Great Smoky Mountains — Trip Planning Guide

America's most-visited national park is easy to reach and easy to get wrong: trailheads fill by mid-morning, some roads close for half the year, and the weather on the ridges has little to do with the weather in Gatlinburg. This guide covers everything around the hikes, so you arrive with a plan.

What's inside

• When to go — every season, crowd levels and seasonal road openings
• Getting there and around — airports, the three entrances and 2026 parking tag rules
• Where to stay — Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, Cherokee, Bryson City, campgrounds and LeConte Lodge
• 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries built around the park's 10 best day hikes
• Beyond hiking — Cades Cove, Roaring Fork, Newfound Gap, elk, fireflies and roadside waterfalls
• Six safety rules for the Smokies
• A fillable packing list and trip planner, with day-by-day and budget pages

Pairs with the GPX Route Collection

Every hike in the itineraries is numbered to match our Great Smoky Mountains — 10 Best Day Hikes GPX collection. Get both together in the Great Smoky Mountains Trip Pack and save.

Instant digital download

Letter, A4 and mobile editions, delivered immediately after purchase. Information current as of September 2026.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons — full credits in the guide. Conditions change — always follow current park guidance.