The Great Smoky Mountains Holidays

Breathe in pure mountain air and feast your eyes on some of the most magnificent mountain peaks in North America, on our exhilarating Smoky Mountains holidays.

The mesmerising Smoky Mountains National Park is made even more magical by the ethereal mist that envelopes the wooded mountain peaks and which gives the park its name. With such breath-taking scenery on such a grand scale, your Smoky Mountains holidays will be unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Great Smoky Mountains holidays: experience spectacular nature

Drawing more than 11 million visitors every year, the Great Smoky Mountains stand majestically on the Tennessee North Carolina border. Holidays here are the perfect chance to explore some of the United States’ most magnificent natural landscapes.

Known for its dense green forests, abundance of wildlife and incredible biodiversity, it’s little wonder the Smoky Mountains take the crown as the most popular national park in the United States. This vast park has more than 800 miles of winding trails, taking visitors through lush greenery and tumbling waterfalls. It’s a haven for hikers and is the perfect holiday destination for lovers of the great outdoors. The park also boasts more than 400 miles of road traversing mountains and offering incredible views of the mountain range.

Visible from almost everywhere in the park is Mount LeConte, which stands at an impressive 6,539 feet tall and is the third highest peak in the Smoky Mountains. Intrepid adventurers who take on the challenging climb to the summit are rewarded with spectacular views and the chance to see photographs of cabin life from the 1930s, in LeConte Lodge. By contrast, the beautiful Cataloochee Valley is calm and serene, with a canopy of trees and the same rolling mist that shrouds the mountain peaks up above. At dawn and dusk, regal elks can be seen roaming quietly through the fog, a sight not to be missed.

As night falls over the mountains, the air cools and the dark night sky is lit by an endless galaxy of twinkling stars. It’s little wonder the Smoky Mountains leave an indelible print on the heart of anyone who is lucky enough to visit them. Speak to our experts to plan your bespoke trip today.

Great sample itineraries

Get inspired by our selection of popular itineraries for Great Smoky Mountains holidays, which are the perfect start or end point for a multi-centre holiday around the Southeastern United States, with Tennessee, Kentucky and the Florida sunshine all within reach.

10 days

Bluegrass and Bourbon Trail

Guide Price £1,999 pp

Our Bluegrass and Bourbon Trail self drive takes you on a rich and authentic journey through a timeless celebration of deep southern style. Combine the freedom of moving at your own pace with the expertise of our Destination Specialists; below...

View Tour

Self drive holidays

14 days

Florida and Beyond Suggested Motorhome Itinerary

Explore a little of the USA’s beautiful southern states on this 13 night self-guided motorhome journey. Start your adventure with five days in Orlando to experience all the fun and excitement of Florida’s theme parks before making your way to...

View Multi Centre

Cultural holidays

Time Zone

GMT -5 hours

Flight Time

Approx 9 hours; direct flights from the UK to Nashville are available

Currency

USD - US Dollar

Visa Information

British Passport holders require an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to visit Memphis. You can obtain an ESTA from www.cbp.gov/esta

Language

English

Health Information

No vaccinations are required for travel to The Great Smoky Mountains. All travellers should be up to date with routine immunisations. It’s important to contact your GP to check for the latest recommendations.

Take a drive along some of the 384 miles of road within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to experience the panoramic views, tumbling mountain streams, historic buildings and hardwood forests or hire a bike and pedal through the 11 miles Cades Cove Loop for a truly memorable way to experience the park. Join a Ranger program and learn about natural landscape, wildlife and history of the park.

Motorhome

One of the best ways to experience the Great Smoky Mountains scenic landscape is from the comfort of a motorhome enjoying the freedom to roam with plenty of space for your whole party. Spend the night in one of the fantastic campgrounds within the national park, then hit the road to continue your adventure. This is a great way to see the many different facets to the Great Smoky Mountains in one trip.
Wildlife viewing

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a range of animals such as elk, white-tailed deer and black bear. Viewing wildlife in the Smokies can be challenging due to the dense forest which covers much of the park, so we recommend heading to open areas like Cataloochee and Cades Cove for a better chance to see white-tailed deer, black bear, raccoon, turkeys, woodchucks, and other animals.
Clingmans Dome

This is one of the most popular spots in the Smokies. A verdant valley in East Tennessee, beyond the yellow and green fields and pockets of woodland, the snow-capped Thunderhead Mountains rise majestically in the distance. The scenery is spectacular but it’s equally the abundant display of wildlife that attracts over two million tourists here each year. You’re near guaranteed to spot white-tailed deer grazing and there are frequent sightings of black bear, ground hog, raccoon and coyote too. Take a leisurely drive along the one-way, eleven-mile loop road to best appreciate the area’s beauty, perhaps stopping for a picnic on the way.
Explore outside of the Park

Visit the historic homes of Knoxville, tour the Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg or spend a day at Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park, jam packed with rides, live entertainment and a water park, sure to provide fun for the whole family.

Jessica

Destination Manager

“To really immerse yourself in the Great Smoky Mountains, take a motorhome and spend the night in the park’s campgrounds; it’s a comfortable way to see the park and also gives your party plenty of space.”
Charlotte

Destination Specialist

“I highly recommend a horse riding trek through the Great Smoky Mountains. You can cover a lot more ground and it’ll give you a break from walking.”