Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

Tour Details

Type
Driving
Duration
1 - 2 Hours
Audio Stories
45
Deep Dives
7

Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains Tour

Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discover why it’s the most visited National Park in the country! Tour these famous mountains while learning about Cherokee history and legends, Appalachian life, and much more. We’ll point you to all the best spots to take in the timeless wonders of the mountains. There’s no better way to see Clingman’s Dome, Cades Cove, or Rainbow Falls than on the Smoky Mountains tour!

About the Tour

Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discover why it’s the most visited National Park in the country! Buckle up and prepare for a deep dive into the most famous stretch of the Appalachians.

As you drive through these scenic mountains, you’ll hear all about parts of Cherokee history you’ve never heard before, like the ancient Cherokee monarchy and the revolutionaries who fought against it! You’ll also get to hear detailed accounts of Cherokee ancestral legends about these mountains, from the great buzzard who shaped the Smoky Mountains from clay to the witch whose droplets of blood bloom into stalks of corn!

The Great Smoky Mountains are so vast that it can be tricky to find all the best spots—that’s where we come in. We’ll point you to all the most breathtaking, awe-inspiring sights in the park. Witness the majesty of Rainbow Falls, the 360-degree views atop Clingmans Dome, and the deep-rooted history of the Elys Mill. Our flexible route allows you to take all the time you need to admire the timeless wonders of the mountains.

Along the way, the Smoky Mountains Tour will fill you in not just on the rich history of the area and the people who have lived here, but also the complex flora and fauna which call these mountains home. Get to know the creatures of Cades Cove and learn how wildfires form an integral part of this vast, interconnected ecosystem.

All this without having to fuss with a map or adhere to someone else’s schedule! As you drive, audio stories will automatically pop up and start playing, allowing you to keep your attention on the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is situated in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina covering 800 square miles or 520,000 acres.

Start Point Addresses:

Oconaluftee Visitor Center – 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719

Reverse tour – 1200 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

What You'll See

Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Centre
Our 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! Buckle up and prepare for a deep dive into the most famous stretch of the Appalachians, from the history and legends of the Cherokee in the area to the awe-inspiring Rainbow Falls.
Mingus Mill and Trail
Our first stop is at 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. As we continue, we'll be introduced to the Cherokee, who lived here long before anyone else. We'll hear their history and their legends, from the buzzard who shaped the Smoky Mountains to the witch whose blood blooms into stalks of corn! Then we'll get down and dirty and hear about the geology of this fascinating landscape.
Beech Flats Quiet Walkway
As we drive, we'll come to 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
Our route takes us next to Webb View, a spectacular overlook offering unmatched views of the Smokies. Next, we'll dive into the history of settlers in Appalachia, the Appalachian trail, and learn how one of the park's most popular landmarks came to be.
Clingmans Dome Tower
Next, we'll arrive at Clingman's Dome Tower, an astonishing observation tower offering unparalleled views. You really haven't seen the Great Smoky Mountains until you've seen them from up here! Then, we'll hear about how this massive park got its funding, and what all that has to do with the famous Rockefeller family.
Newfound Gap Story
Our 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, in case you were still wondering about Rockefeller's importance to the park! This memorial was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt himself.
Morton Overlook
Keep driving until you reach Morton Overlook, most popular for its unbelievable sunset views.
Morton Tunnel
Continue on into the Morton Tunnel and hear about how a politician named Ben Morton got his name all over the park. Hear about how Morton navigated the dicey political waters of the Great Depression and worked with FDR to make sure the park became a reality!
Alum Cave
We'll arrive next at the Alum Cave Trail. Explore the remains of an old salt mine and learn the history behind the mine, its importance during the Civil War, and why it's empty today.
Chimney Tops Overlook
Continue driving to Chimney Tops Overlook, where we'll hear all about wildfires in the Smokies, and how they cause lasting damage to mountains like this one. Then, we'll dive into the history of Cades Cove, the 4,000 acre meadow between mountains that was once home to hundreds of people.
Balsom Point Quiet Walkway
Next, we'll arrive at another quiet walkway, this one offering lovely views of Pigeon River. We'll also discover how early settlers used that river for electricity!
Carlos Campbell Overlook
The next overlook on our route is right by the roadside, and offers panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests. Here, we'll pick up some fast facts about the flora of the Smokies.
Sugarlands Valley Trail
Next up is the most accessible trail in the park! Sugarlands Valley Trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the scenic wilderness. We'll also turn back the clock to get an in-depth look at the complicated history of this valley and the settlers who once lived here.
Sugarlands Visitor Centre
The road leads us next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.
Cataract Falls
Our 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, we'll arrive in the mountian town of Gatlinburg, we'll hear how it all began with the unfortunate, ill-fated William Ogle, who built the town's very first cabin but never got to live there. Then we'll hear about how the town grew, the struggle that consumed it during the Civil War, and how it became what it is today. This is where our tour officially concludes.

Preview the Tour

Stop 1 : Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Centre

Stop 4 : Tsali and the Trail of Tears

How It Works

Additional Information

2022 Updates

Those who want to view the synchronous fireflies usually on display for a few weeks around late May to late June will have to apply on the recreation.gov website from April 29 to May 2. The selection is through a lottery.

Between May and September, Cyclists and pedestrians have exclusive usage of the Cades Cove Loop Road every Wednesday. No other vehicles are allowed during this time.

Some vehicle types such as trailers, RVs, and buses are not allowed on some secondary roads in the park, including Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

The National Park Service introduced a new pilot system for parking reservations for Laurel Falls. Check the National Park Service website for updates on parking reservations for 2022.

What do we do?

Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!

Lifetime Validity

Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.

No Network Needed

The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.

Not an Entry Ticket

This is not an entry ticket.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

GPS-enabled, at your own pace

Tour Details

Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains Tour

About the Tour

What You'll See

Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Centre

Mingus Mill and Trail

Beech Flats Quiet Walkway

Webb View

Clingmans Dome Tower

Newfound Gap Story

Rockefeller Memorial

Morton Overlook

Morton Tunnel

Alum Cave

Chimney Tops Overlook

Balsom Point Quiet Walkway

Carlos Campbell Overlook

Sugarlands Valley Trail

Sugarlands Visitor Centre

Cataract Falls

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Ogle Place

Rainbow Falls

Grotto Falls

Place of a Thousand Drips

Baskin Creek Falls

Ephraim Bales Cabin

Reagan Tub Mill and Cabin

Elys Mill

Gatlinburg - Conclusion

Preview the Tour

Stop 1 : Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Centre

Stop 4 : Tsali and the Trail of Tears

How It Works

Additional Information

2022 Updates

Reviews

Recommended Tours

Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tour

Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

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