Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Designation: National Park
Location: North Carolina, Tennessee
š Park Overview
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!
š¤ Weather Information
Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet (267 meters) to 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) and the topography can drastically affect local weather. Temperatures can vary by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from mountain base to top, and clear skies lower down do not guarantee equally pleasant weather at higher elevations.
š Directions
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the borders of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. The three main entrances to the park are in Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC.
Images
Wildflowers, such as these white trillium, can be found blooming from February through November in the park.
Credit: Kristina Plaas
Wintertime brings a quiet beauty to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Credit: Kristina Plaas
The park gets its name from mists that often rise like smoke from the mountains.
Credit: Kristina Plaas
In spring and fall, weather in the foothills can be pleasant, while snow and cold rule on the mountain tops.
Credit: Sam Hobbs
Fall leaf season is one of the busiest times of year in the park.
Credit: NPS Photo
Historic buildings such as churches, gristmills, barns, and homes allow visitors to get a feel for life in the mountains before the national park was created.
Credit: Kristina Plaas
Abundant rainfall means lush forests and beautiful stream scenes in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Credit: Danielle Austen, Artist-in-Residence 2015
Wildflowers, such as these white trillium, can be found blooming from February through November in the park.
Credit: Kristina Plaas
Wintertime brings a quiet beauty to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Credit: Kristina Plaas
The park gets its name from mists that often rise like smoke from the mountains.
Credit: Kristina Plaas
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Feb 4
Patchy rain nearby
High: 38.5Ā°F | Low: 29.3Ā°F
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 4.3 mph
Rain Chance: 89%
UV Index: 0.1
Sunrise: 07:32 AM
Sunset: 06:05 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (95%)
Visibility: 1 mi
Dew Point: 34.3Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 89%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Feb 5
Mist
High: 30.7Ā°F | Low: 19.9Ā°F
Humidity: 90%
Wind: 4.7 mph
Rain Chance: 80%
UV Index: 0.5
Sunrise: 07:31 AM
Sunset: 06:06 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (89%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 22.6Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 80%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Feb 6
Moderate or heavy snow showers
High: 44.8Ā°F | Low: 20.5Ā°F
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 8.7 mph
Rain Chance: 85%
UV Index: 0.7
Sunrise: 07:30 AM
Sunset: 06:07 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (82%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 26.3Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 85%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Special Weather Statement issued February 4 at 1:03PM EST by NWS Morristown TN
Effective: Feb 4, 2026 1:03pm
Expires: Feb 5, 2026 2:00am
Temperatures will fall into the 20s tonight. Any wet spots on
roads from recent rain or melting snow will re-freeze and create
black ice. Be prepared for slick spots overnight into Thursday
morning, especially on untreated roadways. Use caution if
traveling.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Festival of Christmas Past, Present and Future
The Festival of Christmas Past, Present, and FutureĀ offers a glimpse into the regionās rich cultural heritage. Park rangers, volunteers, and artists from Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts will demonstrate traditional Appalachian arts and crafts. Guests can enjoy live music by the Grassy Creek Bluegrass Band from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., explore a nostalgic display of Christmas trees from different decades, and participate in hands-on holiday crafts for children.Ā
Location: Located at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, two miles south of Gatlinburg, TN.
Date: Dec 13, 2025 12:00am to Dec 13, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Holiday Homecoming
Holiday HomecomingĀ is aĀ festiveĀ eventĀ featuring a day of seasonal activities. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., visitors can take part in hands-on traditional crafts and activities. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy traditional music and caroling, offering a joyful and immersive holiday experience for everyone.Ā
Location: Located just north of Cherokee, NC.
Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Dec 20, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Signs of Spring
Annual Signs of Spring Event.
Date: Apr 18, 2026 12:00am to Apr 18, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Adaptive Flyfishing (TN)
Join us for an all dayĀ adaptive flyfishing program. Location to be announced (Tennessee).
Registration is required.
Location: Location to be announced (Tennessee).
Date: May 9, 2026 12:00am to May 9, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Adaptive Night Hike (TN)
Join us on Friday, June 5, 2026 for an adaptive night hike on the Little River Trail (TN). The trail is an easy, 1/2 mile roundtrip hike, but it will be in the dark.
Registration is required.
Location: Little River Trail (Tennessee)
Date: Jun 5, 2026 12:00am to Jun 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Adaptive Hike (NC)
Join us for an adaptive hike on Saturday, June 20 on the Oconaluftee River Trail (NC). The trail is an easy to moderate 3.0 miles roundtrip with one narrow point along the trail.Ā
Registration is required.
The back up date for this event is Sunday, June 21.
Location: Oconaluftee River Trail (NC)
Date: Jun 20, 2026 12:00am to Jun 20, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Adaptive Mountain Bike (NC)
Join us for an adaptive mountain bike on the Deep Creek Trail to Indian Creek Trail (NC). This is a difficult 5 to 7 miles roundtrip ride with steep uphill sections on uneven rocky terrain.
The backup date for this event is Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Location: Deep Creek Trail to Indian Creek Trail (NC)
Date: Jul 11, 2026 12:00am to Jul 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Adaptive Mountain Bike (TN)
Join us for an adaptive mountain bike ride on the Cades Cove Loop Road (TN). The ride is a moderate to difficult 3 mile ride that requires e-assist.
The backup date for this event is Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Location: Cades Cove Loop (TN)
Date: Sep 16, 2026 12:00am to Sep 16, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Adaptive Mountain Bike (TN)
Join us for an adaptive mountain bike along the Cades Cove Loop Trail (TN). The ride follows the entire loop for an 11 mile, moderate to difficult ride that requires e-assist.
The backup date for this event is Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Location: Cades Cove Loop Trail (TN)
Date: Sep 16, 2026 12:00am to Sep 16, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Adaptive Overnight
Join us for an adaptive overnight trip from the Abrams Creek Campground to Backcountry Campsite #1. The hike is moderate to difficult, contains both uphill and downhill sections, and two stream crossings.
Registration is required.Ā
The backup date for this event is Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11, 2026.
Location: Abrams Creek Campground to Backcountry Campsite #1
Date: Sep 26, 2026 12:00am to Sep 27, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
š Physical Address:
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
š¤ Mailing Address:
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
š Voice Phone: (865)436-1200
āļø Email: GRSM_Smokies_Information@nps.gov