USA one-day journeys ↗
TAKE THE ROAD. KEEP THE MEMORIES.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gatlinburg, Tennessee → Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A mountain day starting at the northern gateway to the Smokies.

Return-to-base outing

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · NPS / Bob Carr · Photo credits

Your dayReturn-to-base outing
Set out fromGatlinburg, Tennessee
DiscoverGreat Smoky Mountains National Park
A DAY TO REMEMBER

The journey

A mountain day starting at the northern gateway to the Smokies.

Check parking-tag requirements and closures; avoid trying to cover every major park area in one day.

Make it your day

Start the day

Review current conditions and choose one park area.

Make the most of the visit

Spend the central part of the day on scenic stops and a suitable walk.

Return

Return to Gatlinburg.

A clear sky with a vast snowy mountain scene.
The Smokies receives snow periodically throughout the winter, mostly at higher elevations. · NPS / Bob Carr
Bright gold and red leaves shine through the fog in a forest.
Fall leaf season is one of the busiest times of year in the park. · NPS Photo

Choose the exact roads and stops when planning your drive. Check seasonal access, reservations, weather, and opening times before setting out. Photographs show the named destination or an optional stop, not every view along the drive.