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
2
You can also begin the tour from Gatlinburg at the parking lot at 1151 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN. The tour works in both directions so that you can begin in Gatlinburg and end in Cherokee, or vice versa.View Location
3
Begin the tour from Cherokee at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at 1194 Newfound Gap Road, TN. After booking, search your emails for "audio 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 onsiteView 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
2
You can also begin the tour from Gatlinburg at the parking lot at 1151 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN. The tour works in both directions so that you can begin in Gatlinburg and end in Cherokee, or vice versa.View Location
3
Begin the tour from Cherokee at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at 1194 Newfound Gap Road, TN. After booking, search your emails for "audio 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 onsiteView 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: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour 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.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
Language And Guide
Audio Guide Available In
- English
Ticket Details
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- One per booking
Ticket Redemption
Tickets will be delivered post-booking by email; or, physically delivered to the customer or the customer's hotel1. Find The Setup Instructions NOW: • Download the App: actiontourguide.com/app • Find Your Password: Search your email or text messages for "Action Tour Guide" • Enter Password: Open the app and enter your 8-digit password • Download the Tour NOW while you have WiFi or cell service • Offline Ready: Once downloaded, the tour works without internet • Need Help? Visit: actiontourguide.com/redeem 2. Download The Tour NOW: • Download NOW over WiFi or cellular data ahead of your trip. • Don't wait until travel day - your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR from purchase. • Your password redemption is limited to the number of travelers booked. Please enter the same password on each device. 3. Audio Tour Tips: • This is a self-guided audio tour - no one will meet you at the starting point. • Entrance and attraction tickets are not included. Please book those separately. • Curious how it works? Watch a quick video here: actiontourguide.com/tutorial • For the best audio experience, connect to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or AUX, or listen through your phone's speaker. • CarPlay and Android Auto aren't supported yet. • Valid for 12 months - listen to your tour on any day without changing your travel date or rebooking! 4. Help & Support: • Visit our FAQs: actiontourguide.com/faq • Chat online: actiontourguide.com • Call: 1-435-288-0560 • Email: support@actiontourguide.com Important Note: • US 441/Newfound Gap Road will close at 6 pm. • Beginning March 1, 2023, valid parking tags will be required for each vehicle parked anywhere within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. • Parking tags will be available for purchase online on nps.gov and onsite. • 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. • 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
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No reviews found!Operated by Travel with ActionCreated on 27 Jul 2020Created on 15 Jul 2025
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