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Great Smoky Mountains · 3 days

Experience the peak of autumn in the Smokies. This loop from Gatlinburg traverses the high-altitude Newfound Gap, explores the historic Cades Cove valley, and winds through the lush forests of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

3days
10stops
153km
DAY01

Gatlinburg → Blue Ridge Parkway

51 km · 35m driving · Overnight in Blue Ridge Parkway
  1. 09:00
    Gatlinburg· start
  2. 17 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Newfound Gap
  4. 10 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Clingmans DomeMust-see
  6. 24 km · 15m
  7. 17:00
    Blue Ridge Parkway· overnight
DAY02

Cades Cove → Sugarlands

89 km · 1h 2m driving · Overnight in Sugarlands
  1. 09:00
    Cades Cove· startMust-see
  2. 25 km · 16m
  3. 12:00
    Laurel Falls
  4. 6.6 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Sugarlands· overnight
DAY03

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Tra… → Anakeesta

13 km · 30m driving
  1. 09:00
    Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail· startMust-see
  2. 2.6 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Noah Bud Ogle Cabin
  4. 3.2 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Anakeesta
Heads Up
  • Parking tags are required for all vehicles stopping for more than 15 minutes within the National Park.
  • Cades Cove Loop is vehicle-free on Wednesdays from May through September; check seasonal traffic patterns for October.
  • Expect heavy congestion and limited parking at Clingmans Dome and Laurel Falls during peak foliage weekends.
  • Cell service is extremely limited inside the park; download offline maps before departing Gatlinburg.