Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a gem. Here's everything to know for your visit

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the country for a reason. Many reasons, in fact: the natural beauty of its trails and waterfalls, the salamanders and the synchronous fireflies, the picturesque route it provides for those traveling between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina.

The East Tennessee landmark drew nearly 13 million visitors in 2022, after setting an all-time record with 14 million people exploring the park in 2021.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or are looking for fresh ideas for a return trip to the Smokies, here's what you need to know and where to find even more information to get the peak experience.

What is the most popular destination in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Two of the most popular spots are:

• Cades Cove, which offers an 11-mile loop road visitors can drive - or, when the road is closed to cars every Wednesday through Sept. 27, bike or walk - for a leisurely view of the scenery.

• Clingmans Dome, at 6,643 feet, is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the state of Tennessee, offering spectacular 360° views of the Smokies.

For subscribers:'History is complicated as hell': Cherokee will ask to restore native name for Clingmans Dome

What is the best month to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The summer months are the most popular for hiking, camping and other activities, but autumn has its fans. Though peak fall color season varies year to year, the National Park Service lists these times as best:

• Above 4,000 feet, fall colors tend to develop in early to mid-October, and can be viewed by driving along the the Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Foothills Parkway.
• At lower elevations, the most spectacular display of fall colors tends to occur between mid-October and early November.

How many days do you need for a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

You can easily spend a full day enjoying the park by driving around or walking a trail, or give yourself multiple days to hike and explore. Find links to park workshops and attractions online at nps.gov/grsm.

Can I just drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

No rental cabins are available within the park, but there are campgrounds and backcountry campsites available by reservation, as well as LeConte Lodge, which is accessible only by hiking. Plenty of lodging options outside the park are available in nearby communities.

Yes, you can! In fact, driving through the park is the most popular way to enjoy it.

The most popular entrance in Tennessee is at Gatlinburg. From the North Carolina side, it's the Oconaluftee entrance near Cherokee.

There are 384 miles of roads in the massive park. They meander through the woods and up to destinations like Clingmans Dome.

Most roads are slow and narrow, and can be mountainous. And always be sure to check for road closures, which occur frequently in the winder months.

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Where can I find trails to hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The park offers 150 official trails, including kid-friendly hikes and trails to waterfalls, vistas and other destinations.

A map showing all the park's trails is available to download on the website or to purchase at the park's visitors centers (Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove or Clingmans Dome). And before you head out on your hike, you can check for any trail closures or bear warnings online or by calling 865-436-1200.

How much does it cost to go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Unlike most other national parks, Great Smoky Mountains does not charge a fee for admission, but in 2023 started requiring visitors to buy and display a valid parking tag for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes.

Visitors can buy a $5 tag for the day, a weekly tag for $15 or an annual tag for $40. Daily and weekly parking tags are available online at recreation.gov and from machines at the park.

More:Worried about finding parking in the Smokies? Here's a way around the park's new rules

Parking is free on three upcoming National Park Service fee-free days in 2023:

• Aug. 4 for the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Sept. 23 for National Public Lands Day
• Nov. 11 for Veterans Day

How big is Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers 522,427 acres, divided between Tennessee and North Carolina.

How old is Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

President Calvin Coolidge signed a bill in 1926 establishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to conserve the forest and wildlife there, and in 1934, the states of Tennessee and North Carolina donated 300,000 acres of land for the park, according to the Tennessee State Museum website.

Robin Gibson is the people and trends editor for Knox News. Contact her at ragibson@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @RobinGibsonTSP.

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