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First, What is Clingman’s Dome?
For those of you who might not know, Clingmans Dome is an observation tower that allows you to see for miles and mile across the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and beyond. As a matter of fact, on a clear day, it is said that you can see for over 100 miles and into seven different states! Those states are Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Clingmans Dome itself stands at the highest point in Smoky Mountains at about 6,644 feet and straddles the North Carolina and Tennessee border.
Why was Clingmans Dome built?
According to Friends of the Smokies, “During the late 1950s and early 60s, the National Park Service was looking ahead to its 50th birthday in 1966 and wanted to celebrate with some amazing new features and buildings.” Completed in 1959, Clingman’s Dome is now about sixty years old.
Our family has been visiting the Great Smoky Mountains for decades, and we finally made it to Clingmans Dome for the first time. The wind was whipping, the sun was shining, and we definitely had an adventure to remember.
Enjoying the Outdoors
While planning a vacation to Gatlinburg, we decided that we would make Clingmans Dome a destination to see. We drove through miles of beautiful forests decorated with multiple shades of green. We saw water falling on the side of the road. Even wildlife was in our sights, sometimes in our path. My point here may be that the drive to Clingmans Dome is also something to enjoy.
Then you arrive.
Preparing to Go to the Dome
Clingmans Dome Road ends at the parking lot, so it is easy to find. After you park your car, you may want to use the restroom. Note that the restrooms are glorified outhouses. They do have toilet seats. If you prefer a buffer, these toilet seat covers are biodegradable and only thirteen cents a piece. My advice either way is to use the bathroom before you start walking up the path to the observation tower.
Before you even leave the parking lot, there are incredible views to take in. You might not want to be in a rush to start your trek.
As with most activities, be aware of staying hydrated. Bring water.
There is a paved path, more like a road, that leads you up to the top. Near the beginning of the path is the Visitor Center and gift shop. We chose to visit there are our way back down before heading to the car.
Walking Up to the Dome
It is about six tenths of a mile to the dome. The grade is about 12%, so it is not the easiest walk for everybody. That said, there are benches, tree trunks, and rocks on the way up that provide multiple places to sit. My advice would be that if you need to rest, then rest as often as it takes. There were a lot of people resting on the way up and even on the way down. Electronic Convenience Vehicles are not recommended.
While you are heading toward the top, if you are someone who chooses to stop along the way, you may be happy to know that there are sights to see all of the way up.
At the Top
When you arrive at Clingmans Dome, the tower itself is a sight to see. A 375 foot ramp leads to the top of the tower, which is forty-five feet tall itself.
The walls of the ramp have a coating of small pebbles that give them such character. The ramp leads you up to the observation deck, and then…whoa!
Even on a slightly overcast day, we still got to see for miles.
Getting There
If you are a hiker, there are multiples trails that can lead you to Clingmans Dome. As a matter of fact, a section of the Appalachian Trail leads you to Clingmans Dome.
Most folks would probably drive to get the the Clingmans Dome area and then walk up the paved path. Note that dogs are not allowed on the paved path. If you are traveling with dogs, please make other arrangements for them because it is not safe to leave them in your vehicle while you do the trek.
Clingmans Dome is located about forty-five minutes from Cherokee, NC and about an hour from Gatlinburg, TN. It is located off of Clingmans Dome Road, which is off of US 441. Whether you make it a destination or decide to stop for a visit as you are driving across the mountains, you might want to add Clingmans Dome to your list.
For excellent deals on a beautiful resort in Gatlinburg, we invite you to check out WG Smoky Mountains where you can enjoy mountain views, an indoor water park, miniature golf, and so much more!
What About You?
Have you been to Clingmans Dome? Is it a place that you would like to go? If you have a National Parks Passport Book, be sure to get it stamped at the Visitor Center before you leave!
Oh, and after you enjoy the fresh air and peace that some with nature, if you are in the mood for some thrills, you might want to head down to Pigeon Forge to check out Flyaway Indoor Skydiving.
The views on the walk up to the dome are beautiful….well worth it and there are benches along the way to sit and enjoy the views….
I had never heard of this. Wow… amazing!
Seven different states! How awesome. 🙂 I’ll definitely put this on my list for visiting when I’m in the southeast. Thanks for posting.
What an amazing view! Love that you can see 7 States! Will have to add this to my Road Trip Bucket List!
I’ve never been there, but I would love to visit! I love the outdoors and nature so much. We’ll be in Tennessee in 2 months, by the way, and I’m super excited!
Wow! This looks amazing!!
I love old observation towers. We have quite a few that are still manned today by volunteers to spot wildfires and some you can even rent.
Planning on making a day trip to Gatlinburg while in TN soon! Thanks for the info!
That is a great view from the top of the tower! Good to know there are places to stop along the way so that most people can enjoy it and take breaks if needed.
I have heard so many great things about the Smokey Mountains over the last couple of years. I am definitely putting this on the list. What a gorgeous part of the country.
Wow! Beautiful place! I’ll have to put that on my travel list!
A little history, some really great photos, and a nicely written description!
Such majestic views! Thank you for sharing.
OMG! This place is gorgeous! I love this type of trips. Thank you for sharing your experience!
I have never heard of this dome. Cool! You learn something new everyday 😉
I’ve been to Clingmans Dome and it’s so beautiful visited there years back and we loved it! Great tip about the dogs not being allowed on the paved path, love your photos too. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure 🙂
Oh wow thank you for sharing this treasure that i had no idea existed! Please share more of these as I love these type of iconic but maybe not well known destinations and hideaways! And thanks for the tip about the potty’s! That’s vital stuff right there! Great article with beautiful pics!
How awesome! I have never heard of this before! The views and the pictures you got are so amazing. My mom would never be able to do this, she hates anything that even resembles a bridge!
This place is definitely going on my list for next year. I’ll be traveling around the country the entire summer, and I just added this to my Tennessee List!!!! I have never heard of Clingmans Dome. Thanks for such great information. Wonderful pictures!!!!
This looks beautiful, I’ll have to plan a trip someday!
That sounds so cool! We are planning a drive next summer – that might need to be added to our To Do list!
I haven’t heard of this one, but it looks like somewhere I would enjoy visiting. I need to get back into hiking more often. I used to love getting outdoors every chance I got – with more responsibilities, I feel like it’s so easy to just stay home sometimes. Not the right attitude for me!
“The grade is about 12%, so it is not the easiest walk for everybody.” Is the grade the softness in the ground?
Kyndall, thank you for asking rather than wondering. The grade measures the steepness of a hill. 12% is not very steep, but it is definitely an incline and will work your leg muscles. That is why I was sure to also point out that there are benches.
I have been to Gatlinburg, but didn’t ever visit the dome! Looks like incredible views and a wonderful time!
I would LOVE to do this!!!! I have never been to the Smokies, but it seems like I need to find a way. Thanks for the photos!
Gorgeous area! I cant wait to visit! Thank you for sharing.
That is so cool! I would love to be able to see 7 states at one time!!! I have not heard about this in the past, but always love visiting the Smokey Mountains. I will have to put this on my ever growing list.
Very cool place!
Beautiful. I have never heard of this place, but the views are amazing. It is definitely worth looking into. Your pictures and suggestions are great.
I’ve never heard of Clingman’s Dome, but it looks like a beautiful place to visit!
I’ve never been to Clingman’s Dome, but I love the drive through the Smokies so this would be a perfect stop!
Wow! What an awesome look out! I would love to bring my kids there. Just the fact that you can see several states in one place is enough for me to push through on the tough hike!
So glad to know about this! We have plans to spend some time in this area this summer and will add this to the list of things to do!
WOW!! That’s amazing – the ability to see soooo many states (countryside) from one location. Thanks for spelling out each section with the question, history, and facts. That made your post very easy to read.
Wow! What a view! I have never heard of this. Thanks for sharing.
Wow I’m impressed with this dome! I’ve never heard of it but it sure would be fun to visit. The views are gorgeous!
The pictures look so amazing. Great info about the dogs, we have 2 and we try to bring them with us everywhere we go, so it is nice to know.
Clingman’s dome looks amazing! Being able to see across 7 states is unheard of! I will be sure to check it out if I am ever in that area!
We were in Gatlinburg just a couple of weeks ago, but we did not have time to do this! When we return we definitely will! It looks awesome!
What an amazing lookout point! I can’t imagine the breathtaking views from that spot. I love that area as it is, so this is a place I’ll have to try to visit if we get ourselves up there again.
Amazing! I have a new place I want to visit. It looks beautiful.
The views are so beautiful! I believe there is also a place similar to this in Chattanooga where you can see for miles!
Great photos! Looks like a nice place to visit!
I would love to see the view in person. It looks amazing!