High Points Driving Tour in Gatlinburg, United States
Gatlinburg, United States

High Points Driving Tour

Outty Ranking 77 4.9 · 140 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $85
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Outty Ranking

77/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 140 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is High Points Driving Tour worth booking?

High Points Driving Tour is a 3-hour experience in Gatlinburg, United States, from $85 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 140 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
77 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (140)
Duration
3 hours
From
$85 per person

Sightseeing in the “high elevations” of the Great Smoky Mountains can be an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. We travel past the Appalachian Trail and traverse the Crest of the Smokies as we take in the sights above 5000 ft. You will gain facts of the area from your guide that will make these mountains come alive with Native American stories and geographical facts. We travel into the North Carolina side of the National Park to take in the vistas and learn about the impact logging had to the area. You will be amazed how the forest has reclaimed itself over the years. Our goal for this trip is to arrive at the Clingmans Dome parking area and gift shop. This is the highest point in the National Park at 6,643′. If the weather permits, we'll take an optional short walk through the spruce-fir forest and learn about this unique environment.

What you get

    About this experience

    Sightseeing in the “high elevations” of the Great Smoky Mountains can be an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. We travel past the Appalachian Trail and traverse the Crest of the Smokies as we take in the sights above 5000 ft. You will gain facts of the area from your guide that will make these mountains come alive with Native American stories and geographical facts. We travel into the North Carolina side of the National Park to take in the vistas and learn about the impact logging had to the area. You will be amazed how the forest has reclaimed itself over the years. Our goal for this trip is to arrive at the Clingmans Dome parking area and gift shop. This is the highest point in the National Park at 6,643′. If the weather permits, we'll take an optional short walk through the spruce-fir forest and learn about this unique environment.

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water
    • Snacks

    What you'll see and do

    1. Newfound Gap Road

      Newfound Gap Road is one of the most scenic drives in the southeast. We'll make the 13-mile long drive out of the Sugarlands Valley while we learn about the people, plants, animals, and history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the way we'll stop at several scenic overlooks for photos of the towering mountains and dark, shaded valleys.

      105 minutes here

    2. Kuwohi

      The highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this mountain provides sweeping views of as many as seven states. We'll walk among the spruce and fir trees and enjoy the cool mountain air as we learn about the place the Cherokee called Kuwahi.

      30 minutes here

    3. Newfound Gap

      Deep in the mountains at a height of more than 5,000 feet we'll stand on the state line while looking down the the Sugarland Valley to our north and the Oconaluftee Valley to the south. The famous 2,200 mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through this point next to the stone stage where President Franklin Roosevelt gave the Great Smoky Mountain National Park dedication.

      15 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Gatlinburg

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    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 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Smoky Mountain Guides

    Know before you go

    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    High Points Driving Tour in Gatlinburg, photo 2High Points Driving Tour in Gatlinburg, photo 3High Points Driving Tour in Gatlinburg, photo 4High Points Driving Tour in Gatlinburg, photo 5

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 136 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    5 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Physical effort

    2 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Traveler reviews

    136 verified traveler reviews for High Points Driving Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    132
    4 star
    2
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Maps644483 · September 2026

    Great time with Kindal!

    Kindal was great! Very informative and pleasant to be around.

    Response from the operator: Great to hear. We should appreciate you guys joining us.

    via Tripadvisor

    elaines144 · September 2026

    Beautiful and interesting tour!

    My friend and I had a wonderful tour this morning with our guide, Jay. It was our first time in Tennessee and we learned a lot as Jay knows the park very well, including the types of trees and plants there, along with interesting information about the bears and other animals who reside in the park. We had the chance to see a couple of elks along the way which was fun. It was raining so we were thankful to stay dry in the van and had our umbrella ready for the stops, where Jay kindly took our pictures. Would highly recommend this tour!!

    Response from the operator: Awesome to hear that you got to see elk and had an enjoyable experience with Jay. Come back soon.

    via Tripadvisor

    X5483RXjudyh · September 2026

    Our Guide was Outstanding!

    Our guide, Lydia was outstanding. She was knowledgeable, friendly and imparted so much great information. We enjoyed every minute of our time in the Smokies! Thank you!

    Response from the operator: Lydia is great. We are so thankful you enjoyed your experience with Smoky Mountain Guides.

    via Tripadvisor

    F1518WZteresad · September 2026

    Great Morning in the Smokey Mountains Park

    Jay was very kind and very knowledgeable about the park. He share a lot if great in information with us. We enjoyed our tour very much.

    Response from the operator: We love hearing how you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for joining.

    via Tripadvisor

    suzieinthesun · August 2026

    Great Morning Tour

    We did the 9am tour with Mark and he was a great tour guide! He was knowledgeable about the area and the sites we were visiting. The weather was great too!

    Response from the operator: So good to hear you had a fantastic experience

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    49
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Smoky Mountain Guides, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.6.

    See everything Smoky Mountain Guides runs

    Why this scores 77

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
    Review evidence (18% weight)70
    Booking momentum (14% weight)65
    Value for money (12% weight)54
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)63
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    High Points Driving Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Gatlinburg.

    How much does High Points Driving Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $85 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Gatlinburg usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does High Points Driving Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 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 Gatlinburg is not rushed.

    Is High Points Driving Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 140 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Gatlinburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule High Points Driving Tour?

    +

    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 High Points Driving Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book High Points Driving Tour?

    +

    Around 49 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 Gatlinburg 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?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Gatlinburg and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does High Points Driving Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg?

    +

    Gatlinburg is the front door to Great Smoky Mountains National Park: guided hikes to waterfalls, Cades Cove wildlife loops, ziplines, whitewater rafting on the Pigeon River and moonshine tastings in town. Trailhead transport is the main logistics question. On Outty we rank every Gatlinburg experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Ultimate Wine, Shine & Bourbon Experience, Mountaintop Zipline 2-Hours Activity, The Escape Game: 60-Minute Adventures in Gatlinburg. 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 Gatlinburg?

    +

    April to June and October for autumn colour. 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 Gatlinburg?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in High Points Driving Tour?

    +

    Included: Bottled water; and Snacks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    What languages is High Points Driving Tour offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for High Points Driving Tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to High Points Driving Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about High Points Driving Tour?

    +

    Across 140 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for High Points Driving Tour.

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