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Discover the wonders of the Smokies with this unforgettable one-day driving tour through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, perfect for guests staying in our Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge cabins. Experience breathtaking vistas, diverse wildlife, and iconic misty peaks as you wind along scenic mountain roads.
This self-guided tour allows you to explore the best of the Smokies at your own pace, uncovering new wonders around every bend. When you stay in a Mountain Laurel Chalets vacation rental, this driving tour offers an ideal day trip, blending natural beauty and cultural heritage just minutes from your mountain retreat.
Embark on a magical journey through America's most visited national park and create lasting memories. Book your Smoky Mountain cabin with Mountain Laurel Chalets today and prepare for an extraordinary adventure!
Head to Crockett's Breakfast Camp or Gatlinburg's famous Pancake Pantry and map out out your day over a delicious breakfast!
- Get a park map
- Purchase your one-day parking pass
- Use restrooms
- 11-mile scenic one-way loop
- Allow two to three hours to enjoy the area to the fullest
- Offers the best chance to view wildlife in the park
- Visit historic buildings and churches
- Enjoy multiple pull-offs for photo ops
- Make a pit stop at the CC visitor center, located halfway around the loop
- This is the road out of Cades Cove, making it an easy next leg
- Enjoy pit stops and photo ops at:
- The Sinks waterfall
- Meigs Falls
- Maloney Point overlook
- Stop at scenic overlooks along the way
- Park in the Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) parking lot and make the short (but steep!) trek to the observation tower for the best view of GSM National Park
After a long day spent in the national park, you're sure to be hungry! Grab dinner at one of our suggested Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge restaurants and debrief your adventure!
- Fill your gas tank before entering the park
- Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in Cades Cove
- The best times to view wildlife are at dawn and dusk
- Bring binoculars and a camera
- Allow extra time for slow traffic
