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

Getty Images/iStockphoto

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

Alsaska: Glimmering Glaciers, Brown Bears, and Fantastic Fjords

10 days / 9 nights

Lonely Planet Journeys takes you there with fully customizable trips to top destinations – all crafted by our local experts.

book this trip see trip details

Explore more trips

  • Lei'd Back Hawaii: Maui and Kauai
    The USA

    8 days / 7 nights

    Lei'd Back Hawaii: Maui and Kauai

    FROM $5,090

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Easing up East: New York, Cape Cod, and Boston in 11 Days
    The USA

    11 days / 10 nights

    Easing up East: New York, Cape Cod, and Boston in 11 Days

    FROM $5,395

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Road Trippin' USA: San Francisco, National Parks & Las Vegas
    The USA

    11 days / 10 nights

    Road Trippin' USA: San Francisco, National Parks & Las Vegas

    FROM $5,780

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days
    The USA

    10 days / 9 nights

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

    FROM $4,940

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • 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