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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Great Smoky Mountains

★★★★⯨ 4.7
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Overview

What's Included

✓ Included

  • Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
  • Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
  • Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
  • Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
  • Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
  • GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 180 Points
  • Includes an app based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
  • Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

✗ Not Included

  • Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations

Itinerary

1
Stop 1
As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;
2
Stop 2
The 11-mile loop drive around Cades Cove is the culmination of all the fantastic things about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of the Park's must-do areas. This fertile valley is surrounded by beautiful Smoky peaks, and its idyllic setting and conditions attracted the earliest of European settlers to the region - a place where the Cherokee enjoyed fruitful hunting and foraging. As you tour the loop, we have the opportunity to visit historic cabins, churches, mills and barns. Always keep an eye out for black bears, deer and wild turkeys, which are frequently seen.
3
Stop 3
Driving the Roaring Fork short, one way 6-mile loop drive, is a surprisingly enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours right from Gatlinburg. You quickly leave the bustle of town and find ourselves in the peaceful forest and streams of the Roaring Fork Drive. Along the way you'll see picturesque cabins and buildings from the days before the National Park. Some of the Park's best waterfalls are available on short hikes from the road, including Rainbow and Grotto Falls, or the Trillium Gap Trail. Or directly accessible from the car, Noah "Bud" Ogles cabin, and Place of a Thousand Drips. Pack a lunch and enjoy at one the picnic spots along the way, there are no services along the road. Trailers, RVs and buses are prohibited on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
4
Stop 4
There is a good selection of moderately distanced hikes throughout the national park, and many of them visit attractive waterfalls. It's difficult to declare an absolute best one to choose, but a favorite is the Grotto Falls hike which departs from the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail The 2.6 mile loop trail is not particularly difficult and most hikers will complete it in under 2 hours, with generous time for stops along the way. The falls themselves are pretty, though not massive, but one of the fun things about this hike is that the trail actually passes behind the waterfall.
5
Stop 5
Dating back to 1886, the Mingus Mill served about 200 local families by grinding corn and grains into grits and flour. Learn about the novel (for its time) engineering behind the powering of the mill. Today, the restored building and the square penstocks that direct water make for great photos and you can often see the mill in action from Spring until the Fall.
6
Stop 6
Explorers are always looking for the low points in mountains for easier passable routes. And so when Swiss geographer Guyot found an improved pass, it was given the label Newfound Gap. Because there are several different ecosystems descending through the valley, you find a unique mix of trees including hardwood, pine-oak and spruce that contribute to a stunning fall foliage. And it's the perfect spot to see the blue "smoke" trails that the Smokies are so famous for. The haze is actually moisture released by this vegetation absorbing the sky's blue color. This was the site of the dedication of the National Park, and a memorial acknowledging the vital $5M contribution the Rockefeller family made towards the creation of the Park.
7
Stop 7
Gatlinburg, TN, is the most popular base for accessing the National Park. Located on the doorstop of the National Park, the town features just about every type of paid attraction, entertainment, dining and adventure operators. Or try some of the local moonshine at one of the distilleries. And there are no less than 3 chairlifts and tramways to get you to elevated views above the town.
8
Stop 8
Clingmans Dome is the tallest peak in the Park and on a perfect day, we can see 7 states from the top. At the junction of Newfound Gap Road and the Clingmans Dome access road, we will often see the famous smoky-effect rising from below. After reaching the car park, a paved trail climbs steadily leading to the observation tower. Although the trail is paved, it can be quite steep in places, so wheelchairs are not advised. The trail is 1.2 miles with an elevation of 331 feet. Sitting at over 6,500 feet, you'll see many walkers stopped along the trail trying to catch breath.

Meeting & End Point

📍
Meeting Point
From Townsend, use Townsend Entrance Rd to join the route toward Cades Cove or Sugarlands Visitor Center and Newfound Gap Rd. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” then preview the route in the app.
🏁
End Point
From Townsend, use Townsend Entrance Rd to join the route toward Cades Cove or Sugarlands Visitor Center and Newfound Gap Rd. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” then preview the route in the app.

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Good to Know

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
  • Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
  • Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
  • Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
  • Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
  • Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
  • Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
  • Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
  • Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
  • Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
  • Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
  • US441/Newfound Gap Road is currently closed on the Tennessee side between Sugarlands and Newfound Gap due to a landslide. However, the road remains open on the North Carolina side between Cherokee and Newfound Gap. For more details, please visit the NPS website.
  • The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Known For:

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Special Instructions

Includes an app based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.

STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS
- Email: Search for “GuideAlong”. Check All Mail and junk/spam.
- Text: Search for “GuideAlong”.
- This Ticket: Find the VOUCHER CODE at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step
- Viator App: Open your booking and Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
- TripAdvisor App: Account > Messages.
- Support: Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW
You must download the GuideAlong app and tour to your phone over WiFi or cellular data beforehand. If you can OPEN your tour and see START TOURING, it is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE
There’s no expiry date or time limit for your tour. If your plans change, there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND
Use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to keep your phone charged, not the vehicle's USB port. Audio will play through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the app’s map will display on your phone. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to listen through the car stereo: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

- FAQs: See the GuideAlong app’s Help menu or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
- Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.

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Where to Stay in Gatlinburg

Handpicked hotels near your tour — book with confidence.

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Brookside Lodge
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Brookside Lodge

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Hotel rates powered by Agoda · Prices per night, 2 adults · Availability subject to change.

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