Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours
Highlights
- Explore the majestic Smoky Mountains
- Discover the rich history of the Cherokee and early settlers
- Visit picturesque overlooks, hiking trails, and waterfalls
- Learn about the pioneer and Civil War history of Cades Cove
- Experience the beauty of Gatlinburg, a charming mountain town
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Duration 4-6 hours
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Self-guided audio tour
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Purchase per vehicle, not person
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Offline maps available
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Go at your own pace
Experience the ultimate bundle tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of these majestic mountains, uncover the fascinating history of the Cherokee and early settlers, and discover why this park is the most-visited in the country. With this tour, you'll explore stunning overlooks, hike through scenic trails, and encounter picturesque waterfalls. And that's not all - you'll also delve into the pioneer and Civil War history of Cades Cove, immersing yourself in the stories of the past. This self-driving tour allows you to go at your own pace, guided by the Tour Guide App. Each step of the journey is packed with captivating stories and fascinating facts, ensuring that you won't miss a thing. Book now and embark on an unforgettable adventure through the Great Smoky Mountains!
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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4 hours
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Instant Confirmation
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Available in English
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Mobile voucher
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Suitable for 1 - 4 participants
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Private Tour
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Family friendly
Featured Reviews
Experience the stunning Great Smoky Mountains and Cades Cove with a self-guided audio tour that lets you explore at your own pace while uncovering rich history.
Included
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Easy-to-use app: download action’s tour guide app onto your phone
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Great value: purchase per car, not per person. more affordable than bus or guided tours!
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Engaging storytelling: uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
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Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. proven with tons of rave reviews!
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Offline maps: no signal, no problem! works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
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Comprehensive route and stops: see it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
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Go at your own pace: start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
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Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. easy to use!
Excluded
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Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Meeting Point
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Between May and September, Cyclists and pedestrians have exclusive usage of the Cades Cove Loop Road every Wednesday. No other vehicles are allowed during this time.
8440 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882 , United States
End Point
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Between May and September, Cyclists and pedestrians have exclusive usage of the Cades Cove Loop Road every Wednesday. No other vehicles are allowed during this time.
8440 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882 , United States
What to expect
1151 Parkway
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
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! NOTE: This 72+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Great Smoky and Cades Cove Bundle in 3-5 hours. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Mingus Mill
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.
Quiet Walkways
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.
Rockefeller Memorial
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.
Newfound Gap Road
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.
Alum Cave Trail
Next you'll pass the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the remains of an old salt mine packed with fascinating history.
Morton Overlook
After that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.
Carlos Campbell Overlook
The next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.
Chimney Tops Trail
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.
Kuwohi
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.
Sugarlands Visitors Center
The tour leads next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.
Cataract Falls
Your drive continues to Cataract Falls, a beautiful, secluded set of waterfalls tucked beneath a shaded canopy of beech trees.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Gatlinburg
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.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
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!
Rainbow Falls Trail
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.
Grotto Falls Trail
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!
Baskins Creek Falls
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.
Ephraim Bales Cabin
Up next, we'll pass the Ephraim Bales Cabin, a portal back in time to the 19th century. We'll hear all about the family that lived here, and why there's a big hole in the middle of their cabin!
Alfred Reagan Tub Mill
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.
Ely's Mill
Next, our drive takes us to Ely's Mill, a historic mill on the outskirts of Gatlinburg which gives us another window into the lives of the early Appalachian settlers. Here, we'll learn about Andrew Ely, the bigshot lawyer who upended his entire life after his wife died, abandoned his law practice, and moved to Gatlinburg to start over and live a simpler life.
Gatlinburg
Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude.
Cades Cove Methodist Church
Past that is the Methodist Church, which cost only $115 to build when it was constructed in 1902!
Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church
Then there's the Missionary Baptist Church, which split off from the Primitive Baptist Church during the early days of Cades Cove due to ideological divides.
Elijah Oliver Cabin
Continuing on, you'll come to the Elijah Oliver Place, accessible via a half-mile trail. This secluded homestead once belonged to an abolitionist who found himself in grave danger when the Civil War broke out.
Abrams Falls Trail
Up next is the Abrams Falls Trail, which takes hikers to a powerful waterfall hidden deep in the wilderness.
Cades Cove Historical Grist Mill
After that, you'll see the John Cable Grist Mill. This mill dates back to 1870 and you can still see it in operation today!
Tipton Rd
Next on your route is Tipton Place, which was once home to a war hero of the American Revolution.
Carter Shields Cabin
Finally, you'll come next to the Carter Shields Cabin, a staunchly abolitionist home that lost much during the Civil War. There are many stories that you'll hear along the way, including • A Cherokee Homeland • White Settlers Arrive in Cades Cove • Smokies Wildlife • The Cussing Cover • Last Family who lived in Cades Cove • Ancestral Cherokee Land • Tsali and the Trail of Tears • Revolt Against the Ani'kutani • Sequoyah's New Storytelling System • The Milky Way • Selu's Sacrifice • Great Smoky Geology • Webb View • Appalachia's Settlers • Appalachian Trail • Ghost Firs of Clingman's Dome • Funding the Smokies • Appalachian Balds • Balsam Point Quiet Walkway and more.
1151 Parkway
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
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How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
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Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
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Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
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Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
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Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
What our experts say
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Download the app before arrival.
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Visit Mingus Mill for history.
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Stop at Morton Overlook for sunsets.
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Try local eateries in Gatlinburg!
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Check for seasonal road access.
More About this Experience
Introduction:
Get ready for the ultimate Smoky Mountain experience with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours. This bundle offers you the opportunity to explore the breathtaking beauty of the mountains, uncover the rich history of the Cherokee and early settlers, and discover why this national park is the most-visited in the entire country. With two tours in one, you won't miss a thing!What to expect?
During this self-driving tour, you can anticipate a total duration of 180 to 300 minutes filled with stunning views, fascinating history, and memorable moments. From the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to Cades Cove, you'll embark on a journey through the highlights of the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the way, you'll have the chance to visit historic landmarks, enjoy scenic walks, marvel at waterfalls, and learn about the diverse wildlife that inhabits this unique ecosystem.Who is this for?
This tour is perfect for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone seeking an immersive and educational experience in the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you're traveling alone, with friends, or as a family, this self-driving bundle tour allows you to enjoy the sights and sounds at your own pace. The tour is accessible to all ages and is particularly suited for those who prefer the flexibility of a self-guided exploration.Why book this?
By booking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours, you'll have the opportunity to delve into the wonders of this iconic national park like never before. From majestic mountain vistas to hidden waterfalls, each step of the journey will leave you in awe. You'll also gain insights into the history and culture of the region, as well as the captivating stories of the people who once called this land home. With lifetime validity and the convenience of a downloadable tour guide app, this bundle ensures a seamless and unforgettable adventure.Good to know
Before embarking on the tour, remember to check the opening hours of the park. It is recommended to have a good internet connection for accessing the Tour Guide App by Action, which will provide you with audio instructions and route guidance. The tour offers a variety of stops, including overlooks, historical sites, and waterfall trails. Take your time to soak in the beauty surrounding you and make lasting memories of the Great Smoky Mountains.Reviews
Travelers who have experienced the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours have praised its seamless organization and the wealth of information provided. They have been captivated by the stunning scenery, the intriguing history shared along the way, and the convenience of having their own vehicle to explore at their own pace. Overall, visitors have expressed immense satisfaction and gratitude for the opportunity to delve into the wonders of this iconic national park.This is a popular product and the date you are looking for just sold out. Next available date is