Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self Driving Tour in Great Smoky Mountains National Park booking from $16.99

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self Driving Tour

Overview

Recommended: Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discover why it’s the most visited National Park in the country! Tour these famous mountains while learning about Cherokee history and legends, Appalachian life, and much more. There’s no better way to see Clingman’s Dome, Cades Cove, or Rainbow Falls. Plus, enjoy a free bonus tour of Roaring Forks Motor Trail!

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

City: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Thu 01 May

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $16.99

Make a reservation

Thu 01 May

Starting at $16.99

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone

Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!

Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!

Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!

Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.

Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!

Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

What To Expect

Newfound Gap Road

From there, your drive continues to Newfound Gap, a stunning mountain pass with huge historical significance. Hear the story of how trappers, farmers, and merchants used to cross the Smokies, and how this gap changed all of that. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Mingus Mill

As you drive, you'll have the option to take a detour to the Mingus Mill, an 1886 grist mill which, believe it or not, is still fully functional! If you're here on weekends, you can even see the mill operators grind corn just like they did back in the 1800s.

Quiet Walkways

Your first major stop is the Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, a perfect spot for anyone who wants to soak up the natural beauty of the mountains without having to hike an arduous trail.

Morton Overlook

After that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Your drive through the beautiful, majestic Smoky Mountains begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Get ready to explore the Smokies and discover why this is the most visited National Park in the country!

Rockefeller Memorial

Up next is the Rockefeller Memorial, where you'll learn more about Rockefeller's importance to the park! This memorial was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt himself.

Carlos Campbell Overlook

The next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.

Alum Cave Trail

Next you'll pass the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the remains of an old salt mine packed with fascinating history.

Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail

Next up is the most accessible trail in the park! Sugarlands Valley Trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the scenic wilderness. We'll also turn back the clock to get an in-depth look at the complicated history of this valley and the settlers who once lived here.

Kuwohi

Next up is the most accessible trail in the park: Sugarlands Valley Trail! This scenic trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the wilderness.

Sugarlands Visitors Center

The tour leads next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.

Rainbow Falls Trail

Our route takes us next to the Rainbow Falls Trail, which leads to the park's most popular waterfall. Standing at 80 feet, Rainbow Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Smokies, but that's not all! When the sun hits it right, it glimmers like a rainbow--hence the name.

Cataract Falls

Your drive continues to Cataract Falls, a beautiful, secluded set of waterfalls tucked beneath a shaded canopy of beech trees.

Gatlinburg

Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Continue following the road to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This driving trail invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the area. It also features three of the park's most famous waterfalls!

Grotto Falls Trail

Keep driving until you reach the Grotto Falls trail. While it's not quite as grand as Rainbow Falls, this secluded, less crowded waterfall is absolutely worth a visit. On your way, hear about a rare salamander you can only find right here!

Baskins Creek Falls

Our drive takes us next to the Baskin Creek Falls, a sparkling waterfall where we'll hear about the amusing, and slightly misguided history behind the name of these falls.

Show 14 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (254)

Julie K

Dec 2024

Great option to learn more about the various stops. Easy to use and understand. The app keeps up with your location even without GPS.

Response from Host

Dec 2024

Julie, I’m glad you enjoyed my self-guided driving tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The app’s ability to keep up with your location and make it easy to learn about the stops is fantastic. If you’re ready for more adventures, check out my 30+ Self-Guided Driving Bundle, which offers plenty of tours with the same convenience and flexibility. Happy exploring!

Kyle P

Dec 2024

I recently had foot surgery so I had limited mobility. This app gave us the ability to experience the Great Smoky Mountains from our vehicle. It was the highlight of the trip for me.

Response from Host

Dec 2024

Kyle, I’m so glad my Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour allowed you to enjoy the park despite limited mobility fully. I loved hearing it was the highlight of your trip, and the flexibility to explore from your vehicle makes a difference. If you’re ready for more adventures, check out my 30+ Self-Guided Driving Bundle, which offers plenty of tours with the same convenience and flexibility. Happy exploring!

974caryw

Nov 2024

Definitely worthwhile, with good historical content and native american lore along with hiking info. Do watch your speed. The "host" does warn that going too fast will cut off some "stories"; the app tracks where you are and will skip to the next module. I was careful to mind the speed limit or slower, and some stories still cut off.

Response from Host

Nov 2024

Cary, I’m glad you found my Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour worthwhile! The mix of historical content, Native American lore, and hiking information makes it special. If you’re ready for more adventures, check out my 30+ Self-Guided Driving Bundle, which offers plenty of tours offering the same convenience and flexibility. Happy exploring!

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self Driving Tour

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