Kuwohi (formally called Clingmans Dome) is one of the highest points east of the Mississippi at 6,643 and the tallest mountain in Tennessee. Kuwohi is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park because of the incredible 360-degree view from the observation tower at the top.
Even the views from the parking lot are stunning, especially for a sunset.
Updated: 10/14/1024 - Completely revised with new information, reflects original Cherokee name and new photos.
What you need to know |
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Location: At the end of Clingmans Dome Road, which is near Newfound Gap, on Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. |
Handicap Accessible: The parking area is handicap accessible, however the trail up to the observation deck is not safe for wheelchairs. The trail is paved and has benches, but a parkl sign warns that it is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. |
Dog Friendly: The parking area is dog friendly, however, the trail up to the observation deck is not. |
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, 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. |
Roundtrip Distance: Less than 1-mile, however, the trail is strenuous. |
About the New Name
On September 18, 2024, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted in favor of the formal request submitted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to change the name of Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi (pronounced koo-WHOA-hee). Kuwohi is the Cherokee name for the mountain and means “mulberry place.”
Kuwohi is the highest point within the traditional Cherokee homeland, and a sacred place for the Cherokee people.
What is Kuwohi?
Kuwohi is the tallest mountain in TN and in the traditional Cherokee homeland. The mountain is also one of the tallest in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The destination is popular for visitors to the park, due to the stunning views from both the parking area and at the top of the observation tower.
The 7-mile drive out Clingmans Dome Road 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.
Trail to the Top and Observation Tower
From the parking area, and up past the visitor's center, is the paved trail to the top where the observation tower is located.
The trail up is short, only 1 mile round trip, but very steep. The grade is right at 13%. As a result, we consider this short hike to be strenuous.
Fortunately, the park service recognized this and placed several 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.
The paved trail leads up through a spruce-fir tree forest. The smell of the trees is incredible, and frankly one highlight of the visit. You'll feel as if you are on a Christmas tree farm as you climb up.
Along the way, you'll also see some magnificent views to your left, and see some small trails leading left 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.
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. Spruce-fir trees will surround you, so enjoy the sights and smells.
The Observation Tower
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!
Just a tip from us, as locals, the weather here is also very unpredictable and changes rapidly. If you arrive and the view is fogged in, just hang around for a bit. Chances are it will clear up.
We've literally arrived with the tower barely visible because of fog, and then moments later the sky is clear.
The viewing distance from the top of the tower is typically around 20-25 miles, but varies depending on the weather. You'll be able to see both the NC and TN sides of the national park. On exceptionally crisp and clear days, you can see as far as 100 miles.
As a part of an effort to improve the park because of its increased visitation and popularity, they constructed the observation tower in 1959. 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 many felt it didn't blend well with the rustic surroundings. The tower cost $57,000 and opened on October 23, 1959.
Black Bears
We've been to Clingmans Dome a number of times, and each visit is always different. More times than not though, we often see black bears, 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 heading up to the top.
If this makes you nervous, just read over our bear necessities. Black bears just want to be left alone and go about their bear business.
History of Kuwohi
The Cherokee Indians called Clingmans Dome Kuwa'hi, translated as "Mulberry Place." The Cherokee believed it was the home of the chief of all bears, the White Bear. American settlers later named the mountain "Smoky Dome".
The mountain was later named Clingmans Dome after Thomas Clingman. Clingman and Elisha Mitchell 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. Smoky Dome was named Clingmans Dome, and Black Dome is named Mt. Mitchell.
Today, people renamed the mountain Kuwohi, to honor the original Cherokee name.
An interesting but sad piece of Kuwohi history is that a B29 Flying Fortress crashed near the summit in 1946. All twelve crew members were killed. Pieces of the aircraft can still be seen while hiking along the Andrews Bald trail.
