Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Description
Welcome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour! Come journey with us as we travel through stunning mountain scenery and explore the historical homes of days gone by. The Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park in the country, often receiving over 14 million visitors every year! We've broken it down with the top things to do, including 14 stops in and around the park! What you'll get: Expert Narration: Learn about the park's heritage, ecology, and wildlife. User-Friendly App: Access the tour easily on your smartphone. Capture the Moment: Discover ideal photo spots for stunning panoramas and wildlife shots. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains with our audio tour. Book now and embark on a journey you'll cherish for years to come! The remaining hours in the tour details are allotted for the travel time. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*
Tour Options
Itinerary
Here, you can discover fascinating facts about the park's animals and history. Don't forget to say hello to the friendly farm animals too!
Clingman's Dome is the park's highest point, and you can reach an observation tower for absolutely breathtaking views of the mountains. Don't underestimate the chill, even in summer; so, pack a jacket!
Newfound Gap lets you stand right on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee! The views are simply jaw-dropping. Pack a picnic and savor the fresh mountain air.
Alum Cave Trail is an exciting hike leading to a captivating cave. Inside, the cave dazzles with sparkling minerals – a true hidden gem! Make sure to wear sturdy hiking boots.
Chimney Tops is another fantastic spot for breathtaking vistas. Though you can't hike to the summit anymore, you can still admire the unique rock formations. Don't forget your camera!
This short, easy walk is a nature lover's dream with an abundance of plants and animals to discover. Keep an eye out for colorful birds and playful squirrels!
The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a treasure trove of information. Here, you can grab maps, ask questions, and delve into the park's history. Don't be shy; the park rangers are eager to assist you!
This trail follows a pristine river, and you might even spot some adorable salamanders in the water! Wear water shoes if you'd like to wade in the river.
Laurel Falls is a stunning waterfall, and reaching it is a short and rewarding hike. Exercise caution on the trail, as it can be slippery.
Metcalf Bottoms is an ideal spot for a picnic or a game of catch. It's a peaceful place to unwind and relish the great outdoors.
The Sinks is a fascinating spot to watch the water rushes through the rocky terrain – nature's own waterslide! Be cautious and refrain from attempting to slide down the rocks yourself.
Cades Cove is a sprawling, picturesque valley teeming with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, bears, and wild turkeys. Drive slowly and stay patient for wildlife sightings!
Roaring Fork is a one-way loop road surrounded by lush forests and cascading waterfalls. Roll down your car windows and relish the symphony of forest sounds. Don't forget to snap some stunning photos!
Gatlinburg is a charming mountain town boasting quaint shops and delightful restaurants. It's a fun place to explore and treat yourself to some local delights like fudge and apple cider donuts.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
- The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
- Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
- Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
- Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
- No entrance fee, but a $5/day parking tag is required for stops longer than 15 minutes — available at Oconaluftee, Sugarlands Visitor Centers, and Cades Cove kiosk
- Peak crowds in June–August and October (fall foliage) — plan accordingly
- Park open year-round but some roads close seasonally
- Weather is unpredictable — dress in layers, especially for early morning starts
- Cell service is spotty — better near Cherokee, Gatlinburg, and Townsend
- All 8 campgrounds require advance reservations
- ⚠️ Laurel Falls Trail closed for repairs until 2026
Reviews(4)
It was very entertaining. Loved the music. And the narrator was very good. We were not able to do the audio tour on the day we registered for because of weather but it worked for us the next day.
Aloha Carol, Weather in the Smokies can shift fast, so having the flexibility to run the tour the next day is a big plus. Glad it still lined up for you and that the narration and music carried the drive once you were out there. That park has a lot of layers, and it’s a different experience when you’ve got context along the way. Mahalo for exploring with Shaka Guide 🤙
I bought the audio tour for smoky mountain which never worked. Although I left the app open before losing the network, the app did not work. Hence payment was a waste.
Aloha, we're really sorry the app didn’t work the way it should have—especially out there in the Smokies. We want every experience to be worth it, not a waste. Please reach out to aloha@shakaguide.com so we can help make things right. Hope we get another chance to show you how epic our tours really are. Mahalo for your feedback—it helps us improve every step of the way.
Loved this narrated self guided driving tour! We enjoyed everything about this tour from listening to detailed history to stopping at our leisure to explore. A self guided Viator driving tour is a must for our future driving adventures. We miss our friendly fun narrator! Highly recommend.
Mahalo for the kind words! 🌺 We're so glad you loved the self-guided experience and enjoyed the stories and freedom to explore at your own pace. We'll be here with more fun and history whenever you're ready for your next adventure — and Uncle Shaka will be happy to ride along again!
We drove all around Great Smoky Mountains National Park and we enjoyed the guide. Interfacing with phone GPS it gives valuable and puntuctual information. Defenetly worth to have it
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with our guide. It’s great to know the GPS interface worked well for you and that the information was helpful and punctual. We’re so glad you found the experience worth it, and we hope to guide you on many more adventures in the future! Safe travels and thanks again for sharing your feedback!
