Where to Stay Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

To begin to understand the breadth and beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you must first look at it by the numbers: 522,427 acres, 16 peaks over 6,000 feet in elevation, 848 miles of hiking trails, and nearly 23,000 different species living among the creeks, mountains, and wildflower-filled valleys. According to the National Park Service, over 12 million people venture to this part of North Carolina and Tennessee each year, making it one of the most-visited national parks in the US.
The quantitative view, however, only provides the initial context for this sprawling, incredibly biodiverse region. To truly wrap your head around the wonder and wildness of the Smokies, you have to experience it for yourself. Watch the namesake fog settle over the mountains in the early morning. Stumble upon a sky-high waterfall or two. Finally snag a rainbow trout after hours of wading through a cool mountain stream.
Whether it's your first time exploring the park or you're planning a return trip, you have options for where to set up your base camp. The historic LeConte Lodge is the only lodging within the park's boundaries—and reservations for the following year are quickly snatched up when the booking window opens in the fall—but there are plenty of memorable hotels, unique glampsites, and rentals to choose from in and around the park's gateway towns.
Read on to discover 11 of the best places to stay near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

CBS News

an hour ago

• CBS News

2025 Ford Fireworks in Detroit. Here's what to know about parking, street closures and curfew

The Ford Fireworks show along the Detroit River will begin around 10 p.m. Monday, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to gather for views framed by the downtown Detroit skyline. This event is produced by The Parade Company. To watch the fireworks in person, authorities suggest picking a spot from the public viewing areas at Hart Plaza, Spirit Plaza or Belle Isle. Admission to the public viewing areas is free, but vehicle passes or parking garage fees apply at specific locations. A number of street closures, parking restrictions and public transportation announcements are in effect that day. Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza Both Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza are weapon-free zones for the public, with no weapons or knives permitted. Backpacks will be searched. Both plazas will be open until capacity is reached. Pedestrian set-ups and/or gatherings will not be permitted before 2 p.m. on June 23, no re-admittance for those who leave either plaza. Everyone who wishes to be part of a group should arrive together, as reserving an area in excess of the number of people currently in the group is prohibited. Coolers are allowed, but will be searched. Cooking is prohibited. Flames, fires and fireworks by the public are prohibited in the plazas. Belle Isle viewing Belle Isle will open at 5 a.m. June 23 to pedestrians and bicyclists. Vehicles will not be allowed on the island until 2 p.m. that day. From 2 to 4 p.m., all vehicles will be directed to the paddock area (except those with valid ADA placards). RV parking will be in the paddock area near the Casino. Once the island's capacity is reached, no additional vehicles will be admitted to the park. To get updates on when the island is full, text GEM to 80888. Motorists will need the Recreation Passport to enter the island. The passport, which is only needed for vehicles, may be purchased at the entrance for $14. The passport is $11 for out-of-state and international visitors for the day. Viewing from the MacArthur Bridge on Belle Isle will not be permitted. Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island. No tents and canopies allowed. Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island. Closed locations Several riverside parks will be closed on June 23, including the following: RiverWalk in its entirety from Gabriel Richard Park to Huntington Place AB Ford Park, 100 Lenox Dequindre Cut Erma Henderson Park, 8800 E. Jefferson Ave. Gabriel Richard Park, 7130 E. Jefferson Ave. Lakewood East, 14578 Riverfront Blvd. Maheras-Gentry Park, 12550 Avondale Mariner Park, 14700 Riverside Blvd. Milliken State Park/Harbor Mt. Elliott Park, 110 Mt. Elliott Owens Park, 8430 E. Jefferson Ave. Riverside Park Stockton Park, 9250 Dwight Municipal parking spots Detroit's Municipal Parking Department will not enforce the time limits on parking meters after 5 p.m. on June 23. However, motorists are advised to observe parking restrictions. Parking violators will be ticketed and, in some instances, vehicles may be towed. Motorists will be ticketed for: Improper parking (vehicles within 20 feet of a crosswalk; within 15 feet of an intersection; within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic control device; and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant) Parking in front of fire hydrants and bus stops or blocking driveways and alleys. Parking in designated zones, such as handicap zones (without proper credentials), fire lanes, no parking zones or no standing zones Parking garages The Municipal Parking Department will provide parking at two city-owned garages. Ford Underground Garage, 30 East Jefferson Avenue, will be open from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. The parking fee is $10. Eastern Market Garage, 2727 Riopelle Street, will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Parking fee is $5. Fireworks viewing and tailgating are prohibited at the parking garages. For more information, call (313) 221-2500 or go online to Street and freeway closures The following traffic changes will begin about 6 p.m. on June 23: No northbound or southbound traffic will be allowed on Woodward Avenue beginning at Park and Witherell. Motorists may cross Woodward at John R/Clifford, Grand River, and State/Gratiot. All streets south of Fort and west of Woodward will be closed. All streets south of Congress and east of Woodward will be closed. Beginning at 6 p.m., freeways may begin to close. The Detroit Police Department might adjust the closing time, depending on the volume of vehicle traffic. Juvenile curfew enforcement The City of Detroit curfew for ages 17 and under will be in effect from 8 p.m. on June 23 until 6 a.m. June 24 for the area surrounded by the Detroit River, Rosa Parks Blvd., Lodge Freeway, Fisher Freeway, the extension of Fisher Freeway east to include Gratiot Avenue, Vernor Highway, Chene Street, Atwater Street and Chene Park. Minors can view the fireworks from any approved public area. However, for their safety, minors must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult (age 21 or over), if they choose to view from within the curfew boundaries. Minors will be allowed to travel to and from work, school, church or organized activities. Minors in violation of the curfew will be taken to the Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval, and held there until picked up by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian will also receive a parental responsibility violation ticket. Lost children Families can meet up with and pick up their lost children in these locations: Huntington Place, off Atwater Drive, in the atrium Detroit Police Department 3rd Precinct, 2875 W. Grand Blvd. (313) 596-5300 Detroit Police Department 4th Precinct, 4700 W. Fort Street (313) 596-5400 Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval, 628-2100 DDOT bus lines The Detroit Department of Transportation said the following bus routes will be impacted by the fireworks: Grand River (#3), Woodward northbound only (#4), Van Dyke/Lafayette (#5), Gratiot (#6), Jefferson (#9), Dexter (#16), Fort (#19), Russell (#40), Chene (#52), and Cadillac/Harper (#67). Buses running on the west side of downtown will lay over at Rosa Parks Transit Center; buses running on the east side of downtown will lay over at the Bricktown People Mover Station. For reroute information, check the DDOT site. For more information regarding DDOT service, call 313-933-1300. Detroit People Mover service The Detroit People Mover will operate from 6:30 a.m. until midnight. Riders may exit at the Financial District Station for viewing at Spirit or Hart Plaza. Due to early closures at Huntington Place, Millender Center and Renaissance Center, trains will not stop at these stations after 2 p.m. All other stations remain open. People Mover rides are free. DDOT transfers from the Rosa Parks Transit Center should board at Times Square Station or the Bricktown Station for east side layovers. For more information, go to the People Mover site or call 313-224-2160.

Travel + Leisure

an hour ago

• Travel + Leisure

Florida's Naples Beach Club Hotel Will Be Back This Fall as a Four Seasons—Take a First Look Inside

Florida's Gulf Coast hotel scene is getting a glamorous glow-up this fall with the arrival of Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort. Taking over the renowned Naples Beach Club Hotel & Golf Club, the resort will feature 163 guest rooms, 57 suites, and 153 residences. The renovated hotel sits on 1,000 feet of sandy shoreline in Old Naples and will offer a balance of the Gulf Coast's natural beauty and local Naples charm with residential-style accommodations. The ocean-themed guest rooms have expansive terraces with daybeds, walk-in closets, and dining nooks, alongside eye-catching decor elements such as flamingo pink or periwinkle blue lacquered cabinetry. The Resort View One Bedroom Suite features ocean-inspired interiors and expansive private terraces, allowing guests to enjoy seamless indoor-outdoor living. Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort 'We are thrilled to unveil a brand-new resort that reinterprets the beloved destination of Naples for the next generation of guests, residents, and the local community when we open later this year,' Antoine Chahwan, the president of hotel operations for the Americas division at Four Seasons, said in a statement. 'As this highly anticipated opening comes to life, the Four Seasons culture of service and excellence will ensure an exceptional experience, further inspired by the spirit of this treasured location.' The new Four Seasons also encompasses a 125-acre residential and golf resort, which will include The Gardens, a Tom Fazio-redesigned 18-hole golf course slated to open next year. On the residential front, Naples Beach Club will include 58 luxury condos across three beachfront buildings, while 95 luxury condos will be offered across five residential buildings facing the golf course. 'Naples Beach Club is our modern expression of the cherished traditions and style of Naples,' the resort's general manager Diego Angarita said in a statement. 'Our team cannot wait to open the doors, welcome guests and connect with the community, establishing the property as a social hub and gathering place for locals and visitors alike.' Four Seasons tapped two-time James Beard Award winner Gavin Kaysen for The Merchant Room, Naples Beach Club's signature dining venue and his first restaurant outside the Midwest. Kaysen's arrival signals a polished-yet-approachable style to a menu of seasonal Gulf Coast–inspired dishes with French finesse, served indoors and al fresco with front-row views of the water. 24 Best Weekend Getaways in Florida 18 Best Family Beaches in Florida The resort's oceanfront Sunset Bar. Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort Another venue is one that guests and locals are likely to recognize. HB's, the beloved beachfront, returns with a breezy makeover and a toes-in-the-sand vibe. It is named for Henry B. Watkins, who founded the original Naples Beach Hotel, and pays homage to the past in a space built for sunset seafood feasts and barefoot cocktails. Sunset Bar is also planned for a revival in the new hotel, reclaiming its status as the go-to spot in town for golden hour with a mai tai on the side. Naples Beach Club guests will also have access to Market Square, a multifaceted bazaar that includes Naples Trading Company for grab-and-go provisions as well as entertainment options, such as a four-lane bowling alley, private screening room, game room, and a putting green. Market Square also features the supervised FINS Club for Kids, a mix of open-air and indoor event spaces, and, beginning in 2026, The Wager, a sports pub. Those looking for more laid-back vibes can enjoy a treatment at the 30,000-square-foot Sanctuary Spa with a rooftop lap pool and a Harley Pasternak-designed gym. This being Naples, the star of the show is obviously the beach. Attentive staffers will be on hand for towel drops and spritz refills, as well as to help arrange water sports or beach games. Save at least one sunset for aboard the 34-foot classic Hinckley Picnic Boat, offered exclusively to hotel guests. Those who are more about pool time than splashing in the Gulf can enjoy two different options, both surrounded by loungers and private cabanas. A family-friendly splash area is also available. Guests who like to venture off-site can enjoy a variety of experiences, ranging from exploring Everglades National Park to shopping Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples, or attending a night at the Naples Philharmonic. Nightly rates at Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort start at $1,100. Reservations are now open for stays beginning November 24, 2025, and can be booked on

Travel Weekly

an hour ago

• Travel Weekly

Air India will reduce U.S. frequencies

Air India will reduce frequencies on three U.S. routes from June 21 through at least July 15. Delhi-San Francisco will drop from 10-times weekly to daily; Delhi-Chicago O'Hare will be reduced from daily to three-times weekly; and Delhi-Washington Dulles will go from five-times weekly to three-times per week. The moves come as the carrier continues enhanced safety checks on its widebody fleet following the June 12 Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 241 passengers and crew and 29 people on the ground. India's civil aviation authority has thus far cleared 26 of the airline's 33 Dreamliners following those checks. But Air India has also decided to undertake checks on its fleet of Boeing 777s. The safety checks, coupled with increased flight times on many routes due to restrictions on Indian carriers overflying Pakistan, led Air India to cancel 83 international flights between June 13 and June 18. Overall, the carrier will reduce its international flight schedule by 15% during the June 21 to July 15 time frame to improve reliability. "Air India apologizes to the passengers affected due to these curtailments and will inform them in advance and make its best efforts to accommodate them on alternate flights. Passengers will also be offered a choice to reschedule their travel without any cost or to be given full refund, as per their choice," the airline said.