We leave for vacation to Sedona in 1 week. The trail will take between 2 hours to 2 hours and 15 minutes at a slow or normal pace. about Clingmans Dome and knew it was the highest point in the Great Smokies and worth the hike for its 100 mile long views, on a clear day. Short on hokey seaside amusement and long on natural beauty, but they'll be farther from Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee. Quick Facts on the Clingmans Dome Trail . I would like to avoid the midday crowds for getting a parking space I see reading reviews. At the summit, hikers are greeted with incredible views of the Smoky Mountains National Park below them. From downtown Gatlinburg, the scenic 23-mile drive to Clingmans Dome will take approximately one hour. Take the main Parkway out of Gatlinburg towards the Sugarlands Visitor Center. At the Visitor Center, continue straight for another 13 miles. Approximately one-tenth of a mile after Newfound Gap, make a right onto Clingmans Dome Road. Directions: Turn off Newfound Gap Road 0.1 mile south of Newfound Gap and follow the 7-mile-long Clingmans Dome Road to the large parking area at the end. If you choose a short walking trail to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, it shouldnt take you longer than half an hour. Not everyone who goes missing remains missing. See our state high points map to learn about Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet the highest point in Tennessee. But if you prefer one of the other trails on this list, it will take you anywhere from 2 hours to a whole day. How late in the afternoon should I take my family to get a parking space to take pictures of sunlit Cathedral Rock with Oak Creek in the foreground? Grizzly bears and American Buffalo are among the most legendary. If you choose a short walking trail to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, it shouldnt take you longer than half an hour. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Clingmans Dome Hike. 2. Watch the video, Clingmans Dome - Highpoint of the Great Smoky Mountains, to learn more about the Dome. Things to Know About the Clingmans Dome Hike. Length: 1.2 miles roundtrip. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome. From the Elkmont Ranger Station, follow the Little River Trail to the Goshen Prong Trail for a 13-mile trek to Clingmans Dome. Elevation Gain: 330 ft. Time Required: 15-30 minutes. 14 / 31. Be prepared to hike UP! If youre looking for a day hike on your way back from Clingmans Dome, a hike to another Chimney Tops overlook is one of your choices! How long will it take to drive to Clingmans Dome? Details: Clingmans Dome has three claims to fame, being the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains, in Tennessee and on the Appalachian Trail. Toggle Navigation. Take a dip in Yellowstone Lake. This 2.4-mile long, narrow, and rocky path requires hikers to clamber in places up a stone staircase to reach the top. Clingmans Dome is about a 45 minute drive from Gatlinburg. Then youll take the road to drive up (and it will be UP) around 7 miles to the very end of the road! Trailblazers can hike portions of the Appalachian Trail which can be accessed at multiple points, including Clingmans Dome, where you can enjoy views of neighboring Tennessee. The most popular and shortest hiking trail to Clingmans Dome is just over a mile round trip. How hard is the hike from the parking lot to the Dome Scenic overlook? 14 Is Clingmans Dome Road closed? Have an adventurous 5 year old and 7 year old that have hiked before. From the Elkmont Ranger Station, follow the Little River Trail to the Goshen Prong Trail for a 13-mile trek to Clingmans Dome. It starts at the Clingmans Dome parking lot and goes for 3.5 miles with an elevation of 860 feet. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Clingmans Dome: Fall Color Tour in the Smoky Mountains (From $115.00) Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self Driving Tour (From $10.00) Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours (From $15.00) Clingmans Dome Hike (From $240.00) (Finally Explained!) It takes an average of seven days to hike the full route, or you can start. This trail requires a one or two day loop hike that takes you to the summit of several of the highest peaks in North Carolina. Mountains. The highest summit of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee is Clingmans Dome at 6643. Height: 6643 feet. Location: On the North Carolina / Tennessee border. and pace yourself. The answer depends entirely on which route you decide to try. Directly on the AT: Yes. Experience Clingmans Dome without the crowds by hiking in the winter months. Take a guided hike on the Long Trail, Americas oldest long-distance hiking trail, to enjoy 360 views and Vermonts glorious fall colors; Soak in views from Mount Mansfield, the highest point in the Green Mountains (4,395 ft) Drive up to Clingmans Dome (open April-November) to take in expansive views from the parks highest point; It has amazing views and is a unique hiking experience. The pinnacle of the Great Smokies, 6,643-foot Clingmans Dome also ranks as the third-highest mountain in the eastern U.S. Its parking area offers far-reaching views, but theres an even more stunning panorama awaiting those who slog up the steep paved path a half-mile to the observation tower at the summit. The path is paved and there are benches along the way, in case you need to rest. Bask in the glory that is the Old Faithful geyser. 1. But in addition to the Clingmans Dome Trail, there is some decent hiking in the area as well. This high elevation bald provides beautiful views of the North Carolina side of the national park. Additionally, the Appalachian Trail passes by Clingmans Dome, so visitors can easily hike a few miles going north or southbound on the AT. On average, Clingmans Dome is cooler and wetter than lower elevations in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Can I hike to Clingmans Dome? Clingmans Dome hike - .5 miles, steep but how hard Jun 6, 2021, 8:26 PM Planning on heading to Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge next week. What is the longest trail in the Great Smoky Mountains? Hiked to the summit of Mount LeConte via the Alum Cave Trail. Thank you. How do you climb Clingmans Dome? And the end of Clingmans The Clingmans Dome hike is fully paved and only half a mile. Clingmans Dome is 25 miles from Cherokee, NC or 23 miles from Gatlinburg, TN. The closest city to Clingmans Dome is Bryson City, NC. Dog Friendly: No (and this includes the rest of the trails in Smoky Mountains National Park as well). How long is the Clingmans Dome drive? Clingmans Dome Trail to Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 0.5 miles away. A few more hundred miles of hiking and horse trails can be followed to even better appreciate the Shenandoah Valley. rivers, and waterfalls regularly appear along hiking routes. More Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail is a 1.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Bryson City, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, and nature trips and is best used from April until November. If you choose a short walking trail to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, it shouldnt take you longer than half an hour. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, and nature trips and is best used from April until November. The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. How Long Does It Take To Walk Up Clingmans Dome? Rating: Moderate, due to steep grade uphill. High up in the forests of Tennessee looms a series of 6,000 foot mountains that make up Smoky Mountain National Park. Hiking to Clingmans Dome Clingmans Dome is definitely worth the 1/2 mile steep hike. Can you hike to Clingmans Dome in winter? 3,051. Believe it or not, the hike to the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn't as hard as you might think, just 0.5 miles. This will direct you to turn onto Clingmans Dome Road. First 2.3 miles of the hike is interesting and only of moderate difficulty. Shenandoah National Park is a long, narrow strip of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. But if you prefer one of the other trails on this list, it will take you anywhere from 2 hours to a whole day. Clingmans Dome Trail to Appalachian Trail, 0.5 miles away. The 16-year-old disappeared during a hike with a high school group from Knoxville, Tennessee, as the group hiked back from Andrew's Bald Trail to the Clingmans Dome parking area. Take a light picnic lunch and the open field can be the perfect spot to eat with views! Hike historic trails, spend the night at the Parkways highest campground or lodge, and be sure to catch the sunrise. Expect far less people compared to the Clingmans Dome Trail. But if you prefer one of the other trails on this list, it will take you anywhere from 2 hours to a whole day. The trailhead is located at the end of a gravel road. Clingmans Dome Trail So after you pass Newfound Gap, youll look for the Clingmans Dome sign. A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 29 minutes in one direction and in 22 minutes in the opposite direction. It takes about 2 hours to hike to the waterfall and back. To Clingmans Dome Parking Area for the Observation Trail: Turn off Newfound Gap Road 0.1 mile south of Newfound Gap and follow the 7-mile-long Clingmans Dome Road to the large parking area at the end. Elevation: 6,643 feet. However, the steep gradient combined with the high altitude may make the hike too strenuous for the elderly or those out of shape. The Forney Ridge Trail leads to Andrews Bald, a high-elevation grassy bald. Elevation Gain: 331 feet. The crest can be driven or hiked for 100 miles, as Skyline Drive runs parallel to the Appalachian Trail. This trail starts directly from the Clingmans Dome parking lot. The hike up to the observation tower will take about an hour. Although the trail is open throughout the year, its even more beautiful in The peak is accessible after driving Clingmans Dome Road from Newfound Gap, and then walking a steep half-mile trail. But aside from this, if you are a more casual day hiker and youd like to add another hike to the day you hike to Clingmans Dome, then you have options! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 41 min to complete. 2006-2022 by Image Builders.All rights reserved. This is a very popular area for scenic driving, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail moderate (3401) Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos (3,949) Directions Print/PDF Map Share Explore this 1.2-mile out-and-back trail near Bryson City, North Carolina. The 7-mile Clingmans Dome Road features multiple scenic pullouts with magnificent views along the way. Clingmans Dome Directions. The hike is steep as you go down into the canyon but once you hit the riverbed at the bottom, its mostly level for the remainder of the hike. The hike up to the observation tower will take about an hour. Plan on a very early start to find parking. The two-hour tour ($44 per person) takes you around the lake, or include Wizard Island ($55 per person) for a chance to swim and hike.