

On a clear day, you may be able to see more than 100 miles.

If you're visiting on a weekend, prepare for crowds: some travelers said they were unable to find parking at many of the stops.Ĭlingmans Dome is not only the highest point in Tennessee, but also in the park itself. Many recommended the Newfound Gap parking area for its scenic overlooks and access to trailheads, noting that the Appalachian Trail also crosses here. Recent travelers who drove along this route raved about the mountain views and photo ops, although some warned that the road can be narrow and winding at times. Mile markers denote several interesting attractions along the way, including Newfound Gap, Mingus Mill, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum, and the Smokemont Campground and Nature Trail. Route 441 – runs through the center of the park from the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, over the mountains and into Cherokee, North Carolina. Scenic, roughly 30-mile-long Newfound Gap – U.S. Newfound Gap, which sits at an elevation of 5,046 feet, is the lowest drivable pass in the park. Also known as notches or passes, gaps are the low points in a mountain ridge.
