Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

About this activity

Recommended: Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discover why it’s the most visited National Park in the country! Tour these famous mountains while learning about Cherokee history and legends, Appalachian life, and much more. There’s no better way to see Clingman’s Dome (Kuwohi), Cades Cove, or Rainbow Falls. Plus, enjoy a free bonus tour of Roaring Forks Motor Trail!

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Itinerary

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park · pass by

   Great Smoky Mountains National Park is all misty ridgelines, lush forests, and scenic overlooks that feel straight out of a storybook. Drive through Newfound Gap and you’ll get those classic “Smokies” views in minutes. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

2. Mingus Mill · pass by

   As you drive, you'll have the option to take a detour to the Mingus Mill, an 1886 grist mill which, believe it or not, is still fully functional! If you're here on weekends, you can even see the mill operators grind corn just like they did back in the 1800s.

3. Stop 3 · pass by

   Heading toward Clingman's Dome (Kuwohi), you'll soon see its famous observation tower. You really haven't seen the Great Smoky Mountains until you've seen them from up here!

4. Quiet Walkways · pass by

   Your first major stop is the Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, a perfect spot for anyone who wants to soak up the natural beauty of the mountains without having to hike an arduous trail.

5. Morton Overlook · pass by

   After that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.

6. Oconaluftee Visitor Center · pass by

   Your drive through the beautiful, majestic Smoky Mountains begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Get ready to explore the Smokies and discover why this is the most visited National Park in the country!

7. Rockefeller Memorial · pass by

   Up next is the Rockefeller Memorial, where you'll learn more about Rockefeller's importance to the park! This memorial was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt himself.

8. Carlos Campbell Overlook · pass by

   The next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.

9. Stop 9 · pass by

   Continuing on, you'll pass through the heart of a mountain using the Morton Tunnel. Here, you'll also hear about how a politician named Ben Morton got his name all over the park.

10. Alum Cave Trail · pass by

    Next you'll pass the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the remains of an old salt mine packed with fascinating history.

11. Stop 11 · pass by

    Your route takes you next to Chimney Tops Overlook, where you'll hear all about wildfires in the Smokies and how they cause lasting damage to mountains like this one.

12. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail · pass by

    Next up is the most accessible trail in the park! Sugarlands Valley Trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the scenic wilderness. We'll also turn back the clock to get an in-depth look at the complicated history of this valley and the settlers who once lived here.

13. Kuwohi · pass by

    Next up is the most accessible trail in the park: Sugarlands Valley Trail! This scenic trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the wilderness.

14. Sugarlands Visitors Center · pass by

    The tour leads next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.

15. Rainbow Falls Trail · pass by

    Our route takes us next to the Rainbow Falls Trail, which leads to the park's most popular waterfall. Standing at 80 feet, Rainbow Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Smokies, but that's not all! When the sun hits it right, it glimmers like a rainbow--hence the name.

16. Cataract Falls · pass by

    Your drive continues to Cataract Falls, a beautiful, secluded set of waterfalls tucked beneath a shaded canopy of beech trees.

17. Newfound Gap Road · pass by

    From there, your drive continues to Newfound Gap, a stunning mountain pass with huge historical significance. Hear the story of how trappers, farmers, and merchants used to cross the Smokies, and how this gap changed all of that.

18. Stop 18 · pass by

    Our next stop is perfect for anyone amused by kitschy oddities. This funky museum displays everything from shrunken human heads to rare animal skeletons. We'll get the inside scoop on how it started as a simple one-panel comic strip and grew into a national phenomenon.

19. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail · pass by

    Continue following the road to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This driving trail invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the area. It also features three of the park's most famous waterfalls!

20. Stop 20 · pass by

    The road brings us next to the Reagen Cabin, which displays a perfect example of old-timey technology in the form of the so-called "tub mill." Hear all about what that is and why it was useful here.

21. Grotto Falls Trail · pass by

    Keep driving until you reach the Grotto Falls trail. While it's not quite as grand as Rainbow Falls, this secluded, less crowded waterfall is absolutely worth a visit. On your way, hear about a rare salamander you can only find right here!

22. Stop 22 · pass by

    Why settle for one waterfall when you can have several? Our next stop is the Place of a Thousand Drips, where numerous narrow falls come together to form a stunning torrent.

23. Baskins Creek Falls · pass by

    Our drive takes us next to the Baskin Creek Falls, a sparkling waterfall where we'll hear about the amusing, and slightly misguided history behind the name of these falls.

24. Gatlinburg · 120 min

    Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. The tour is over 45+ miles long, with more than 40+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.

Meeting point

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

End point: Start on US-441 Parkway in Gatlinburg near 1151 Parkway, with the parking lot and gas station on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the lot or nearby businesses. The audio starts automatically as you pass—check your email/text for setup details.; The US-441/Newfound Gap Road is open on the North Carolina side, allowing access to Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, and other scenic spots. To visit Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, take I-40, which adds approximately 2 hours to your drive, with no tour commentary.

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Check current road, trail, weather, and construction conditions before beginning the tour, as temporary closures may affect the route.
• Closed/inaccessible site: Laurel Falls Trail (including related sections of the Sugarlands Mountain Trail).
• A valid parking tag is required for vehicles parked for more than 15 minutes anywhere within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• There are no gas stations inside the park, so fill your tank before entering.
• Cell service is extremely limited. Download the audio tour and any required maps before arriving.
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
• Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
• At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
• Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
• Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
• More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
• Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
• Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
• Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
• Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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• 4 star73
• 3 star21
• 2 star14
• 1 star36

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