Elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains: Complete Guide

Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans an elevation range of nearly 5,800 feet — from river bottoms below 900 feet to a summit at 6,643 feet. That range is what gives the park its extraordinary biodiversity, its variable weather, and its dramatic temperature differences between valley towns and mountaintops. Here's the complete guide to elevations in the Smokies.

Gateway Cities — For Comparison

Most visitors don't realize how elevated the Smoky Mountains corridor already is before the national park even begins. The gateway cities sit significantly higher than most major eastern cities — Charlotte sits at 751 feet, Cincinnati at 489 feet, Atlanta at 1,050 feet.

Location	Elevation	Notes
Sevierville	~902 ft	Lowest of the three gateway cities; gateway to the Smokies corridor
Pigeon Forge	~1,001 ft	Main Parkway corridor; Dollywood is located here
Gatlinburg (downtown)	~1,289 ft	Highest of the three cities; sits at the national park entrance
Sugarlands Visitor Center	~1,462 ft	At the edge of downtown Gatlinburg, already inside the park boundary

Park Low Point

Location	Elevation	Notes
Abrams Creek (lowest point)	876 ft	The lowest elevation in the entire park, in the far western section near the North Carolina border

Popular Trails and Road Locations

Location	Elevation	Notes
Laurel Falls Trailhead	~2,307 ft	Most visited waterfall trail in the park; paved, 2.6 miles round trip
Laurel Falls (the waterfall)	~2,600 ft	The falls themselves sit noticeably higher than the trailhead
Alum Cave Trailhead	~3,800 ft	Along Newfound Gap Road; access point for Mount LeConte
Newfound Gap	5,048 ft	Major overlook on US-441; Tennessee/North Carolina border; Appalachian Trail crossing
Andrews Bald	5,920 ft	Grassy mountain meadow; popular spring wildflower destination; 3.6 miles round trip from Kuwohi parking
Charlies Bunion	5,565 ft	Rocky outcropping with panoramic views; 8 miles round trip from Newfound Gap
Balsam Mountain Campground	5,310 ft	One of the highest drive-in campgrounds in the eastern US
Kuwohi Road (Clingmans Dome Road) — parking lot	~6,311 ft	Highest paved road in the eastern US; closed in winter

Major Peaks

Peak	Elevation	Notes
Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome)	6,643 ft	Highest point in the park; highest point in Tennessee; highest point on the entire Appalachian Trail; observation tower accessible via 0.5-mile paved trail from parking lot
Mount Buckley	6,560 ft	Western subpeak of Kuwohi; no maintained trail to summit
Mount Guyot	6,621 ft	Second highest peak in the park; eastern Smokies; no maintained trail — requires bushwhack from Appalachian Trail
Mount LeConte	6,593 ft	Third highest peak; highest peak entirely within Tennessee; tallest mountain in the range by vertical rise from base (5,301 ft from Gatlinburg); LeConte Lodge at the summit; accessible via five trails
Mount Love	6,400 ft	Eastern subpeak of Kuwohi; Appalachian Trail passes nearby
Mount Chapman	6,431 ft	Fourth highest peak; eastern Smokies; Appalachian Trail crosses eastern slope
Old Black	6,370 ft	Fifth highest standalone peak; eastern Smokies near Mount Guyot
Mount Hardison	6,145 ft	13th highest in the park; North Carolina side; no maintained trail
Luftee Knob	6,234 ft	Along the Appalachian Trail near the park's southeastern boundary
Cosby Knob	5,160 ft	Accessible via Appalachian Trail; Cosby Knob Shelter nearby
Mount Sterling	5,835 ft	Eastern Smokies; historic fire tower at the summit with 360-degree views
Shuckstack	4,020 ft	Historic fire tower; southwestern corner of the park near Fontana Lake
Ober Gatlinburg summit	~3,340 ft	Not a natural peak — the Ober Gatlinburg resort mountaintop; accessible by aerial tramway from downtown Gatlinburg

What the Elevation Range Means in Practice

Temperature. Expect roughly 3–5°F of cooling for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. On a 90°F summer day in Gatlinburg, Newfound Gap (5,048 ft) runs about 15–20°F cooler, and Kuwohi (6,643 ft) runs 20–25°F cooler. Bring a layer for any high-elevation destination regardless of the valley temperature.

Weather. The high-elevation ridges create their own weather. Clouds, mist, and rain arrive faster and stay longer at elevation. The summit of Kuwohi receives an average of over 85 inches of rainfall per year — more than twice the valley average. Snow is possible on the highest summits in any month of the year.

Biodiversity. The park's elevation range spans five distinct forest types — from cove hardwoods at the lowest elevations to Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest above 4,500 feet — producing more tree species than all of northern Europe combined.

Altitude sickness. Most people aren't affected below 5,000 feet. At higher elevations — particularly for guests hiking from the valley — watch for headache, dizziness, or nausea. Hydrate, go slowly, and descend if symptoms develop.

Kuwohi Road closure. The road to the Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) parking area is closed December 1 through March 31 each year.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) at 6,643 feet — the highest point in Tennessee, the highest point on the entire 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, and the third-highest peak in the eastern United States. An observation tower at the summit is accessible via a steep 0.5-mile paved trail from the parking area.

What is the elevation of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville?

Gatlinburg sits at approximately 1,289 feet, Pigeon Forge at approximately 1,001 feet, and Sevierville at approximately 902 feet. All three are already significantly higher than most major eastern cities before you've entered the national park.

How much cooler is it at Kuwohi than in Gatlinburg?

Typically 20–25°F cooler. The elevation difference of roughly 5,354 feet between downtown Gatlinburg (1,289 ft) and Kuwohi's summit (6,643 ft) produces a dramatic temperature change — a mild 75°F day in Gatlinburg can mean near-freezing temperatures at the summit.

What is the lowest elevation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Approximately 876 feet at Abrams Creek in the far western section of the park — making the park's total elevation range nearly 5,800 feet from bottom to summit.

Is Newfound Gap worth visiting?

Yes — at 5,048 feet, Newfound Gap is the most accessible high-elevation viewpoint in the park, directly on US-441 with no additional hiking required. The overlook sits on the Tennessee/North Carolina border with panoramic mountain views in both directions. The Appalachian Trail crosses the road here.

Can altitude sickness occur in the Smoky Mountains?

Mild altitude effects are possible above 5,000 feet, particularly for guests hiking from lower elevations. Headache, dizziness, and nausea are the most common symptoms. Staying hydrated, hiking at a moderate pace, and descending if symptoms develop are the right responses. Severe altitude sickness is rare at Smokies elevations.