Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Explore the nation's most visited national park, known for incredible mountain…

Explore the nation's most visited national park, known for incredible mountain views, waterfalls, rivers and streams, and nearly 900 miles of hiking trails.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

So Many Wide Open Spaces to Explore

Bryson City is home to five entrances to the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most visited national park, more than any other destination surrounding the Park.

In addition to these five entrances, visitors can explore all the access points once inside the Park. If you're looking for a quiet destination without the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, these numerous access points to the National Park make Bryson City a better alternative for outdoor adventure. In addition to Oconaluftee at Cherokee, Clingmans Dome, the Road to Nowhere, and Deep Creek, you can also access remote areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after crossing Fontana Dam, on the Appalachian Trail, or by boat on a North Shore excursion, or on a guided hike to Hazel Creek.

There are endless opportunities for outdoor fun, ranging from hiking and waterfalls, biking, horseback riding, tubing and other adventures.Or take a more leisurely approach with a scenic drive or catch the sunset at an overlook in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Explore the National Park By Access Point or Section

Known as the highest point of the Great Smoky Mountains with an elevation of 6,634 feet, Clingmans Dome is home to many hiking trails and an observation tower, which overlooks miles of the national forest.

Deep Creek is known as one of the most stunning areas of North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is located just a few miles from downtown Bryson City.

Steeped in history, the Road to Nowhere is a scenic drive, hiking destination and monument to the past, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A six-mile winding road weaves through the National Forest, with multiple scenic stops along the way

Close to Bryson City in neighboring Cherokee, NC, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum is home to trails and historic buildings along the Oconaluftee River.

Explore the Smokemont section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You'll find a campground, hiking trails, a historic church, and horseback riding.

Explore the backcountry wilderness of the North Shore of Fontana Lake, within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary. This is a remote wilderness section of the National Park, which is accessible via hiking trails or by boat.

Newfound Gap Road travels through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg TN, with several landmarks and scenic overlooks along the way.

Fontana Dam impounds Fontana Lake, and also provides access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a popular hiking access point.

Explore Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This expansive, beautiful valley is surrounded by the towering peaks of the Smokies and is one of the best spots to spy wildlife, including whitetail deer, bears, coyotes and others.

Map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Explore the National Park By Activity:

Scenic Drives in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Little River Road

This 18-mile scenic drive dead-ends at Cades Cove, and provides spectacular scenery, including overlooks, a tunnel, river scenes, trailheads, picnic areas, campground access points and even a waterfall – Meigs Falls - that can be seen…

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Tour

The 5.5-mile-long, one-way, loop road is a favorite slow drive for many people. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and several well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings.

Road to Nowhere

Venture Into History One of the most unique areas in Bryson City is found on Lakeview Drive in an area locally known ... as “The Road to Nowhere ,” part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Frequently Asked Questions About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Are pets allowed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Near Bryson City in the National Park, dogs are allowed on the Oconaluftee River Trail, the Deep Creek Picnic Area, and the Deep Creek Campground. Pets are not allowed on any other trails in the National Park. For pet-friendly hiking ideas outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit our Hiking page and use the amenity search to select "pet friendly."

When is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open?

The Great Smoky Mountains National park is open year round, however certain roads may close due to inclement weather. Visit the National Park website or their Twitter account for up-to-date road closure information. In particular, Clingmans Dome Road is closed from November through March due to high elevation winter weather.

More Things To Do in Bryson City

Museums

Explore the deep history and culture of Bryson City, Western North Carolina and the…