Located on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the city of Gatlinburg, TN offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world! Over 11 million people visit the Smoky Mountains each year to admire the area’s natural beauty. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Black Bear Inn & Suites has put together a guide to enjoying the six best mountain views in Gatlinburg and the Smokies.
1. Clingmans Dome
For the area’s most stunning mountain views, we recommend heading straight to the top of the Smokies! At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the national park, the state of Tennessee, and the entire Appalachian Trail. From atop this observation tower, visitors will be able to see for over 100 miles on a clear day.
2. Newfound Gap Road
Newfound Gap Road cuts through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, connecting Gatlinburg, TN with Cherokee, NC. This road offers incredibly scenic views of the mountains and a variety of forests. According to the National Park Service, seeing all of the ecosystems along Newfound Gap Road is like driving from Georgia to Maine! When you reach the Newfound Gap parking area halfway between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, be sure to stop and take in the views.
3. Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway
The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway offers some of the very best mountain views in Gatlinburg. This 2.1-mile cable car ride leaves from downtown Gatlinburg and takes guests up to the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park at the top of Mt. Harrison. As you make your way to the ski resort, you will be treated to spectacular vistas of the Smokies. Black Bear Inn & Suites is just a 3-minute walk from the boarding area for the Aerial Tramway.
4. Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook
Located along the Gatlinburg Bypass, the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook is a pull off where millions of visitors stop to snap the perfect photo. This unique vantage point offers a picturesque view of the city of Gatlinburg surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. The dramatic contrast in elevation between the city and the mountains makes this view absolutely unforgettable.
5. Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a gorgeous valley that is lined with beautiful mountain views. In addition to the mountains, visitors to Cades Cove will find numerous historic cabins from the 1800s and some of the best wildlife viewing in the national park. If you want to see a black bear during your vacation to the Smokies, this is the place to visit! Navigating Cades Cove is easy, as the valley features an 11- mile, one-way loop road.
6. Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space Needle offers incredible panoramic views in the heart of the city. At 407 feet tall, this wonderful observation tower is the perfect place to admire the downtown area and the Great Smoky Mountains. Visitors to the Space Needle can also enjoy a fun arcade, an excellent pizza restaurant, a thrilling escape game, or one the wonderful shows at the Iris Theater.
When you stay at Black Bear Inn & Suites, you will be near all of the best mountain views in Gatlinburg and the Smokies. Our hotel is minutes away from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and within walking distance of all the attractions in downtown Gatlinburg. With a complimentary hot breakfast bar, an enclosed heated pool, free high-speed wireless internet, and rooms with beautiful balconies, Black Bear Inn has everything you need for an amazing vacation. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of Gatlinburg hotel rooms!