Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Clingmans Dome via Appalachian Trail
Ascend to the second highest point east of the Mississippi on this 8-mile point-to-point that begins at Newfound Gap and winds through misty coniferous forest.
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Although the Clingmans Dome observation tower can be reached via a ½-mile trail near the end of this hike, it’s more rewarding to stash a car by the tower and shuttle to Newfound Gap for an 8-mile dayhike along the Appalachian Trail. Shaded by young spruce-fir forest, this trail has a rain-forest feel on wet days.
Hike southwest up a ridgeline on the AT, cresting the broad, 6,1118-foot summit of Mount Collins, before climbing gradually to the base of the observation tower. On clear days, views stretch across 100-mile expanses to seven states from the top of 6,643-foot Clingmans Dome. However, it’s not uncommon to find the tower shrouded in a thick mist as well. For the best photo ops, time your arrival at the tower for sunset or sunrise.
-Mapped by Scott Sanders
PLAN IT
MAP
>> Trails llustrated Clingmans Dome/Cataloochee/Great Smoky Mountains NP ($10, natgeomaps.com)
>> View a map of the park at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website.
>> Order the USGS topo quads listed above at store.usgs.gov.
>> Order a custom map of this route at MyTopo.com.
GUIDEBOOK: Hiking Trails of the Smokies ($21, smokiesstore.org) details all 150 maintained trails within the park.
PERMITS: Required when camping at a backcountry campsite or shelter (free, reserve up to one month before your trip and pick up in person). Backcountry reservation office: (865) 436-1231, nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm
CONDITIONS: Check weather at Gatlinburg, TN (37738) Weather
SEASON: The park is open year-round, and our trail scouts have hiked this route in every season. Check for road, trail, and camping closures at nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm. Curious about fall foliage? Check nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fallcolor.htm.
PARK INFO: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, (865) 436-1200; nps.gov/grsm
SMOKIES TRIP PLANNER: nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/trip-planner.htm
OTHER RESOURCES
GAS
Shell Super Mart
376 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-2161
Texaco
799 Tsali Blvd.
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 497-4539
GEAR
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 Highway 19 W
Bryson City, NC 28713
(888) 905-7238
noc.com
Blackrock Outdoor Co.
570 West Main St.
Sylva, NC
(828) 631-4453
Mast General Store
63 N. Main St.
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 452-2101
mastgeneralstore.com
Smoky Mountain Outfitters
469 Brookside Village Way
Gatlinburg, TN
(865) 430-2267
GROCERIES
Food City
1219 East Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-3116
Bearland General Store
305 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN
(865) 436-4565
Bradley’s Grocery
1699 Paint Town Rd.
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 497-9132
RESTAURANTS
Smoky Mountain Brewery
1004 Parkway # 501
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
coppercellar.com/Restaurant-SmokyMountainBrewery.html
Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria
968 Parkway # 9
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-4090
bestitalian.com
Granny’s Kitchen
1098 Paint Town Rd.
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 497-5010
Peter’s Pancakes and Waffles
1384 Tsali Blvd.
Cherokee, NC
(828) 497-5116
Trail Facts
- Distance: 12.8
Waypoints
CD001
Location: 35.611259, -83.425293
Newfound Gap Trailhead: Follow the Appalachian Trail southwest for a ridgeline traverse. The trail gradually ascends the ridge through a spurce-fir forest on the northwest side of Clingmans Dome Road; cars can occasionally be heard close by.
CD002
Location: 35.609558, -83.446732
Continue straight @ 3-way junction past the trail intersection with Chimney Top.
CD003
Location: 35.590738, -83.474207
Go left @ T-junction to continue on the Appalachian Trail. To the right, a trail heads north for a short distance to the Mount Collins Shelter—a good stopping point for thru-hikers that want arrive at the observation tower at sunrise.
CD004
Location: 35.586418, -83.4727
Approach the broad, tree-covered summit of Mount Collins (6,118 ft.), one of the South Beyond 6,000 peaks; summit views are limited.
CD005
Location: 35.566724, -83.493605
Travel through lush landscapes resembling rain forest; you’ll pass a mix of young spruce-firs, dead and decaying trees, and moss and lichen that blanket the wet undergrowth.
CD006
Location: 35.562909, -83.498497
Hike past the base of the tower on Clingmans Dome. This summit is the second highest point east of the Mississippi, and the highest point on the Appalachian Trail. Climb the 54-foot tower for 100-mile views of seven states on clear days. On cloudy days, you won’t be able to see the ground below the 54-foot tower. Next, continue straight and turn left @ the Y-junction ahead to descend towards the parking lot.
CD007
Location: 35.556848, -83.496249
Follow the wide, paved trail lined with benches for 0.5 mile from the observation tower to the parking lot.
Trail to Mount Collins Shelter
Location: 35.59079, -83.473992
Getting a late start on Clingmans? Hike into the Mount Collins Shelter for the night, then strap on some headlamps the next morning to check out the observation tower at sunrise.
The Smokies or the Amazon?
Location: 35.566759, -83.493369
Clingmans Dome Tower
Location: 35.563355, -83.498368
Clingmans Dome Tower
Location: 35.56298, -83.498497
Misty Views
Location: 35.556855, -83.496169
A misty view from the Clingmans Dome Road