Great Smoky Mountains National Park State 

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is a natural masterpiece shared by two states — Tennessee and North Carolina. Straddling the border between the two, the park protects more than 522,000 acres of forested peaks, misty valleys, cascading waterfalls, and historic mountain communities. While both states offer access to the same protected wilderness, each side of the park presents its own unique character, attractions, and travel experiences. Together, they form one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States and the most visited national park in the country.

Quick Reference: Tennessee vs North Carolina 

Feature / Category	Tennessee Side (TN)	North Carolina Side (NC)
Area Covered	276,343 acres (approx. 52.9% of the park)	246,084 acres (approx. 47.1% of the park)
Main Gateway Towns	Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend	Cherokee, Bryson City, Maggie Valley
Major Visitor Center	Sugarlands Visitor Center (near Gatlinburg)	Oconaluftee Visitor Center (near Cherokee)
Scenic Drives	Newfound Gap Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Cades Cove Loop Road	Blue Ridge Parkway, Heintooga Ridge Road, Cataloochee Valley Road
Famous Attractions	Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, Laurel Falls, Alum Cave Trail	Deep Creek Waterfalls, Cataloochee Valley, Smokemont, Mingus Mill
Highest Elevation Point	Clingmans Dome – 6,643 ft (shared with NC; access via TN side)	Clingmans Dome – 6,643 ft (shared with TN; on state line)
Wildlife Viewing	Black bears, deer, wild turkeys	Elk herds, black bears, songbirds
Cultural Heritage Sites	Historic cabins and churches in Cades Cove	Oconaluftee Farm Museum, Cherokee cultural sites
Best for	Families, first-time visitors, easy access, popular attractions	Nature lovers, peaceful retreats, cultural exploration
Hiking Highlights	Mount LeConte, Chimney Tops, Rainbow Falls Trail	Deep Creek Loop, Kephart Prong Trail, Smokemont Loop
Fall Foliage Experience	Vibrant mountain colors along Gatlinburg scenic routes	Panoramic ridge views along Blue Ridge Parkway
Nearest Airports	McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville, TN)	Asheville Regional Airport (Asheville, NC)
Visitor Experience	More developed and tourist-oriented	Quieter, less crowded, culturally rich
Overall Vibe	Lively, family-friendly, adventurous	Peaceful, traditional, deeply natural

Tennessee Side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is vibrant, accessible, and packed with some of the park’s most famous landmarks. The gateway town of Gatlinburg serves as the main entrance, welcoming millions of visitors each year with its lively mountain-town charm, nearby attractions, and easy access to the park’s central highlights. Just beyond Gatlinburg lies the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect starting point for new visitors offering maps, exhibits, and short interpretive trails that introduce the region’s flora and fauna.

One of the most iconic drives on the Tennessee side is the Newfound Gap Road, which stretches across the park to North Carolina. This scenic highway passes through changing elevations and ecosystems, offering panoramic views and numerous pull-offs for photography. The Newfound Gap Overlook itself marks the border between Tennessee and North Carolina and was the site of the park’s 1940 dedication by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

One of the most famous spots on this side is Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee and the entire park, standing at 6,643 feet. The observation tower at the summit provides panoramic views that often stretch for more than 100 miles on clear days. The scenic drive up to Clingmans Dome Road is equally breathtaking, especially in the fall when the forests turn brilliant shades of orange, gold, and red.

Among the most beloved attractions on the Tennessee side is Cades Cove, a peaceful valley rich in wildlife and history. Once a thriving Appalachian farming community, it now stands as an open-air museum of preserved log cabins, barns, churches, and mills. The Cades Cove Loop Road provides visitors with a chance to spot white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and even black bears in their natural habitat. The valley is especially popular in early morning and late evening, when the mist settles beautifully over the fields.

For hikers, the Tennessee side of the Smokies offers a variety of trails suitable for all levels. The Alum Cave Trail leads to one of the most rewarding hikes in the park — the summit of Mount LeConte, which provides sweeping vistas of the surrounding ridges. Chimney Tops Trail offers a shorter but more challenging climb, rewarding adventurers with dramatic rock formations and elevated views. For families, the Laurel Falls Trail is a paved, moderate hike leading to one of the park’s most photogenic waterfalls.

Camping enthusiasts will find several well-maintained campgrounds such as Elkmont, Cades Cove, and Cosby, offering opportunities to sleep under the stars surrounded by the sounds of the mountains. The Tennessee side is also known for its proximity to Pigeon Forge, home to Dollywood, dining, shopping, and other entertainment options for families who want to combine outdoor adventure with modern comfort.

The Tennessee section of GSMNP beautifully combines natural beauty with accessibility, making it ideal for first-time visitors and families. With its rolling valleys, rich Appalachian history, and world-class hiking trails, it perfectly embodies the spirit of the Smokies — wild, welcoming, and unforgettable.

North Carolina Side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While the Tennessee side draws much of the attention, the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a quieter, more contemplative experience. The main entrance here is located in Cherokee, North Carolina, a town that serves as both a cultural hub for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a gateway to some of the park’s most scenic natural areas. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center greets travelers with informative exhibits and an adjacent Mountain Farm Museum, which preserves historic log buildings relocated from across the region to showcase 19th-century Appalachian life.

The landscape on the North Carolina side is characterized by lush river valleys, misty ridges, and dense forests. Visitors can enjoy the gentle flow of the Oconaluftee River Trail, a beautiful path that runs alongside the river and is one of the few pet-friendly trails in the park. Just beyond, the Clingmans Dome Road climbs to the highest point in the Smokies — Clingmans Dome, standing at 6,643 feet. The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower offers a 360-degree panoramic view that stretches across both states, making it one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the eastern United States.

Further south, the Deep Creek area, near Bryson City, is famous for its waterfalls and tubing opportunities. Visitors can hike short, scenic trails to Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls, and Tom Branch Falls, all within a few miles of each other. The North Carolina side is also home to the Cataloochee Valley, a hidden gem where visitors can witness elk grazing in open meadows — a successful reintroduction effort that began in 2001.

For those seeking solitude, the North Carolina side offers some of the park’s most peaceful backcountry trails, including portions of the Appalachian Trail and Gregory Bald Trail, which explode with flame azaleas in early summer. The Smokemont Campground, near Cherokee, is a favorite base for exploring the area, offering easy access to rivers, historic structures, and forested hikes.

Beyond natural beauty, this side of the park provides a deep connection to Cherokee culture and history. The Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee offers insights into the tribe’s ancient heritage, language, and the tragic history of displacement during the Trail of Tears. Visitors gain a profound understanding of how the Smokies are not just a natural wonder but also a sacred homeland that continues to hold cultural and spiritual significance for the Cherokee people.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects to the park at the Oconaluftee entrance, offers a stunning drive through North Carolina’s Appalachian highlands. Along the way, overlooks reveal layer upon layer of misty mountain ridges — a scene that inspired the park’s name. Hikers will find solitude on trails like the Smokemont Loop and Kephart Prong Trail, where dense forests, moss-covered bridges, and clear streams create an atmosphere of pure tranquility.

The North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is perfect for travelers seeking serenity, cultural immersion, and natural exploration. With fewer crowds, equally dramatic views, and a slower pace, it reveals the quieter, more reflective heart of the Smokies.