If you want to experience some of the most stunning views in the Smoky Mountains, plan an afternoon to visit Kuwohi! This mountain peak is not only the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but also the highest point in the state of Tennessee and the third highest peak east of the Mississippi! You’ll find this popular destination just over an hour from our Sevierville hotel, making it easy to work into your vacation itinerary! Here are the top 4 things you need to know about visiting Kuwohi:
What to Expect
Kuwohi is a mountain peak that stands at 6,643 feet, providing spectacular 360-degree panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys! While the views are typically limited to under 20 miles, they sometimes extend up to 100 miles on clear days, where you can see parts of 7 different states! An observation tower sits at the summit of Kuwohi and is an excellent place to see a beautiful Smoky Mountain sunrise or sunset. Keep in mind that due to the elevation, the weather at the peak can be much cooler than it is in Sevierville, so you’ll want to dress accordingly!
Original Name of the Peak
If the name Kuwohi sounds unfamiliar to you, you might recognize this impressive mountain peak from its original name, Clingman’s Dome. While the peak has always been known as Kuwohi to the Cherokee People, it was named Clingmans Dome in 1859 by geographer Arnold Guyot for Thomas L. Clingman, who extensively explored, measured, and promoted the area in the 1850s (and who would go on to become a Confederate general of the American Civil War). In 2024, the peak was officially changed from Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi, which translates to “mulberry place” in Cherokee.
Access Information
The Kuwohi Observation Tower is open year-round for your enjoyment, but note that the road leading to it closes seasonally from early December through late March. When the road is closed during the winter months, some visitors enjoy cross-country skiing to the observation tower! To get to Kuwohi, turn off Newfound Gap Road and then follow Kuwohi Road to the large parking lot at the end (it’s 7 miles to the end of Kuwohi Road). The road ends at a large parking area. From the parking area, you’ll hike a paved, but steep, half-mile trail to the top of the observation tower.
Kuwohi Visitor Center Information
The Kuwohi Visitor Center, one of the official visitor centers within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is located right along Kuwohi Road and offers a small bookstore, shop, and restroom facilities. This is also an excellent opportunity to speak with a park ranger and have any of your park questions answered! The visitor center is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM from April through November, but is closed during the winter months.
Check out more things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with your family when you stay with us! We’re a great destination for those looking for a convenient place to stay near Kuwohi and all of the exciting places throughout the Smokies! We look forward to seeing you soon!
