountain views. Next up is another quiet walkway at Balsam Point, offering an easy wilderness walk for those looking to stretch their legs. You’ll also hear plenty of little-known park history as you continue past yet another incredible vista and another secluded walkway.

As you continue toward Gatlinburg, you’ll also have the chance to check out the pristine Cataract Falls. You’ll pass the bizarre and famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not in the town itself, a guaranteed family favorite stop! You’ll then see Ogle Place, an old-timey homestead dating back to the 1800s. Then you’ll arrive at the astonishing Rainbow Falls, which absolutely lives up to its name!

But that’s not the only waterfall you’ll see, as two more are not far off. Then there are the historic cabins of Ephraim Bales and Reagan Tub, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. Finally, you’ll reach the historic Ely’s Mill, which is still in operation today! The main tour concludes here, but there are lots more on the Cades Cove tour!

Your tour of Cades Cove begins just west of Gatlinburg. From there, you’ll continue west toward the scenic loop.

The first landmark is John Oliver Place, once home to some of the first homesteaders to make a living here. After that, you’ll see the Primitive Baptist Church, one of three churches dating back to the 1800s. As you visit the next two—the Methodist Church and the Missionary Baptist Church—you’ll uncover the devastating impact of the Civil War on this community.

Then it’s on to Elijah Oliver Place, a beautifully-preserved homestead offering an authentic look at early pioneer life. After that, you can hike to Abrams Falls, a secluded, powerful waterfall.

Next, you’ll reach Tipton Place, home to a Civil War veteran. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Carter Shields Cabin, another idyllic homestead from a bygone era. Then you’ll continue toward the start of the loop as you hear about the last family to call the cove home. Your tour will conclude near the start of the loop.

NOTE:

This bundle includes the Clingman’s Dome Trail Walking Tour as a Bonus tour.
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.

2025 Updates

Entrance Fee
Entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free The park is one of the few national parks with no entrance fees.

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Know Before You Go

Please note that some roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are currently closed due to seasonal closures. These closures are part of the park’s regular winter operations and affect our route.

Link: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

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

Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Centre
Your drive through the beautiful, majestic Smoky Mountains begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Get ready to explore the Smokies and discover why this is the most visited National Park in the country!
Mingus Mill and Trail
As you drive, you'll have the option to take a detour to the Mingus Mill, an 1886 grist mill which, believe it or not, is still fully functional! If you're here on weekends, you can even see the mill operators grind corn just like they did back in the 1800s.
Beech Flats Quiet Walkway
Your first major stop is the Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, a perfect spot for anyone who wants to soak up the natural beauty of the mountains without having to hike an arduous trail.
Webb View
Your route takes you next to Webb View, a spectacular overlook offering unmatched views of the Smokies. It's the perfect spot to snap a few photos!
Clingmans Dome
Next, you'll have the option to visit Clingman's Dome. Standing at over 6,600 feet above sea level, this peak offers an unbeatable panorama of the Smokies.
Clingmans Dome Tower
Heading toward Clingman's Dome, you'll soon see its famous observation tower. You really haven't seen the Great Smoky Mountains until you've seen them from up here!
Clingmans Dome VC
Then you'll arrive at the Clingman's Dome Visitor Center, where you'll find the trail leading the final half-mile to the top of the dome.
Newfound Gap Story
From there, your drive continues to Newfound Gap, a stunning mountain pass with huge historical significance. Hear the story of how trappers, farmers, and merchants used to cross the Smokies, and how this gap changed all of that.
Rockefeller Memorial
Up next is the Rockefeller Memorial, where you'll learn more about Rockefeller's importance to the park! This memorial was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt himself.
Morton Overlook
After that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.
Morton Tunnel
Continuing on, you'll pass through the heart of a mountain using the Morton Tunnel. Here, you'll also hear about how a politician named Ben Morton got his name all over the park.
Alum Cave
Next you'll pass the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the remains of an old salt mine packed with fascinating history.
Chimney Tops Overlook
Your route takes you next to Chimney Tops Overlook, where you'll hear all about wildfires in the Smokies and how they cause lasting damage to mountains like this one.
Turn for Cade Coves Tour Ahead
After that, you'll have the option to head to Cades Cove for a separate, in-depth tour of that beautiful and historic part of the park.
Balsom Point Quiet Walkway
Up next is Balsam Point Quiet Walkway, offering nature-filled solitude and lovely views of Pigeon River.
Carlos Campbell Overlook
The next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.
Sugarlands Valley Trail
Next up is the most accessible trail in the park: Sugarlands Valley Trail! This scenic trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the wilderness.
Sugarlands Visitor Centre
The tour leads next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.
Cataract Falls
Your drive continues to Cataract Falls, a beautiful, secluded set of waterfalls tucked beneath a shaded canopy of beech trees.
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Our next stop is perfect for anyone amused by kitschy oddities. This funky museum displays everything from shrunken human heads to rare animal skeletons. We'll get the inside scoop on how it started as a simple one-panel comic strip and grew into a national phenomenon.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Continue following the road to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This driving trail invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the area. It also features three of the park's most famous waterfalls!
Ogle Place
Next, we'll pass by the Ogle Place, the historic home of one of Gatlinburg's earliest families, which offers us a fascinating glimpse into how people lived a couple hundred years ago.
Rainbow Falls
Our route takes us next to the Rainbow Falls Trail, which leads to the park's most popular waterfall. Standing at 80 feet, Rainbow Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Smokies, but that's not all! When the sun hits it right, it glimmers like a rainbow--hence the name.
Grotto Falls
Keep driving until you reach the Grotto Falls trail. While it's not quite as grand as Rainbow Falls, this secluded, less crowded waterfall is absolutely worth a visit. On your way, hear about a rare salamander you can only find right here!
Place of a Thousand Drips
Why settle for one waterfall when you can have several? Our next stop is the Place of a Thousand Drips, where numerous narrow falls come together to form a stunning torrent.
Baskin Creek Falls
Our drive takes us next to the Baskin Creek Falls, a sparkling waterfall where we'll hear about the amusing, and slightly misguided history behind the name of these falls.
Ephraim Bales Cabin
Up next, we'll pass the Ephraim Bales Cabin, a portal back in time to the 19th century. We'll hear all about the family that lived here, and why there's a big hole in the middle of their cabin!
Reagan Tub Mill and Cabin
The road brings us next to the Reagen Cabin, which displays a perfect example of old-timey technology in the form of the so-called "tub mill." Hear all about what that is and why it was useful here.
Elys Mill
Next, our drive takes us to Ely's Mill, a historic mill on the outskirts of Gatlinburg which gives us another window into the lives of the early Appalachian settlers. Here, we'll learn about Andrew Ely, the bigshot lawyer who upended his entire life after his wife died, abandoned his law practice, and moved to Gatlinburg to start over and live a simpler life.
Gatlinburg - Conclusion
Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude.
Welcome to Cades Cove
Your tour of Cades Cove begins near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. From here, you'll drive down a scenic route to reach the main attraction: Cades Cove Loop.
The John Oliver Place
The first landmark you'll encounter is the John Oliver Place, a historic homestead dating back to the early 1800s.
Primitive Baptist Church
Next up is the Primitive Baptist Church, one of three historic churches in Cades Cove which offers a window into the area's past.
Methodist Church
Past that is the Methodist Church, which cost only $115 to build when it was constructed in 1902!
Missionary Baptist Church
Then there's the Missionary Baptist Church, which split off from the Primitive Baptist Church during the early days of Cades Cove due to ideological divides.
Elijah Oliver Place
Continuing on, you'll come to the Elijah Oliver Place, accessible via a half-mile trail. This secluded homestead once belonged to an abolitionist who found himself in grave danger when the Civil War broke out.
Abrams Falls
Up next is the Abrams Falls Trail, which takes hikers to a powerful waterfall hidden deep in the wilderness.
John Cable Grist Mill
After that, you'll see the John Cable Grist Mill. This mill dates back to 1870 and you can still see it in operation today!
Henry Whitehead House
From the John Cable Grist Mill, you'll have the option to make a detour to the Henry Whitehead House. This pleasant cabin was actually built as a wedding gift!
Tipton Place
Next on your route is Tipton Place, which was once home to a war hero of the American Revolution.
Carter Shields Cabin
Finally, you'll come next to the Carter Shields Cabin, a staunchly abolitionist home that lost much during the Civil War.