Home Activities USA Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours

Activity Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA

Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours

4.3 (110 reviews) 4–5 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

110 reviews

4.3

Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Purchase only one tour per vehicle, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Get the full Smoky Mountain experience with this ultimate bundle tour! Explore these picturesque mountains, uncover the rich history of the Cherokee and early settlers, and find out why this is the most-visited national park in the entire country. You’ll discover beautiful overlooks, hiking trails, and waterfalls on one tour, then dive into the pioneer and Civil War history of Cades Cove with the next! If you don’t want to miss a thing, this is the deal for you.

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Day Trips Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Car Tours Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 4–5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–4
Audio guide: English
Operated by: Travel with Action

What is included

Included

Included: Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
Included: Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
Included: Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
Included: Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
Included: Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
Included: Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
Included: One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
Included: Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
Included: Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
Included: Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

Not included

Not included: No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Itinerary

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Passing by

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: The tour is over 25+ miles long per tour, with more than 30+ audio stories per tour, and takes about 2-3 hours per tour to complete.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Mingus Mill

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

After that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.
Carlos Campbell Overlook

Passing by

The next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.
Chimney Tops Trail

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

The tour leads next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.
Cataract Falls

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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.
Stop 18

Passing by

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!
Stop 19

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

2 hours

Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude.
Stop 22

Passing by

Past that is the Methodist Church, which cost only $115 to build when it was constructed in 1902!
Stop 23

Passing by

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.
Stop 24

Passing by

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.
Stop 25

one hour

Up next is the Abrams Falls Trail, which takes hikers to a powerful waterfall hidden deep in the wilderness.
Stop 26

Passing by

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!
Stop 27

2 hours

Next on your route is Tipton Place, which was once home to a war hero of the American Revolution.
28
Stop 28

Passing by
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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

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.
Start on US-441 Parkway in Gatlinburg near 1151 Parkway, with the parking lot and gas station on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the lot or nearby businesses. The audio starts automatically as you pass—check your email/text for setup details.
The US-441/Newfound Gap Road is open on the North Carolina side, allowing access to Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, and other scenic spots. To visit Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, take I-40, which adds approximately 2 hours to your drive, with no tour commentary.

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.
Start on US-441 Parkway in Gatlinburg near 1151 Parkway, with the parking lot and gas station on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the lot or nearby businesses. The audio starts automatically as you pass—check your email/text for setup details.
The US-441/Newfound Gap Road is open on the North Carolina side, allowing access to Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, and other scenic spots. To visit Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, take I-40, which adds approximately 2 hours to your drive, with no tour commentary.

Using your ticket

IGNORE THE QR CODE ABOVE

The QR code CANNOT be presented for a ticket onsite.

The QR simply contains your tour access instructions. Please follow these instructions BEFORE you’re onsite because they require WiFi/signal.

1. Download my Action Tour Guide app:

actiontourguide.com/app

2. Sign in/ register with your email (this is will automatically generate a one-time verification sent to your email. That code is NOT your tour password).

3. Go to “My Tours” and select “Enter Password”. Find your password in the instructions email sent by “Action Tour Guide” to you by email and text.

4. Download your tour NOW. Do not wait until you are onsite.

BEFORE YOU START

This is a self-guided audio tour. No guide will meet you.

Entrance tickets, attraction tickets, parking, and transportation are not included.

Your tour has lifetime access with no expiry. Use it on any date—no need to change your booking date.

For walking tours, we recommend headphones.

See how it works: actiontourguide.com/tutorial

NEED HELP?

Setup: actiontourguide.com/redeem

FAQs: actiontourguide.com/faq

Call: 1-508-506-1844

Email: [email protected]

NOTE:

Closed/inaccessible site: Laurel Falls Trail (including related sections of the Sugarlands Mountain Trail).
Note: These roads are generally open year-round but may close temporarily due to weather or maintenance.
Valid parking tags are required for each vehicle parked anywhere within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Parking tags are available for purchase online on nps.gov and onsite.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Check current road, trail, weather, and facility conditions before your visit, as temporary closures may affect the tour route.
Closed/inaccessible site: Laurel Falls Trail (including related sections of the Sugarlands Mountain Trail).
A valid parking tag is required for vehicles parked for longer than 15 minutes anywhere within the park. Parking tags are available online and at designated locations inside and near the park.
There are no gas stations inside the park, so fill your tank before entering.
Cell service is extremely limited. Download the audio tour and any required maps before arriving.
Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles all day every Wednesday from May 6 through September 30, 2026, giving cyclists and pedestrians exclusive access to the road.
Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.