Good to know
- Tickets
- No entry fee. A parking tag is required to park for more than 15 minutes; buy it online or in the park. The America the Beautiful pass does not cover it. Check nps.gov for current rates.
- Time needed
- One day for Cades Cove or Newfound Gap Road; three days to see both sides.
- Best time
- Mid-October for autumn colour and April to May for wildflowers. Weekdays are far less busy.
- Getting there
- Gatlinburg is right at the Sugarlands entrance. Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport is about 1 hour by car; Asheville is about 1 hour from the North Carolina side.
Where to stay nearby
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park questions
Do you need a pass for the Smoky Mountains?
There is no entry fee, but you need a daily, weekly or annual parking tag to park for more than 15 minutes.
What is the best time to drive Cades Cove?
Early morning or late afternoon for wildlife. On Wednesdays from May to September the loop is closed to cars for walkers and cyclists.
What are the best hikes in the Smokies?
Alum Cave to Mount LeConte, Laurel Falls and Chimney Tops are the most popular. Start early for parking.
