The park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina just south of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Entrance to this park is free!

There are three main entrances into the park where you'll also find the closest towns. The most popular entrance is the Sugarlands entrance on the north accessed by driving through Gatlinburg, TN. There is also another entrance on the north, about 25 miles west of Gatlinburg through Townsend, TN which is more convenient for visitors heading to Cades Cove. The Oconaluftee entrance at the southern end of the park is accessed by driving through Cherokee, NC.

There are also several smaller entrances to the park that may feature ranger stations, but no visitor centers including Deep Creek to the south near Bryson City, NC and Balsam Mountain and Cataloochee to the southeast.

Elevations in the park vary widely as does the weather. Temperatures can vary between 10 to 20 degrees from mountain base to top and clear skies at lower elevations do not mean conditions are the same at higher elevations. Rainfall averages 55 inches per year at lower elevations and 85 inches at the highest peak, Clingmans Dome.

Spring - March through May - Spring weather can be unpredictable with rapid weather changes. Snow is not uncommon, especially at higher elevations. March temperatures at lower elevations average 60 degrees during the day and 42 degrees at night, often below freezing. In April, daytime temperatures average in the 70s at freezing temperatures at night are uncommon, except at the higher elevations. By May, averages warm up to highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 40s and 50s.

Summer - June through August - Summer in the Smokies can include heat, haze, and humidity. Summer thunderstorms and rain showers are common and temperatures increase through the summer with highs in the 90s in the lower elevations. Evening lows are typically mild averaging in the 60s and 70s. At higher elevations, temperatures about 80 degrees are uncommon.

Autumn - September through mid-November - Fall in the park is characterized by clear skies and cooler weather. Daytime highs average in the 70s and 80s in September and drop to the 50s and 60s in early November. The first frost typically happens around late September and by November, evening temperatures are usually near freezing. In higher elevations, snow is possible by November.

Winter - Mid-November through February - Winters in the park are typically moderate but extremes can occur, especially at higher elevations. It is not uncommon for there to be snow at higher elevations with warm temperatures at lower elevations. Approximately half the days in winter have high temperatures in the 50s or higher, occasionally even in the 70s. Most nightly lows are below freezing and into the negatives at higher elevations. Snow is frequent in the higher mountains with the most snowfall in January and February.

Any time is the best time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The park is open 365 days a year and main roads within the park remain open year-round with brief closures due to weather in offseasons. Park visitation is highest from July 1st through mid-August and the month of October when rich fall foliage is at their peak. For those seeking snow, January and February receive the most snowfall with higher elevations receiving snow as early as October and as late as April. As the nation's most visited park, roads can become very congested, however, there are plenty of lesser-used roads off the beaten path scattered throughout the park for those looking to escape the crowds. Current road conditions and closures can be found on the National Park Service's website.

No, all lodging options are located outside the park in the surrounding towns.

There are four visitor centers within the park and 3 of them are open year round. Cades Cove, Oconaluftee and Sugarlands Visitor Centers are open year round. Clingmans Dome Visitor Center is seasonally open from April through November. Hours of operation vary during the year check if they are open before you go.

Cellular service is very limited to non-existing and varies throughout the park. Do not rely on your cell phone while exploring the Great Smoky Mountains. No WiFi service is available.

Dogs are allowed in picnic areas, along roads, and in campgrounds only. There are two short walking paths that allow pets as well, one is the Gatlinburg Trail and the other is Oconaluftee River Trail. You can not leave your pet unattended or tied up to an object. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet (1.8 meters) at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets.