Summary
3 free
Entrances
4 live
Cameras
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is June–August, when around 35% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for December–February.
Plan Your Visit
Water & Waterfall SafetyLeading cause of death▾
Park Entrances & Parking Tag3 free entrances▾
North Entrance
Free · Open
Sugarlands, via Gatlinburg, TN (US-441)
The park's busiest gateway — Sugarlands Visitor Center sits 2 miles south of Gatlinburg, right at the start of Newfound Gap Road.
💡 Gatlinburg traffic backs up badly on summer/fall weekends — arrive before 9 AM if you can.
NPS directions ↗
South Entrance
Free · Open
Oconaluftee, via Cherokee, NC (US-441)
Oconaluftee Visitor Center sits 2 miles north of Cherokee — the North Carolina gateway and the south end of Newfound Gap Road.
💡 Elk are frequently seen grazing in the Oconaluftee River valley near the visitor center, especially at dawn/dusk.
NPS directions ↗
West Entrance
Free · Open
Townsend, TN (Laurel Creek Rd to Cades Cove)
Known locally as "the peaceful side" — the quietest way in, leading directly to the Cades Cove Loop Road.
💡 Best entrance for Cades Cove if you want to avoid Gatlinburg traffic entirely.
NPS directions ↗
Campground Availability10 areas▾
Cades Cove Reservation Only ▾
Sites159 + 4 group
SeasonYear-round
NotesAt the start of the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road; the park's most popular campground
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Smokemont Reservation Only ▾
Sites142
SeasonYear-round
NotesNC side, near Oconaluftee, along the Bradley Fork of the Oconaluftee River
Campground details ↗
Elkmont Reservation Only ▾
Sites~220 (incl. 20 walk-in)
SeasonSeasonal
NotesLargest campground; near the synchronous firefly viewing area (lottery, early June)
Campground details ↗
Cosby Reservation Only ▾
Sites~157
SeasonSeasonal
NotesQuiet NE corner of the park, less crowded, good access to Mt. Cammerer trail
Campground details ↗
Deep Creek Reservation Only ▾
Sites92
SeasonSeasonal
NotesNC side near Bryson City; popular tubing creek
Campground details ↗
Look Rock Reservation Only ▾
Sites68
SeasonMid-May–October
NotesReopened 2023 after a 9-year closure; near a scenic overlook on Foothills Parkway
Campground details ↗
Balsam Mountain Reservation Only ▾
Sites42
SeasonSeasonal
NotesHighest-elevation campground (~5,300 ft); access road narrow & one-way beyond the campground
Campground details ↗
Cataloochee Reservation Only ▾
Sites27
SeasonSeasonal
NotesRemote NC valley, historic buildings, reliable elk viewing
Campground details ↗
Big Creek Reservation Only ▾
Sites12 (tent only)
SeasonSeasonal
NotesSmallest, most remote frontcountry campground, NE corner near I-40
Campground details ↗
Abrams Creek Reservation Only ▾
Sites16
SeasonSeasonal
NotesLowest-elevation campground (~1,125 ft), remote western corner near Chilhowee Lake
Campground details ↗
Landmarks & Trailheads13 stops▾
Kuwohi & Newfound Gap Area4 stops▾
Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome)6,643 ft
Highest point in the park · observation tower · steep 0.5 mi paved trail
Newfound Gap5,046 ft
TN/NC state line overlook on US-441
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail~1 hr drive
5.5 mi one-way loop past historic cabins & cascades
Chimney Tops Overlook~10 min
Roadside view of the twin rock spires
Cades Cove Area3 stops▾
Cades Cove Loop Road2–4 hrs
11-mi one-way loop · historic homesteads & churches · closed to vehicles every Wed through Sept 30, 2026
John Oliver Cabin~15 min
Oldest surviving log home in the cove, early stop on the loop
Cable Mill Historic Area~30 min
Working grist mill & visitor center partway around the loop
Waterfalls2 stops▾
Laurel Falls~2 hrs
Paved 2.6 mi round trip · trail closed for rehabilitation, check current status
Rainbow Falls~4 hrs
Strenuous 5.4 mi round trip to the park's tallest single-drop waterfall
Oconaluftee / NC Side2 stops▾
Mingus Mill~20 min
Historic 1886 turbine-powered gristmill, still operating seasonally
Oconaluftee Visitor Center & Farm Museum~45 min
Historic farm buildings, frequent elk sightings in the adjacent fields
Things to Do6 categories▾
Hiking Trails5 trails▾
Alum Cave Bluffs4.6 mi RT
Park's most popular route toward Mt. LeConte; passes a natural stone arch and cliffside bluffs
Charlies Bunion8 mi RT
Appalachian Trail hike from Newfound Gap through spruce-fir forest to a rocky outcrop with panoramic views; many steep sections
Andrews Bald3.6 mi RT
Descends through spruce-fir forest from the Kuwohi/Forney Ridge Trailhead to a grassy bald known for summer azaleas
Abrams Falls5 mi RT
Popular Cades Cove-area trail with occasional root and rock obstacles to a wide, powerful waterfall
Ramsey Cascades8 mi RT · 2,100+ ft gain
Challenging hike to the tallest waterfall in the Smokies
Fishing3 facts▾
Open-Water FishingYear-round, sunrise–sunset
Valid TN or NC fishing license required for anglers 16+, no trout stamp needed; single hand-held rod, artificial flies/lures with a single hook only, no bait
Catch Limits5/day combined limit
7-inch minimum size for trout & smallmouth bass; must stop fishing immediately after reaching the daily limit
Fishable Waters~2,900 mi of streams
Protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the East; roughly 20% of streams support trout
Horseback Riding3 options▾
Guided RidesMid-Mar–late Nov
Concession stables at Cades Cove, Smokemont & Sugarlands; Cades Cove & Smokemont also run hayrides/wagon rides
Horse Trails~550 mi open to horses
Designated horse trails only; off-trail riding is prohibited
Horse Camps5 camps · Apr–Oct
Drive-in camps for private stock provide backcountry access; $1 trail map required for self-guided rides
Biking3 ways▾
Cades Cove Loop Road11 mi loop
The park's primary biking destination; 20 mph posted speed limit, Class 1 & 2 e-bikes allowed
Vehicle-Free WednesdaysWednesdays, seasonal
Cades Cove Loop Road closes to motor vehicles all day for cyclists & walkers, part of the year
Bike Rentals & Other TrailsSummer–fall
Rentals at the Cades Cove Campground store; biking also allowed on Gatlinburg, Oconaluftee River & lower Deep Creek trails
Synchronous Fireflies2 facts▾
Elkmont Viewing Event~2–3 wk window, spring
Photinus carolinus fireflies synchronize their flashes for about two to three weeks each late spring at Elkmont; 2026 dates were May 20–27
Vehicle Reservation Lottery$1 to enter lottery
Access requires a Recreation.gov lottery entry; winners pay a reservation fee for one of 120 nightly spots, non-refundable & non-transferable
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
Peregrine Falcon
Reintroduced on the high cliffs
Ruffed Grouse
Drums in the forest understory
Wild Turkey
Common in Cades Cove
Pileated Woodpecker
Drums through old-growth forest
Barred Owl
Calls at dusk in the Smokies
River Conditions4 live gauges▾
Oconaluftee River at Birdtown, NC
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USGS site 03512000 ↗
Little Pigeon River at Sevierville, TN
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USGS site 03470000 ↗
Park Contact Information