Great Smoky Mountains Scenic Drive & Self-Guided Audio Tour of Newfound Gap Road
Take a scenic, self-paced audio tour through the Smokies
What to Expect
Cross the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park at your own pace on a GPS-guided drive over Newfound Gap Road—from Gatlinburg to Cherokee. Along the way, hear stories of Cherokee homelands, early settlers, and the rare spruce-fir forests that crown the highest ridges. We’ll tell you where to pull off for classic overlooks and short optional walks. Also included are some optional side trips or detours to Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), Cades Cove, and Roaring Fork, providing even more sweeping vistas, wildlife encounters, and glimpses into the region’s rich Cherokee and settler heritage. It’s the easiest way to turn an iconic road trip into a rich, hands-free audio tour.
Ready to go? Book below or download our app and purchase directly from your phone.
📍 Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
🚗 Type: Driving tour
⏱ Duration: 2-4 hours (flexible)
✅ Includes: App download, GPS-triggered audio, No expiration
📶 Works Offline: Download ahead of time - no cell service required
🎧 Multiple Languages: English,
Get Ready for Your Great Smoky Mountains Driving Tour
Discover the wonder, intrigue, and deep history of America’s most-visited national park on this self-guided journey through the Great Smoky Mountains.
You’ll travel from Gatlinburg’s green lowlands to the lofty ridges along the Tennessee–North Carolina border, following Newfound Gap Road—with optional scenic side trips—all while hearing the stories that shaped this remarkable region.
As you ascend through shifting ecosystems and mist-covered viewpoints, the tour explains how the Smokies earned their name, how these ancient peaks formed, and how generations of residents, loggers, and preservationists influenced the landscape. Each stop reveals a different chapter of the park’s natural and human legacy.
Whether you’re seeking autumn foliage, sweeping mountain panoramas, or a stronger connection to the outdoors, this route offers a memorable look into one of the planet’s oldest and most diverse mountain systems.
Simply start driving, follow the road, and let the Smokies reveal themselves mile by mile.
What You’ll See on Your Great Smoky Mountains Self-Guided Tour
Alum Cave Trailhead
This starting point leads to one of the park’s classic trails, a scenic pathway passing unique rock formations, rich woodlands, and the impressive Alum Cave Bluffs. Even if you don’t hike far, it’s a spot where fresh mountain air and big views begin right away.
Chimney Tops Overlook
A short walk brings you to a rugged perch offering striking rock features and far-reaching views of nearby peaks. It’s a powerful place to appreciate the Smokies’ scale and watch ridge after ridge fade into the horizon.
Mingus Mill
This restored 1800s gristmill—still powered by water on demonstration days—provides an up-close look at early mountain craftsmanship and daily life. Its flume, millrace, and finely built wooden machinery make it a picture-perfect reminder of the region’s past.
Ben Morton Overlook
Set just off Newfound Gap Road, this overlook delivers sweeping views of the valleys and forested ridges below, especially stunning at sunrise or during fall color. It’s an easy place to pause, breathe, and take in the Smokies’ layered scenery.
Newfound Gap
One of the park’s signature viewpoints, this high pass marks the Tennessee–North Carolina border and hosts the Appalachian Trail crossing. Cool mountain breezes, broad vistas, and informative displays make it an essential stop for both newcomers and seasoned visitors.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
As the park’s welcoming eastern entry point, Oconaluftee features exhibits on local ecology and heritage, ranger-led activities, and access to nearby paths. It’s also a convenient place to get oriented, pick up maps, and plan your next steps.
Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial
This modest stone monument commemorates Laura Spelman Rockefeller’s early support for national park conservation, set against a quiet backdrop of mountain scenery. It offers a peaceful moment to reflect on the park’s creation and enduring protection.
Charles A. Webb Overlook
Honoring a conservation figure tied to the park’s preservation, this viewpoint showcases sweeping ridges and distant valleys with no distractions. It’s perfect for photography, a picnic break, or simply watching the fog drift through the coves below.
Cataloochee Valley
This wide, historic valley blends preserved homesites with excellent wildlife viewing, including the park’s reintroduced elk herd. Visitors can explore old farmsteads, wander quiet roads, and experience a landscape where natural beauty and cultural history meet.
Meeting Point
Your Great Smoky Mountains driving tour begins at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg.
Sugarland Visitor Center is found on Newfound Gap Road, three miles southwest of Gatlinburg. The turn to the visitor center is well marked, and parking is available.
FAQs About Our Great Smoky Mountains Driving Tour
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No pass is required to enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes. Parking tags cost the following:
Daily: $5
Weekly: $15
Annual: $40
Visit the National Park Service website for more information.
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Tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s within 24 hours or you had an issue during your tour, email support@drivesanddetours.com. We review all requests individually and will always do our best to make things right.
Our goal is to ensure every traveler has a great experience exploring with Drives & Detours.
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You will walk as much as you want on Drives & Detours’ Great Smoky Mountains tour. Many of the stops are at a trailhead, although you can enjoy the view from the road and parking lots. Some of the trails can be difficult, and we recommend wearing a good pair of shoes.
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Yes, downloading the Drives & Detours app will give you full access to the tour you have purchased, as well as many other self-guided tours.
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Download the tour before you go. Some areas have poor signal, which can make downloading the tour difficult. Once the tour is downloaded, it will work without any cell signal
The tour audio plays automatically as you approach each stop
Want to see more? Tap “View Stop” to see photos and bonus content
To return to the map, tap the small down arrow between the “previous” and “next” buttons
Follow the blue line and audio directions to stay on route
Use audio controls to pause, rewind, or skip—just like a podcast
Safety first: Keep your eyes on the road or sidewalk, follow traffic laws, and stay aware of your surroundings
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No—download your Great Smoky Mountains tour before you go, and you won't need a cell signal. Drives & Detours’ tours work without any cell signal once they are downloaded to your device.
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Once you have purchased your Great Smoky Mountains driving tour from Drives & Detours, you can use it whenever you want. You can always take the tour another day if the weather is bad on the day you plan to take it.
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Unfortunately, Dives & Detours cannot guarantee that the Great Smoky Mountains self-guided tour is accessible. People with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility impairments are very welcome. The National Park Service has carried out a lot of work on accessibility, but we recommend checking their website for detailed information.
Pro Tips for Your Drives & Detours Great Smoky Mountains Self-Guided Tour
Download before you go.
Enable location services—GPS triggers the audio.
Use earbuds, headphones, or your car speakers.
Pause and resume anytime. If you take a break, just reopen the app and head back toward your last stop.
Lost your way? Tap any pin on the map, then tap the right-turn-arrow icon to open your default maps app for turn-by-turn directions to that spot.
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