Embark on a self-driving discovery tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the country. Learn about Cherokee history, Appalachian life, and more!
Embark on a self-driving discovery tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the country. Learn about Cherokee history, Appalachian life, and more!
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Experience the enchanting misty ridgelines, lush forests, and picturesque overlooks of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reminiscent of a storybook. A drive through Newfound Gap offers those iconic “Smokies” views in just minutes.
Enjoy new, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as…
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Experience the enchanting misty ridgelines, lush forests, and picturesque overlooks of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reminiscent of a storybook. A drive through Newfound Gap offers those iconic “Smokies” views in just minutes.
Enjoy new, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.
- Mingus Mill - On your drive, consider a detour to Mingus Mill, an 1886 grist mill that remains fully operational! Visit on weekends to watch the mill operators grind corn just as they did in the 1800s.
- Clingmans Dome Visitor Contact Station - As you head towards Clingman’s Dome, you’ll encounter its renowned observation tower. The Great Smoky Mountains are best appreciated from this vantage point!
- Quiet Walkways - Your first major stop is the Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, ideal for those wishing to immerse themselves in the mountains’ natural beauty without a strenuous hike.
- Morton Overlook - Next, you’ll arrive at Morton Overlook, famous for its breathtaking sunsets.
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center - Begin your scenic drive through the majestic Smoky Mountains at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Discover why this is the most visited National Park in the nation!
- Rockefeller Memorial - Following that is the Rockefeller Memorial, where you can learn about Rockefeller’s significant contributions to the park. This memorial was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt.
- Carlos Campbell Overlook - The next stop is Carlos Campbell Overlook, offering panoramic views of towering mountains and verdant forests.
- Morton Mountain Tunnel - Continue through the heart of a mountain via the Morton Tunnel, where you’ll learn about the politician Ben Morton and his influence on the park.
- Alum Cave Trail - Next, pass by the Alum Cave Trail, leading hikers to the remnants of an old salt mine rich with intriguing history.
- Chimney Tops Overlook - Your journey continues to Chimney Tops Overlook, where you’ll learn about the impact of wildfires in the Smokies and their lasting effects on the mountains.
- Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail - The most accessible trail in the park is next! Sugarlands Valley Trail is wheelchair and stroller-friendly, providing a wonderful way to explore the scenic wilderness. Delve into the complex history of this valley and its early settlers.
- Clingmans Dome - The most accessible trail in the park is Sugarlands Valley Trail! This beautiful trail is wheelchair and stroller-friendly, offering a fantastic way to explore the wilderness.
- Sugarlands Visitors Center - The tour proceeds to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, an excellent rest stop and the starting point for several trails.
- Rainbow Falls Trail - The route then leads to the Rainbow Falls Trail, which takes you to the park’s most popular waterfall. At 80 feet, Rainbow Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Smokies, and when the sun hits it just right, it sparkles like a rainbow, hence the name.
- Cataract Falls - Continue your drive to Cataract Falls, a stunning, secluded waterfall nestled beneath a canopy of beech trees.
- Newfound Gap Road - From there, proceed to Newfound Gap, a breathtaking mountain pass with significant historical importance. Learn about how trappers, farmers, and merchants once traversed the Smokies, and how this gap transformed their journeys.
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! - The next stop is perfect for those intrigued by quirky oddities. This unique museum showcases everything from shrunken human heads to rare animal skeletons. Discover how it evolved from a simple comic strip into a national sensation.
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail - Continue along the road to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This driving trail encourages you to slow down and appreciate the forest and historic buildings in the area. It also features three of the park’s most renowned waterfalls!
- Alfred Reagan Tub Mill - The road leads to the Reagan Cabin, showcasing old-time technology with the “tub mill.” Learn about its purpose and significance here.
- Grotto Falls Trail - Drive on to the Grotto Falls trail. While not as grand as Rainbow Falls, this secluded, less crowded waterfall is definitely worth a visit. Along the way, hear about a rare salamander found only in this area!
- The Place of a Thousand Drips - Why settle for one waterfall when you can enjoy several? The next stop is the Place of a Thousand Drips, where numerous narrow falls converge to create a stunning cascade.
- Baskins Creek Falls - The drive continues to Baskin Creek Falls, a sparkling waterfall with an amusing and slightly misguided history behind its name.
- Gatlinburg - Finally, arrive in the charming mountain town of Gatlinburg, where your tour concludes.
Enjoy new, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.
The tour spans over 45 miles, includes more than 40 audio stories, and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- 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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- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Park Passes
- Park Passes
Recommendation: Purchase one tour per vehicle, not per individual. Everyone can listen together!
Embark on an adventure through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and uncover why it holds the title of the most visited National Park in the nation! Experience these renowned mountains while delving into Cherokee history and folklore, Appalachian…
Recommendation: Purchase one tour per vehicle, not per individual. Everyone can listen together!
Embark on an adventure through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and uncover why it holds the title of the most visited National Park in the nation! Experience these renowned mountains while delving into Cherokee history and folklore, Appalachian culture, and much more. There’s no better way to explore Clingman’s Dome, Cades Cove, or Rainbow Falls. Additionally, enjoy a complimentary bonus tour of Roaring Forks Motor Trail!
After booking, be sure to check your email or text messages 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 specified starting point.
New, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.
Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours before your visit.
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.
- Seasonal road closures (reopening in 2026): Kuwohi Road (formerly Clingmans Dome Road) and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Closed/inaccessible sites: Laurel Falls Trail (including related sections of the Sugarlands Mountain Trail), Carlos Campbell Overlook, and Mingus Mill (preservation/rehab work). Open (weather permitting): Newfound Gap Road (US 441), Little River Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road (may close temporarily due to weather or maintenance). 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.
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.