Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome is one of the highest points east of the Mississippi at 6,643 and the tallest mountain in Tennessee.  It’s also one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to the incredible 360 degree view from the observation tower at the top.

Location: Off Clingmans Dome Road, which is located near Newfound Gap, on Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Roundtrip Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Strenuous
Features: Long distance scenic vistas of North Carolina and Tennessee, spruce fir forest, and access to the Appalachian Trail.  Black Bears are also often in the area.
Directions: From Gatlinburg, take Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) into the National Park and drive past Newfound Gap Overlook. Just past the overlook, turn right onto Clingmans Dome Road, and drive 7 miles to the end at the Clingmans Dome parking lot. From Cherokee NC, take Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) into the National Park and drive until you see Clingmans Dome road on your left. Turn left onto Clingmans Dome Road, and drive 7 miles to the end at the Clingmans Dome parking lot.
Hours: Clingmans Dome is always open, but the access road is closed from December 1st to March 31st, and also during inclement weather.

Clingmans Dome – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Observation Tower
Observation Tower

Clingmans Dome is located at the end of a 7 mile drive located off of Newfound Gap Rd (Highway 441), which runs between Cherokee NC and Gatlinburg TN, through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.   The turn-off, if you are coming from Cherokee, is just before you reach Newfound Gap, and if you are coming from Tennessee, just after Newfound Gap.

At the top is an observation tower that is accessed via a circular concrete ramp that leads up to a saucer shaped observation tower and platform that offers some incredible views of NC and TN.  The viewing distance is typically around 20-25 miles, but varies greatly depending on the weather.

On exceptionally crisp and clear days, you can see as far as 100 miles.  On the other hand though, Clingmans Dome is also often “fogged in”, especially during the early morning and evening hours.

Fall View
Fall View
Summer View
Summer View

The 7 mile drive out to Clingmans Dome ends in a large parking lot with restroom facilities, and a small visitor/welcome center.  The view from the parking lot alone is incredible and is as high as many people go.

View from the parking lot
View from the parking lot

The trail to the top is short, only .5 miles, but pretty steep.  The grade is right at 13%.   As a result, we consider the short hike up strenuous.  Fortunately the park service recognized this and placed a number of benches to the side of the trail so you can stop and catch your breath.    What makes this trail a little tougher for most is the high elevation and thinner air.  But while steep, the trip up is definitely worth it if you can make it.

Trail entrance
Trail entrance

The trail is located at the far end of the parking lot, next to a really large rock.   The welcome/visitor center is located just on the other side.  The paved trail leads up through a spruce-fir tree forest.  The smell of the trees is incredible, and frankly one of the highlights of the visit.   You’ll feel as if you are in a Christmas tree farm as you climb up.

Along the way you’ll also see some great views to your left, and also see some small trails leading to the Appalachian Trail which passes through the area.   In addition to people visiting “the dome” via the access road, you’ll also run into hikers stopping as they hike along the Appalachian Trail.  Rangers and Appalachian Trail volunteers are also prevalent in the area as well.

Foggy Trail
Foggy Trail
Appalachian Trail Sign
Appalachian Trail Sign you’ll pass by near the top.

About the time you think you can’t go on any further, you’ll reach the top, and see the observation tower, ramp entrance, and a circular set of concrete benches.  Sit down, take a breather, grab some water, and congratulate yourself for making it to the top.   You’ll be surrounded by spruce fir trees, so enjoy the sites and smells.

Ramp
Ramp surrounded by spruce-fir forest

The walk up the ramp is short and relatively easy.  But be prepared, the temperatures here can be cold – often 10 – 20 degrees colder than the surrounding lower elevation areas.   Winds are often pretty high at the top as well, making it feel even colder.  You’ll want to dress in layers, as even in the summer, the temperatures can be cool, as low as 30-40 degrees in July!

View from the top
View from the top

Just a tip from us locals: The weather here is also very unpredictable and changes rapidly.   If you arrive and the view is fogged in, just hang around for bit.  Chances are it will clear up.   Rain can often move in quickly in the summer too, so we recommend bringing along a rain jacket as well.  We don’t recommend umbrellas due to the high winds.

Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail

On your way back down to the parking lot, watch for the signs to access the Appalachian Trail (AT).  Take a few extra minutes, and walk out to and along the AT, just to say you’ve been on it.   You might even run into a through hiker or trail volunteer who will often share some great stories.

We’ve been to Clingmans Dome a number of times, and each visit is always different.  More times than not, we also see black bear, both along the trail up to the dome and along Clingmans Dome road.  Even if you don’t see the bears themselves, you’ll know they’re around by the “bear scat” often found along the trail up to the top.

Black Bears

If you do see a bear, maintain your distance.  If the bear pays particular attention to you or moves towards you or paws at the ground, you’re too close.  Slowly back away while continuing to face the bear.   The majority of the time the black bears in the park are not aggressive, and as long as you maintain your distance they will avoid you and run off.  If you see cubs, which we did one year (see pictures below), know that their mother is not far away.  You do not want to be between a cub and it’s mother.   The bears are wonderful and beautiful animals – Just respect them and be smart.

Here are two cub photos my wife captured during one of our visits to Clingmans Dome.   Don’t worry, a high powered telephoto lens was used, and the photos have been cropped.  We were safe, although I can’t say the same for a number of other people that were far too close!

Black bear cub
Black bear cub just off the trail to the Observation tower
Bear cub
Bear cub alongside Clingmans Dome Road.

History

The Cherokee Indians called Clingmans Dome Kuwa’hi, translated “Mulberry Place.”  The Cherokee believed it was the home of the chief of all bears, the White Bear.  The mountain was later named “Smoky Dome” by American settlers.  The mountain was later named Clingmans dome after Thomas Clingman.   Clingman and Elisha had a disagreement over which mountain was taller, Smoky Dome or Black Dome.  It was later proved that Black Dome was taller, by 39 feet.   Today, Smoky Dome is named Clingmans Dome, and Black Dome is named Mt. Mitchell.

An interesting but sad piece of Clingmans Dome history is a B29 Flying Fortress crash that occurred in in 1946.  The plane crashed near the summit, killing all twelve crew members.   Pieces of the aircraft can still be scene while hiking along Andrews Bald trail.

The observation tower was built in 1959, as part of an effort to improve the park due to it’s increased visitation and popularity.  The tower is a modern design, done by an architecture firm in Gatlinburg TN.  The tower was built by a construction company in Waynesville NC.  The modern design was sharply criticized as may felt it didn’t blend well with the rustic surroundings.  The tower cost $57,000 and opened on October 23, 1959.

More photos from our visits!

misty-ramp smoky-trees view-from-top

observation-tower-view3

About the author

Larry Deane is co-owner of Blue Ridge Mountain Life and an accomplished author who has many years exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of the eastern United States. He has a deep passion for nature, history, and storytelling, and has combined these interests to create Blue Ridge Mountain Life, a guide to this stunning area that he calls home.

With over 20 years of experience as a writer and journalist, Larry has established himself as a leading voice in the field of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He has published numerous articles and guides in online publications.

In addition to his writing, Larry is an avid hiker, photographer, and conservationist. He is committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains for future generations and has worked to promote environmental awareness and sustainability in the region.

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