Where is the best place to enter the Smoky Mountains?


Where is the best place to enter the Smoky Mountains? The majority of visitors enter through the Sugarlands entrance on the park's north side (top star on map) by driving through Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This entrance is an hour's drive southeast of Knoxville on US 441. Gatlinburg is the busiest, most touristy gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.


Are the Smoky Mountains better in Tennessee or North Carolina?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular National Park in the country. Since this park is spread out across two states – Tennessee and North Carolina – the topic of “which side is better” is often debated. The short answer to this debate: both sides of the Smokies are beautiful!


Can you just drive through Smoky Mountain National Park?

Taking a scenic drive is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With almost 400 miles of roadway in the park and the surrounding scenic area, you can drive to specific locations to enjoy, as well as tour through steadily changing vistas of great beauty.


How far apart is Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?

How Far Apart are Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge? As a bird flies, the distance between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is about five miles total.