If you're craving an unforgettable outdoor adventure, pack your snacks, charge your camera, and set your alarm early because we're heading on a jam-packed day trip from Asheville to the breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains National Park! This trip is ideal for solo female travelers who love scenic drives, historic sites, wildlife sightings, and a bit of off-road adventure. Buckle up and let's go!

Full Itinerary at a Glance

Stops on This Epic Road Trip:

Cades Cove Loop – Scenic drive with historic cabins & wildlife
Elkmont Historic District – A fascinating abandoned ghost town
Newfound Gap Road – One of the most scenic drives in the Smokies
Kuwohi & Clingmans Dome – The highest peak in the park
Tennessee & North Carolina State Line – A quick photo op at the border
Oconaluftee River & Visitor Center – Beautiful riverside views & elk sightings
Cataloochee Valley – Off-roading & the best place to see wild elk

Traveler’s Tip: There are no gas stations inside the park, so fuel up before you get here. Also, restrooms are available at the visitor center but are limited along the loop.

Getting Started: Leaving Asheville Early

The best way to maximize your time in the Smokies is to leave Asheville before sunrise. Trust me, you’ll want to beat the crowds, especially if you're visiting on a busy holiday weekend like I did.

Drive time from Asheville to Cades Cove Loop: ~2 hours

Stop 1: Cades Cove Loop – Wildlife & Historic Cabins

Cades Cove is one of the most popular spots in the park, and for good reason. This one-way, 11-mile scenic loop is surrounded by stunning mountain views, lush meadows, and historic pioneer structures. It’s a paradise for photographers, history buffs, and wildlife lovers alike.

Why get there early? The loop gets extremely congested, and since it’s one-way, traffic moves painfully slow once it backs up. If you don’t want to be stuck for hours, aim to start driving the loop before 8 AM.

Highlights:

Wildlife spotting! Cades Cove is one of the best places in the Smokies to see black bears, deer, wild turkeys, and coyotes. Keep your eyes peeled, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
John Oliver Cabin – One of the oldest and best-preserved pioneer structures in the park. A great place to learn about early Appalachian settlers.
Missionary Baptist Church, Primitive Baptist Church, and Methodist Church – Historic churches that date back to the 1800s, complete with old cemeteries that tell the story of early mountain life.
Elijah Oliver Place – A charming homestead showcasing what daily life was like for settlers in the Cove.
Abrams Falls Trail – If you have extra time, consider hiking this 5-mile round-trip trail to see one of the park’s most stunning waterfalls. It’s a moderate hike with a big scenic payoff!
Scenic Overlooks – Take advantage of the many pull-offs to snap some jaw-dropping landscape photos.

After exploring Cades Cove, hop back in the car and head toward Elkmont Historic District.

🚗 Drive time to Elkmont Historic District: ~45 minutes

Stop 2: Elkmont Historic District – A Ghost Town in the Smokies

Elkmont is creepy, fascinating, and full of history. Once a thriving logging and resort town, it was abandoned in the mid-1900s. Now, you can walk among the eerie, empty cabins that feel frozen in time.

Must-See:

The Daisy Town cabins
The old Appalachian Club
The Little River Trail for a peaceful walk

This stop is relatively quick unless you want to hike. From here, it's time for a breathtaking drive!

🚗 Drive time to Newfound Gap Road: ~30 minutes

Stop 3: Driving Newfound Gap Road

Newfound Gap Road is the most scenic drive in the Smokies, winding through lush forests, steep cliffs, and epic overlooks. This road takes you from Tennessee into North Carolina, giving you the best of both worlds.

Driving tips:

There are many pull-offs—take advantage of them for jaw-dropping views!
Traffic can be slow, but it’s worth the leisurely pace.
Elevation change! You’ll climb from about 1,300 feet at the entrance to over 5,000 feet at Newfound Gap, so expect cooler temperatures at the top.
Historic Significance – Newfound Gap is where President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1940. There’s a stone monument at the site commemorating the event.
Morton Overlook – One of the best sunset spots in the park. If you can time your drive accordingly, it's worth the stop!
Seasonal Conditions – During winter months, sections of this road can be icy or closed, so always check conditions before heading out.

Next stop: the highest point in the Smokies!

🚗 Drive time to Kuwohi & Clingmans Dome: ~20 minutes

Stop 4: Kuwohi & Clingmans Dome – The Highest Peak in the Smokies

Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) is a must-visit. At 6,643 feet, it’s the highest point in the park and offers stunning 360-degree views.

The hike to the observation tower is steep but short (0.5 miles one way). It’s paved but super steep, so take your time! Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views that stretch for miles—on a clear day, you can see into seven different states!

🚗 Drive time to Tennessee/North Carolina State Line: ~15 minutes

Stop 5: Tennessee & North Carolina State Line – Straddling Two States

A quick but fun stop! Stand with one foot in Tennessee and one in North Carolina for a cool photo op. This spot is located at Newfound Gap and marks the official boundary between the two states. This is the lowest drivable mountain pass in the park (5,046 feet), so you’ll feel on top of the world.

Also - the Appalachian Trail crosses here, so if you want to say you’ve walked a small part of the famous AT, this is a great place to do it!

🚗 Drive time to Oconaluftee River & Visitor Center: ~30 minutes

Stop 6: Oconaluftee River & Visitor Center – Scenic & Historic

The Oconaluftee River is one of the most serene and picturesque spots in the Smokies. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is a must-stop for history lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone needing a break from the road.

🌿 Things to Do:

Walk along the Oconaluftee River Trail – This 1.5-mile easy trail is perfect for a peaceful nature stroll and often has elk grazing nearby.
Explore the Mountain Farm Museum – This outdoor museum features authentic 19th-century log cabins, barns, and a blacksmith shop, giving you a glimpse into early Appalachian life.
Watch for Elk! – Oconaluftee is one of the best places in the park to see elk in the wild. They’re most active in the early morning and late afternoon.
Take a Picnic Break – The grassy fields near the visitor center make for a perfect picnic spot if you packed a meal!

🚗 Drive time to Cataloochee Valley: ~1 hour (including rough roads)

Final Stop: Cataloochee Valley – Elk Watching & Off-Road Adventure

Cataloochee Valley is one of the most remote and underrated spots in the park. The drive involves gravel roads, switchbacks, and steep inclines, but it’s totally doable in a regular car if you go slow. If you love wildlife, this stop is a must!

Why It’s Worth the Detour:

Elk Watching! – Cataloochee Valley is the best place in the Smokies to see elk up close. These majestic animals were reintroduced to the park in 2001 and have thrived here ever since.
Fewer Crowds – Unlike Cades Cove, Cataloochee sees far fewer visitors, making it a peaceful and secluded spot to soak in nature.
Great for Photography – Whether it’s the wildlife, rustic cabins, or stunning valley views, you’ll want your camera ready!

💡 Things to Know Before You Go:

The road to Cataloochee is unpaved and can be rough, so drive carefully.
No gas stations or stores nearby, so fill up and bring snacks before heading in.
Best time for elk sightings is dawn or dusk—be patient and quiet for the best experience.

🚗 Drive time back to Asheville: ~1.5 hours

An Unforgettable Adventure

This epic day trip from Asheville to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is packed with breathtaking views, rich history, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Whether you’re admiring the sunrise over Cades Cove, hiking to Kuwohi, or watching elk roam freely in Cataloochee Valley, every stop on this itinerary promises an adventure you won’t forget.

Quick Tips for Solo Female Travelers:

Start early to beat the crowds and enjoy the park in peace.
Stick to well-traveled areas if hiking alone.
Bring plenty of snacks, water, and a full tank of gas—some areas are remote!
Download offline maps as cell service is spotty in many places.
Trust your instincts and enjoy the freedom of solo travel!

Day Trip Itinerary from Asheville to Great Smoky Mountains National Park