2025 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

#passionpassport Great Smoky National park is beautiful mountains. There are many overlooks in National park where we can get valley View and looks so amazing. One of the Overlook is New Found Gap, where view is amazing and also it’s famous visiting point in National park. Great Smoky National Park is easy to visit as most of the View points are reachable by car and after Car Parking it requires short hike. Which can be little tough but if planned nicely then it will be fun. Take lot of water as it gets too humid so requires lot of water. #smokymountain #nationalpark #traveladdict #beautifuldestinations #travelinsipiration

if you know you know! one of the most beautiful places is in Tennessee and North Carolina. it took us a while to find wildlife but eventually the wildlife came to us! #happynewyear

yeah! good times. #happynewyear

#hikingtrails #stunningview #attractive The Alum Cave Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and challenge. This 4.6-mile round-trip hike takes you through lush forests, across log bridges, and up to the dramatic Alum Cave Bluffs—an overhanging cliff with panoramic mountain views. Along the way, you’ll pass Arch Rock, a unique geological formation carved by erosion. The trail is moderately strenuous but incredibly rewarding, especially in the early morning mist. It's one of the park’s most popular hikes for a reason. Bring water, a good camera, and your sense of wonder! #hikingtrails #GreatSmokyMountains #AlumCaveTrail #Tennessee #USNationalParks

#outdooradventure Great Smoky Mountains National Park in autumn is a spectacle of nature’s finest artistry. As the crisp mountain air carried the scent of fallen leaves and the forests transformed into a breathtaking palette of red, orange, and gold, my journey through this iconic park felt like stepping into a living painting. Driving along Newfound Gap Road, I was immediately captivated by the sweeping mountain vistas framed by fiery autumn foliage. Every turn revealed a new explosion of color, with maple, oak, and hickory trees ablaze in warm hues. I pulled over at Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park, and hiked the short but steep trail to the observation tower. From the summit, the rolling ridges of the Smokies stretched endlessly before me, their misty blue outlines fading into the horizon. The view, enhanced by the golden light of late afternoon, was truly unforgettable. Seeking a closer connection to the landscape, I ventured onto the Alum Cave Trail, one of the park’s most scenic hikes. The path led me through towering hemlocks, past the unique Arch Rock, and up to Alum Cave Bluff, where sheer cliffs provided a dramatic contrast to the delicate fall foliage below. The crisp autumn air made the hike invigorating, and the rustling of leaves underfoot added to the peaceful immersion in nature. A highlight of my visit was exploring Cades Cove, a picturesque valley where history and nature intertwine. As I cycled along the loop road, I passed historic cabins, weathered barns, and open meadows where deer grazed peacefully. The golden light filtering through the trees made the scene feel timeless, as if I had stepped back into a simpler era. Black bears, a signature sight in the park, made occasional appearances, reminding me of the wild beauty that defines the Smokies. To end my adventure, I made my way to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a narrow, winding road that meandered through dense forests, past waterfalls, and alongside rushing mountain streams. I stopped to hike to Grotto Falls, where a curtain of water cascaded over a rock ledge, creating a misty, ethereal atmosphere. The surrounding trees, adorned in their autumn splendor, reflected in the clear pools below, making for a mesmerizing scene. As the sun dipped behind the ridges, I found a quiet overlook and took a moment to absorb the grandeur of the Great Smoky Mountains in autumn. The vibrant colors, the crisp air, and the peaceful solitude of the forest made for an experience I would never forget. Whether admiring panoramic views from a mountaintop or walking beneath a canopy of golden leaves, every moment in the Smokies felt like a perfect embrace of the season’s magic.

#fallfoliage Stretching across North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains are home to one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the world. The park’s diverse range of tree species ensures a dynamic display of colors throughout October and November. Scenic drives like Cades Cove Loop and hiking trails like Clingmans Dome are must-visit spots for leaf peeping.Each destination offers a unique fall foliage experience, blending natural beauty with cultural and scenic wonders.

#autumnseason The Great Smoky Mountains, straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, are renowned for their rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes, which become even more spectacular in the fall. As the cool air descends, the dense forests transform into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, yellows, and purples, making it one of the most popular places in the United States for autumn leaf-peeping. The park offers over 800 miles of hiking trails, each providing a unique perspective of the fall colors. Cades Cove, a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains, is a must-visit, with its rolling fields, historic homesteads, and abundant wildlife providing a perfect backdrop to the vibrant foliage. The Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the park, offers panoramic views that stretch for miles, showcasing the Smokies in their full autumn glory. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Newfound Gap Road offers breathtaking vistas at every turn. Beyond the leaves, the Great Smoky Mountains in autumn also offer opportunities to explore the rich Appalachian culture, with local crafts, music, and cuisine providing a warm, welcoming experience. Whether you’re hiking, driving, or simply soaking in the views, autumn in the Great Smoky Mountains is a spectacular experience that captures the essence of the season.

Amazing time seeing the bears at the great smoky mountains national park

May 2019 holiday, driving to Dabie Mountain National Park with classmates, the mountains are full of Lingzhi mushrooms, I really want to pick them all and bring them home.

Camped and woke up to the first snowfall in the mountains for the winter, a breathtaking moment and hike, although rather chilly 🥶#2023travelwish

this place is not there no more same building different name it is called "Elevated".. More like a nightclub but for all ages. they have live bands every week