Itinerary · 2 days · Tennessee & North Carolina
2 Days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The Perfect Itinerary
Two days is enough to see the best of Great Smoky Mountains National Park without rushing. Here is the day-by-day plan, built around the park's highlights.
Best time to go: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Closest major airport: Knoxville (TYS), about 1 hour.
Day 1: The icons
- Morning: Drive the Cades Cove Loop for wildlife. Start early to beat the crowds.
- Afternoon: Walk to the observation tower at Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome).
- Evening: Hike Alum Cave Trail.
Day 2: Go deeper
- Morning: Watch sunrise at Newfound Gap.
- Afternoon: See Laurel Falls.
Cades Cove is closed to cars on Wednesdays from May to September, which makes it perfect for bikes and walkers.
When to go
The best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park is April–June and September–October.
Best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains, month by month · What to pack
Questions
How many days do you need in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Two full days covers the highlights: drive the cades cove loop for wildlife and walk to the observation tower at kuwohi (formerly clingmans dome) on day one, then watch sunrise at newfound gap on day two. Add a third day if you want a long backcountry hike or a slow morning.
When is the best time for this Great Smoky Mountains itinerary?
Go in Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct, when the park is rated at its best. April, May and September offer the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds.
Can you do Great Smoky Mountains in one day?
You can see the highlights in one very full day by doing day one below and skipping day two, but you will miss watch sunrise at newfound gap. Two days is the sweet spot.