Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Great Smoky Mountains
Townsend, US
95% of travellers recommend this
Highlights
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Audio tour with GPS guidance
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Duration: 8 to 24 hours
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Explore at your own pace
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Offline access, no WiFi needed
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Includes trip planner & itineraries
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One-time purchase, no expiry
Experience the incredible beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with GuideAlong's Audio Driving Tour. Discover all of the park's famous highlights and hidden gems as you drive through this breathtaking landscape. With the GyPSy Guide, you are in control of your own adventure. The audio commentary, stories, and directions play automatically based on your location, allowing you to explore at your own pace. Whether you're interested in historic buildings, scenic drives, picturesque waterfalls, or stunning overlooks, this tour has it all. Take the 11-mile loop drive around Cades Cove, where you can see historic cabins, churches, mills, and even spot black bears and deer. Drive the Roaring Fork loop for a peaceful forest experience and visit picturesque cabins and stunning waterfalls. Don't miss the opportunity to hike to Grotto Falls, where you can even walk behind the waterfall. With this audio driving tour, you'll have a personalized tour guide right at your fingertips as you explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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8 hours
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Instant Confirmation
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Available in English
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Mobile voucher
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Private Tour
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Family friendly
Featured Reviews
Discover the Great Smoky Mountains at your own pace with this self-guided audio driving tour, exploring famous highlights and hidden gems.
Included
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Support: toll free phone, chat and email -
Easy to use: pre-download and tour offline
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Trip planners: in-app, web and pdf
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Location based: stories, tips & directions that autoplay
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Buy once, use forever! no expiry, includes free updates
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Guidealong (gypsy guide) audio tour: 180 points
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Flexible routes: suggested itineraries or create your own
Excluded
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Annual passes price: $40
Meeting Point
Start at one of the official tour introduction points (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee or Townsend) or join anywhere along the route and pick up the commentary at the next audio point. Open the GuideAlong app to preview the tour route and browse the suggested itineraries and trip planner.
Tennessee 37738 , United States
End Point
Commentary plays automatically based on your location, so you have flexibility on where and when you want to start and end your tour anywhere along the tour route.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park , United States
What to expect
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;
480 minutes
Admission Not Included
Cades Cove
The 11-mile loop drive around Cades Cove is the culmination of all the fantastic things about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of the Park's must-do areas. This fertile valley is surrounded by beautiful Smoky peaks, and its idyllic setting and conditions attracted the earliest of European settlers to the region - a place where the Cherokee enjoyed fruitful hunting and foraging. As you tour the loop, we have the opportunity to visit historic cabins, churches, mills and barns. Always keep an eye out for black bears, deer and wild turkeys, which are frequently seen.
120 minutes
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Driving the Roaring Fork short, one way 6-mile loop drive, is a surprisingly enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours right from Gatlinburg. You quickly leave the bustle of town and find ourselves in the peaceful forest and streams of the Roaring Fork Drive. Along the way you'll see picturesque cabins and buildings from the days before the National Park. Some of the Park's best waterfalls are available on short hikes from the road, including Rainbow and Grotto Falls, or the Trillium Gap Trail. Or directly accessible from the car, Noah "Bud" Ogles cabin, and Place of a Thousand Drips. Pack a lunch and enjoy at one the picnic spots along the way, there are no services along the road. Trailers, RVs and buses are prohibited on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
120 minutes
Grotto Falls Trail
There is a good selection of moderately distanced hikes throughout the national park, and many of them visit attractive waterfalls. It's difficult to declare an absolute best one to choose, but a favorite is the Grotto Falls hike which departs from the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail The 2.6 mile loop trail is not particularly difficult and most hikers will complete it in under 2 hours, with generous time for stops along the way. The falls themselves are pretty, though not massive, but one of the fun things about this hike is that the trail actually passes behind the waterfall.
120 minutes
Mingus Mill
Dating back to 1886, the Mingus Mill served about 200 local families by grinding corn and grains into grits and flour. Learn about the novel (for its time) engineering behind the powering of the mill. Today, the restored building and the square penstocks that direct water make for great photos and you can often see the mill in action from Spring until the Fall.
30 minutes
Newfound Gap
Explorers are always looking for the low points in mountains for easier passable routes. And so when Swiss geographer Guyot found an improved pass, it was given the label Newfound Gap. Because there are several different ecosystems descending through the valley, you find a unique mix of trees including hardwood, pine-oak and spruce that contribute to a stunning fall foliage. And it's the perfect spot to see the blue "smoke" trails that the Smokies are so famous for. The haze is actually moisture released by this vegetation absorbing the sky's blue color. This was the site of the dedication of the National Park, and a memorial acknowledging the vital $5M contribution the Rockefeller family made towards the creation of the Park.
20 minutes
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, TN, is the most popular base for accessing the National Park. Located on the doorstop of the National Park, the town features just about every type of paid attraction, entertainment, dining and adventure operators. Or try some of the local moonshine at one of the distilleries. And there are no less than 3 chairlifts and tramways to get you to elevated views above the town.
240 minutes
Kuwohi
Clingmans Dome is the tallest peak in the Park and on a perfect day, we can see 7 states from the top. At the junction of Newfound Gap Road and the Clingmans Dome access road, we will often see the famous smoky-effect rising from below. After reaching the car park, a paved trail climbs steadily leading to the observation tower. Although the trail is paved, it can be quite steep in places, so wheelchairs are not advised. The trail is 1.2 miles with an elevation of 331 feet. Sitting at over 6,500 feet, you'll see many walkers stopped along the trail trying to catch breath.
60 minutes
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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Suitable for all physical fitness levels -
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
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Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
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Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
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Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
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Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
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Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
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Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
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Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
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Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
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Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
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Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
What our experts say
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Start in Gatlinburg for convenience. -
Pack snacks for scenic picnic spots.
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Visit Cades Cove early to spot wildlife.
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Check weather before heading to Clingmans Dome.
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Download the tour before arriving for best access.
More About this Experience
Introduction
Discover the wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park like never before with GuideAlong's Great Smoky Mountains Audio Driving Tour. This immersive experience takes you on an unforgettable journey through the most visited national park in the United States. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking for a breathtaking road trip, this audio driving tour is the ultimate way to explore the beauty and hidden gems of the Smokies.What to expect?
With GuideAlong's audio driving tour, you can expect a seamless and engaging experience filled with fascinating stories, local tips, and directions that play automatically based on your location. Imagine driving through stunning landscapes, with the freedom to explore at your own pace. The tour covers the park's famous highlights, such as the historic Cades Cove buildings and the park's highest point, as well as lesser-known treasures. From the lowest drivable pass to picturesque waterfalls and serene forests, every corner of the park will captivate your senses.Who is this for?
This audio driving tour is designed for everyone who wants to make the most of their visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple on a romantic getaway, or a family looking for an educational adventure, this tour caters to all. Nature lovers will appreciate the opportunity to spot black bears, deer, and wild turkeys along the way, while history enthusiasts will be delighted by the chance to explore historic cabins, churches, mills, and barns. With no time limits or expiry, you have the flexibility to tailor the tour to your interests and schedule.Why book this?
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with GuideAlong's audio driving tour. Unlike traditional guidebooks or crowded group tours, this innovative travel companion offers the freedom to explore offline at your own pace. Let the captivating stories and insider tips enhance your experience, ensuring you don't miss a thing. With automatic play based on your location, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey. With no need for cell service or WiFi, you can venture into the heart of the park, discovering hidden gems and breathtaking vistas. Make your Smokies road trip an unforgettable adventure with GuideAlong.Good to know
GuideAlong's audio driving tour is your ticket to a stress-free and immersive experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Prepare for a long but rewarding adventure, with a total duration of 8 to 24 hours. The tour can be started at official tour introduction points or joined anywhere along the route. Make use of the suggested itineraries and trip planner provided by the app or create your own personalized journey. Remember to pack a lunch for a picnic in one of the scenic spots along the way, as there are no services available on the road. Enjoy the convenience of offline tours using GPS, so you never miss a beat.Reviews
Visitors rave about their experiences with GuideAlong's Great Smoky Mountains Audio Driving Tour. They praise the seamless integration of audio commentary based on GPS location, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the park's rich history and natural beauty. Travelers appreciate the freedom to create their own itineraries and explore at their own pace. From the breathtaking Cades Cove loop to the tranquil Roaring Fork Drive, every stop along the tour offers something captivating and unique. Many reviewers mention spotting wildlife like black bears and deer, creating unforgettable memories. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned park explorer, this tour is highly recommended for an unforgettable adventure in the Smokies.
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