Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Tennessee / North Carolina, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Southern Appalachian forest (300–2,000 m)
- Best season
- April – May, September – November
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Southern Appalachian forest (300–2,000 m)
- Best season: April – May, September – November
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
Topic summary
800 square miles of Southern Appalachian ridgeline, cove hardwoods, and the highest concentration of black bears in the East.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: April – May, September – November
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Southern Appalachian forest (300–2,000 m)
Verification notes
Permit source: NPS — Great Smoky Mountains backcountry camping.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Bear Country Food StorageBear country: canister, Ursack or hang, and the local rules.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
Plan with verified data
Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry trip tools
How to get there
Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans Tennessee and North Carolina. Choose a specific trail approach before planning the drive; no road directions or trailhead locations are established here.
- Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A broad geographic starting point for access planning, not a specific entrance or trailhead. Confirm the approach that serves the intended backcountry route.
- North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The park also extends into North Carolina. Select and verify a specific access location before treating this side of the park as the start of an itinerary.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
Wildlife guideBlack bearUrsus americanus
Big gameWhitetail DeerOdocoileus virginianus
GamefishLargemouth BassMicropterus nigricans
Wildlife guideNorth American beaverCastor canadensis
Big gameWild HogSus scrofa
GamefishRed DrumSciaenops ocellatus
Wildlife guideSnowshoe hareLepus americanus
Big gameBlack BearUrsus americanus
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Great Smoky Mountains BackcountryAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
Planning to fish Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry, North Carolina? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in North Carolina are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry?
- A North Carolina fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current North Carolina fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
Thinking about hunting Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry, North Carolina? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in North Carolina are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry?
- Confirm the land around Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in North Carolina?
- A North Carolina hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A backcountry trip across two states
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles Tennessee and North Carolina, placing this backcountry destination within a large protected mountain landscape rather than a single trail corridor. The park is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. Its substantial size makes choosing a specific objective important: a visit centered on Kuwohi and an outing along the Appalachian Trail are different planning starting points, not interchangeable itineraries. Begin with the part of the mountains that interests you, then confirm the actual trail access and overnight arrangements before committing to a route. Treat the state border as geographic context rather than an access plan; a destination name alone does not establish where to park or begin walking.
Kuwohi and the high mountain landscape
Kuwohi, formerly officially named Clingmans Dome, is the clearest high-elevation landmark for planning here. At 6,643 feet, it is the highest mountain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the highest point in Tennessee, and the highest point along the Appalachian Trail. It is also the third-highest point in eastern mainland North America. Those distinctions make it a useful geographic anchor, but they do not establish the length or difficulty of any particular approach. Plan clothing and weather protection for a mountain outing rather than assuming conditions will match those at lower elevations. For a walk focused on Kuwohi, confirm the approach, elevation change, and return plan separately; the summit elevation is not a measure of how much climbing an outing requires.
Access, visitation, and realistic planning
The park has year-round accessibility and lies within a few hundred miles of several large cities. It also draws very heavy visitation: 14.1 million visits were recorded in 2021. That park-wide figure is useful context for arrival planning, not a prediction of how many people will share a particular backcountry route. Allow flexibility around the start of a trip, and distinguish general park accessibility from the current usability of a chosen approach. Year-round access does not mean every mountain outing is equally suitable in every season or weather pattern. Before setting out, confirm current access conditions and backcountry requirements with the managing agency. Carry the navigation, water, food, and weather protection appropriate to the route ultimately selected.
Route options
- Kuwohi-focused outing
Use the park's highest mountain as the objective. This is a planning option rather than a verified itinerary; confirm the trail approach, return route, and current access before departure.
- Appalachian Trail outing
Plan a section of the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies, where the trail reaches its highest point at Kuwohi. Specific endpoints and overnight arrangements need to be established before this becomes a usable route.
Sample itineraries
- Kuwohi high-point day · 1 day
Build a mountain day around Kuwohi, formerly called Clingmans Dome. At 6,643 feet, it is the park’s highest mountain. Confirm the approach, current access and conditions before choosing a route; leave enough time and energy for the return.
- Appalachian Trail overnight planning outline · 2 days
Plan a two-day backcountry outing on the Appalachian Trail with Kuwohi as the geographic focus. The mountain is the trail’s highest point. Choose daily mileage, access points and an overnight location only after confirming current maps and backcountry requirements with the park.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; check conditions for your chosen elevation
Treat a high-mountain outing differently from a lower-elevation visit. Check the forecast and route status before departure, and carry layers and rain protection rather than relying on conditions where the drive begins.
Summer
Summer; choose timing using the current forecast
Plan water, sun protection and weather protection for the full outing. Kuwohi reaches 6,643 feet, so do not assume conditions at the mountain will match those at your starting point.
Fall
Fall; verify daylight and mountain conditions
Set a turnaround time that leaves daylight for the return. Carry insulation and a headlamp, and check the forecast at the elevation of the planned route.
Winter
Winter; confirm route-specific access
The park is accessible year-round, but that does not establish access to every backcountry route. Confirm conditions before committing to a high-elevation trip and select equipment and objectives appropriate to the forecast.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; check conditions for your chosen elevation | Treat a high-mountain outing differently from a lower-elevation visit. Check the forecast and route status before departure, and carry layers and rain protection rather than relying on conditions where the drive begins. |
| Summer | Summer; choose timing using the current forecast | Plan water, sun protection and weather protection for the full outing. Kuwohi reaches 6,643 feet, so do not assume conditions at the mountain will match those at your starting point. |
| Fall | Fall; verify daylight and mountain conditions | Set a turnaround time that leaves daylight for the return. Carry insulation and a headlamp, and check the forecast at the elevation of the planned route. |
| Winter | Winter; confirm route-specific access | The park is accessible year-round, but that does not establish access to every backcountry route. Confirm conditions before committing to a high-elevation trip and select equipment and objectives appropriate to the forecast. |
Hazards & regulations
- High-elevation weather: check mountain forecasts and carry protection against cold and wet conditions, particularly around Kuwohi.
- Overcommitting to a route: match mileage and elevation gain to the group’s ability and leave a clear turnaround margin.
- Navigation and access uncertainty: use current maps and verify the chosen approach rather than treating year-round park accessibility as a guarantee for every route.
What to pack for Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
- Rain shell
- Insulating layer
- Weather-appropriate hiking clothing
- Current trail map
- Compass or offline navigation
- Headlamp
- First-aid supplies
- Food and drinking water
- Shelter suitable for the forecast
- Sleeping bag and pad
- Food-storage equipment that meets current park requirements
Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry FAQ
- Where is the Great Smoky Mountains backcountry?
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Tennessee–North Carolina border in the southeastern United States.
- Are Kuwohi and Clingmans Dome the same mountain?
- Yes. Kuwohi was formerly officially named Clingmans Dome. It stands at 6,643 feet and is the highest mountain in the park and the highest point in Tennessee.
- Does the Appalachian Trail reach Kuwohi?
- Kuwohi is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail. Use a current trail map to select an approach and determine whether a day outing or overnight plan fits your group.
- Can the park be visited year-round?
- The park has year-round accessibility. Confirm access and conditions for the specific backcountry route before leaving; general park accessibility does not guarantee that a particular approach is available.
- Should a backcountry trip be planned around solitude?
- Do not assume solitude simply because the park is large. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is heavily visited, though park-wide visitation does not establish how busy any particular backcountry route will be.