Fly & Drive guide
Fly into TYS, drive to Great Smoky Mountains
Your route
TYS
McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville)
Great Smoky Mountains
About 1 h 27 min · 47 mi by car, no stops. Estimate only.
Your arrival plan
01Flights to TYS
Compare fares into McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville).
Find flightsPartner link · Aviasales · Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0
02Car at TYS
Pick up at the airport and drive straight to Great Smoky Mountains. Compare rental companies in one search.
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03Store extra bags
Early arrival or late flight home? Drop luggage nearby and keep the car light for the park.
Find storagePartner link · Radical Storage · Photo: abdallahh from Montréal, Canada · CC BY 2.0
04 · First night near Great Smoky Mountains
Sleep close after the drive so day one starts in the park.
04Hotels near Great Smoky Mountains
Compare hotels and lodges on the way in, with free-cancellation filters.
Search ExpediaPartner link · Expedia · Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0
04Cabins & homes near Great Smoky Mountains
Whole homes and cabins for families or groups who want a kitchen and space.
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Before you land
Reservations
Parking Tag and Campground Booking Official Check
Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a valid parking tag for any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes. While there is no entry fee or timed reservation for general driving, all campgrounds require advance booking via Recreation.gov. Popular areas like Cades Cove may have seasonal vehicle-free hours that require checking the official NPS schedule before your visit.
Official reservation infoBest time to fly in
April – June, October
Quick answers
What is the closest airport to Great Smoky Mountains?
McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville) (TYS) is the nearest commercial airport we route from.
How long is the drive from TYS to Great Smoky Mountains?
Roughly 1 h 27 min (about 47 miles) by car, without stops. Times are estimates.
Do I need a reservation to visit Great Smoky Mountains?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a valid parking tag for any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes. While there is no entry fee or timed reservation for general driving, all campgrounds require advance booking via Recreation.gov. Popular areas like Cades Cove may have seasonal vehicle-free hours that require checking the official NPS schedule before your visit.
