Drive the Great Smoky Mountains at your own pace with an audio-guided route from Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap and Cades Cove. Download once, use for 12 months—hear Cherokee history, pioneer stories, and geology as you pass overlooks, waterfalls, and historic cabins.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You roll out of Gatlinburg before the worst of the traffic and the mountains push themselves into view—blue ridgelines stacking like pages in a weathered book.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness needed for the driving portion; be prepared for short walks up to a few miles on uneven terrain.
Wildlife
History
Cades Cove preserves a dense collection of 19th-century Appalachian homesteads and churches that illustrate settler life and Civil War tensions in the region.
Conservation
The park prioritizes habitat protection and visitor education—stick to roads and trails, pack out trash, and respect seasonal closures to reduce impacts.
Reserve your spot on the Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download before you go
Install the Action Tour Guide app and download the tour over Wi‑Fi—audio works offline but must be saved ahead of time.
Buy one per vehicle
This product is sold per car, not per person—share one download across occupants to save money.
Bring a parking tag
Starting March 2023, parking tags are required for vehicles parked inside the park—purchase in advance on nps.gov to avoid fines.
Plan Cades Cove timing
From May to September, Wednesdays are closed to motor vehicles—expect bikes and walkers; drive the loop another day if you want vehicle access.
Smartphone with the Action Tour Guide app
Needed to run the downloaded audio tour and offline maps.
Reusable water bottle
Hydration for short hikes and warm afternoons in the valley.
Comfortable walking shoes
Sturdy footwear for boardwalks, short trails, and uneven historic sites.
Valid park parking tag / pass
Required for parking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; buy ahead on nps.gov.