7 days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Asheville Itinerary

Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains some of the highest mountains east of the Mississippi River, but it's the ease of access that makes this national park the United States' most visited.

Visiting Roaring Fork and Newfound Gap Road will get you outdoors. And it doesn't end there: look for all kinds of wild species at Cades Cove, stroll through Charlies Bunion, trek along Upper Tremont Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and take in the awesome beauty at Clingmans Dome.

For reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Great Smoky Mountains National Park online attractions planner.

Pittsburgh to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. You can also take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Pittsburgh in October, expect nights in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to be about the same, around 51°F, while days are somewhat warmer, around 74°F. You will leave for Asheville on the 7th (Wed).

Asheville nestles between two major mountain ranges in the scenic western section of North Carolina.

On the 7th (Wed), learn the secrets of beer at BREW-ed. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 8th (Thu): whizz through the canopy at Navitat Canopy Adventures - Asheville Zipline and then take a memorable drive along Blue Ridge Pkwy.

To find traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read Asheville trip planner.

Traveling by bus from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Asheville takes 3 hours. In October, plan for daily highs up to 70°F, and evening lows to 47°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.