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Clingmans Dome Hike: Great Smoky Mountains
5.0
11 Ratings
Gatlinburg
Explore Clingmans Dome with a guide, discover local wildlife, history, and enjoy breathtaking 360° views from the highest Appalachian Trail point.
Explore Clingmans Dome with a guide, discover local wildlife, history, and enjoy breathtaking 360° views from the highest Appalachian Trail point.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Clingmans Dome - An excellent opportunity to experience one of the true gems of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies with 360-degree views of the surrounding southern Appalachians. The route this hike takes is off the beaten path so the hiker is able to get away from the masses but still enjoy…
- Clingmans Dome - An excellent opportunity to experience one of the true gems of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies with 360-degree views of the surrounding southern Appalachians. The route this hike takes is off the beaten path so the hiker is able to get away from the masses but still enjoy the same views from the top of a manmade structure. This hike can be steep in some sections but the reward is worth the extra effort. SMG staff will share with you the diversity on a small and large scale and what makes up the high elevations of the Smokies. Also, you will learn about invasive species that have attacked the upper reaches of the park and the outlook of that for the future. As we approach the highest summit in Tennessee, we will be on the scenic Appalachian trail and spend ample time exploring vistas hearing stories.
Please note that you will be following the guide from the meeting location to the trailhead. You will need a parking pass for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Details about the pass can be found here
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Snacks
What's Not Included
- GSMNP Parking Pass
- GSMNP Parking Pass
Additional Information
Embark on a trek where an informed guide will share insights about the flora, fauna, and human history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Our journey will take us on the highest part of the Appalachian Trail within a thick spruce-fir woodland. We’ll also ascend the Clingmans Dome observation tower, towering 6,643 feet high, to enjoy a sweeping 360 degree…
Embark on a trek where an informed guide will share insights about the flora, fauna, and human history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Our journey will take us on the highest part of the Appalachian Trail within a thick spruce-fir woodland. We’ll also ascend the Clingmans Dome observation tower, towering 6,643 feet high, to enjoy a sweeping 360 degree panorama of the Great Smoky Mountains.
- GSMNP Parking Pass Required- A parking pass from GSMNP is required for this activity. Details about the parking pass including online purchases can be found at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Location
1011 Banner Rd
Banner Road
Guests will meet their guide and follow in their own car to the trailhead. The scenic drive to the trailhead takes approximately 45 minutes.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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Imyourtallcool1
Jan 13, 2025
Worth it! - We climbed to the top of the Clingmans Dome. We are in our 60's and believe me it wasn't easy, but we did it! The hike to the actual dome is paved, but it is quite the trek and fairly steep. There are plenty of places to stop and rest along the way. We used our trekking poles Make sure you take water. We arrived on a weekday around 10:00am in late October and were able to find a parking space. It was packed when we left with a long line to get in. Get there early! The views at the top were worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G7287qomb
Dec 12, 2024
You can see forever on a clear day - Very cool spot. If you’re in Gatlinburg on a hot day, like I was - it was 94, we came up to Clingmans Dome and it was 75. Awesome. Walked up the 1/4 mile paved path, it is steep. But there are benches to rest on if needed. Once up there, it was a beautiful clear day and you could see forever. I think you can see 7 states up there. Half way up I seen a big lake to the left. I was told that was Fontana dam and though it looked close, it’s like 25 miles away. The Dragons Tail is over there. So we drove over there next. Good times.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scottsz6491xr
Jul 8, 2024
High praise from the highest point on the AT!! - Wes lead a small group from our church during a filming project we were doing and he was super knowledgeable and passionate about the Smoky Mountains, the AT, and hiking in general. Would recommend him to anyone!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peggycr7056cn
May 23, 2024
Thumbs up to Smoky Mountain Guides! - We had an absolutely amazing experience taking our tour with Smoky Mountain Guides. Pre-tour Kindel was very helpful advising us on which tour to book. We did a custom tour wherein we combined the Clingman's Dome hike with the Classic tour. Wes was our tour guide/fearless leader. We were in very good and capable hands. Wes was knowledgeable, friendly, and witty. It is obvious that he has a passion for the Smoky Mountains, and we benefitted from the fact that he loves his job. It was so nice to have someone to answer all the many questions we had while we peered at the breath-taking mountains, landscapes, flowers, structures, etc. I can't say enough about how pleased we were with Smoky Mountain Guides.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kerry_y
May 15, 2024
Smokey Mountain Hike With Wes - My son and I decided to do a spring hike to Clingmans Dome . Wes our guide knew we wanted a more back country experience and took us on a great hike and shared lots of stories and facts about hiking in the Smokey Mountains, It was so beautiful!!
Review provided by Viator
Nicholas_l
Apr 4, 2024
Great hike! - We had a great trip to the top with our guide Kindel! We did two trips with Smokey Mountain Guides and they made both trips awesome! We had three kids with us (7,9,12) and they all had a great time! Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Chuckht4961mm
Nov 9, 2023
Great views at Clingmans Dome! - Enjoyed the experience totally! Tour guide Kindel was the most gracious host. We had the entire van to ourselves. We also got to walk parts of the Applichian trail. I totally recommend the experience to anyone visiting the Gatlinburg area. We would definitely go on another tour with this company. Cades Cove perhaps? We shall see!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samncolby
Sep 17, 2023
Relaxing and pretty - Love the hike. Has signs and a guide. It was foggy but still worth it . I would go again. Kept up nice . It was a little chilly .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keeblerkoo
Apr 3, 2023
Stunning Views - Excellent place to visit, highly recommend you go earlier in the day, by 10 a.m. ! It was super crowded when we hiked down and left about 1130. Beautiful Views, it's a very steep walk up, but nobody says you can't stop and catch your breath....it's an adventure not a race!!!! Well worth it when you get to the top!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeanbaptiste_i
Aug 6, 2022
The tour guide makes all the difference - Learning about the mountain flora and characteristics. Our guide, John was knowledgeable and patient. We saw lots of cool things and the hike was a workout
Review provided by Viator
