Key Takeaways
- There are nine great places to take in the views around the Smoky Mountains. Some you can drive right up to, others you ride a gondola to the top, and a few require a solid hike. There's a good option no matter how much effort you want to put in.
- Rather skip the trail? Newfound Gap, Foothills Parkway, Gatlinburg Space Needle, and Anakeesta's Anavista Tower are all reachable by car, elevator, or chairlift.
- For 360-degree views of both the Smoky Mountains and downtown Gatlinburg, Anakeesta's Anavista Tower is the only mountaintop observation tower you can reach without hiking. You get there on the Chondola Chairlift, located at 576 Parkway in Gatlinburg.
- Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome, is the highest point in the park and has the longest views, up to 100 miles on a clear day. The trail up is steep and not wheelchair accessible, so plan accordingly.
- Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower sits at the end of an 11-mile round trip hike with more than 3,000 feet of climbing. It's a big day out, but the views at the top make it worthwhile.
- If you need wheelchair-accessible views, your best bets are Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap, and Gatlinburg Space Needle.
9 of the Best Smoky Mountains Scenic Overlooks
Before heading out, it’s important to know where the scenic overlooks are located, how difficult they are to reach, and whether they’re wheelchair-accessible or kid-friendly. Some locations can be reached by car, while others require a hike. As you plan your trip to East Tennessee, check out the nine best views in the Smoky Mountains below:
Table of Contents
1. Look Rock Tower
Look Rock Tower is one of the best panoramic Smoky Mountain vistas in the region. This observation tower, located on Foothills Parkway West, offers expansive views of Blount County and the surrounding mountains. Visitors can hike a 0.8-mile trail that leads through the forest before reaching the observation tower. The vistas from the platform are breathtaking, with clear days offering views extending over 50 miles, including the Tennessee Valley and the high crest of the Smokies.
This trail is a great choice for families, as the hike is relatively short and not too strenuous. However, it’s important to note that the Look Rock Tower Trail is not wheelchair accessible, and small children should be closely supervised due to the low railing at the top. A parking tag is required in the lot, and dogs are not allowed on the trail.
2. Anavista Tower and Chondola Chairlift at Anakesta
Anakeesta Adventure Park offers some of the best views of the Smoky Mountains. Visitors can ride the Chondola Chairlift to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain, where they’ll be treated to spectacular views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smokies. The Chondola, a unique gondola ride, is the world’s only fixed-grip gondola, offering a choice of open-air chairs or enclosed cabins.
At the summit, the Anavista Smoky Mountain Observation Tower provides 360-degree views of the Smokies and downtown Gatlinburg. The tower is perfect for families visiting the Smokies, as it’s a kid-friendly location with lots of other fun activities for children close by. The observation platform at the top offers sweeping views, and interpretive signs provide information about the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Take a look at our Anavista Tower webcam here.
3. Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a scenic valley surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, filled with wildlife, historic cabins, and picturesque views. The 11-mile loop road provides a leisurely drive or bike ride around the cove, offering multiple opportunities to enjoy the scenery. The area is also home to Abrams Falls, a popular waterfall hike with a 20-foot drop. The loop road is open from sunrise to sunset, and vehicles are prohibited on Wednesdays during the summer months.
While the views in Cades Cove are beautiful, they come from the valley floor rather than an elevated overlook, giving you a unique perspective of the rolling hills and mountains. The area is great for families, especially since the loop road can be easily navigated by car. Additionally, there are several hiking trails to explore, including one that leads to Abrams Falls, a 20-foot waterfall.
4. Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower
For more experienced hikers, Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower offers one of the best views in Tennessee. This lookout tower, perched at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, rewards hikers with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains after a strenuous 11-mile hike. The trail is steep and challenging, but the payoff is worth it when you reach the top and experience the panoramic views of the Smokies.
The hike to Mount Cammerer is not for the faint of heart, and it’s only recommended for experienced hikers. Families with small children or those with limited mobility may want to choose an easier hike. However, for those who are up for the challenge, the views are unparalleled.
5. Kuwohi Trail (Formerly Called Clingmans Dome)
Kuwohi, previously known as Clingmans Dome, is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The observation tower at the summit offers sweeping 360-degree views of the Smokies and beyond, with clear days providing views extending over 100 miles. The paved Kuwohi Trail, leading to the observation tower, is short but steep, making it a challenging yet rewarding experience for visitors.
Although the trail is paved, it is too steep for wheelchair accessibility. Visitors should be prepared for cooler temperatures at the summit, which can be as much as 20 degrees cooler than in the valley below. This location is perfect for those who want to experience the highest point in the Smokies and take in stunning views from the top.
6. Foothills Parkway
The Foothills Parkway is a scenic drive that spans 72.1 miles and offers some of the most unobstructed views of the Great Smoky Mountains. With multiple pull-offs along the route, visitors can stop and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Tennessee Valley and the Smokies. The parkway’s southern portion offers particularly breathtaking views of the mountains, with many overlooks making it accessible to those in wheelchairs.
The Foothills Parkway is perfect for visitors who want to enjoy scenic views without the need for a hike. It’s a great option for families with young children, seniors, or anyone looking for an easy way to experience the beauty of the Smokies. Multiple entrances to the parkway make it convenient to access, with options near Pigeon Forge, Walland, and Tallassee.
7. Newfound Gap
Newfound Gap, located along U.S. 441, is one of the lowest drivable passes over the Smokies. From here, visitors can enjoy incredible views of the mountains. The area also offers access to several overlooks along the road, as well as the Rockefeller Memorial, which honors the foundation’s contribution to the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Newfound Gap is easily accessible by car, making it an excellent stop for those seeking scenic views without the need for a hike. It’s a great location for families, as well as for those who want to explore some of the Great Smoky Mountains sunrise spots or sunset viewpoints along the way.
8. Cataract Falls
Cataract Falls is a small but beautiful waterfall located near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It’s a short, 0.7-mile round-trip walk along a paved trail that leads to the falls. The trail is accessible to those with limited mobility, as it is part of the Cataract Falls ADA Route. The waterfall is most dramatic after a heavy rain, but it’s a peaceful and serene spot at any time.
While Cataract Falls doesn’t offer an overlook like some of the other spots, it’s a great place to enjoy the Smoky Mountain forest. The ADA-accessible trail makes it a wonderful option for visitors in wheelchairs or those with strollers, and the parking area includes accessible spaces near the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
9. Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space Needle, a 407-foot observation tower, stands as one of the most iconic landmarks in the area. Visitors ascend in a glass elevator, which offers a 360-degree view of the Great Smoky Mountains and downtown Gatlinburg. The views from the top are spectacular year-round, and the Space Needle also features an educational exhibit, Higher Learning, along with an arcade for family entertainment.
The Space Needle is one of the best wheelchair-accessible overlooks in the Smoky Mountains, thanks to its glass elevator that takes you all the way to the top! It’s also a kid-friendly viewpoint near Gatlinburg, complete with an arcade at the base of the tower, making it an ideal stop for families with children.
Smoky Mountains Scenic Overlooks Comparison Table
| Location | Access Type | Difficulty | Distance | Wheelchair Accessible | Dogs Allowed | View Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look Rock Tower | Hike from Foothills Pkwy trailhead | Easy–Moderate | 0.8 mi round trip | NoSteep 8–12% grade sections | NoFines up to $5,000 | 360° panorama — Smokies & Tennessee Valley |
| Anavista Tower & Chondola (Anakeesta) | Gondola/chairlift (Chondola) from street level | N/A | N/A — ride to summit | PartialTower not accessible; gondola cabin fits most wheelchairs | NoService animals only | 360° panorama — Smokies & downtown Gatlinburg |
| Cades Cove | Scenic drive or bike (11-mi loop road) | Easy | 11-mi loop | PartialVisitor center & John Oliver Accessible Trail (0.5 mi paved) are accessible | Road onlyIn vehicles & on paved roads; not on trails or in buildings | Valley floor — pastoral fields, ridgeline & wildlife |
| Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower | Hike (Low Gap Trail via Cosby Campground) | Strenuous | ~11.2 mi round trip | NoRemote backcountry hike; 3,000+ ft elevation gain | NoNo dogs on GSMNP trails except Gatlinburg & Oconaluftee River Trails | 360° panorama — Pigeon River Gorge & Smokies ridgelines |
| Kuwohi Trail (formerly Clingmans Dome) | Hike (paved, from Clingmans Dome Rd parking lot) | Moderate | 1 mi round trip | NoPaved but grade too steep (up to 13%) per NPS | NoPets not permitted on Kuwohi Trail | 360° panorama — views up to 100 miles on clear days |
| Foothills Parkway | Scenic drive with pull-off overlooks | Easy | Up to 38.6 mi (open sections) | YesMultiple overlooks with accessible parking, curb cuts & level pull-offs | In vehiclesAllowed on road & in vehicles; not on park trails | Unobstructed panorama — Smokies & Tennessee Valley |
| Newfound Gap | Scenic drive (US-441) to paved overlook | Easy | N/A — drive-to overlook | YesPaved lot, walkways & Rockefeller Memorial platform accessible from parking | In vehiclesAllowed in vehicles on road; not on trails | Panoramic mountain views from TN/NC state line ridge |
| Cataract Falls | Short walk from Sugarlands Visitor Center | Easy | 0.7–1.0 mi round trip | PartialStarts paved; transitions to dirt with roots & steps — assistance may be needed | NoTrail not dog-friendly per GSMNP policy | Waterfall — small cascade in forest setting |
| Gatlinburg Space Needle | Glass elevator (paid attraction) | N/A | N/A — elevator ride | YesFully wheelchair accessible via elevator | UnconfirmedNot stated on official site — contact venue to verify | 360° panorama — Smokies & downtown Gatlinburg cityscape |
Find Your Next Favorite View of the Smokies at Anakeesta
Whether you’re looking for a quiet sunrise spot in the Smokies or a kid-friendly viewpoint near Gatlinburg, Anakeesta has something for everyone. Alongside the Chondola Chairlift and Anavista Observation Tower, Anakeesta offers zip-lining, mountain coasters, and plenty of options for kid-friendly fun. We also have shops and restaurants to ensure anyone can have a fun day in the Smokies while enjoying some incredible views.
Learn more about Anavista Tower. If you’re ready to visit Anakeesta, purchase your tickets today.
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