Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits in the southern US, straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. It spreads over 800 square miles and is one of the country’s most popular parks, with well over 10 million visitors each year.

When we filmed this video, there wasn’t much accessibility information on the park website, so here are the tips we think you need to know. The good news is that just driving the park, you’ll see a lot. A car is essential, because there’s no public transportation inside the park. You’ll find plenty of overlooks along the way, and some are more accessible than others.

2026 update: The park website now has much more accessibility information, including free all-terrain GRIT wheelchairs you can borrow at the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers. For the full details, see our complete Wheelchair Travel Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Newfound Gap Road and Clingmans Dome

Newfound Gap Road is the main route through the park and runs 33 miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina. The turnoff to Clingmans Dome is along this road. At the Newfound Gap overlook there’s accessible viewing, and it’s also where the Appalachian Trail crosses the road, right on the Tennessee–North Carolina border.

2026 update: Clingmans Dome was officially renamed Kuwohi in 2024. The views from the parking area are wonderful, but the half-mile paved path to the observation tower is too steep for wheelchairs. Kuwohi Road is closed from December through March. At Newfound Gap, the walkway to the restrooms is steep, so you may need assistance.

Cades Cove and Tremont

Cades Cove is an area of the park designed for a scenic drive. The one-way road loops around open meadows and historic properties, with occasional spots where you can pull over and explore.

The nearby Tremont area is gorgeous, with lots of rushing water. Stroll along the road, or see how far you can get on the trail.

2026 update: Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to cars on Wednesdays from May through September, so plan your drive for another day. In Tremont, the Middle Prong Trail is one of the routes the park has evaluated for its loaner all-terrain wheelchairs.

Friendly Falls

Friendly Falls is just outside the park, and it’s a really fun stop for food, drinks and even s’mores.

Oconaluftee

The area around the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, on the North Carolina side, is another great place to explore. Like Cades Cove, it’s a popular spot to see wildlife, especially elk. A trail near the visitor center runs past the meadow and down to the river.

2026 update: The Mountain Farm Museum behind the visitor center has packed-gravel paths that are manageable with assistance. Elk often graze right beside the parking lot. Stay at least 50 yards away, as required by law.

Gatlinburg Trail

On the opposite edge of the park is the Gatlinburg Trail, which also follows a river. The trail sign gave us a laugh, but we kept going, and wheelchairs are definitely okay here.

Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail

Nearby is the Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail, the park’s accessible trail. It’s a paved half-mile loop along the river with historic sites and numerous benches if you need a rest.

A word of caution about Laurel Falls

Even though the trail to Laurel Falls is paved, it’s very narrow and choppy, and it has a wicked cross slope. Please pay attention to the warning sign.

2026 update: Laurel Falls Trail is closed for a major rehabilitation, and the park expects it to reopen sometime in 2027. Check conditions after it reopens before you attempt it.

Just the beginning

There’s much more to explore in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but this is a great start. Check the park’s current conditions page before you go, since roads and trails close often after storms.