Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Driving Tour

Activities

Gatlinburg, United States of America

Free Cancellation

Language: English

Mobile voucher accepted

Duration: 3 Hours

Instant Confirmation

Guided Tour

e-Voucher

Group Tour

Do this because

Explore the Great Smoky Mountains, America's most-visited national park

Hear the Cherokee legends of the celestial dog who created the Milky Way

Tap into Appalachian history at a 19th-century grist mill nestled by a picturesque creek

On this self-guided adventure, discover what makes the mountains a must-see destination

What to expect

Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discover why it's the most visited National Park in the country! Buckle up and prepare for a deep dive into the most famous stretch of the Appalachians. As you drive through these scenic mountains, audio stories will automatically pop up and start playing, allowing you to keep your attention on the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains.You'll hear all about parts of Cherokee history you've never heard before, like the ancient Cherokee monarchy and the revolutionaries who fought against it! You'll also get to hear detailed accounts of Cherokee ancestral legends about these mountains, from the great buzzard who shaped the Smoky Mountains from clay to the witch whose droplets of blood bloom into stalks of corn. You'll also witness the majesty of Rainbow Falls, the 360-degree views atop Clingmans Dome, and the deep-rooted history of the Elys Mill.The Great Smoky Mountains are so vast that it can be tricky to find all the best spots. The flexible route allows you to take all the time you need to admire the timeless wonders of the mountains. Along the way, you will be filled in not just on the rich history of the area and the people who have lived here, but also the complex flora and fauna which call these mountains home. Get to know the creatures of Cades Cove and learn how wildfires form an integral part of this vast, interconnected ecosystem.

What's included

Audio-guided tour

Map

Downloadable APP

What's not included

Food and drinks

Entrance fees

Transportation

What to remember

Know in advance:

This tour has no expiration date. You can use it on any trip, as many times as you like

Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person

This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you, and attraction tickets are not included. The app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one

After booking, check your email and follow the instructions to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Please don't wait until you are on-site

Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps. The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere

Most stops along the tour have animated videos, allowing you to visualise what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms

Seasonal road closures (reopening in 2026): Kuwohi Road (formerly Clingmans Dome Road) and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Closed/inaccessible sites: Laurel Falls Trail (including related sections of the Sugarlands Mountain Trail), Carlos Campbell Overlook, and Mingus Mill (preservation/rehab work)

Open (weather permitting): Newfound Gap Road (US 441), Little River Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road (may close temporarily due to weather or maintenance)

Note: these roads are generally open year-round, but may close temporarily due to weather or maintenance

Valid parking tags are required for each vehicle parked anywhere within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Parking tags are available for purchase on the government website and on-site

Provider

ACTION TOUR GUIDE

Booking Fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Cancellation Fee

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins

Where

Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC, USA

Meeting point:

The suggested starting point is near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on your right as you head north on Route 441 in Cherokee. From there, audio plays automatically.