Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours






Things to know
About the Activity
Purchase only one tour per vehicle, not per person. Everyone listens together! Get the full Smoky Mountain experience with this ultimate bundle tour! Explore these picturesque mountains, uncover the rich history of the Cherokee and early settlers, and find out why this is the most-visited national park in the entire country. You’ll discover beautiful overlooks, hiking trails, and waterfalls on one tour, then dive into the pioneer and Civil War history of Cades Cove with the next! If you don’t want to miss a thing, this is the deal for you. After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.4 hours to 6 hours
Private Tour
Instant Confirmation
Mobile ticket
Availability and Prices
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Travel Date
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Travelers
Inclusions & Exclusions
Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
More Activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Travel Itinerary
- Exclusive to travelers from this booking.
Locations in the itinerary
1
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
1194 Newfound Gap Road, , United States, 28719-8249Your drive through the beautiful, majestic Smoky Mountains begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Get ready to explore the Smokies and discover why this is the most visited National Park in the country!
NOTE: This 72+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Great Smoky and Cades Cove Bundle in 3-5 hours.
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location2
Mingus Mill
1/2 Mile North of Oconaluftee Visitor Center, United StatesAs you drive, you'll have the option to take a detour to the Mingus Mill, an 1886 grist mill which, believe it or not, is still fully functional! If you're here on weekends, you can even see the mill operators grind corn just like they did back in the 1800s.10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location3
Quiet Walkways
United StatesYour first major stop is the Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, a perfect spot for anyone who wants to soak up the natural beauty of the mountains without having to hike an arduous trail.10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location4
Rockefeller Memorial
Newfound Gap Stae Line Marker, 13.75 Miles from Gatlinburg, United StatesUp next is the Rockefeller Memorial, where you'll learn more about Rockefeller's importance to the park! This memorial was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt himself.10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location5
Newfound Gap Road
Between Sugarlands and Oconoluftee, 13.2 MIles from Sugarlands Visitor Center is the state line marker overlook, United States, 28719From there, your drive continues to Newfound Gap, a stunning mountain pass with huge historical significance. Hear the story of how trappers, farmers, and merchants used to cross the Smokies, and how this gap changed all of that.10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location6
Alum Cave Trail
United States, 37738Next you'll pass the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the remains of an old salt mine packed with fascinating history.10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location7
Morton Overlook
Us-441, United StatesAfter that, you'll reach Morton Overlook, hugely popular for its unbelievable sunsets.10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location8
Carlos Campbell Overlook
Newfound Gap Rd, A little over 2 miles from Gatlinburg on Newfound Gap Rd, United StatesThe next overlook on your route is Carlos Campbell Overlook, which serves up panoramic views of towering mountains and lush forests.10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView LocationMeeting and Pickup
Starting point
1
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Between May and September, Cyclists and pedestrians have exclusive usage of the Cades Cove Loop Road every Wednesday. No other vehicles are allowed during this time.View Location
3
After booking the tour, search your emails for "self-guided tour." Your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
View Location
End point
1
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Between May and September, Cyclists and pedestrians have exclusive usage of the Cades Cove Loop Road every Wednesday. No other vehicles are allowed during this time.View Location
3
After booking the tour, search your emails for "self-guided tour." Your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
View Location
Pickup details
Customers must make their own way to and meet at the start point- Travelers CANNOT choose a custom pickup or meeting location.
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Language And Guide
Audio Guide Available In
- English
Ticket Details
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- One per booking
Ticket Redemption
No redemption point. This is a direct entry ticketSet your tour up NOW ahead of your trip, while in wifi/cell signal. Do not wait until your travel date, your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR. 1. Find The Setup Instructions NOW: - Email: Search for “Action Tour Guide” with a subject line "Your tour operator sent you a message.". Check All Mail and Spam. - Text: Search for “Action Tour Guide” sent from 14159804997. - Viator App Messages: Viator App > Bookings > View Voucher > Contact Tour Operator - TripAdvisor App Messages: TripAdvisor App > Account > Messages Can’t find it? Ask Action Tour Guide to resend: actiontourguide.com/redeem/ 2. Download The Tour NOW: You MUST follow the instructions and download your tour BEFORE traveling to the site over WiFi/cellular. Do NOT wait until your travel date to download the tour. Your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR. The tour is not tied to your travel date and is valid any day, any time for multiple visits for one year from your purchase date. 3. Audio Tour Tips Not familiar with Action Tour Guide’s audio tours? Watch a short video: actiontourguide.com/tutorial Important Note: Your purchase is for the audio tour ONLY. It does not include entrance tickets to parks or attractions. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. Connect your phone via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux for audio. Use the phone speakers if needed. Valid For One Year: Use your audio tour anytime, any day over the next 12 months. No need to change your booking if your travel date changes. Support: Action Tour Guide is here to help! For quick answers read the Action Tour Guide website FAQs at actiontourguide.com/faq. For further help, call Action Tour Guide at 1315-291-0634, chat online at actiontourguide.com, or email support@actiontourguide.com. Road Closures Great Smoky: US 441/Newfound Gap Road will close at 6pm. Cades Cove: Laurel Falls Trail is closed as of January 6, 2025, for about 18 months of rehabilitation work.Cancellation & Refunds
Cancellable up to 24 hours before the travel date (local supplier time) for a full refund. A 100% cancellation penalty applies for cancellations submitted less than 24 hours before the start time.- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Cancel at least 1 day before activity starts in America/New_York time to receive 100% refund.
Reviews from Travelers
★4.3982 Reviews
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Operated by Travel with ActionCreated on 27 Jul 2020Created on 21 Apr 2025
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