Drive over the crest of the Smokies on a 5-hour scenic loop from Gatlinburg into Oconaluftee Valley. Stops include Newfound Gap overlooks, an 1886 grist mill and elk-viewing meadows near the Mountain Farm Museum.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Mist clings to spruce and fir as the van climbs toward Newfound Gap, the road slicing through ridgelines with views that demand the window be cracked. You cross the crest of the Smokies from Tennessee into North Carolina on a ribbon of pavement that gains to more than 5,000 feet, each pullout offering a sharper, colder panorama.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
5 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required; mostly vehicle-based with short, easy walks and some uneven surfaces
Wildlife
History
The Oconaluftee Valley preserves late-19th-century mountain farm buildings and is on lands historically used by the Cherokee and later Euro-American mountain families.
Conservation
Elk were reintroduced in 2001 and are managed carefully; visitors should follow leave-no-trace principles and avoid feeding wildlife to protect park ecology.
Reserve your spot on the Over the Top Tour in Oconaluftee today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Layer for elevation shifts
Temperatures can change quickly above 5,000 ft—bring a windproof midlayer and a warm hat for overlooks.
Binoculars improve elk viewing
Pack compact binoculars to scan fields at a distance—elk are often visible but stay far from road edges.
Respect wildlife distances
Stay in the vehicle or on marked trails; elk and bears are wild and can charge if approached.
Timing for light and crowds
Early morning or late afternoon offers softer light and higher wildlife activity; midday is busiest at pullouts.
Layered jacket
Keeps you warm during rapid temperature changes at higher elevations.
Binoculars
Helps spot elk and distant wildlife in meadows without approaching them.
Sturdy walking shoes
Useful for short walks on dirt, boardwalks and uneven terrain at museum sites.
Phone or camera with extra battery
Capture panoramic vistas and wildlife; cold drains batteries faster at elevation.