Welcome to our comprehensive visitor guide for getting to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! In this post, we’ll cover driving directions, the nearest airports, and the park entrances. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the best ways to access this beautiful national park.

Driving Directions to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is nestled between Tennessee and North Carolina, and offers a range of convenient access points. Let’s go over driving distances from nearby cities, basic driving directions, and some noteworthy stops along the way.

Driving Distances from Nearby Cities

Here are the approximate driving distances from some major cities to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

Atlanta, GA: 197 miles (about 3 hours and 30 minutes)
Nashville, TN: 237 miles (about 3 hours and 45 minutes)
Charlotte, NC: 175 miles (about 3 hours)
Knoxville, TN: 36 miles (about 1 hour)
Asheville, NC: 69 miles (about 1 hour and 30 minutes)

Basic Driving Directions and Noteworthy Stops

Depending on your starting point, you’ll find different routes to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here are some directions from popular starting points:

From Atlanta, GA: Take I-85 North and then merge onto I-985 North, which later becomes US-23 North/US-441 North. Continue through Clayton, GA, and Franklin, NC, before reaching Cherokee, NC. Along the way, you can stop in Clayton for a meal and enjoy the charming downtown area. From Cherokee, you’ll enter the park through the Oconaluftee entrance.

From Nashville, TN: Take I-40 East towards Knoxville, then take exit 407 for TN-66 South towards Sevierville. Continue on TN-66 South and merge onto US-441 South, passing through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. These towns offer a variety of restaurants, attractions, and shopping opportunities. From Gatlinburg, you’ll enter the park through the Sugarlands entrance.

From Charlotte, NC: Take I-85 South to US-74 West, then take exit 74 for US-441 North towards Cherokee. Once you reach Cherokee, you’ll enter the park through the Oconaluftee entrance.

From Knoxville, TN: Take I-40 East and merge onto US-441 South, passing through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg before entering the park through the Sugarlands entrance.

From Asheville, NC: Take I-40 West, then take exit 27 for US-74 West. Continue on US-74 West, then take exit 74 for US-441 North towards Cherokee. From Cherokee, you’ll enter the park through the Oconaluftee entrance.

Nearest Airports to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

When flying into the area, you’ll have a few airport options. The following airports are serviced by major airlines and are the closest to the park:

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)

Distance to Sugarlands entrance: 42 miles (about 1 hour)

McGhee Tyson Airport is located in Alcoa, near Knoxville, Tennessee. It’s the closest airport to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is serviced by major airlines like American, Delta, and United. This airport has car rental facilities from companies like Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis, making it convenient for travelers who need a vehicle for their trip.

To drive from McGhee Tyson Airport to the Sugarlands entrance, take US-129 North and then merge onto I-40 East. From there, take exit 407 for TN-66 South towards Sevierville. Continue on TN-66 South and merge onto US-441 South, passing through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg before entering the park through the Sugarlands entrance.

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)

Distance to Oconaluftee entrance: 63 miles (about 1 hour and 30 minutes)

Asheville Regional Airport is located in Fletcher, North Carolina, and serves as another option for visitors traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Major airlines like American, Delta, and United service the airport, making it a convenient choice for travelers. Car rental facilities are available at the airport from companies like Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis.

To drive from Asheville Regional Airport to the Oconaluftee entrance, take I-26 West and merge onto I-40 West. Then, take exit 27 for US-74 West. Continue on US-74 West and take exit 74 for US-441 North towards Cherokee. From Cherokee, you’ll enter the park through the Oconaluftee entrance.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrances

There are three main entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, each offering access to different park attractions. We’ll discuss the distance between each entrance and popular park features below.

Sugarlands Entrance

Located near Gatlinburg, TN, the Sugarlands entrance is one of the most popular access points to the park. Major attractions and their distances from the Sugarlands entrance include:

Sugarlands Visitor Center: 2 miles (about 5 minutes)
Laurel Falls Trailhead: 3.8 miles (about 10 minutes)
Cades Cove: 25 miles (about 1 hour)
Clingmans Dome: 23 miles (about 45 minutes)

Oconaluftee Entrance

The Oconaluftee entrance is located near Cherokee, NC, and offers access to a variety of park attractions. Major attractions and their distances from the Oconaluftee entrance include:

Oconaluftee Visitor Center: 1.6 miles (about 5 minutes)
Mingus Mill: 2 miles (about 5 minutes)
Clingmans Dome: 19 miles (about 40 minutes)
Cataloochee Valley: 39 miles (about 1 hour and 15 minutes)

Greenbrier Entrance

The Greenbrier entrance, situated near Cosby, TN, provides access to the quieter side of the park. This entrance is less busy than the others and is perfect for visitors seeking a more serene experience. Major attractions and their distances from the Greenbrier entrance include:

Porters Creek Trailhead: 4 miles (about 15 minutes)
Ramsey Cascades Trailhead: 5.4 miles (about 20 minutes)
Mt. Cammerer Trailhead: 11.4 miles (about 30 minutes)
Greenbrier Cove: 3 miles (about 10 minutes)
We hope this comprehensive visitor guide helps you plan your trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With detailed driving directions, airport information, and entrance details, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy your visit to this beautiful national treasure.