Name: Kuwohi (fka Clingmans Dome)
Rating: 4.3

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Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly This short, easy-to-follow trail is perfect for the entire family—the views are incredible and the tower is a fun goal. While it is paved, the trail may be too steep for strollers.

Kuwohi (fka Clingmans Dome) Road is closed December through April for weather—check with the NPS for condition updates.

Overview

Generally an agreed upon must-do when visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park—the views can't be beat, nor can summiting the third highest point west of the Mississippi!

Need to Know

This is one of the most popular attractions within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so be prepared to encounter crowds and potential parking challenges!

Because of its elevation, Clingmans Dome often has weather that's drastically colder than the rest of the park, so bring extra layers and know that the summit is often cloudy and windy.

Description

To access the trailhead, turn off Highway 441 S around Newfound Gap onto Kuwohi (fka Clingmans Dome) Road which will end at the trailhead, visitor center, and parking lot. Enjoy the drive—the views are spectacular along the way and abundant pull-offs present opportunities to stop along the way.

The paved trail departs from the west end of the parking lot. Stop in at the visitor center to get oriented and learn about the flora and fauna, and natural and cultural history of the area. Steadily sloping upwards, the trail winds through the spruce and fir forest, offering glimpses of the surrounding views, until it reaches the observation tower.

Often compared to a flying saucer, the observation tower itself is a fascinating experience. Ascend the full loop, up and around, to the top deck where the entirety of Great Smoky Mountains National Park spreads beneath you. From there, either head back to the parking lot, or hop on the Appalachian Trail for a mile or two for a longer hike.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Shared By:

Amber Scott

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.3 from 23 votes

#2

in Kuwohi (fka Clingmans Dome)

#758

Overall

4.3 from 23 votes

5 Star		52%
4 Star		26%
3 Star		22%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

6 Views Last Month

1,150 Since Mar 18, 2020

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Photos

Plenty of mountains to view from Clingman's Dome.

Mar 31, 2016 near Gatlinburg, TN

The trail on the way up to the summit and tower have spectacular views.

Aug 17, 2021 near Gatlinburg, TN

Aug 4, 2016 near Bryson…, NC

Jun 9, 2016 near Bryson…, NC

Heading to Clingmans Dome Observation Tower.

Aug 4, 2016 near Gatlinburg, TN

Below the observation deck. There is a landing there which would make a great spot for lunch.

Nov 13, 2015 near Gatlinburg, TN

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 30 days ago

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Check-Ins

Jul 6, 2024

Jon Wolfe

1.3mi

Apr 22, 2024

Rachel Solorio

1.3mi

Apr 18, 2024

Jill Newsome

Jill and Ethan

Mar 16, 2024

Tom Muldowney

Previous trip

Oct 6, 2023

Andrew Rogers

Jul 3, 2023

Walker Jester

May 6, 2023

Jan Laurens

Jan 3, 2023

Johann TheMon

unknown date

Oct 10, 2022

Will Heinle

Outdoors Club fall break trip

Aug 29, 2022

Nick Bartlebaugh

May 18, 2022

Jeff Brass

1.3mi

Nov 19, 2021

Lauren Dant

Went for Honeymoon!

Oct 14, 2021

Nick DiFranco

Sep 14, 2021

Amy Sprunck

30 minute walk up a consistent and paved incline. Was cloudy and the "smoky clouds" were blowing onto the path. Made it in time for sunset!! — 7h 30m

Sep 9, 2021

Larry Corso

Sep 2, 2021

Bruce Patterson

0.6 miles on Clingman's Dome trail, then 0.3 on Appalachian Trail, and 0.8 on Clingman's Dome bypass trail. 1.7mi

Aug 11, 2021

Chris Brennan

Aug 11, 2021

Private User

Aug 1, 2021

Connor White

This hike can have two awesome experiences: mystical foggy hiking, and clear skies. I got the former, and it made for an exciting time! 1.4mi — 2h 10m

Jul 25, 2021

Aaron Scanlan

1.3mi

Jul 6, 2021

Nathaniel B

Fun fun fun 1.3mi — 3h 30m

Jun 26, 2021

Matthew Kohls

Pretty morning with clouds rolling in. Hiked a little way down the Appalachian Trail

Jun 24, 2021

Marianna Rogers

Out and back to Clingmans Dome. 1.3mi — 0h 48m

May 28, 2021

Gene R

Hike with the sis, cloudy but a decent view in a couple directions. Hiked a bit down the AT and met some through hikers, we came back a fun way :)

May 22, 2021

Ryan Bowman

Crowded. 1.3mi — 0h 30m

Nov 23, 2020

Lily Adams

Oct 31, 2020

Elke van der Werff

1.3mi — 1h 00m

Oct 24, 2020

Ashley Yates

Oct 2, 2020

Steve Vacula Jr

Sep 20, 2020

Heather Price

Sep 18, 2020

Caroline Ulczycki

Aug 25, 2020

Luke Skywalker

Aug 12, 2020

Daniel McCloskey

Jul 11, 2020

Jennifer Poston

Amazing 360 degree views of the Smoky Mountains.

Jul 6, 2020

Stephanie Cairney

Jun 19, 2020

Katherine Jane

Jun 16, 2020

Jacob Sensenig

Jun 13, 2020

Stephanie Dagen

May 20, 2020

Lisa Lynn

Aug 2, 2019

Anette Cheramie

Sep 6, 2017

Lauren Wray

Oct 17, 2014

David Fulmer

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Kuwohi (fka Clingmans Dome)

“Visit the highest point in Tennessee for sweeping, 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains and forest. ”

1.3

2.1

Out and Back

6,646' 2,026 m

6,319' 1,926 m

327' 100 m

326' 99 m

10%

46%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly This short, easy-to-follow trail is perfect for the entire family—the views are incredible and the tower is a fun goal. While it is paved, the trail may be too steep for strollers.

Overview

Need to Know

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#2

#758

#2

#26

#758

Photos

0 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Silers Bald Loop

Alum Cave - Cliff Top Out and Back

Great Smoky Mountains Peak Loop

Deep Creek to Newton's Bald Loop

Deep Creek to Indian Creek Trail Loop

Deep Creek - Kuwohi (fka Clingmans Dome) Loop

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