Clingmans Dome Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We hiked the short, but steep paved trail to the Clingmans Dome observation tower in October 2016. Clingmans Dome is the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi River and the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with an elevation of 6,643 feet. The two higher mountains are Mount Mitchell and Mount Craig. Both are located about twenty miles northeast of Asheville in Mount Mitchell State Park.

Built in 1959 as part of the "Mission 66" project, the 45 foot high tower generated a great deal of controversy for its use of concrete instead of stone or wood for its surfaces. The circular viewing platform is reached by a helical ramp. With a grade of over 10%, the ½ mile trail to the tower is much too steep for any wheeled devices. In fact a sign at the beginning of the trail states:

Trail Advisory

Use of wheelchairs, other power-

driven devices, or strollers 

on this trail is dangerous and 

is not recommended. 

This trail is not ADA accessible 

A visitor center is located a few steps up the trail. It houses an information desk and bookstore. Vault toilets are located in the parking area. There is no running water available.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

Beginning of the paved trail to the observation tower

Looking west from the trail

Visitor Center

American Mountain-Ash (Sorbus americana)

Forney Creek basin with Fontana Lake and Cheoah Bald in the distance

Another view of the mountains to the west

Approaching the tower

Observation deck from the ramp

Looking southwest at Fontana Lake and Cheoah Bald

Looking south at Andrews Bald

Looking east with Love Mountain in the foreground;
Mount Guyot and Big Cataloochee Mountain on the horizon

Looking northeast at Mount LeConte

Looking north at Cove Mountain, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge

Looking west with Mt Buckley in the foreground;
Shuckstack, Gregory Bald and Thunderhead Mountain on the horizon;
and sunlit Blanket Mountain on the right

Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.

The park website is https://www.nps.gov/grsm.