Clingmans Dome is a very popular touristy spot. But why? Well, sitting at 6,643 feet, it is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park AND in Tennessee! A short yet steep paved path leads to a 54-foot observation tower which offers beautiful 360-degree views.
Get there early, watch a stunning sunrise (if you’re lucky), and capture a few awesome shots. Make sure you are prepared for the steep incline (almost a 13% grade) and check the weather conditions prior to your trip. If you are in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome is an adventure you don’t want to miss!
Table of Contents
Know Before You Go
Great Smoky Mountains – Parking Tag
Parking tags are required in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are three different tags you can purchase. Daily pass for $5, weekly pass for $15, or an annual pass for $40. Tags may be purchased online, or on-site. Parking tags will NOT be required for motorists who pass through the area or who park for less than 15 minutes, or while parked at their designated campsite. Entrance into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is FREE, but a parking tag is required.
Road Closure
The road leading to the tower is closed seasonally, typically from early December through late March, and whenever the road is affected from dangerous weather conditions. The observation tower itself isn’t closed, so you can still hike there!
Changing Weather Conditions
Clingmans Dome sees a lot of cloudy, rainy, snowy, and overall colder temperatures as compared to the surrounding lowlands. It is usually 10-20 degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler at the top of Clingmans Dome. Make sure to dress properly for the cooler and potentially rainy conditions. Bring extra layers, even in the summer!
Check out the current conditions at Clingmans Dome via a webcam here.
Short, Steep Incline
The hike to the top of Clingmans Dome is said to have a graded incline of 13%! Now that’s steep! It’s easy to underestimate the trail because it is short, and it is paved. Unless you’re in pristine physical condition, you might struggle a bit. Thankfully, there are benches along the way for rest breaks. It’s very doable for most people, but just know that it’s a tough one!
Popular Touristy Spot – Get There Early!
I harp on this so much in almost all my blog posts, but it’s important to know! Many of the places I write about are popular touristy spots, especially Clingmans Dome. If you want to snag a good parking spot and not have to deal with too many people, then I recommend getting there as early as possible.
My husband and I have been there twice, and each time we got to the parking lot before sunrise. There were only a handful of people there at that time, too. Plus, you get your day started before most people do which is just a good feeling!
Leave No Trace
Before you go, please make sure you understand the Leave No Trace principles. These seven principles help reduce our environmental impact from outdoor recreational activities. Nature is meant to be enjoyed and respected. 🌱
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
About the Trail
Clingmans Dome Trail
Location: Clingmans Dome is located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 1 mile with an elevation gain of 330 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes an average 30 minutes (give or take) to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is an out-and-back hike.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate to strenuous depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail is entirely paved.
Pet-friendly? No, pets are not allowed.
How to Get to the Trailhead
As you turn off of Newfound Gap Road onto Clingmans Dome Road, it’s about a 7-mile drive to the parking lot. This is one of my favorite parking lots in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The views from there are spectacular! Just wait until you see the views from the top of Clingmans Dome.
At the Clingmans Dome parking area, there is a visitor center and a few restrooms. The parking lot is huge with lots of parking spots! However, due to its popularity, the parking lot can fill up quick during the peak season.
Put this address in Google maps: Clingmans Dome Trailhead Parking, Clingmans Dome Trail, Bryson City, NC 28713
Trail Directions
FUN FACT: The Appalachian Trail (AT) crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its journey from Georgia to Maine.
The trail to Clingmans Dome is very simple. You can’t get lost if you stay on the paved path. The trail begins near the visitor center.
Follow the paved path upwards towards Clingmans Dome. It’s only 0.5 miles one-way, but it’s very steep. Take your time and rest as you need. You got this!
You will soon see the observation tower of Clingmans Dome. Continue following the path up to the tower.
Hopefully the weather is cooperative, and you have amazing views to look at! If the weather is a bit icky (cloudy and rainy), making the views nonexistent, then at least you got in a good workout. 😉
Retrace your step back to the parking lot. Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Alternate Route
Newfound Gap to Clingmans Dome
This is about a 15-mile hike with an elevation gain 3,600 feet. It is a challenging route, but a great option for when the Clingmans Dome Road is closed for the winter.
The trailhead is located at the Newfound Gap parking area. Cross the Newfound Gap Road and hop onto the Appalachian Trail. Follow the AT until it crosses with the Clingmans Dome Trail.
Follow the paved path up to the observation tower and enjoy the breathtaking views. Simply retrace your steps back to the Newfound Gap parking lot.
Avoid the Crowds
If you’re like me and my husband, you want to avoid crowded places at all cost! Here’s a few tips to (hopefully) help avoid all the people.
Get there early! You can start hiking to the top of Clingmans Dome at any time you please. Most people start coming into the parking lot around 8-10 AM. Clingmans Dome is also an incredible spot to watch sunrise so you might see some people joining you on the weekends and especially during peak season.
Go on a weekday! The most popular days people hike Clingmans Dome is on the weekends and any day during the summer. Kids are out of school and families are on vacation. Therefore, the weekdays (outside of summer) are the best days to go to avoid crowds.
Go in the offseason! This is the time of year when fewer people are traveling. Usually around late fall through the winter to early spring when the weather is not very ideal for outdoor activities. The road to Clingmans Dome is closed seasonally, but you can still hike from where the road is closed off.
Get a late start! If you are the type of person who enjoys watching sunset, then maybe you can start hiking later than everybody else. We’ve never hiked to Clingmans Dome later in the day for sunset so we’re not entirely sure, but I would assume most people would be hiking down by the time you start hiking up.
READ THIS: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone hike up to Clingmans Dome?
Most people are capable of making the trek up to the observation tower. If your fitness level is on the lower side, then don’t fear. It’s possible to make it! Just take your time and take rest breaks as needed. There are benches along the way so you can sit and rest. If you have any medical conditions (especially uncontrolled medical issues) that may interfere with your ability to complete this hike, then I would consult with the appropriate healthcare professional beforehand!
Are bicycles allowed on the paved path to Clingmans Dome?
No, bicycles are not allowed. But you can ride them up the road to the parking lot of Clingmans Dome. There is a bike rack where you can chain up your bike while you hike up to the observation tower.
Are pets allowed on the paved path to Clingmans Dome?
No, unfortunately pets are not allowed.
Is the paved path to Clingmans Dome wheelchair accessible?
The National Park Service states the path up to Clingmans Dome is too steep to be wheelchair accessible. But it’s not impossible! Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers will need assistance along the route due to 13% graded incline. Just know your limits if you are the one doing the pushing. Don’t put others or yourself at risk for an accident.
Can you watch sunrise or sunset from Clingmans Dome?
Absolutely!! Just cross your fingers and hope the clouds don’t roll in and ruin a perfectly good sunrise/sunset opportunity. It has happened to me and my husband TWICE! The weather up there is not giving. But still worth trying!
How far can you see from the observation tower of Clingmans Dome?
On clear, sunny days, views expand over 100 miles and into seven states. However, air pollution limits average viewing distances to 22 miles. Despite the unfortunate air pollution problem, the views are still amazing!
Is Clingmans Dome located in North Carolina or Tennessee?
This is a really good question. I have googled this question many times because I always forget. So, from the information I gathered, it seems the parking lot of Clingmans Dome is located in North Carolina. However, Clingmans Dome’s observation tower is located in Tennessee. It’s like half and half. The whole entity sits along the NC-TN border. Did that clear things up for you? It did for me!
We Vlogged Our Experience!
More Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains
There are a bunch of awesome hikes to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Below is a list of some of our personal favorites.
Andrews Bald – hike 1.8 miles one-way to the highest grassy bald in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Escape the heavily congested crowds of Clingmans Dome and find more solitude at Andrews Bald. Enjoy the amazing views of the southern Smokies and Fontana Lake.
Abrams Falls – this is a very popular hike along the Cades Cove Loop. It’s a 2.5-mile one-way hike to a 20-foot waterfall. Although small, Abrams Falls has a large volume of water flowing over with a beautiful open pool at the base making it a great photo opportunity. Swimming can be dangerous due to strong currents and an undertow. Be safe and have fun!
Chimney Tops – get ready for a tough, short hike! In the 2 miles heading towards Chimney Tops, you will gain about 1,400 feet in elevation. Unfortunately, due to fire damage and safety issues, the last 0.25 miles (which was the best part) is closed off. But there is a viewing platform which offers nice views, and you can see Chimney Tops from there!
Grotto Falls – hike 1.4 miles one-way to this unique waterfall. The Trillium Gap Trail takes you through an old-growth hemlock forest and continues behind the 25-foot waterfall. This is the only waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can walk behind!
Charlie’s Bunion – hike 4 miles one-way to one of the most picturesque spots along the Appalachian Trail and capture the breathing taking views from the unique rocky outcrop known as Charlie’s Bunion.
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte – this is a very popular hike yet strenuous hike clocking in at 11 miles roundtrip with almost 2,800 feet of elevation gain. It’s an awesome adventure, and you will see Arch Rock, Alum Cave Bluff, Mount LeConte Lodge, Cliff Top, and Myrtle Point along the way!
Rainbow Falls – take a hike to a beautiful 80-foot waterfall. This 5.5-mile roundtrip hike is the perfect family adventure as the trail is rated moderate to hard difficulty. You might even see a rainbow at the waterfall!
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