The "Classic" National Park Tour

Overview

This trip begins as we pickup at our location in Gatlinburg, TN. We travel in comfortable and eco-friendly vans to our first stop at the remains of a long-gone resort town dating back more than 100 years. We'll learn about the history of logging in the Smokies, the lives of the early Appalachian pioneers, and the founding of the national park. From here we'll travel up the mountains on one of the most scenic roads in the southeast. Along the way we'll stop at scenic overlooks for pictures, questions, and interpretation of the area. Finally we arrive at Newfound Gap and the 5,000 foot-high boarder between Tennessee and North Carolina. Here we will learn about the 2,200 mile-long Appalachian Trail and the the site where President Franklin Roosevelt gave the park dedication in 1940.

City: Gatlinburg

Tue 17 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $85.00

Make a reservation

Tue 17 Feb

Starting at $85.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Bottled water

Snacks

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Elkmont Ghost Town

We'll hike along one of the mightiest rivers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as we learn about the history of the founding of the park and how the lives of loggers, CCC workers, pioneer farmers, and the earliest mountain recreational visitors intersected.

Newfound Gap Road

Newfound Gap Road is one of the most scenic drives in the southeast. We'll make the 13-mile long drive out of the Sugarlands Valley while we learn about the people, plants, animals, and history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the way we'll stop at several scenic overlooks for photos of the towering mountains and dark, shaded valleys.

Newfound Gap

Deep in the mountains at a height of more than 5,000 feet we'll stand on the state line while looking down the the Sugarland Valley to our north and the Oconaluftee Valley to the south. The famous 2,200 mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through this point next to the stone stage where President Franklin Roosevelt gave the Great Smoky Mountain National Park dedication.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (158)

BoardingPass772354

Oct 2024

Since the day before, my husband and I had taken the Smokey Mountain Guides "High Points Driving Tour, which incorporated many of the same sites that the "Classic" Tour visited, our guide, Shannon, suggested a totally different portion of the Park. We saw many majestic overlooks and learned a lot about the area. Exploring the "Daisy Town" ghost town was great fun.

Response from Host

Nov 2024

Thanks for noticing our effort to provide great small group custom itineraries.

599candaceu

Oct 2024

What a spectacular tour! Wes was our guide. We learned about the history of the region. We learned about the animal and plant life, heard interesting stories about the creation of the park, Saw spectacular stunning views, all while riding in a very comfortabe vehicle, and did not have to worry about the heavy traffic.

Response from Host

Nov 2024

Hi. Thank you for noticing the details and the quality of van we strive to provide.

boywonder323

Oct 2024

We have been on many, many tours throughout the U.S. and a good tour guide is a must for any tour. Shannon was one of the best guides we have had on any tour and it showed. We had an excellent experience on the "Classic" National Park Tour. Although we have been in the Smoky Mountains many times before this is the first tour we have taken, mostly because I wanted to be able to see things without concentrating on driving the roads. Shannon navigated the roads to the park highlights and gave us good history along the way. She even took us to an preserved resort town, inside the park, that isn't inhabited any more. Great tour. Highly recommend.

Response from Host

Nov 2024

We are thrilled you enjoyed your trip.