Why go
Newfound Gap Road links the Gatlinburg and Cherokee sides, giving a first-time visitor an easy way to understand the mountains. Cades Cove tells a different story through its preserved buildings, while the Appalachian Trail crosses the park's high country. Pick one area or corridor for a day rather than treating the whole park as a single stop.
What to look for
- Newfound Gap sits on the state line along the park's main cross-mountain road.
- Cades Cove preserves cabins, barns, and churches in a mountain valley.
- The Appalachian Trail follows high ground through the park.
Useful to know
- Plan around a named area such as Cades Cove or the Newfound Gap corridor; travel between them takes part of the day.
- Check current park road and trail conditions before crossing the mountains.