Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour
Recommended: Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!
Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discover why it’s the most visited National Park in the country! Tour these famous mountains while learning about Cherokee history and legends, Appalachian life, and much more. There’s no better way to see Clingman’s Dome, Cades Cove, or Rainbow Falls. Plus, enjoy a free bonus tour of Roaring Forks Motor Trail!
After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.
This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-4102
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The sprawling landscape encompasses lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Streams, rivers, and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. An observation tower tops Clingmans Dome, the highest peak, offering scenic views of the mist-covered mountains.
NOTE: This 47-mile-long tour covers the essentials of the Great Smoky Mountains in 2-3 hours.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Us-441, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 28719-8249
Your drive through the beautiful, majestic Smoky Mountains begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Get ready to explore the Smokies and discover why this is the most visited National Park in the country!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mingus Mill, 1/2 Mile North of Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC
As you drive, you'll have the option to take a detour to the Mingus Mill, an 1886 grist mill which, believe it or not, is still fully functional! If you're here on weekends, you can even see the mill operators grind corn just like they did back in the 1800s.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Quiet Walkways, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Your first major stop is the Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, a perfect spot for anyone who wants to soak up the natural beauty of the mountains without having to hike an arduous trail.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Clingmans Dome Visitor Contact Station, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Heading toward Clingman's Dome, you'll soon see its famous observation tower. You really haven't seen the Great Smoky Mountains until you've seen them from up here!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Newfound Gap Road, Between Sugarlands and Oconoluftee 13.2 MIles from Sugarlands Visitor Center is the state line marker overlook, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
From there, your drive continues to Newfound Gap, a stunning mountain pass with huge historical significance. Hear the story of how trappers, farmers, and merchants used to cross the Smokies, and how this gap changed all of that.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Rockefeller Memorial, Newfound Gap Stae Line Marker 13.75 Miles from Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Up next is the Rockefeller Memorial, where you'll learn more about Rockefeller's importance to the park! This memorial was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt himself.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Morton Overlook, Us-441, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
After that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Morton Mountain Tunnel, US-441, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Continuing on, you'll pass through the heart of a mountain using the Morton Tunnel. Here, you'll also hear about how a politician named Ben Morton got his name all over the park.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Alum Cave Trail, Newfound Gap Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Next you'll pass the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the remains of an old salt mine packed with fascinating history.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Chimney Tops Overlook, US-441, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Your route takes you next to Chimney Tops Overlook, where you'll hear all about wildfires in the Smokies and how they cause lasting damage to mountains like this one.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Carlos Campbell Overlook, Newfound Gap Rd A little over 2 miles from Gatlinburg on Newfound Gap Rd, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
The next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: 7 miles off US-441 on the Clingmans Dome Road About 19.6 Miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Next up is the most accessible trail in the park: Sugarlands Valley Trail! This scenic trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the wilderness.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Sugarlands Visitors Center, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US-441, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
The tour leads next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Next up is the most accessible trail in the park! Sugarlands Valley Trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the scenic wilderness. We'll also turn back the clock to get an in-depth look at the complicated history of this valley and the settlers who once lived here.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Cataract Falls, Cove Mountain Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Your drive continues to Cataract Falls, a beautiful, secluded set of waterfalls tucked beneath a shaded canopy of beech trees.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Ripley's Believe It or Not!, 800 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Our next stop is perfect for anyone amused by kitschy oddities. This funky museum displays everything from shrunken human heads to rare animal skeletons. We'll get the inside scoop on how it started as a simple one-panel comic strip and grew into a national phenomenon.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Rte. 441 Enter from stoplight 8 at Airport Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738
Continue following the road to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This driving trail invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the area. It also features three of the park's most famous waterfalls!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Rainbow Falls Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Our route takes us next to the Rainbow Falls Trail, which leads to the park's most popular waterfall. Standing at 80 feet, Rainbow Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Smokies, but that's not all! When the sun hits it right, it glimmers like a rainbow--hence the name.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Grotto Falls Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Keep driving until you reach the Grotto Falls trail. While it's not quite as grand as Rainbow Falls, this secluded, less crowded waterfall is absolutely worth a visit. On your way, hear about a rare salamander you can only find right here!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: The Place of a Thousand Drips, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37783, USA
Why settle for one waterfall when you can have several- Our next stop is the Place of a Thousand Drips, where numerous narrow falls come together to form a stunning torrent.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Baskins Creek Falls, Baskins Creek Trail Trailhead Baskins Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738
Our drive takes us next to the Baskin Creek Falls, a sparkling waterfall where we'll hear about the amusing, and slightly misguided history behind the name of these falls.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Ephraim Bales Cabin, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Up next, we'll pass the Ephraim Bales Cabin, a portal back in time to the 19th century. We'll hear all about the family that lived here, and why there's a big hole in the middle of their cabin!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Alfred Reagan Tub Mill, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Reagan Tub Mill (Historic), Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
The road brings us next to the Reagen Cabin, which displays a perfect example of old-timey technology in the form of the so-called "tub mill." Hear all about what that is and why it was useful here.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Ely's Mill, 393 Roaring Fork Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-4804
Next, our drive takes us to Ely's Mill, a historic mill on the outskirts of Gatlinburg which gives us another window into the lives of the early Appalachian settlers. Here, we'll learn about Andrew Ely, the bigshot lawyer who upended his entire life after his wife died, abandoned his law practice, and moved to Gatlinburg to start over and live a simpler life.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Finally, we'll arrive in the mountian town of Gatlinburg, we'll hear how it all began with the unfortunate, ill-fated William Ogle, who built the town's very first cabin but never got to live there. Then we'll hear about how the town grew, the struggle that consumed it during the Civil War, and how it became what it is today. This is where our tour officially concludes.
There are many stories that you'll hear along the way, including
• Ancestral Cherokee Land
• Tsali and the Trail of Tears
• Revolt Against the Ani'kutani
• Sequoyah's New Storytelling System
• The Milky Way
• Selu's Sacrifice
• Great Smoky Geology
• Webb View
• Appalachia's Settlers
• Appalachian Trail
• Ghost Firs of Clingman's Dome
• Funding the Smokies
• Appalachian Balds
• Balsam Point Quiet Walkway and more.
Explore the captivating Cades Cove and the stunning Great Smoky Mountains by purchasing our special bundle that includes both destinations.
Duration: 5 minutes
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Near public transportation"
"Most travelers can participate"
"How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular"
"How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action's Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience."
"Amazing savings: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio."
"Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group."
"Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities."
"Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline."
"Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip."
"Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience."
"Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience."
"This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Horário de Início:
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour
7/22/2020 - 5/19/2025| Monday - Sunday : | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
Duração: 2 To 3 Hours
Ponto de partida: 1: Oconaluftee Visitor Center Parking C, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, North Carolina 28719, USA
2: 1151 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Cancelamentos e reembolsos:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Portugues
Español
English
