12 Best Towns and Cities Near Smoky Mountains National Park
These towns and cities near Smoky Mountains National Park range from buzzing tourist hot spots to quiet communities in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels — you can find them all in the best towns near Smoky Mountains National Park. Located on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, the national park is the most popular one in the country, so picking the right place to stay in the Smokies can mean the difference between traffic and bright lights or the sounds of birds chirping and streams rushing.
This list of towns and cities near Smoky Mountains National Park includes large hubs with airports and chain hotels and small towns in the Smoky Mountains with mom-and-pop shops and elk for neighbors.
In addition to a round-up of locations and all the details on proximity to the park, I’ve included ideas for exactly where to stay, from Tennessee cabins for rent in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to bed and breakfasts in North Carolina. I prefer to stay in a quiet spot surrounded by nature, but there are also bustling tourist towns full of amenities that may suit you better!
Keep scrolling for Smoky Mountains cities and villages you should consider on your next vacation.
Cities and Towns In Smoky Mountains National Park
These towns near Smoky Mountains National Park include gateway hubs like Gatlinburg, cities with airports like Knoxville, and small communities nearby like Waynesville in North Carolina and Townsend in Tennessee.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds
If you want to camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are 10 front country campground locations, including spots in Cades Cove just south of Townsend and Deep Creek near Bryson City. Park campgrounds have running water and flush toilets, but no shower facilities or water and electrical hookups.
Since Great Smoky Mountains is the most popular national park in the country, it’s best to make a camping reservation ahead of time to secure your spot.
There are also several campgrounds on the outskirts of the park around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee. Typically these options will have hookups for Great Smoky Mountains RV camping, shower facilities, and even resort-style amenities like swimming pools and sports courts.
Gatlinburg
Perhaps the most well-known city near Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg and the Smokies have long been synonymous. The gateway town in Tennessee is just minutes from a visitor center and several waterfall hikes in the national park.
Aside from the outdoor activities nearby, Gatlinburg is packed with kitschy tourist attractions, including the Gatlinburg Space Needle and a skylift for elevated views, mini golf and laser tag for family fun, and adventure parks with activities like zip lining and mountain coasters nearby.
With all these amenities come crowds, though. Over 14 million people visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, and many of them stay in Gatlinburg. This means inflated hotel prices, crazy traffic, and long lines at the chain restaurants downtown.
If you want the convenience of staying here without the hassle, look for cabins for rent in the Great Smoky Mountains outside the city. Or, head further away to towns near Gatlinburg, TN, like Cosby and Newport on the east side or Townsend on the west.
Where to Stay in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg has tons of hotel options in a wide variety of price ranges. These are some of the top-reviewed options on my favorite hotel booking platform.
The Appy Lodge is also convenient to downtown with indoor and outdoor pools, free parking and a complimentary breakfast. Some of the rooms here have mountain views, fireplaces and balconies!
Old Creek Lodge has a cozy feel with a fireplace and balcony in each room. It’s along the Gatlinburg trolley route so you don’t have to worry about parking downtown and it has a swimming pool.
Pigeon Forge
Best known for the Dollywood theme park, the Smoky Mountains city of Pigeon Forge is about 10 miles north of the national park entrance in Tennessee. Like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge is set up for action-packed family vacations and is one of the best cities near Gatlinburg for a wide range of amenities and activities.
Restaurants, shops, and amusements (think go-karts, arcades, mini golf) here are located along a large highway, so it’s less walkable but also less packed than Gatlinburg. The Dollywood resort area is just a couple of miles from downtown.
Where to Stay in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge has over 14,000 lodging units, so you can find hotels and rentals in a variety of price ranges, from budget-friendly inns downtown to pricey resorts and lodges with views on the outskirts.
Twin Mountain Inn and Suites has fireplace and balcony rooms on the river, a seasonal pool, and an outdoor fire pit with rocking chairs.
Music Road Resort is perfect for families with an outdoor water park, hot tub, game room and continental breakfast.
Sevierville
A statue of Dolly Parton and her guitar sits in the courthouse square of Sevierville, Tennessee, birthplace of the country music legend. The city near Smoky Mountains National Park is just north of Pigeon Forge and about 30 minutes from the park entrance.
While there are still a few attractions here, including a waterpark and aviation museum, the city is noticeably less touristy than Gatlinburg and has a restored historic district downtown with local shops and eateries.
Sevierville is a great option if you’re looking for affordable places to stay near the Smoky Mountains or prefer towns and cities near Pigeon Forge that are a bit less busy.
Where to Stay in Sevierville
Central Hotel is the best place to stay near historic downtown Sevierville. The contemporary property has city views and family rooms and is a short walk to local shops and cafes.
Berry Springs Lodge is a lux option outside of town perfect for Smoky Mountains honeymoons or couples getaways. Rooms and suites have private balconies and some feature fireplaces and spa tubs.
Wears Valley
Towns near Smoky Mountains National Park like Wears Valley offer the convenience of tourist hotspot amenities without the constant noise and activity. The small town near Gatlinburg is about 15 miles west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center for Great Smoky Mountains. But, it’s just 3 miles off Little River Gorge Road, a popular drive in the park to see waterfalls.
A handful of local eateries and shops are scattered along Wears Valley Road, and accommodation options include RV parks, small hotels, and cabin rentals tucked in the woods. Wears Valley is best for those looking for towns in the Smoky Mountains that are less crowded and more connected to the natural surroundings.
Where to Stay in Wears Valley
Townsend
Known as the “peaceful side of the Smokies,” Townsend, Tennessee, is the place to be for riverside cabins and small town charm. It still has everything you need for a mountain vacation — coffee shops, restaurants, outfitters — but with far less of a kitschy and commercial vibe than Gatlinburg.
While Townsend is about a 45 minute drive from the Gatlinburg entrance to the park, it’s one of the closest cities near Smoky Mountains’ Cades Cove, a scenic driving loop with historic homesteads and wildlife. It’s also just 20 miles from the airport in Knoxville.
Where to Stay in Townsend
Dancing Bear Lodge is a large resort-style property with rooms and private cabins. An on-site restaurant, gardens, dog park and coffee shop are among the amenities.
Highland Manor Inn is a budget-friendly option with an outdoor pool, playground and breakfast buffet.
Maryville and Alcoa
The Maryville and Alcoa area is home to McGhee Tyson Airport, one of the best gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains. Since it’s about 45 minutes to Cades Cove and Little River Gorge, and well over an hour to Gatlinburg, you probably shouldn’t make this your base Smoky Mountains city. But, it might be convenient to stay here a night on your way in or out or stop for groceries at one of the bigger markets.
Where to Stay in Maryville and Alcoa
Knoxville
Similar to Maryville, this bigger city near Smoky Mountains National Park doesn’t make the best base for day trips into the park — it’s about 40 miles to the Sugarlands or Cades Cove entrances. But, as the third largest city in Tennessee, Knoxville is worth a stop on it’s own accord if you’re road tripping to the park.
Located on the Tennessee River, Knoxville hosted the 1982 World’s Fair expo and today the World’s Fair Park is home to an observation tower, the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and an amphitheater performance space.
Where to Stay in Knoxville
Knoxville has hundreds of accommodations to pick from, but if you’re looking for a unique place to stay, these are a few standouts.
The Tennessean is a lux property downtown with an on-site restaurant and rooms with views.
Cherokee
Located on the south side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee is less than 5 miles from the Oconaluftee entrance and visitor center. One of the best Smoky Mountains towns in North Carolina, it’s on Cherokee Nation land and preserves the heritage at attractions like the Oconaluftee Indian Village, a replica of an 18th century Cherokee community, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, with art and culture exhibits.
Cherokee is also just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and has a short hike to 120-foot-high Mingo Falls nearby that you shouldn’t miss. While it takes an hour or so to drive over to Gatlinburg and Little River Gorge Road from here, several other GSMNP destinations are along the route, including the Mountain Farm Museum, Clingman’s Dome, popular hikes at Alum Cave Bluffs and Chimney Tops, and several scenic mountain lookouts.
While it’s not a big city near the Smoky Mountains, Cherokee is set up for tourists, with plenty of budget-friendly hotels, shops and restaurants, and a casino resort.
Where to Stay in Cherokee
Cherokee has a selection of budget motels and inns, including well-known chains and a few local properties.
Stonebrook Lodge is across the road from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, so you can easily pop over to check out the entertainment and dining.
On my last visit I stayed at the Bay Mountain Inn, a low-cost, low-frills hotel with a seasonal pool and a fridge and microwave in the room.
Bryson City
Neighboring Cherokee, Bryson City sits along the Tuckasegee River and is one of the closest towns near Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side. From here, it’s less than 15 miles to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and park entrance.
Aside from the nearby national park attractions, one of the best things to do in Bryson City is a train ride with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Routes venture into gorges, through tunnels, and to historic mountain towns.
A walkable commercial district here has diners and gift shops, and a selection of small inns and chain hotels are scattered around the Smoky Mountain town.
Where to Stay in Bryson City
McKinley Edwards Inn is a small guesthouse with a garden and daily continental breakfast.
Stonebrook Lodge has an indoor pool and is in walking distance to downtown shops and restaurants.
Nantahala Village has rooms with mountain views and onsite amenities like a pool, fitness center and game room.
Asheville
With the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and tons of waterfalls and parks nearby, Asheville is one of the cities near the Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side with the most things to do.
While it’s not the most convenient for day trips into the park — about 40 miles from the Cataloochee Valley and 55 miles from the Oconaluftee entrance — Asheville is a vacation destination of its own that can easily be paired with the Smokies. Plus, it has a fast-growing regional airport.
Downtown Asheville has tons of options for dining and shopping, but with a much more homegrown small business vibe than Gatlinburg. Make sure to stop by the River Arts District for tacos and street art and drive out of town on the the Blue Ridge Parkway for scenic overlooks and waterfall hikes.
Where to Stay in Asheville
Asheville has so many amazing places to stay, from modern downtown hotels in walking distance to shops and restaurants, to cozy bed and breakfasts in historic districts.
Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate has a heated pool, on-site dining and a nearby winery.
Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville has rooms with views of the mountains and is in the perfect spot to walk to local shops and restaurants.
Waynesville, Lake Junaluska and Maggie Valley
Waynesville, Lake Junaluska and Maggie Valley are neighboring towns near the Smoky Mountains about midway between Cherokee and Asheville. If you’re looking for somewhere a little less crowded and budget-friendly to stay on the North Carolina side of the park, this area makes a great option.
From Waynesville, it takes about 35 minutes to reach the quiet Cataloochee area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park or 50 minutes to the Oconaluftee entrance. The Blue Ridge Mountains loom over the valley here, and in less than 20 minutes, you can drive up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway to view the towns from above.
There’s also lots of mom-and-pop restaurants in this area dishing everything from barbeque and southern cuisine to pizza, pasta and seafood.
Where to Stay in Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska
Between the three Smoky Mountains towns you’ll find an assortment of waterfront inns, bed and breakfasts, and low-cost chain motels.
Four Seasons Inn on a creek in Maggie Valley is highly reviewed. Some rooms are on the waterfront with spa tubs!
The Terrace Hotel at Lake Junaluska is a large conference-center property with a seasonal pool, continental breakfast, tennis court and fitness center. Rooms on the lakeside have a view!
Hot Springs
Hot Springs isn’t an obvious choice of towns near Smoky Mountains, but the small community in North Carolina is one of the best gateways to the remote Cataloochee section of the park. Located along the French Broad River and Spring Creek, it’s named for the natural mineral waters that local resorts pipe into bubbling tubs.
The town has a few inns and bed and breakfasts, as well as a small commercial district for dining. This is a great option for a place to stay near the Smoky Mountains for a more relaxed and less crowded vacation.
Where to Stay in Hot Springs
Tips for Where to Stay in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
These are a few of the things you need to know when deciding where to stay in the Smokies, plus frequently asked questions.
Which City is Closest to the Smoky Mountains?
There are a few cities on either side of the national park, but Gatlinburg is one of the nearest cities to the Smokies and a great choice for family vacations.
What City Do You Fly Into for the Smoky Mountains?
On the Tennessee side, the closest airport to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is McGhee Tyson Airport, just south of Knoxville. It’s about 20 miles from Townsend and 45 miles from Gatlinburg.
On the North Carolina side, Asheville Regional Airport is about 60 miles from Cherokee and the south entrance to the national park.
Is Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge Closer to the Smokies?
Gatlinburg is just outside of an entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so it is the closest city of the pair. However, Pigeon Forge is just 7 miles north, so it’s also a great place to stay in the Smokies.
