General Information
Park information can be found at Cades Cove Visitor Center, 12 mi. s.w. of Townsend, Tenn. on Cades Cove Loop Road, and Clingmans Dome Visitor Center, 7 mi. s.w. of US 441 on Clingmans Dome Rd.
There are 238 miles of paved and 146 miles of gravel park roads. Newfound Gap Road (US 441), a scenic 33-mile-long Cherokee-Gatlinburg route with an elevation of 5,048 feet at the state line, crosses the park. The 469-mile scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina links the park with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The Balsam Mountain Road, a 9-mile spur, branches off the parkway just north of the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Heintooga Ridge Road, a scenic loop drive, leads to an overlook.
The park has more than 850 miles of horse and foot trails. Leaflets are provided at the start of short self-guiding nature trails. The most heavily used path is the section of the Appalachian Trail that runs the length of the park. Back-country shelters and campsites along the trail are spaced a day's hike apart, and the camping limit is 1 day per site. All shelters and some campsites require reservations. Permits are required for all back-country camping and can be obtained at Sugarlands Visitor Center; phone the backcountry office at (865) 436-1297 for more information.
Waterfalls are plentiful and welcome additions to the park's landscape. Although most require hikes of various lengths to reach, one can be enjoyed from the road: Meigs Falls is 13 miles west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Saddle horses and guides can be obtained in the park. Horseback trails lead from concessionaire-operated stables at Smokemont, N.C., as well as Cades Cove and two stables near Gatlinburg.
The ascent of Mount Le Conte by foot from Gatlinburg offers awesome views. Lodging on the mountaintop is available by reservation. Also noted for spectacular views are Charlies Bunion, reached by the Appalachian Trail 4 miles east from Newfound Gap, and Tennessee's highest point, Clingmans Dome.
With 735 miles of streams available, fishing for trout is ideal, although fishing for brook trout is prohibited. Visitors fishing within the park must have a license from Tennessee or North Carolina; these cannot be purchased within the park. Fishing is permitted dawn to dusk; inquire for regulations at the park visitor center.
Most of the many developed campgrounds function on a first-come, first-served basis; however, reservations are recommended May 15-Oct. 31 at Cades Cove and Elkmont, Tenn., and at Smokemont, N.C. For reservations phone the National Park Reservation Service at (877) 444-6777.
ADMISSION
ADMISSION to the park is free. Parking tags will be required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes. Tags can be purchased on-site or online. Camping fees vary. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.
PETS
PETS are permitted in the park's developed areas only if they are leashed, crated or otherwise physically restricted at all times. They are not permitted on trails.