Last Updated: July 3, 2026
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in the United States — and during fall foliage season, it feels like all those visitors show up at once. Despite the crowds, the scenery, wildlife, and mountain roads make it completely worth it.
Address: Sugarlands Visitor Center, 1420 Old TN-73 Scenic, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738. Phone: (865) 436-1200. Hours: Park open year-round; visitor centers generally open 9 am–5 pm (extended summer hours). Admission: Free — Great Smoky Mountains is one of the few national parks with no entrance fee. Dogs: Allowed on leash in campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved roads; not permitted on most backcountry trails. Website: nps.gov/grsm.
Cherokee, North Carolina
We stayed at the River Valley Campground in Cherokee, NC. They had full service, but we couldn’t get satellite because of the trees. Their cable connection was awful, and their internet was too slow to use, even though the campground was less than 50% full. It was nice being next to a river which drowned out all the campground and road noises. One of the reasons we stayed here was because the RV parks on the Tennessee side in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg were booked.
Cataloochee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cataloochee Valley is considered the best elk viewing location in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elk were reintroduced to the Smokies in 2001 from Elk Island National Park in Canada after being absent from the Appalachians for over 150 years — today the herd numbers around 200 animals. Getting there: Cataloochee is accessed via Cove Creek Road, a narrow winding gravel road not suitable for large RVs or motorhomes — leave the coach and take your tow vehicle. Best viewing: Dawn and dusk during September and October for the fall rut. Park rangers are present to ensure visitors maintain the required 150-foot distance from all wildlife.
The Cataloochee Valley is reported to be the best elk viewing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There were plenty of park rangers making sure no one got too close to the elk. The Cataloochee Valley is not far from Asheville and Marion where we were previously staying.
Before the park was established in the 1930s, Cataloochee was a thriving community of over 1,200 residents. Several of the original homesteads, churches, and barns have been preserved and are open to explore — quiet, beautifully maintained, and a striking contrast to the surrounding wilderness.
Other than elk, the Cataloochee Valley has a campground and numerous hiking trails through the surrounding hardwood forest.
Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains are a part of the Appalachian Mountains, straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Newfound Gap Road (US-441) is the main trans-mountain route through the park — 33 miles from Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg, TN — and in fall foliage season it’s one of the most spectacular drives in the country.
The drive between North Carolina and Tennessee is stunning. Dozens of small waterfalls appear along the roadside, fed by the park’s famously high annual rainfall — the Smokies receive up to 85 inches of precipitation per year in some areas, which is what creates the lush forest and the signature smoky haze from water vapor that gives the mountains their name.
This turkey was not very shy — probably because it’s spent its whole life being photographed by park visitors.
The distinctive twin rock pinnacles of Chimney Tops rise to a summit of 4,800 feet. The trail to the top was closed for several years after extensive damage from the 2016 Chimney Tops wildfire, which burned into the Gatlinburg area and caused significant loss of life and property. The area has since largely recovered.
The road to Clingmans Dome was very busy and scenic. At 6,644 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains and the third highest point east of the Mississippi. The observation tower at the summit offers a 360-degree view that on a clear day stretches over 100 miles. The access road is typically closed December through March.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee are full-on tourist destinations — pretty much anything you could want. We enjoyed a lunch of absolutely delicious southern fried chicken. After weeks of charcuterie and wine, it hit the spot.
During our stay, the best elk viewing was at the Cherokee entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. An elk mother and her calf — seeing the calf staying close while the mother kept a watchful eye on all the photographers was a highlight of the trip.
Even though it was the rut, for the most part the elk just grazed and were oblivious to all the people taking pictures. We timed it just right and were able to watch two bulls butting heads.
This dominant bull elk was bugling — a sound unlike anything else in North American wildlife. He was soaked in sweat even though it was only 50°F outside, from all the fighting. The rut can last a month. An average bull elk sustains numerous antler wounds and can lose up to 20 percent of its body weight from all the battles, chasing, and breeding. As a physician, I can confirm he needed some serious IV fluids.
The Great Smoky Mountains were a worthwhile visit, especially in the fall. Between the elk, the waterfalls, the mountain roads, and the foliage, it earns its status as the most visited national park in the country.
Practical Tips for Great Smoky Mountains
Cataloochee is not accessible by RV or motorhome — the access road (Cove Creek Road) is a narrow, winding gravel mountain road. Leave the coach at the campground and take your tow vehicle. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Cherokee. Go at dawn or dusk for elk — the herds are most active in the low light of early morning and just before sunset. Midday elk viewing in Cataloochee is hit or miss. The Cherokee entrance meadows near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center are a reliable secondary viewing spot, especially for cow-calf pairs. Keep 150 feet from all wildlife — the NPS enforces this at both Cataloochee and the Cherokee entrance. Park rangers are present and will ask you to back up. The park is free, but Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are not — plan for commercial tourism on the Tennessee side. If you’re visiting primarily for nature and wildlife, the North Carolina (Cherokee) entrance is significantly less crowded and commercialized. Clingmans Dome road closes December through March and can close earlier if snow arrives. If it’s your target, call ahead. Dogs are limited in the Smokies — unlike most national parks, dogs are not allowed on backcountry trails. They can join you at campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved overlooks on a leash, but for trail hiking you’ll need to leave them at camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Smoky Mountains National Park free? Yes — it’s one of the only major national parks with no entrance fee, a legacy of the original federal agreement when the land was donated. There’s no cost to enter from either the North Carolina or Tennessee side, at any time of year. Parking fees apply at a few high-use trailheads, but driving through and stopping at overlooks is completely free.
Where is the best place to see elk in Great Smoky Mountains? Cataloochee Valley on the North Carolina side is the premier elk viewing destination in the park — it’s where the reintroduction program is based and where the largest herd congregates. The meadows near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at the Cherokee entrance are a more accessible alternative and excellent for cow-calf sightings. Both are best at dawn and dusk.
When is the elk rut at Great Smoky Mountains? The rut (breeding season) typically runs from mid-September through mid-October, with peak activity in late September. This is when bulls are most active, bugling loudly and competing for dominance — and when witnessing a head-to-head fight between two large bulls is possible if you’re patient and lucky. We timed our visit for early November and still caught active rut behavior, which surprised us.
Can you bring dogs to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Partially. Dogs are allowed on leash in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along paved roads and parking areas. They are not permitted on most hiking trails or in the backcountry. This is a significant restriction compared to most national parks and something to plan around if you’re traveling with a dog. Jake stayed in the Jeep for most of our trail stops.
What is Clingmans Dome? Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,644 feet — the third highest point east of the Mississippi River. A steep half-mile paved trail leads from the parking area to a concrete observation tower at the summit, offering 360-degree views across multiple states on a clear day. The access road is closed December through March and the summit is often in cloud even when the valleys below are sunny.
