Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 107 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours worth booking?
Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours is a 4-hour experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States, from $21 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 107 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (107)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $21 per person
Purchase only one tour per vehicle, not per person. Everyone listens together! Get the full Smoky Mountain experience with this ultimate bundle tour! Explore these picturesque mountains, uncover the rich history of the
What you get
About this experience
Purchase only one tour per vehicle, not per person. Everyone listens together! Get the full Smoky Mountain experience with this ultimate bundle tour! Explore these picturesque mountains, uncover the rich history of the Cherokee and early settlers, and find out why this is the most-visited national park in the entire country. You’ll discover beautiful overlooks, hiking trails, and waterfalls on one tour, then dive into the pioneer and Civil War history of Cades Cove with the next! If you don’t want to miss a thing, this is the deal for you. After booking, check your email/text 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 designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's included
Included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
What you'll see and do
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Your drive through the beautiful, majestic Smoky Mountains begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Get ready to explore the Smokies and discover why this is the most visited National Park in the country! NOTE: The tour is over 25+ miles long per tour, with more than 30+ audio stories per tour, and takes about 2-3 hours per tour to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Pass by without stopping
Mingus Mill
As you drive, you'll have the option to take a detour to the Mingus Mill, an 1886 grist mill which, believe it or not, is still fully functional! If you're here on weekends, you can even see the mill operators grind corn just like they did back in the 1800s.
Pass by without stopping
Quiet Walkways
Your first major stop is the Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, a perfect spot for anyone who wants to soak up the natural beauty of the mountains without having to hike an arduous trail.
Pass by without stopping
Rockefeller Memorial
Up next is the Rockefeller Memorial, where you'll learn more about Rockefeller's importance to the park! This memorial was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt himself.
Pass by without stopping
Newfound Gap Road
From there, your drive continues to Newfound Gap, a stunning mountain pass with huge historical significance. Hear the story of how trappers, farmers, and merchants used to cross the Smokies, and how this gap changed all of that.
Pass by without stopping
Alum Cave Trail
Next you'll pass the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the remains of an old salt mine packed with fascinating history.
Pass by without stopping
Morton Overlook
After that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.
Pass by without stopping
Carlos Campbell Overlook
The next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.
Pass by without stopping
Chimney Tops Trail
Your route takes you next to Chimney Tops Overlook, where you'll hear all about wildfires in the Smokies and how they cause lasting damage to mountains like this one.
Pass by without stopping
Kuwohi
Next up is the most accessible trail in the park: Sugarlands Valley Trail! This scenic trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the wilderness.
Pass by without stopping
Sugarlands Visitors Center
The tour leads next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.
Pass by without stopping
Cataract Falls
Your drive continues to Cataract Falls, a beautiful, secluded set of waterfalls tucked beneath a shaded canopy of beech trees.
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Ripley's Believe It or Not! Gatlinburg
Our next stop is perfect for anyone amused by kitschy oddities. This funky museum displays everything from shrunken human heads to rare animal skeletons. We'll get the inside scoop on how it started as a simple one-panel comic strip and grew into a national phenomenon.
Pass by without stopping
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Continue following the road to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This driving trail invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the area. It also features three of the park's most famous waterfalls!
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Rainbow Falls Trail
Our route takes us next to the Rainbow Falls Trail, which leads to the park's most popular waterfall. Standing at 80 feet, Rainbow Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Smokies, but that's not all! When the sun hits it right, it glimmers like a rainbow--hence the name.
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Grotto Falls Trail
Keep driving until you reach the Grotto Falls trail. While it's not quite as grand as Rainbow Falls, this secluded, less crowded waterfall is absolutely worth a visit. On your way, hear about a rare salamander you can only find right here!
Pass by without stopping
Baskins Creek Falls
Our drive takes us next to the Baskin Creek Falls, a sparkling waterfall where we'll hear about the amusing, and slightly misguided history behind the name of these falls.
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Up next, we'll pass the Ephraim Bales Cabin, a portal back in time to the 19th century. We'll hear all about the family that lived here, and why there's a big hole in the middle of their cabin!
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The road brings us next to the Reagen Cabin, which displays a perfect example of old-timey technology in the form of the so-called "tub mill." Hear all about what that is and why it was useful here.
Pass by without stopping
Ely's Mill
Next, our drive takes us to Ely's Mill, a historic mill on the outskirts of Gatlinburg which gives us another window into the lives of the early Appalachian settlers. Here, we'll learn about Andrew Ely, the bigshot lawyer who upended his entire life after his wife died, abandoned his law practice, and moved to Gatlinburg to start over and live a simpler life.
Pass by without stopping
Gatlinburg
Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude.
120 minutes here
Past that is the Methodist Church, which cost only $115 to build when it was constructed in 1902!
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Then there's the Missionary Baptist Church, which split off from the Primitive Baptist Church during the early days of Cades Cove due to ideological divides.
Pass by without stopping
Continuing on, you'll come to the Elijah Oliver Place, accessible via a half-mile trail. This secluded homestead once belonged to an abolitionist who found himself in grave danger when the Civil War broke out.
Pass by without stopping
Up next is the Abrams Falls Trail, which takes hikers to a powerful waterfall hidden deep in the wilderness.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Between May and September, Cyclists and pedestrians have exclusive usage of the Cades Cove Loop Road every Wednesday. No other vehicles are allowed during this time.
Meeting point
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Start on US-441 Parkway in Gatlinburg near 1151 Parkway, with the parking lot and gas station on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the lot or nearby businesses. The audio starts automatically as you pass—check your email/text for setup details.
Meeting point
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The US-441/Newfound Gap Road is open on the North Carolina side, allowing access to Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, and other scenic spots. To visit Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, take I-40, which adds approximately 2 hours to your drive, with no tour commentary.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Between May and September, Cyclists and pedestrians have exclusive usage of the Cades Cove Loop Road every Wednesday. No other vehicles are allowed during this time.
Ends at
Start on US-441 Parkway in Gatlinburg near 1151 Parkway, with the parking lot and gas station on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the lot or nearby businesses. The audio starts automatically as you pass—check your email/text for setup details.
Ends at
The US-441/Newfound Gap Road is open on the North Carolina side, allowing access to Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, and other scenic spots. To visit Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, take I-40, which adds approximately 2 hours to your drive, with no tour commentary.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel with Action
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Check current road, trail, weather, and facility conditions before your visit, as temporary closures may affect the tour route.
- Kuwohi Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close seasonally during winter and may also close temporarily because of snow, ice, or hazardous conditions.
- Laurel Falls Trail, Carlos Campbell Overlook, and Mingus Mill are currently closed for rehabilitation, maintenance, or preservation work.
- A valid parking tag is required for vehicles parked for longer than 15 minutes anywhere within the park. Parking tags are available online and at designated locations inside and near the park.
- There are no gas stations inside the park, so fill your tank before entering.
- Cell service is extremely limited. Download the audio tour and any required maps before arriving.
- Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles all day every Wednesday from May 6 through September 30, 2026, giving cyclists and pedestrians exclusive access to the road.
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 107 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
107 verified traveler reviews for Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Like having an in car tour guide!
Loved the geo based link to all the stories. Go the speed limit or you can get stories cut off right at the end.
Response from the operator: Hi, thank you for taking my GPS driving tours of the Great Smoky Mountains and Cades Cove. I’m so glad you loved the GPS-based stories and that it felt like having an in-car tour guide along the route. I also appreciate your helpful reminder for future travelers to follow the speed limit so the stories can play fully. If you're exploring more of Tennessee, check out my tours of the Natchez Trace, Shiloh, Clingmans Dome, and Memphis. Happy travels!
via Tripadvisor
Smoky Mountains Driving Tour
Our family was blown away by the incredible driving tour of the Smoky Mountains! The sights were beautiful and very informative. We were so happy with the entire trip! We look forward to other trips with this company. Thank you!
Response from the operator: Kathleen, thank you for taking my Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove GPS driving tours. I’m so glad your family loved the beautiful sights, helpful information, and overall Smoky Mountains experience. If you're exploring more of Tennessee, check out my tours of Natchez Trace, Shiloh, Clingmans Dome, and Memphis. Happy travels!
via Tripadvisor
Underwhelming
underwhelming experience; the map was not great; turned off the tour and just used our GPS
Response from the operator: Hi, I’m sorry my Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove self-guided driving tours felt underwhelming! I’m unable to find your booking in this review. Could you please reach out and let me know where the map became difficult—at the starting point, following the Smokies route, or driving the Cades Cove Loop? Please reach out to me between 9 AM and 6 PM EST, and I’ll be happy to provide a refund.
via Tripadvisor
Because there was no cell...
Because there was no cell service to download the audio I never able to listen to it so for me it was not a good experience and it was a waste of $20
Response from the operator: Doug, I’m sorry you were unable to use my Great Smoky Mountains audio tour due to limited cell service. The tour works offline once downloaded, so it needs to be set up beforehand using a reliable connection. Since your access is valid for a lifetime, you can still enjoy it on a future visit, or please reach out to me, and I’ll be happy to replace the tour for you. Happy exploring!
via Viator
The tour was great, the commentator has a great voice and a wealth of information. We saw lots of wildlife.
This was a great tour, just be sure to upload and start at the starting point. It was informative and easy to navigate. We even detoured off the path a couple times, but once we got back on track it picked right up where it left off.
Response from the operator: Hi there, thank you for taking my Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove GPS driving audio tours. I’m so glad the narration, wildlife, route guidance, and stories made the drive informative and easy to navigate, even when you took a few detours. If you're exploring more of Tennessee, check out my tours of Natchez Trace, Shiloh, Clingmans Dome, and Memphis. Happy travels!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $21 to $25
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 37
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
How much does Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours cost?
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Prices start at $21 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Great Smoky Mountains National Park usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not rushed.
Is Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 107 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours?
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Around 37 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Great Smoky Mountains National Park can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Great Smoky Mountains National Park within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws visitors for its landscapes, wildlife and guided outdoor experiences. Outty tracks every bookable tour here, scores it with the Outty Ranking, and shows what is worth your time, from full-day guided trips to short scenic outings. On Outty we rank every Great Smoky Mountains National Park experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience, Chasing Waterfalls: A Smoky Mountain Guided Hike, Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Great Smoky Mountains. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
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Late spring through early fall for full access and the widest tour availability, with quieter trails in the shoulder weeks. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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