Due to high fire danger throughout the park, a fire ban has been put into place. As a result, the lighting of campfires and charcoal grills is not allowed at this time. More
Rehabilitation began on December 9 for the 2.3-mile-long Cosby Entrance Road from TN State Route 32 to the gate of Cosby Campground. While crews are working, the entrance road is closed to the public. The work is projected to be completed in spring 2025. More
Kuwohi Rd (formerly Clingmans Dome Rd), Parson Branch Rd, Rich Mountain Rd, Little Greenbrier Rd to the schoolhouse, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail are closed for the season. More
Begin your exploration of the park at a visitor center. Here you can pick up a park map or newspaper, have your questions answered by a ranger, and purchase books and guides to the park. For current ranger-led activities, visit the park's calendar for details.
Four visitor centers are located within the national park at Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome.
The park has two historic gristmills, Cable Mill and Mingus Mill, that provide demonstrations of corn meal milling. (Mingus Mill is closed until further notice for rehabilitation work.)
Sugarlands Visitor Center
Near Gatlinburg, TN, Sugarlands Visitor Center is an excellent starting point as you enter the park's North District. Learn about the park's plants and animals with natural history exhibits. Enjoy ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. Access public restrooms and drink vending machines. The Backcountry Permit Office is here, too.
Physical Address
1420 Fighting Creek Gap Road Gatlinburg, TN37738
Mailing Address
107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN37738
Located on Newfound Gap Road (US-441) two miles south of Gatlinburg, TN.
Sugarlands Visitor Center offers seasonal ranger programs near the entrance area. NPS Photo
During visitor center hours, you will find helpful employees at the front desk to answer your questions. NPS Photo
Millions have visited Sugarlands Visitor Center to view "Discover Life in the Smokies" NPS Photo / Cedric Talley
You can't come to the Smokies and not get something to take home. NPS Photo / Cedric Talley
Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives winter snow, sometimes even at lower elevations. NPS Photo
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Near Cherokee, North Carolina, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is an ideal starting point as you enter the park's South District. Explore cultural history exhibits. Enjoy ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. Find public restrooms and drink vending machines.
The adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn crib and others.
Physical Address
1194 Newfound Gap Road Cherokee, NC28719
Mailing Address
107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN37738
Located on Newfound Gap Road (US-441) two miles north of Cherokee, NC
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center offers a shady porch for warm days. NPS Photo
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center's LEED-certified infrastructure provides wonderful natural light with its large windows. NPS Photo
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch can be a great spot to watch elk from a safe distance. NPS Photo
Find the perfect souvenir at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center's park bookstore. NPS Photo
The porch at Oconaluftee Visitor Center offers a shaded resting spot for all. NPS Photo
Large windows greet visitors to Oconaluftee Visitor Center NPS Photo
The park visitor centers offer opportunities for learning about the park and ways to protect it. NPS Photo
Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC NPS Photo
Cades Cove Visitor Center
Roughly half-way through the Cades Cove Loop Road, pause to speak with park staff and visit various exhibits. Learn about Southern Mountain life and culture, and see a gristmill (operates spring through fall), the Becky Cable house, and other historic structures. Enjoy seasonal ranger-led activities and peruse the park bookstore and shop. Public restrooms available.
Physical Address
Cable Mill Road Townsend, TN37882
Mailing Address
107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN37738
Located halfway around the Cades Cove Loop Road.
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Hours vary seasonally.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Wednesdays from May to September (Vehicle-Free Days)
May 1–September 25
Sunday-Tuesday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Wednesday:7:00 AM–3:30 PM
Thursday-Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Cades Cove Visitor Center has different hours on Vehicle-Free Days.
Roughly halfway around the Cades Cove Loop Road, this visitor center offers information, a park bookstore, and nearby restrooms. NPS Photo/S. Singleton
Puzzles, DVDs, postcards, and other items are available for purchase at the park visitor centers. NPS Photo
Peruse park information and merchandise in the rustic Cades Cove Visitor Center. NPS Photo
Cades Cove Visitor Center NPS Photo
The Cades Cove Visitor Center is near other points of interest like Cable Mill, Becky Cable House, and more historic structures. NPS Photo/S. Singleton
Kuwohi Visitor Center
Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) is the tallest peak in the Smokies. Enjoy sweeping views of the Smokies—weather permitting—and get your park questions answered. Peruse a small bookstore and shop. Public restrooms are available.
Physical Address
Clingmans Dome Road Cherokee, NC28719
Mailing Address
107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN37738
Located at the end of Clingmans Dome Road, seven miles from Newfound Gap Road.
Stop by the Clingmans Dome Information Center to get your questions answered and peruse the park bookstore. NPS Photo
Great Smoky Mountains Association, the park's nonprofit partner, sells a variety of items at the Clingmans Dome Information Center & Bookstore. NPS Photo
The Clingmans Dome Information Center & Bookstore is located at the beginning of the paved trail leading to the dome. NPS Photo
On a clear day, the Clingmans Dome parking lot offers a beautiful view. NPS Photo
Find the perfect souvenir at the Clingmans Dome Information Center & Bookstore. NPS Photo
Historic Gristmills
Cable Mill in Cades Cove
Open daily March 7–October 31, 2025. Open Friday–Sunday in November.
Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location
Inside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road.
Exhibits
Water-powered gristmill.
Mingus Mill near Oconaluftee
Temporarily closed for preservation and rehabilitation work.
Location
Inside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US 441.
Exhibits
Turbine-powered gristmill.
Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. Operated by the nonprofit Smokies Life, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park.
