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Which Entrance Is Best For Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

ByDavid Martirosian
best entrances for Greaty Smoky Mountains National Park

Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Trying to decide which entrance is best for you? Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each, along with some other helpful information to plan your trip accordingly.

How Many Entrances Does Great Smoky Mountains National Park Have?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has four main entrances that provide access to the park from different directions. They are:

  1. Sugarlands Visitor Center Entrance: This entrance is located on the park’s north side, just outside the town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a popular starting point for many visitors, with its museum exhibits, bookstore, and ranger-led programs.
  2. Oconaluftee Visitor Center Entrance: This entrance is located on the park’s south side, just outside Cherokee, North Carolina. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is also a popular starting point, with its exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history, as well as ranger-led programs and a bookstore.
  3. Cades Cove Entrance: This entrance is located on the park’s west side, off of Laurel Creek Road. It is a popular starting point for exploring Cades Cove, a historic settlement with several restored buildings, as well as hiking and biking trails.
  4. Cataloochee Entrance: This entrance is located on the park’s east side, near Maggie Valley, North Carolina. It provides access to Cataloochee Valley, which has several historic structures and is known for its elk population.

All four entrances provide access to the park’s extensive network of hiking trails, campgrounds, and scenic drives.

Which Entrance Is Best For Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The best entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park really depends on what you want to do and see during your visit, in addition to where you want to stay. Here are some options to consider based on the entrances listed above:

  1. Sugarlands Visitor Center Entrance: This entrance is a great starting point if you want to explore the park’s north side, including popular destinations like Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap. The Sugarlands Visitor Center also offers ranger-led programs and exhibits on the park’s history and ecology.
  2. Oconaluftee Visitor Center Entrance: This entrance is a good choice if you want to explore the park’s south side, including Cades Cove and the Deep Creek area. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center also has exhibits and ranger-led programs.
  3. Cades Cove Entrance: If you’re interested in history and wildlife, the Cades Cove Entrance is a good option. This entrance provides access to the Cades Cove Loop Road, a scenic drive that takes you through a historic settlement with several restored buildings, as well as opportunities to see wildlife like black bears and white-tailed deer.
  4. Cataloochee Entrance: This entrance is a good choice if you want to explore the park’s eastern side and see elk. Cataloochee Valley is known for its elk population, as well as several historic structures like churches and homes.

Ultimately, all four entrances provide access to the park’s incredible natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Consider what you want to see and do during your visit, and of course, which state you’d prefer to stay in, and choose the entrance that best fits your interests and itinerary.

Can You Drive Through Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

You can drive through much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as there are several roads that provide access to many of the park’s attractions. In total, there are 384 miles of road to drive through in the park. The Newfound Gap Road, for example, takes you to the highest point in the park, with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The Cades Cove Loop Road offers a leisurely drive through a historic settlement with several restored buildings.

However, there are also many areas that can only be accessed by foot, including some of the park’s most scenic trails and waterfalls. Hiking is obviously a popular activity in the park, with options ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous multi-day backpacking trips. Camping is also available in the park’s backcountry, with permits required for overnight stays.

How Early Can I Enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Great Smoky Mountains is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The park does not charge an entrance fee, however, they do charge for parking tags. A daily parking tag is $5, and a weekly goes for $15. You can enter the park at any time, but some roads and campgrounds may be closed due to weather or other conditions.

And if you were hoping to check out one of the 4 visitor centers, depending on your stay, here are their hours:

Visitor CenterHoursNotes
Sugarlands Visitor Center8:00am – 5:00pm
Cades Cove Visitor Center9:00am – 5:00pmCloses at 4:30 during Winter
Oconaluftee Visitor Center9:00am – 5:00pmCloses at 4:30 during Winter
Clingmans Dome Visitor Center10:00am – 6:00pmClosed during winter

Due to its location in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the park experiences a variety of weather conditions throughout the year. During the winter months, some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow and ice.

In the summer, thunderstorms and heavy rains can also cause road and facility closures. It’s important to check the park’s website or call ahead for current conditions before planning your visit.

David Martirosian is an avid hiker and nature lover. Growing up in New York City, he gained an appreciation for getting lost in the wilderness, where he was able to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. David enjoys the peace and solitude that nature provides, and finds solace in the beauty of the natural world. When he's not out exploring nature, David can be found learning about new adventures waiting to be explored.

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