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Kuwohi Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Kuwohi trail takes you to the highest point in Tennessee, providing sweeping views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park! A sacred site for the Cherokee people for thousands of years, Kuwohi is one of the most iconic and beloved destinations in the entire National Park System.
📢 Name Update: On September 18, 2024, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names officially approved the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' request to restore the mountain's traditional Cherokee name. Formerly known as Clingmans Dome, the mountain is now officially named Kuwohi (pronounced koo-WHOA-hee) - the Cherokee word meaning "mulberry place." In Cherokee syllabary: ᎫᏬᎯ
- Distance: 1 Mile round trip out and back hike
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 330 Feet
- Time needed: Approximately 1 hour
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Kuwohi Trailhead
- Trailhead Elevation: 6313 Feet
- Summit Elevation: 6,643 feet
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag Information
There is no entrance fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park; however, Parking Tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Note that Interagency Passes (Senior, Access, etc.) are not accepted in lieu of a parking tag.
The Parking Tag is not an entrance fee but the park honors the park's Free Entrance Days and parking tags will not be required on those days.
There are three tag durations available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:
- Daily - $5.00
- Weekly - $15.00
- Annual - $40.00
Parking Tags are not replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradable.
Each Tag is valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed.
The parking tag must be visible on the front lower passenger side of the vehicle.
Parking Tags are available for purchase both online and onsite.
Display of physical parking tags in each vehicle is required. Digital representations are not accepted.
Parking Tags are not location specific. a parking tag is required to park anywhere within the boundaries of the Smokies.
Parking Tags are not required for motorists who pass through the area or who park for less than 15 minutes.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
This popular park destination provides gorgeous views of the Smokies as you walk up to the top of the observation tower.
It is worth noting that this is one of the most popular spots in the park! Be prepared for crowds, especially during the summer and busy season.
The National Park Service has a small information center at the trailhead. This park visitor center is a great place to ask questions and find out more about Clingman's Dome!
Directions to Kuwohi Trailhead
If you are coming from Gatlinburg, go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Sugarlands Visitor Center at the park entrance. From there, follow Newfound Gap Road over the summit into North Carolina and past the Appalachian Trail. Look for a sign to take a right onto the 7-mile-long Kuwohi Road to the Forney Ridge Parking Lot (Kuwohi parking area).
There is a large parking area available, but it does get busy - this is one of the most popular park destinations for visitors.
GPS Coordinates: N 35.56289 and W -83.49849
Common Questions about Kuwohi
When is Kuwohi open? Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. However, Kuwohi Road is only open from April 1 through November 30 (weather conditions permitting) each year. Be prepared for wet conditions and dress in extra layers - expect it to be 10-15 degrees cooler than lower elevations.
Are dogs allowed at Kuwohi? Pets are not allowed on the Kuwohi Trail. However, you can take your pet for a walk on the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.
How high is Kuwohi? 6,643 feet in elevation. It is the highest point in Tennessee and the third-highest summit east of the Mississippi River.
How far is Kuwohi from Gatlinburg? The drive is approximately 23 miles and will take about an hour. Distance from Bryson City is 36.2 miles.
Can I watch the sunrise or sunset at Kuwohi? Yes! Sunrise from Kuwohi is spectacular, often with cloud cover in the foreground as the sun crests the horizon, similar to watching the sunrise at Haleakala National Park in Hawaii. The sunset is equally breathtaking with sweeping 360-degree views from the observation deck.
Give yourself plenty of time. Remember it takes an hour to drive from Gatlinburg, and for sunrise you'll hike half a mile straight uphill to the observation tower in the dark.
Hiking Kuwohi
The trail to Kuwohi is paved the entire way from the parking area to the summit. While it is a steep climb and not ADA-accessible, there are several park benches along the way so you can rest before continuing. Don't feel bad about stopping - you are at high elevation and it's easy to get winded, especially if you live near sea level.
Shortly after the Appalachian Trail crossing, you'll see the Kuwohi observation tower. It's easy to see that you're going to have unobstructed 360-degree views from the top - enough to give any hiker a shot of adrenaline for the final push to the summit!
On a clear day, you can see up to 100 miles away, including seven states: Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. This is easily one of the most iconic views in the National Park System.
The Appalachian Trail and Forney Ridge Trail (which leads to Andrews Bald) both connect to Kuwohi Road. The National Park Service has a small information center at the trailhead - a great place to ask questions and learn more about Kuwohi.
Kuwohi Visitor Contact Station
Open from April to November. Hours vary by season:
- Spring - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Summer - 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
- Fall - 10:00 am to 5:00/6:00 pm (depending on the month)
Located at the Kuwohi trailhead, 7 miles off US-441 on Kuwohi Road. Features a bookstore and shop, park information, and public restrooms.
Kuwohi and Cherokee Education
The park closes Kuwohi for three half days annually to provide access to predominantly Cherokee schools. Students visit the mountain and learn the history of Kuwohi and the Cherokee people from elders, Cherokee language speakers, culture bearers, and community members. This meaningful tradition reflects the deep, ongoing connection between Kuwohi and the Cherokee Nation.
History of Kuwohi
Kuwohi is situated within Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the highest point in the Smokies, the highest point in Tennessee, and the third-highest summit east of the Mississippi River.
Kuwohi: The Cherokee Name
Kuwohi is the Cherokee name for the mountain, translating to "mulberry place." In Cherokee syllabary, the name is written ᎫᏬᎯ. The Cherokee have inhabited the Great Smoky Mountains for thousands of years, calling the range Shaconage - "place of the blue smoke."
Kuwohi is a sacred place for the Cherokee Nation. According to Cherokee tradition, it was home to the great White Bear, chief of all bears, and one of the bear's council houses. Cherokee legend also speaks of an enchanted healing lake called Ataga'hi (Gall Place) said to lie between Kuwohi and a tributary of the Oconaluftee River, believed to have healing properties for wounded bears.
Medicine men traveled to the summit of Kuwohi to seek spiritual guidance from the Creator, then returned to Cherokee villages to share the wisdom gained there. The area surrounding Kuwohi was historically part of the Cherokee Nation's ancestral homeland before the forced removal of the Cherokee people in the 1830s. Kuwohi is visible today from the Qualla Boundary, the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
From Smoky Dome to Clingmans Dome
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, European American settlers began moving into the area and gave the mountain their own name - Smoky Dome - for its dome-like appearance and frequent cloud cover. In 1859, Swiss-American geographer Arnold Guyot renamed it Clingmans Dome in honor of Thomas Lanier Clingman, a U.S. Senator, attorney, and explorer from Asheville, North Carolina, who had surveyed much of the Great Smoky Mountain region and was the first to accurately measure the summit's height. Clingman later served as a Confederate general during the Civil War.
The Name Restoration: Kuwohi (2024)
Kuwohi has always been known by that name to the Cherokee People. Efforts to officially restore the traditional name began in 2022, led by Lavita Hill and Mary Crowe, both enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). In January 2024, EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks formally submitted the name change request to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names.
On September 18, 2024, the Board voted to approve the request, officially restoring the name Kuwohi. The proposal received support from the National Park Service, local communities, and governments. Superintendent Cassius Cash stated that the park team was proud to support the effort "to officially restore the mountain and to recognize its importance to the Cherokee People." Signage, websites, and other materials throughout the park are being updated to reflect the Kuwohi name.
The Observation Tower at Kuwohi
The 45-foot concrete observation tower was built in 1959 as part of the National Park Service's Mission 66 - a 10-year plan to upgrade park facilities in response to the post-World War II surge in tourism. The tower features a circular observation deck accessible by a 375-foot spiral ramp. From the top, visitors can look out over the valley and mountain range that were once the heart of the Cherokee homeland.
Best Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tours & Activities
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.0 out of 5 Stars (500+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-4 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
Explore America's most-visited national park entirely on your own schedule with this app-based audio driving tour. Download the tour to your phone and let GPS-triggered storytelling guide you past iconic stops like Kuwohi and Rainbow Falls while you learn about Cherokee history, Appalachian culture, and the legends of the Smokies. The tour works offline, perfect for areas without cell service, and is purchased per vehicle rather than per person, making it a great value for families and groups.
Thundering Cascades of the Smokies Guided Hiking Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (140+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 3-4 hours | 🥾 Check Rates and Availability
Venture off the beaten path with a knowledgeable local guide on this small-group hiking experience through the lush forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You'll warm up on a scenic, popular trail before ducking onto a lesser-traveled route to discover spectacular cascades and hidden waterfalls. Along the way, your certified Wilderness First Responder guide shares fascinating insights into the park's old-growth trees, diverse wildflowers, and local ecosystem. This is a moderately adventurous hike with some elevation gain. Expect to get your feet wet and climb over the occasional downed tree, but the payoff is absolutely worth it.
3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (235+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🛶 Check Rates and Availability
Tackle eight miles of crystal-clear whitewater through the stunning Nantahala River Gorge on this fully guided rafting adventure run by the legendary Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). Perfect for first-timers and experienced paddlers alike, the trip winds through Class II and III rapids before culminating in the thrilling Nantahala Falls. Your experienced guide will handle navigation, share stories about the gorge, and keep the whole group safe and smiling. All necessary equipment, including life jackets and helmets, is provided, and NOC's unique location means you finish right back where you started.
Where to stay when visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park
⭐️ 4.0 of 5 Stars - LeConte Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The highest guest lodge in the eastern United States, sitting at 6,400 feet atop Mt. LeConte inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park! This one-of-a-kind bucket list destination has NO roads leading to it and can only be reached by hiking one of five trails ranging from 5 to 9 miles. Guests stay in hand-built rough hewn log cabins with propane heat, kerosene lanterns, clean linens, and warm Hudson Bay wool blankets. Leconte Lodge There is no electricity, but the mellow glow of kerosene lamps and rocking chairs on the deck make it magical.
Lodging near Great Smoky Mountains NP (Gatlinburg Area)
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - The Appy Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
This Appalachian Trail-themed lodge underwent a $5 million renovation and is unlike any hotel you've seen. The halls are lined with photography and history of the AT, and every room is named after an actual trail shelter! They offer free Continental Breakfast (eggs, sausage, pastries and more), free WiFi, free parking pass for downtown Gatlinburg, a trolley stop on property, indoor heated pool and hot tub, seasonal outdoor pool with slide, in-room fireplaces and balconies available, fitness center, and afternoon snacks from 2 to 6 PM. A fantastic family and couples pick right on the Parkway.
⭐️ 4.1 of 5 Stars - Gatlinburg River Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Sit on your private balcony and watch the river roll by! Every single room at this property overlooks the water, and the inn is right on the trolley line for easy access to downtown. Amenities include a complimentary hot breakfast buffet (waffles, biscuits and gravy, eggs and sausage), free WiFi, free parking, seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, riverside fire pits, bocce ball, picnic area, and laundry facilities. Pets welcome up to 50 lbs (fee applies).
⭐️ 4.1 of 5 Stars - Edgewater Hotel and Conference Center - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Smack in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, steps from Ripley's Aquarium! This well-established property sits right on the banks of the Little Pigeon River and boasts one of the coolest pools in town, a unique half-indoor, half-outdoor heated pool you can swim through year-round, plus two hot tubs. They also offer complimentary hot Continental Breakfast, free WiFi, private balconies with mountain and river views, in-room fireplaces and Jacuzzi rooms available, fitness center, arcade, business center, and over 7,000 sq ft of conference space. Trout fishing right on the property is a fun bonus!
Click here or on the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Great Smoky Mountains.
Parks to visit near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Appalachian National Historic Trail
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
- Manhattan Project National Historic Park - Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- Obed Wild and Scenic River
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
- Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
- Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
- Russell Cave National Monument
Check out all of the Tennessee National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Virginia, National Parks in North Carolina, National Parks in Missouri, National Parks in Mississippi, National Parks in Kentucky, Georgia National Parks, Arkansas National Parks, and Alabama National Parks.
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