Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

Departure Point

• Tours work in both directions. The tour can begin in Gatlinburg and end in Cherokee, or vice versa.

• After booking the tour, search your emails for "self-guided tour." Your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
  

Return Details

• Tours work in both directions. The tour can begin in Gatlinburg and end in Cherokee, or vice versa.

• After booking the tour, search your emails for "self-guided tour." Your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
  

Duration
2 hours - 3 hours

Languages Available

• Audio guide - English

Points of Interest

Stop At: Newfound Gap Road
Between Sugarlands and Oconoluftee, 13.2 MIles from Sugarlands Visitor Center is the state line marker overlook, Tennessee
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. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Mingus Mill
, 1/2 Mile North of Oconaluftee Visitor Center, North Carolina
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Clingmans Dome Visitor Contact Station
Clingmans Dome Road, Bryson City, NC 28713
Heading toward Clingman's Dome, you'll soon see its famous observation tower. You really haven't seen the Great Smoky Mountains until you've seen them from up here!
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Quiet Walkways
Tennessee
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Morton Overlook
Us-441, Tennessee
After that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Oconaluftee Visitor Center
1194 Newfound Gap Road, , Tennessee
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!
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Rockefeller Memorial
Newfound Gap Stae Line Marker, 13.75 Miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Carlos Campbell Overlook
Newfound Gap Rd, A little over 2 miles from Gatlinburg on Newfound Gap Rd, Tennessee
The next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Morton Mountain Tunnel
U.S. 441, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Continuing on, you'll pass through the heart of a mountain using the Morton Tunnel. Here, you'll also hear about how a politician named Ben Morton got his name all over the park.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Alum Cave Trail
Tennessee
Next you'll pass the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the remains of an old salt mine packed with fascinating history.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Chimney Tops Overlook
U.S. 441, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Rainbow Falls Trail
Tennessee
Next up is the most accessible trail in the park! Sugarlands Valley Trail can be accessed by wheelchair or stroller, and offers a great way to venture into the scenic wilderness. We'll also turn back the clock to get an in-depth look at the complicated history of this valley and the settlers who once lived here.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Cataract Falls
Cove Mountain Trail, Tennessee
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The tour leads next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, a perfect rest stop and the site of a few trailheads.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Ripley's Believe It or Not!
800 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
US-441, Tennessee
Your drive continues to Cataract Falls, a beautiful, secluded set of waterfalls tucked beneath a shaded canopy of beech trees.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Alfred Reagan Tub Mill
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Finally, you'll arrive in the picturesque mountian town of Gatlinburg, where your tour will conclude.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Grotto Falls Trail
, , Tennessee
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: The Place of a Thousand Drips
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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!
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Baskins Creek Falls
Baskins Creek Trail Trailhead, Baskins Creek Trail, Tennessee
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail
Tennessee
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!
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Sugarlands Visitors Center
2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US-441, , Tennessee
Why settle for one waterfall when you can have several? Our next stop is the Place of a Thousand Drips, where numerous narrow falls come together to form a stunning torrent.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Kuwohi
Clingmans Dome Trail, About 19.6 Miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center, Tennessee
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.
Duration: 5 minutes

Additional Information

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
• Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
• Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Inclusions

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

Exclusions

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Redemption Instructions
You’re not done yet! It’s time to set up the tour you purchased.

Follow these steps now, while in wifi/signal. Do NOT wait until your travel date or while onsite.

1. Find the tour’s setup instructions:

Email: search for the phrase "Your tour operator sent you a message” OR “Set up your Action Tour Guide self-guided tour now." If it’s not in your Inbox, check All Mail.

Text: check for a text from 415-980-4997

Viator App Messages: open Viator app > Bookings > View Voucher > Contact Tour Operator

TripAdvisor App Messages: open TripAdvisor app > Account > Messages

Can’t find it? Ask us to resend: https://actiontourguide.com/redeem/

2. Follow the setup instructions NOW, not later:

You MUST do this before traveling to the site. Requires WiFi/signal.

Do NOT wait until your travel date to access the tour for the first time. The tour is not tied to your travel date.

3. Not familiar with our self-guided audio tour?

Watch this quick tutorial:
https://actiontourguide.com/tutorial

⚠️ Important Note:
Your purchase is for the audio tour ONLY. It does not include entrance tickets to parks or attractions.

(US 441/Newfound Gap Road will close at 6pm)

⚠️ CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. Connect your phone via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux for audio. Use phone speakers if needed.

Have a question - We’re here to help! For quick answers, visit the app's FAQ section or our website at actiontourguide.com/faq. If you need further assistance, please call us at +1 435-288-0560, chat with us online, or email us at support@actiontourguide.com. We're committed to providing you with the support you need every step of the way!

Road Closures Due to Weather Conditions

Weather and road conditions can vary significantly at different elevations. Please visit the page linked below for information about temporary closures, alerts, or warnings related to roads, facilities, trails, or backcountry areas.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Travel with Action in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.

This offer is not eligible for promo codes.