Hike to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, the highest point in the Great Smokies with panoramic views of the mountains.
Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the highest point in the state of Tennessee, and one of the highest peaks on the east coast of the United States. From the top of this tower, on a clear day, it’s possible to see seven different states and get the best views of the Smokies.
The tower was built in 1959 and is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail that runs through 14 states in the Northeast. Early settlers here called this area “Smoky Dome” because of the dome shape of the mountain and the clouds that are often surrounding it.
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Basics
1 – 2 Hours
1.2 Miles Round Trip
Out-And-Back
337 Feet
Duration: 1-2 Hours
Many people can complete the hike in about an hour or less, but that doesn’t leave much time at the observation tower. I would plan on taking up to two hours here. The walk up the path is very steep, so you may need some breaks in there, too.
Distance: 3 Miles Roundtrip
From the parking lot, the trail is a steep half-mile of pavement followed by a few hundred feet of concrete walkway that spirals up to the scenic viewpoint at the top of the 54-foot observation tower
Type: Loop Trail
Hiking to the observation tower is a one-way hike. Visitors will walk from the parking lot to the top of the tower ramp, and then back down.
Elevation Change: 190 Feet
The elevation change along this hike is what moves it from an easy to a moderate hike. The path is paved, and not very long, but steep. Because of this, it may be difficult for visitors with mobility issues or those who get short of breath. The top of the tower is at 6,643 feet in elevation above sea level.
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Clingmans Dome Road is closed in the winter from the beginning of December through the end of March for safety reasons. It will oftentimes be covered in snow or ice, making it too dangerous for a vehicle to traverse. The trail is open year-round, but visitors would have to walk the entirety of Clingmans Dome Road, making the full hike about 17.5 miles round-trip. Otherwise, hikers traveling along the Appalachian Trail can make a detour when they reach the crossing with the Clingmans Dome Trail.
Time of Day: Any
There are no lights at the top of the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, so this is a lookout best done during the daytime. The trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Since it’s one of the most popular attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the earlier you can get there the better in terms of parking.
Amount of Shade: Minimal
While on the short hike to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, there’s almost no shade along the pathway. On our most recent trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in early October, it was a cloudy overcast day, so we we didn’t have the heat of the sun on us. But, due to the clouds, we also didn’t see much from the top of the Observation Tower. Make sure to check the weather conditions before setting out on the hike.
Difficulty: Moderate
Although the hike is a short paved trail, I am giving this a moderate rating due to the incline on the trail up to the Observation Tower with a gradient of about 13%. This is a very steep hike up so make sure to take your time and take it easy. It’s easy to overexert yourself on this trail, especially for those who aren’t used to hiking in higher elevations. There are benches along the way if you need to sit and take a rest.
What Makes Clingmans Dome Observation Tower a Great Hike?
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower is an iconic landmark in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Once you reach the top, you can look out as far as 100 miles on a clear day. The incredible views from the summit of Clingmans Dome are worth the effort it takes to get there.
On a clear day, you can see for almost 100 miles in any direction. There are informational signs to help visitors know what they are looking at in the distance.
You can see seven states from the top of the Observation Tower:
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Alabama
It’s also fun to say you’ve climbed to the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In most of the other national parks, you have to do a long, often strenuous hike to the top of a mountain to say the same.
Scenery on the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
Start of the Trail
At the beginning of the trail is the visitor information center. You can speak to a park ranger here, buy some snacks or water for the hike, and get a Passport Book stamp for the area. Then you start the ascent on the paved path up to the Observation Tower.
On the Trail
Along the trail, the scenery will change from the lush spruce-fir forest to the stunning mountain vistas.
End of the Trail
The trail ends at the top of Clingmans Dome Observation Tower. From the top of the tower, visitors are rewarded with 360-degree views of the stunning mountains and forests in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On a clear day, you can see as far as 100 miles in any direction including up to 7 different states.
Notable Places on the Hike
Near the base of the Observation Tower, the Appalachian Trail crosses the Clingmans Dome Tower.
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trailhead Information
Park Name: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Observation Tower Trail is in Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. In fact, as you drive the 7-mile road from Newfound Gap Road to the parking lot for the trail, you will cross back and forth between the two states. Most of the trail is on the North Carolina side, but as you get to the round base of the Observation Tower you will be in Tennessee and walk back out again by the time you pass under the upper level of the spiral walkway.
Finding the Trailhead
After parking, walk towards the north, the opposite end you came into the parking lot from, to find the trailhead. As you walk up, on the right you’ll see the small Clingmans Dome Visitors Center. This is a very small gift shop and offers one of the four Passport Book stamp locations within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Markers Along the Trail
The only marker along the trail is the small sign for the Appalachian Trail that crosses over the paved portion of the Clingmans Dome Tower. Fun Fact: this is the only spot on the entire 2,200-mile-long Appalachian Trail that crosses a paved road! While we were here, we walked for just a few minutes on the Appalachian Trail just to say we’ve been on it.
Nearest Restrooms: Trailhead
There are two vault toilet facilities in the parking lot. These are not open in the winter months when Clingmans Dome Road is closed.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
Clingmans Dome Tower connects with the Appalachian Trail near the bottom of the observation tower, about 0.5 miles from the parking area.
Right near the parking area, you can also take the Forney Ridge Trail which leads to Andrews Bald. This is a 3.6-mile roundtrip hike.
Parking Area: Clingmans Dome Trailhead Parking
The closest parking is at the Clingmans Dome Trailhead Parking at the end of Clingmans Dome Road. There are five handicap-accessible parking spaces as well as other spaces that go around the outside of a loop in this large parking lot. Inside the loop, there are two vault toilets. Make sure you purchase a parking tag for your vehicle before making the hike.
Tips for Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
- From the Clingmans Dome Parking Area, visitors can also access the Forney Ridge Trail, Andrews Bald, and the Appalachian Trail.
- Bring a light jacket with you. The temperatures at the high elevations in the parking lot and top of the tower are sometimes 10-20 degrees cooler than in the lower elevation areas in the park.
- Clingmans Dome is one of the most popular places in the park to visit, so arrive early before the Clingmans Dome parking lot fills up, especially on a clear day.
Accessibility Information for Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
Paved
Paved
Trail Type: Paved
While the path is paved, it’s not advised for those in wheelchairs, power scooters, or strollers to attempt this hike. The walkway is very steep which would be dangerous for those on wheels. In fact, there’s even a warning sign about this before starting the hike.
Parking: Paved
The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Parking Area is a paved lot with five accessible parking spaces. Even though it isn’t advised for those on wheels to try to go to the Observation Tower, the views from the large parking area are still amazing.