Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park · North Carolina, Tennessee

Closure Information See 4 current alerts

Wisps of fog hang over the forests in the mountains.
Photo: Kristina Plaas, via the National Park Service

Current alerts (4)

  • Closure

    Cherokee Orchard Road closed to pedestrian traffic

    Cherokee Orchard Road is currently closed to pedestrian traffic due to bear activity. All visitors must stay in their vehicles. Do not stop or park your vehicle in the roadway.

  • Closure

    Park Headquarters Road is closed

    Park Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.

  • Closure

    Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.

    Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed.

    More from the park: Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.

  • Information

    Most visitors need a parking tag

    All vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes require a parking tag. Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types: Daily ($5), Weekly ($15), or Annual ($40).

    More from the park: Most visitors need a parking tag

Hours

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Usual hours: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Every dayAll Day

Primary roads are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round, weather permitting. This includes Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, and Laurel Creek Road. Secondary roads are closed seasonally.

Visitor centers

Sugarlands Visitor Center

Sugarlands Visitor Center

Usual hours: Sugarlands Visitor Center
Every day9:00AM - 5:00PM

Coming up:

  • Dec 1 – Feb 28: Winter Hours

Hours vary seasonally.

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Sugarlands Visitor Center

Cades Cove Visitor Center

Cades Cove Visitor Center

Usual hours: Cades Cove Visitor Center
Every day9:00AM - 5:00PM

Coming up:

  • Dec 1 – Feb 28: Winter Hours

Hours vary seasonally.

Kuwohi Visitor Center

Kuwohi Visitor Center

Usual hours: Kuwohi Visitor Center
Every day9:00AM - 5:00PM

Coming up:

  • Dec 1 – Apr 1: Closed in Winter (closed)

Hours vary seasonally. Closed in winter.

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Kuwohi Visitor Center

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Usual hours: Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Every day9:00AM - 5:00PM

Coming up:

  • Dec 1 – Feb 28: Winter Hours

Hours vary seasonally.

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Events in the next few days

  • Down on the Farm

    · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center · Free

  • Kuwohi Unveiled: Wild Wonders & Culture Await

    · 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM · Overlook across from Kuwohi Visitor Center · Free

  • Life in the Appalachians: Walker Sisters Cabin Hike

    · 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM · Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse Parking Area · Free

  • Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

    · 03:00 PM – 03:30 PM · Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch · Free

  • Hands on Citizen Science at Sugarlands

    · 12:00 PM – 01:30 PM · Sugarlands Visitor Center · Free

  • Junior Ranger Ramble at Sugarlands

    · 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM · Free

  • Vital Signs of the Smokies

    · 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM · Newfound Gap Overlook. · Free

  • Seedy Species in the Smokies

    · 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM · Abrams Falls Trailhead in Cades Cove · Free

  • Wildlife Wonders at Sugarlands

    · 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM · Sugarlands Visitor Center · Free

  • Stream Splashers at Oconaluftee

    · 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM · Mountain Farm pig pen · Free

  • Built Then, Enjoyed Now: The CCC's Lasting Legacy

    · 11:00 AM – 02:00 PM · Sugarlands Visitor Center · Free

  • History of Daisy Town - A Walk through the Past

    · 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Jakes Creek Parking Area · Free

About this park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!