Great Smoky Mountains National Park

USA

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Scenic Sunrise Landscape at Oconaluftee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Scenic Sunrise Landscape at Oconaluftee

Why visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Get back to nature among mist-shrouded peaks, shimmering waterfalls and lush forests in the great American wilderness.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your United States (USA) trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days

10 days / 9 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Scouring for offshore whales at one of the world’s tallest lighthouses
  2. 2 Hiking Monterey Bay’s sprawling coastal trails for dramatic waterfront views
  3. 3 Touring an organic farm with a local farmer specializing in sustainable, small-scale agriculture
from $4,940

per person

book this trip see trip details

Explore more trips

  • Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden
    The USA

    10 days / 9 nights

    Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden

    FROM $3,795

    per person

    See Trip Details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Discover the best attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all
  • Save
    The Henry Whitehead Cabin, at Cade's Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.
    Attraction in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Cades Cove
  • Save
    Llamas resting and eating after carrying supplies to the top of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Attraction in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Mt LeConte
  • Save
  • Save
    Looking South From Clingmans Dome over mountain range
    Attraction in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Clingmans Dome
  • Save
    Mingus Mill. Built in 1886, this historic grist mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery in the building.
    Attraction in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Mingus Mill
  • Save
  • Save
    Attraction in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Fontana Dam
  • Save

Travel Guides

Great Smoky Mountains National Park travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

East Tennessee has many wonderful small communities to explore. Here's our pick of the best gateway towns to stay in on your next Smoky Mountains vacation.

Read full article

Best Time to Visit

Wildflowers, snow-capped mountains or fall foliage? Let the natural elements guide you to the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Read full article

Things to Know

Wildflowers, snow-capped mountains or fall foliage? Let the natural elements guide you to the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Read full article

Transportation

Our top tips for navigating the two main gateways to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Read full article

Day Trips

Wondering where to spend a day exploring from your home base Asheville? These are our 18 favorites.

Read full article

Best Road Trips

Wondering where to spend a day exploring from your home base Asheville? These are our 18 favorites.

Read full article

Money and Costs

Here's everything you need to know for a successful visit to one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the US.

Read full article

Traveling with Kids

Child-friendly hikes, firefly-filled adventures and a quirky gateway town awaits on this family break.

Read full article