Open Year Round
(Closed Christmas Day)
Hours of Operation
December & January – 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
February – 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
March – 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
April – 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
May through July – 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
August – 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
September & October – 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
November – 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
(Closing times vary due to available sunlight )
Physical Address
686 Cades Cove Loop Road
Townsend TN 37882
865.436.7318 Ext 321 - Satellite Phone Connection may experience delay
Located halfway around the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road at the Cable Mill historic area. The historic area features a working gristmill (closed in winter) blacksmith shop, cantilever barn, and other historic structures. There are occasional demonstrations and ranger-guided programs from spring to fall. There is no admission fee.
Open April 1 – November 30
Hours of Operation
April - May - 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
June - August - 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Sept & October - 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
November - 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Physical Address
7078 Clingmans Dome Road
Cherokee NC 28719
865.436.7318 Ext 326 - Satellite Phone Connection may experience delay
Located at the end of Clingmans Dome Road, 7 miles from Newfound Gap, this visitor center sits at an elevation of 6,300 feet. A 0.5-mile trail leads from the visitor center to the Clingmans Dome observation tower atop Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains and the third highest mountain in the East. Exhibits in the center provide an overview of the history of the area and the rare spruce-fir forest ecosystem.
Open Year Round
(Closed Christmas Day)
Hours of Operation
June - October - 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
November - March - 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Physical Address
1011 Banner Road
Gatlinburg TN 37738
865.436.7318 Ext 323
Located on the southbound side of US 441 (The Spur) between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN, Gatlinburg Welcome Center is operated as a partnership between the City of Gatlinburg, the National Park Service, and Great Smoky Mountains Association. This center also functions as a park and ride (free parking) for riding trolleys into Gatlinburg. Visitors can find information on lodging and attractions in Gatlinburg, the local trolley system, and everything related to Great Smoky Mountains National Park from hiking to horseback riding to fishing. Exhibits include a detailed a 3-D map of the park.
Open Monday – Saturday
Hours of Operation
8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Physical Address
9275 Tremont Road
Townsend TN 37882
865.448.6709
Located 2 miles from the Townsend Wye on Tremont Road, this visitor center is affiliated with the acclaimed outdoor education institute. A number of hiking trails start from the visitor center and vicinity. A logging history auto tour also begins from the Institute.
Open Year Round
(Closed Christmas Day)
Hours of Operation
December - January - 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
February - 9 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
March - 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
April - May - 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
June - August - 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
September - October - 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
November - 8 a.m until 5 p.m.
Physical Address
1194 Newfound Gap Highway
Cherokee NC 28719
865.436.7318 Ext 327
Located 1.5 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441), this visitor center and museum were opened in 2011. The facility features a state-of-the-art interactive indoor museum on the history of the area and an outdoor museum with a furnished log home, smokehouse, springhouse, apple house, blacksmith shop, heirloom garden, and other features. Special events, demonstrations, old-time music jams, and ranger-guided walk and talks, including special Junior Ranger programs, are offered periodically from spring through fall.
Open Year Round
(Closed Christmas Day)
Hours of Operation
December - February - 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
March - 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
April - May - 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
June - August - 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
September - October - 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
November - 8 a.m until 5 p.m.
Physical Address
1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd.
Gatlinburg TN 37738
865.436.7318 Ext 347
Located 2 miles south of Gatlinburg, TN, this visitor center offers a 21-minute movie in a surround sound theater, a renowned natural history museum, changeable park exhibits, and a staffed information desk, all free of charge! Outside visitors will find a number of hiking trails, including popular walks to Gatlinburg and Cataract Falls. A detailed 3-D map provides an excellent overview of the area. Ranger-led walks and talks, including special Junior Ranger programs, are scheduled here periodically from spring through fall.
Open Year Round
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Hours of Operation
January - February - Open Friday - Sunday only - 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
March - 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
April - December - 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Physical Address
255 Main Street
Bryson City NC 28713
865.436.7318 Ext 318
Located on the ground floor of the historic Swain County Courthouse, the Swain County Visitor Center is a partnership between Swain County, N.C., the National Park Service and Great Smoky Mountains Association. In addition to housing the new Swain County Historic Museum on its second floor, visitors can find information on lodging and attractions in Bryson City - including the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and Nantahala Outdoor Center - and others in the surrounding area. Visitors can easily access Great Smoky Mountains National Park from this location via Deep Creek Picnic and Campground, as well as Lake View Drive.
Open Year Round
(Closed Christmas Day)
Hours of Operation
9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Physical Address
7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
Townsend TN 37882
865.436.7318 Ext 320
Located on U.S. 321 in Townsend, TN, 2 miles from the west entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can obtain information on accommodations and attractions in Townsend, TN and find answers to their questions about things to see and do in the national park. The center plays host to many festivals and special events throughout the year and a gallery room often hosts artists and crafters.
