Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Book your stay at Music Road Resort Hotel and Inn if you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and convenient hotel in Pigeon Forge just 12 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You'll enjoy our spacious accommodations, waterparks, complimentary breakfasts, and indoor pools. Book your stay today!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a natural wonder that draws visitors from all over the world. It is known for its cascading waterfalls, diverse wildlife, and an awe-inspiring view that stretches over 500,000 acres. The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities that cater to all interests. Visitors often begin their adventure in Gatlinburg, a charming town located at the park's doorstep. From there, they embark on one of the park's famous trails, each offering a unique experience. A hike through the Great Smoky Mountains is a journey of discovery, whether it takes you along the Appalachian Trail, through a sea of wildflowers, or to one of the many majestic waterfalls. The park's beauty is ever-changing, with each season bringing a new set of colors and sensations to explore. A visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a memorable experience that will leave you with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tags

Valid parking tags are required on any vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All revenue will stay in the park to provide sustainable, year-round support focusing on improving the visitor experience, protecting resources, and maintaining trails, roads, historic structures, and facilities. Visitors who simply drive through the park do not need a parking tag.

Parking Tag Basics

• Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:
  • Daily - $5
  • Weekly - $15
  • Annual - $40
• Parking tags are available for purchase both online and onsite.
• Display of physical parking tags in each vehicle is required.

To learn more, visit here.

Black Bears

The American Black Bear is an iconic symbol of the Smokies and perhaps the most famous resident of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. With variable populations, biologists estimate that around 1,500 bears currently live in the park. Seeing a bear in its natural habitat can be an awe-inspiring experience that visitors to the park cherish. However, it's important to always be "bear aware" as these magnificent creatures command respect and can be unpredictable.

Black Bear Safety Tips

Bears are wild and can be dangerous. If you encounter a bear, do not approach it or allow it to approach you. Slowly back away while making loud noises to scare it off. Keep children and pets indoors and dogs leashed at all times. Remember that disturbing or displacing a bear is illegal and can result in fines and arrest. Dogs are not allowed on most trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

To avoid disturbing bears, keep a distance of 50 yards and use binoculars to view them. Store all food and trash in bear-resistant containers or take it with you. Don't feed or attract bears with food. Keep grills, picnic tables, and cars free of food and completely locked. If you encounter a bear or see someone breaking these rules, call (865) 436-1230.

Scenic Drives

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a breathtaking natural wonderland that offers visitors three entrances from Gatlinburg, each leading to a unique section of the 800 square miles of unspoiled Appalachia. As you embark on your journey, be sure to take the Newfound Gap Road, a must-see scenic drive that offers breathtaking views of the Sugarlands Visitor Center, Newfound Gap, Clingman’s Dome Road, Ocanaluftee Valley, and Mingus Mill. If you're a fan of wildflowers, don't miss the Greenbrier, a six-mile road that's home to the most colorful flora in the park. For an unforgettable adventure, park your car and hike four miles to witness the tallest falls in the Smokies at Ramsey Cascades. No matter what time of year you visit, whether it's during the green days of spring and summer, the wild quilt of autumn color, or the sparkling white of winter, your drive through the roads of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is guaranteed to be an adventure in itself.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove is a natural wonderland that begs to be explored. With numerous hiking trails to choose from, why not blaze your own trail and discover the hidden treasures of this stunning natural haven? The five-mile round trip journey along Abrams Creek is a moderate trek that's worth every step, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. It's the most popular trail in Cades Cove for a good reason. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a 20-foot-high waterfall with a staggering amount of rushing water that's sure to take your breath away. Be sure to exercise caution, as the pool below is long and deep.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a must-see destination for nature lovers. It's home to two of the most popular waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, each offering awe-inspiring views that will leave you speechless. Whether you prefer the stunning beauty of Rainbow Falls or the tranquil serenity of Grotto Falls, there's something for everyone on this breathtaking trail. The moderate 5.4-mile roundtrip hike to Rainbow Falls is well worth the effort, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and a glimpse of nature at its most beautiful. Don't forget to bring your camera, as you'll want to capture every moment of this unforgettable adventure.

Hiking Trails in Gatlinburg

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a treasure trove of hiking trails that offer a mesmerizing and diverse landscape for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. With a vast network of over 800 miles and 150 trails, hikers can meander through lush forests, verdant meadows, and along cascading streams to discover a variety of vibrant ecosystems and the park's rich biodiversity. The iconic Appalachian Trail is a challenging route that cuts through the park and offers seasoned hikers breathtaking views of the park's stunning natural beauty. For beginners and families, there are shorter trails like Clingmans Dome, Alum Cave, and Laurel Falls, each with their unique perspectives of the park's awe-inspiring scenery. Visitors can encounter a diverse range of wildlife, explore the remains of ancient civilizations, and take in the stunning vistas while immersing themselves in the tranquility of this renowned national park.

Here are the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hiking Trails

Abrams Falls

Area: Cades Cove/Townsend

Length: 4.2 miles (one-way)

Rated: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 629 ft

Route Type: Out & Back or Point-to-Point

Features: Hiking, Waterfall, Forest, River, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Rocky, No Dogs Allowed, Popular, Restrooms

Ramsey Cascades

Area: Greenbrier

Length: 7.9 miles

Rated: Hard

Elevation Gain: 2,185 ft

Route Type: Out & Back

Features: Hiking, Waterfall, Forest, River, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Rocky, No Dogs Allowed, Popular

Rainbow Falls

Area: Cherokee Orchard Rd

Length: 6.7 miles (one-way)

Rated: Moderate to Hard

Elevation Gain: 3,900 ft

Route Type: Out & Back or Point-to-Point

Features: Hiking, Waterfall, Forest, River, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Rocky, No Dogs Allowed, Popular

Alum Cave

Area: Newfound Gap

Length: 5.5 miles (one-way)

Rated: Hard

Elevation Gain: 3,061 ft

Route Type: Out & Back or Point-to-Point

Features: Forest, River, Wildlife, Popular, Views, No Dogs Allowed

Laurel Falls

Area: Elkmont

Length: 4.0 miles (1.3 miles to Laurel Falls)

Rated: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Route Type: Out & Back or Point-to-Point

Features: Hiking, Waterfall, Forest, Wildflowers, Wildlife, No Dogs Allowed, Popular

Baskins Creek

Area: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Length: 2.7 miles (one-way)

Rated: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 953 ft

Route Type: Out & Back or Point-to-Point

Features: Hiking, Waterfall, Forest, River, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Rocky, No Dogs Allowed

Clingmans Dome

Area: Clingman's Dome

Length: 1.3 miles

Rated: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 337 ft

Route Type: Out & Back

Features:

Hiking, Views, Forest, Wildlife, Popular, Paved, Restrooms, Visitor Center, No Dogs Allowed

Gatlinburg Trail

Area: Sugarlands Visitor Center

Length: 1.9 miles (one-way)

Rated: Easy

Elevation Gain: 164 ft

Route Type: Out & Back or Point-to-Point

Features: Hiking, Forest, River, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Popular, History, Dogs on Leash, Biking, Kid-Friendly

Great Smoky Mountains Waterfalls

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an awe-inspiring destination that offers a mesmerizing array of waterfalls, each with its own unique charm and character. From the iconic Laurel Falls that can be accessed via an easily accessible paved trail, to the majestic Grotto Falls that allow visitors to explore behind the waterfall, each cascade offers an enchanting experience. The park's tallest waterfall, Ramsey Cascades, is an impressive sight with its 100-foot drop surrounded by old-growth forest. The park's diverse topography and abundant rainfall contribute to the creation of these stunning water features. Whether you venture deep into the woods to discover hidden cascades or explore easily accessible falls along well-maintained trails, the waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park provide a refreshing and awe-inspiring connection to the region's natural beauty that is bound to leave you captivated and rejuvenated.

The waterfalls are Grotto Falls, Laurel Falls, Baskings Creek Falls, Abrams Falls, and Rainbow Falls

Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies

Every year, in the late spring and early summer, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to one of the most fascinating natural events - the synchronous flashing of fireflies. Thousands of visitors gather near the Elkmont Campground to witness this phenomenon, which is a breathtaking sight to behold. The fireflies responsible for this spectacle are known as Photinus carolinus and are one of only a few species in North America that synchronize their flashing light patterns. In fact, the park is home to at least 19 species of fireflies, but none are quite as mesmerizing as these synchronous ones. 

Elkmont area is closed for eight days during the fireflies' peak mating period to ensure visitors' safety and minimize disturbance. The measure has reduced traffic congestion since 2006. The exact viewing dates are yet to be announced but expected between late May and early June. Visitors can have a unique and fascinating experience with the wonders of the natural world.

For more information about the Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies, visit here.

Wildlife Viewing in Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a vast wilderness area with over 65 mammal species, 200 bird species, 67 fish species, and 80 reptile and amphibian species. The American Black Bear is the park's most famous resident, with around 1,500 bears living there. Open areas like Cataloochee and Cades Cove are the best places to spot wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, raccoons, wild turkeys, and woodchucks. Winter is the best time to see wildlife since deciduous trees lose their leaves. It's also good to carry binoculars and scan the trees as many animals spend their time there.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to various wildlife and natural phenomena. Black bears are an iconic symbol of the park, but it's important to always be bear aware. Fireflies flash synchronously in late May to early June near Elkmont Campground. Bring your binoculars for bird watching, as there are over 240 species in the mountain woods. Elk and white-tailed deer can also be spotted. Fishing in the streams of the Smoky Mountains is great for anglers. The park is also known as the "Salamander Capital of the World," with 30 species of salamanders in five families.