Best Smoky Mountains Tours from Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
Prices & schedules checked October 18, 2026
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is right on Gatlinburg’s doorstep, and you can drive it yourself. A guided tour is worth it if you don’t want to deal with parking and pull-offs, or you want someone to explain the logging history, the plants and the wildlife as you go. Tours fall into three types: small-group van tours from Gatlinburg, open-air Jeep tours from Pigeon Forge (some add an off-road stretch on private land), and guided hikes.
Side by side
| Tour | Price (as listed Oct 2026) | Length | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Classic” National Park Tour (Smoky Mountain Guides) | From $85 on Viator (varies by group size) | 3 hours | Gatlinburg Welcome Center, 1011 Banner Rd |
| High Points tour to Kuwohi (Smoky Mountain Guides) | From $85 on Viator or GetYourGuide | 3 hours | Gatlinburg Welcome Center |
| Pink Jeep: Newfound Gap + off-road | From $118 on GetYourGuide | 3 hours | 2611 Parkway, Pigeon Forge |
| Smoky Mountains Jeep Tours (Roaring Fork, Newfound Gap or Foothills Parkway) | From $124.59 on Viator | 2.5–3 hours | 112 Community Center Dr, Pigeon Forge |
| Chasing Waterfalls guided hike | From $95 on Viator | 3 hours | Sugarlands Visitor Center |
| 40-Foot Falls guided hike | From $89 on GetYourGuide | 3.5 hours | Mynatt Park, Gatlinburg |
Our take
- Best first tour: the “Classic” from Gatlinburg — 3 hours, up to 10 people, with stops at the Elkmont area, along Newfound Gap Road and at Newfound Gap on the Tennessee–North Carolina line.
- Want the highest point? The High Points tour adds Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome). Kuwohi Road is scheduled to be open April 1 – November 29 in 2026, per the NPS, so from late November this route can’t include it — check with the operator.
- Want open air and a bit of adventure? The Pigeon Forge Jeep tours. Pink Jeep’s Newfound Gap tour ends with a 4x4 off-road ride; it isn’t suitable for pregnant guests or children under 2.
- Want to walk? Book a guided hike — but note you drive your own car to the trailhead on both hikes below, so you’ll need a parking tag.
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Small group · 3 hrs
The “Classic” National Park Tour
- Price From $85 on Viator; varies by group size (as listed Oct 2026)
- Route Elkmont area, Newfound Gap Road and Newfound Gap (above 5,000 ft, on the state line), per the itinerary
- Meets Upper parking lot behind the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, 1011 Banner Rd
- Group Up to 10; snacks and bottled water included; listed as not wheelchair accessible
- Cancellation Free up to 24 hours ahead (Viator listing). Supplier: Smoky Mountain Guides
Small group · 3 hrs
High Points tour: Newfound Gap Road & Kuwohi
- Price From $85 on Viator and on GetYourGuide (as listed Oct 2026)
- Route Newfound Gap Road, Kuwohi (the park’s highest point) and Newfound Gap, mostly on the North Carolina side
- Meets Gatlinburg Welcome Center, 1011 Banner Rd
- Group Up to 10; snacks and water included. The two listings disagree on wheelchair access, so ask the operator
- Season Kuwohi Road’s 2026 season is April 1 – November 29 (NPS)
Open-air Jeep · 3 hrs
Pink Jeep: Newfound Gap and Smoky Mountains Jeep Tour
- Price From $118 on GetYourGuide (as listed Oct 2026)
- Route Sugarlands Visitor Center, photo stops, Newfound Gap with a short walk on the Appalachian Trail, then a 4x4 off-road ride
- Meets Pink Jeep Tours, 2611 Parkway, Pigeon Forge; hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as included
- Group Up to 8. Not suitable for pregnant guests or children under 2
- Cancellation Free up to 2 days ahead (GetYourGuide listing)
Open-air Jeep
Smoky Mountains Jeep Tours (Pigeon Forge)
- Price From $124.59 on Viator for each route (as listed Oct 2026)
- Routes Roaring Fork (2 hr 30 min), Newfound Gap (3 hours) or Foothills Parkway (3 hours)
- Meets 112 Community Center Dr, Pigeon Forge (inside Harpoon Harry’s); free on-site parking
- Tips Gratuity not included; 18% added for parties of 6+ at check-in. Bring car seats for young children
- Season The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail’s 2026 season is May 1 – November 29 (NPS); ask what the Roaring Fork tour covers outside it
On foot
Guided waterfall hikes
- Chasing Waterfalls (A Walk in the Woods) 3 hours from the Sugarlands Visitor Center; you follow the guide in your own car and the hike ends at the Chimney Tops trailhead. Moderate fitness needed; minimum 2 people. From $95 on Viator (as listed Oct 2026).
- 40-Foot Falls Hike (Tours by Stella) 3.5 hours from Mynatt Park, Gatlinburg, driving in convoy to the trailhead; 3–3.5 miles, moderate to difficult, not recommended for children under 7. From $89 on GetYourGuide (as listed Oct 2026).
Driving yourself into the park? A Great Smoky Mountains parking tag is required to park anywhere in the park for more than 15 minutes: $5 daily, $15 weekly or $40 annual (NPS). Tags must show the license plate of the car they’re in, so with a rental car buy yours in person once you know the plate. NPS fees page.
Sources
- Viator — The “Classic” National Park Tour (price, 3 hours, itinerary, meeting point, max 10)
- Viator — High Points Driving Tour (price, itinerary)
- GetYourGuide — Two-State Great Smoky Mountains High Points Tour (price, meeting point)
- GetYourGuide — Pink Jeep: Newfound Gap and Smoky Mountains Jeep Tour (price, route, 2611 Parkway, 2-day cancellation)
- Viator — Smoky Mountains Jeep Tours: Newfound Gap / Foothills Parkway / Roaring Fork (prices, lengths, meeting point, gratuity)
- Viator — Chasing Waterfalls: A Smoky Mountain Guided Hike (price, Sugarlands, own vehicle)
- GetYourGuide — Smoky Mountains National Park 40-Foot Falls Hike (price, Mynatt Park, distance, age)
- NPS — Seasonal road schedule (Kuwohi Road 4/1–11/29; Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail 5/1–11/29, 2026)
- NPS — Fees & passes (parking tags $5/$15/$40, 15-minute rule, license plate)