Embark on a scenic journey through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where every turn reveals a breathtaking panorama. As you explore the park’s diverse landscapes, from mist-laden valleys to majestic peaks, you’ll encounter some of the most awe-inspiring and Instagram-worthy vistas nature has to offer.
Best of all, many of these picture-perfect overlooks are just a short drive from Pigeon Forge, with minimal hiking required. Whether standing atop Kuwohi, the park’s highest point, or meandering along the Newfound Gap Road, the unparalleled beauty of the Smoky Mountains unfolds before your eyes.
Use this guide to discover the best views in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where each viewpoint is a testament to the park’s timeless allure.
Campbell Overlook
As the closest scenic overlook to Pigeon Forge, Campbell Overlook honors an early promoter of the park, Carlos Campbell. Here you’ll find great views of Mt. LeConte and two smaller peaks, Balsam Point and Bullhead.
Location: About 15 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Gatlinburg park entrance, roughly 2 miles past Sugarlands Visitor Center on U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road.
Hike required: No, roadside pull-off.
Chimney Tops Overlook
You will find some of the most majestic mountain views at the Chimney Tops Overlook. The peaks of Chimney Tops are some of the highest in the park, sitting nearly 2,000 feet above the West Prong Little Pigeon River. Although the Chimney Tops Trail itself is challenging, once you reach the overlook, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys and tons of azalea in bloom.
Location: About 25 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Gatlinburg park entrance, between mile markers 4 and 5 on U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road.
Hike required: No, the overlook is accessed via a roadside pull-off. (The separate Chimney Tops Trail nearby is a strenuous, unrelated hike to the peak.)
Morton Overlook
Situated along Newfound Gap Road, Morton Overlook is a well-known spot that offers fantastic views of the mountains as they gradually drop off into the Tennessee Valley. The drive is filled with twists and turns and elevation changes. It’s one of the best spots to watch the sunrise or sunset. After the sun sets, look for the twinkle of lights to see Pigeon Forge on a clear night.
Location: About 40 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Gatlinburg Park entrance, just after the tunnel at mile 13 on U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road.
Hike required: No, a large roadside pull-off is located right along Newfound Gap Road.
Newfound Gap
Newfound Gap is just right down the road from Morton Overlook. This scenic overlook is one of the park’s finest, with incredible views of both Tennessee and North Carolina. This spot is home to the Rockefeller Memorial where President Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned the park in 1940. It’s a popular stop and provides a great photo opportunity.
Location: About 45 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Gatlinburg Park entrance, on U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, just past Morton Overlook.
Hike required: No; access the overlook by walking straight from the parking lot.
Oconaluftee Valley Overlook
A short drive down the road from Newfound Gap Overlook is the Oconaluftee Valley Overlook, also called “Luftee Overlook”. With great views of the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains, and since the overlook faces east towards layered mountain views, it is widely considered one of the premier spots in the park to capture the sunrise.
Location: Approximately 46-48 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Gatlinburg park entrance, just past Newfound Gap on U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road (North Carolina side).
Hike required: No, roadside pull-off is located right along Newfound Gap Road.
Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome)
Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The parking area of Kuwohi is a great spot to take in breathtaking views of the North Carolina side of the mountains. A steep half-mile hike leads to an observation tower at the mountain’s summit, which provides stunning 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountains you won’t find elsewhere in the park.
Location: About 50-60 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Gatlinburg park entrance, 7 miles up a spur road to the large parking area at the end.
Hike required: Yes, for the summit view, a steep but short half-mile (one-way) paved walk from the parking area to the observation tower is required.
Andrews Bald
One of the most popular high elevation hikes in the Smokies is the trail to Andrews Bald. This 3.6-mile round trip hike takes you to a grassy bald mountaintop with magnificent, panoramic mountain views. It’s particularly stunning when the spring wildflowers such as azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom.
Location: Same drive as Kuwohi, about 50-60 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Gatlinburg Park entrance.
Hike required: Yes, the one true 3.6-mile round-trip hike accessed via the Forney Ridge Trail, which is at the far end of the Kuwohi parking lot.
Cades Cove
Although not an overlook in the traditional sense, Cades Cove is a scenic valley surrounded by mountains. The 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road provides numerous opportunities to pull over and enjoy stunning views of the meadows, historic buildings and wildlife.
Location: About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes from Pigeon Forge, either via Wears Valley/Foothills Parkway or through the park via Sugarlands and Little River Road (25 miles past Sugarlands Visitor Center).
Hike required: No, it’s an 11-mile driving loop, with several short walking paths branching off for an opportunity to stretch your legs.
These are just a few of the many incredible scenic overlooks you’ll discover in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Exploring the park’s various hiking trails and scenic drives will uncover even more hidden gems and stunning vistas. Make sure to add these scenic overlooks to your summer bucket list of things to see and do in Pigeon Forge.
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