The park was established in June 1934 and designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976. GSMNP is almost 800 square miles located in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. There are still more than 100,000 acres of virgin forest. More varieties of trees and vegetation are found in the park than on the entire European Continent. The park is home to several species of plants and animals that cannot be found anywhereelse in the world. It is considered the salamander capital of the world. Rangers say if you took all the bears in the park and all the salamanders, the salamanders would out weight the bears. It is the most visited of any National Park in America, with about 9,000,000 visitors every year. It is the only park within the National Park system that doesn’t charge an entry fee. Entry and enjoyment of GSMNP is completely free. So, please make donations at the provided donation boxes located throughout the park. In recent years, federal funding to the park has been cut which has placed the park in dire need of donations and volunteers to help with projects throughout the park. Please buy your souvenirs at the park visitors centers because 15% of everything you spend goes into funding for the park. We encourage you to become a member of the
Great Smoky Mountains Association which brings in funding for the park and you get benefits also. You can inquire about this at any park visitors center or visit our links page.
Weather:
Keep in mind when traveling to any mountaintop the temperature can be quite a bit cooler that the temperature in downtown Gatlinburg. Even hikes in the park can often become chilly depending of the time of year. Areas around waterfalls are often very cool and breezy. When traveling to Clingmans Dome, the temperatures are usually about 20 degrees cooler than the temperature in Gatlinburg. So, in the spring and fall it is recommended to take along a light jacket. If you are wearing shorts, you may want to consider taking a pair of pants along. In the winter months, be sure to have very warm coats, gloves and hats when visiting Newfound Gap. It can be cold and very windy. Clingmans Dome is closed to the public from December 1st to March 31st. Weather can change quickly in the Smokies so be prepared. Some type of rain gear is often a lifesaver.
Gasoline:
In Gatlinburg, there is a gas station between light #2 and #3. There are two stations out 321 just past the Food City. There is a station at light #10. However, they are the last one before entering the park and you pay for it. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before entering the park. There are no gas stations.
Driving:
Be careful of animals crossing roadways and people stopping ahead of you to look at animals and other sights. Please use provided pull offs to stop. Do not pull off in grassy areas to help preserve the park. Also, in Cades Cove, please use pull offs to stop and view
deer/bear/etc. Traffic can become backed up quickly by one vehicle stopping in the roadway to view animals. Please be courteous! In Gatlinburg, you must stop at all cross walks when pedestrians are trying to cross road. People will walk right out in front of you
expecting you to stop. So, be very cautious. It is a good idea when planning a driving or hiking trip to visit one of the National Park Visitors Centers to check on road and trail closures. Check our links area for their website.
Restrooms:
Sugarlands Visitors Center, located just inside the park, has facilities. If taking 441 to Newfound Gap, you will have restrooms at Chimney Tops picnic area, Newfound Gap area, Clingmans Dome, and at the Visitors Center on the North Carolina side. If you are on your way to Cades Cove, there are restrooms at Metcalf picnic area, Cable Mill (1/2 way around Cades Cove loop) and at the Cades Cove Campground area.
Picnic Areas:
Chimney Tops picnic area is located on the road leading to Newfound Gap. This is a really nice picnic area with a beautiful stream flowing through it. Metcalf picnic area is located on Little River Rd on the way to Cades Cove. There is a very nice picnic area just as you enter Cades Cove on the left. There are picnic areas located out Greenbrier area on 321. The Greenbrier area of the park is much less traveled and a good place to go to get away from the crowds.
Groceries:
In Gatlinburg, turn at light #3 onto 321. There is a Food City about 2 miles on the left at the stop light. In Pigeon Forge/Sevierville, the best place is the Wal-Mart across from Governors Crossing Mall. There is a Food Lion in Pigeon Forge close to the Dixie Stampede.
Getting around town:
In Pigeon Forge, the best way is by your own vehicle. There is plenty of free parking. In Gatlinburg, one of the best ways to get around is by foot. There is parking in town, but it can be costly. The best parking in Gatlinburg is the parking garage behind Ripley’s Aquarium at light #5. Make sure you park in appropriate areas or your car will be towed. You may park on the street in downtown Gatlinburg until 9am on the dot. During the weekdays (Mon-Thur) in the off season (Jan/.Feb) you can park on the street in Gatlinburg all day. The trolley system is another good way to get around town. All trolleys are color coded by route. Look for signs posted on the front and sided of each trolley to insure you are on the correct trolley. All trolleys go to Ripleys Aquarium. There is free parking at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center on Rt 441 and at the Gatlinburg City Hall on Rt 321. You can park here and ride the trolley into town. Trolley routes schedules can be obtained at most hotels and Gatlinburg Welcome Centers. Most common fares are 25 to 75 cents per person.
