Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

At a glance

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour is a 2h – 3h private experience in Gatlinburg, USA, operated by Travel with Action. Travellers rate it 4.1 out of 5 across 325 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $16.99 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour., Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help., Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included..

Quick facts

Duration

2h – 3h

Group

Private tour — only your group

Languages

English

Pickup

Meet at the start point

Confirmation

Instant confirmation

Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Cancellation

Free cancellation (see policy)

Overview

Itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Great Smoky Mountains National Park is all misty ridgelines, lush forests, and scenic overlooks that feel straight out of a storybook. Drive through Newfound Gap and you’ll get those classic “Smokies” views in minutes.
   
   New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

2. Stop 2

   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.

3. Stop 3

   Heading toward Clingman's Dome (Kuwohi), you'll soon see its famous observation tower. You really haven't seen the Great Smoky Mountains until you've seen them from up here!

4. Stop 4

   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.

5. Stop 5

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

6. Stop 6

   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!

7. Stop 7

   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.

8. Stop 8

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

9. Stop 9

   Continuing on, you'll pass through the heart of a mountain using the Morton Tunnel. Here, you'll also hear about how a politician named Ben Morton got his name all over the park.

10. Stop 10

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

11. Stop 11

    Your route takes you next to Chimney Tops Overlook, where you'll hear all about wildfires in the Smokies and how they cause lasting damage to mountains like this one.

12. Stop 12

    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.

13. Stop 13

    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.

14. Stop 14

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

15. Stop 15

    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.

16. Stop 16

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

17. Stop 17

    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.

18. Stop 18

    Our next stop is perfect for anyone amused by kitschy oddities. This funky museum displays everything from shrunken human heads to rare animal skeletons. We'll get the inside scoop on how it started as a simple one-panel comic strip and grew into a national phenomenon.

19. Stop 19

    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!

20. Stop 20

    The road brings us next to the Reagen Cabin, which displays a perfect example of old-timey technology in the form of the so-called "tub mill." Hear all about what that is and why it was useful here.

21. Stop 21

    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!

22. Stop 22

    Why settle for one waterfall when you can have several? Our next stop is the Place of a Thousand Drips, where numerous narrow falls come together to form a stunning torrent.

23. Stop 23

    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.

24. Stop 24 · 2h

    Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude.
    
    New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
    
    The tour is over 45+ miles long, with more than 40+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.

Meeting point

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Check current road, trail, weather, and construction conditions before beginning the tour, as temporary closures may affect the route.
• Closed/inaccessible site: Laurel Falls Trail (including related sections of the Sugarlands Mountain Trail).
• A valid parking tag is required for vehicles parked for more than 15 minutes anywhere within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• There are no gas stations inside the park, so fill your tank before entering.
• Cell service is extremely limited. Download the audio tour and any required maps before arriving.
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
• Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
• At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
• Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
• Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
• More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
• Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
• Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
• Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
• Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Cancellation policy

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

Frequently asked questions