Great Smoky Mountains National Park

by United States. National Park Service

Revised 1954 16—53420-6 GPO

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

COMPLETELY EXTINGUISH MATCHES AND CIGARETTES BEFORE THROWING AWAY.
BE SURE CAMPFIRE IS OUT BEFORE LEAVING IT.
ALWAYS USE CAR ASHTRAYS.
LET'S NOT BE GUILTY OF STARTING A FOREST FIRE.

	From—
	Gatlinburg	Cherokee	Townsend			Map
To—	entrance	entrance	entrance	Elevation	Remarks	Index
	Miles	Miles	Miles	Feet
Park Headquarters	1.5	28.3	18.5	1463	Office of superintendent	F-2.
Pioneer Museum and Oconaluftee Ranger Station	27.9	1.9	45.9	2025	Museum; park office, North Carolina section	I-4.
Chimneys Campground	6.5	23.6	23.5	2750	In Tennessee section on U. S. 441	G-3.
Smokemont Campground	24.6	5.2	41.5	2198	In North Carolina section on U. S. 441	I-4.
Balsam Mountain Campground	53.3	23.5	71.3	5340	In North Carolina section; 11.3 miles north of U. S. 19	J-4.
Cades Cove Campground	26	63	7.7	1960	In Tennessee section; 7 miles south of Tennessee Route 73	C-3.
Deep Creek Campground	45.8	16	63.8	1800	In North Carolina section; 2.1 miles north of U. S. 19	G-5.
Heintooga Ridge Picnic Area	53.8	24	71.8	5325	Excellent mountain vistas	J-4.
Chimneys Footbridge	8.7	21.1	25.7	3550	At parking area above lower tunnel	G-3.
Alum Cave Parking Area	10.5	19.3	27.5	3850	Trail to Alum Cave Bluffs and Mount Le Conte	G-3.
Cherokee Orchard	4.7	35.5	24.7	2550	Trails to Mount Le Conte and Rainbow Falls	G-2.
Newfound Gap	15	14.8	42	5048	Where U. S. 441 crosses Smokies, Appalachian Trail, and Clingmans Dome Highway	G-3.
Indian Gap	16.3	16.1	43.3	5266	Historic pass through Smokies	G-3.
Forney Ridge Parking Area	22.5	22.3	49.5	6311	Clingmans Dome Trail	G-4.
Fighting Creek Gap	4.6	31.4	15.4	2320	Trail to Laurel Falls and Cove Mountain	F-2.
Cherokee Indian Reservation	31.3	1.5	48.5	1900	Eastern band of Cherokee Indians	I-5.
Little River Gorge	5.8	32.5	1	2000	Scenic drive	E-2 and
				to 1,100		D-2.
Cades Cove	26	63	7.7	1807	Extensive level area surrounded by mountains	C-3.
Tremont “Y”	18.2	45	0.7	1147	Junction of Cades Cove and Little River Roads	D-3.
Greenbrier	11	43	31	1680	Trails into area of excellent forests and streams	H-2.
Cosby	23.1	52	43.1	2459	Northeastern section of park, Tennessee side	J-1.
Cataloochee	50.4	60.5	70.4	2643	Excellent scenic drive, eastern section of park	K-3.
Loop trip around western end of park	165	165	165		One-day drive, Gatlinburg to park headquarters, Elkmont, Townsend, Maryville, Tapoca, Bryson City, Cherokee, and Gatlinburg

How To Reach the Park

Paved highways from all States converge at Knoxville, Tenn., and Asheville, N. C. Bus lines maintain service to both cities. The Southern Railway and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad serve Knoxville; the former also serves Asheville. Knoxville may also be reached by American, Capital (PCA), and Delta Airlines; Asheville, by Capital (PCA), Delta, and Piedmont Airlines. Trailways buses make seven trips each way, daily, between Knoxville and Asheville, going through the park via Gatlinburg and Cherokee. North Carolina towns bordering the park may be reached by direct buses from Atlanta and Chattanooga. Excursions by bus also may be made from Knoxville, stopping overnight at Gatlinburg and continuing to Knoxville via Maryville, Tenn. Smoky Mountain Tours, Inc., with offices in both Knoxville and Asheville, operate personally conducted sightseeing stages through the park between the two cities frequently during the summer. The Southern Railway offers both one-way and round-trip tickets, providing travel by bus through the park between Knoxville and Asheville.

The Seasons

Summer days are usually warm or hot in the lowland areas and cool in the higher mountains; the nights are cool.

Spring arrives early in the lowland areas and progressively later at higher elevations. Weather conditions are particularly favorable in autumn, with less rainfall at that season. Winters are variable, both as to severity and length, but they normally are mild in the lowlands.