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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS Great Smoky Mountains National Park is world renowned for its natural beauty , the quality of its historic Southern Appalachian culture and diversity of plant and animal life .
WILDLIFE Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more than 400 species of animals , including the American black bear .
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
NATIONAL PARK
REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES A commercial use authorization ( CUA ) is required for all road-based commercial tour operators to enter the national park . More information is available at www . nps . gov / grsm / getinvolved / dobusinesswithus . htm . Prior to your trip , please submit your CUA application via email to grsm _ cua @ nps . gov or mail to :
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Commercial Services Office 107 Park Headquarters Rd . Gatlinburg , TN 37738 ( 865 ) 436-1200
PARK IT FORWARD PARKING PASS Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee . However , parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes . As America ’ s most-visited national park , the parking fees directly contribute to park maintenance and visitor services . A parking pass and more information is available at https :// www . nps . gov / grsm / planyourvisit / fees .
CADES COVE Cades Cove is a lesson in Smoky Mountain history . Park visitors can view cabins , barns , gristmills , stores and other buildings constructed by early settlers before the area became a national park . The cove , featuring several historic sites and locales , is a special place to see via car , on foot or by bicycle . From early May until late September on Wednesdays , the 11-mile one-way Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to vehicle traffic and open to bicyclists only . Bicycles can be rented at Cades Cove Trading company .
SUGARLANDS VISITOR CENTER This is the primary point of information for visitors coming to the national park . At Sugarlands , visitors can view natural history exhibits . 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Road , Gatlinburg , Tennessee 37738
PARK TRAILS Whatever your hiking skills are , the park has trails for your enjoyment . Some favorites include :
- Sugarlands Valley Trail – A wheelchair accessible trail , located near Sugarlands Visitor Center .
- Laurel Falls Trail – The 80-foot-high Laurel Falls is located at the end of this 1.4-mile paved trail .
- Clingmans Dome — A picturesque drive , followed by a half-mile hike , reaches the highest point in the park .
TIP FROM PIGEON FORGE If a receptive service ( listed below ) with a step-on guide is used , the CUA is included .
- Liberty Receptive Tours : ( 888 ) 947-9777 - Rocky Top Tours : ( 877 ) 315-8687 - Tennessee Express Tours : ( 865 ) 774-6574
Save time and hire a step-on guide who has a current Commercial Use Authorization ( CUA ). Your vehicle doesn ’ t require an additional CUA if your step-on guide has one . Look for a local guide from one of our reputable companies on page 45 .
BICYCLING AND HORSEBACK RIDING While there are no designated bicycling trails in the national park , Cades Cove Loop Road is an exceptional place for cyclers .
- On Wednesdays ( early May through late September ), the Loop Road is open for bicycles only .
- Guided horseback rides are available at various riding stables , including those listed below , from mid-March through late November .
Sugarlands Riding Stables : ( 865 ) 436-3535 Smoky Mountain Riding Stables : ( 865 ) 436-5634 Cades Cove Riding Stables : ( 865 ) 448-9009
PICNIC AREAS The park has several picnic facilities , including Cades Cove and Metcalf Bottoms , that include tables , grills and restrooms .
FOLIAGE REPORT The magnificent display of fall colors in the Smoky Mountains can start as early as mid-September , reaching its peak between mid-October and early November .
- Updates are posted each year beginning in September at nps . gov / grsm / planyourvisit / fallcolor . htm .
DRIVING TIPS Tips for driving a motorcoach in the national park can be downloaded at nps . gov / grsm .
Cell phone signals can be difficult to find in Great Smoky Mountains National Park . Visitors are invited to enjoy the quiet and listen for the call of the great outdoors .