Kristina Plaas
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Tonight at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!
Weather & conditions
Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet (267 meters) to 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) and the topography can drastically affect local weather. Temperatures can vary by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from mountain base to top, and clear skies lower down do not guarantee equally pleasant weather at higher elevations.
What this latitude gives you
From 35.6° north, anything above declination +54.4° is circumpolar here: it never sets, so it is available on every clear night of the year. Anything below declination -54.4° never clears the horizon at all.
Astronomical darkness lasts through every night of the year here, including midsummer, which makes this a rare site for a June or July imaging trip.
We do not hold a measured Bortle class for this site, so treat the sky as unknown until you have taken a reading of your own.
Where to stay near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hotels, cabins, lodges and holiday rentals within reach of these coordinates, for the nights you have chosen above. We earn a commission if you book through this map, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what you are shown: nothing here is ordered, promoted or paid for. How the site is paid for.
- Address
- 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- Phone
- (865)436-1200
- Coordinates
- 35.6012, -83.5082
- Official site
- nps.gov