Clingmans Dome // 6,643 ft · Great Smoky Mountains NP
Car rental for Clingmans Dome
The highest point in the Smokies. A comfortable, capable car for the 7-mile climb and the views above the cloud line.
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Quick answer
These current cars are recommended for a scenic Smoky Mountains drive. Compare seating and transmission for your route. Choose Maryville pickup or contactless delivery at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Review the pickup instructions for your confirmed booking before traveling.
Key facts
- Elevation
- 6,643 ft: highest in Tennessee and on the Appalachian Trail
- Road to summit
- 7-mile paved spur from Newfound Gap (Clingmans Dome Rd)
- From TYS
- ~2 hr · 65 miles
- From Maryville
- ~1 hr 45 min · 60 miles
- Season
- Road closed December–March
- Speed limit on spur
- 25 mph
- Current vehicles listed
- 6
- Pickup
- Maryville or TYS airport delivery
- Pricing
- Choose trip dates and times on a vehicle page
Best cars for this road
See full fleet →Compare prices for your dates
6 current options. Enter your trip times once, then choose a vehicle to check availability.
Earliest pickup: today at 2:30 PM ET.
Estimates include rental taxes. Optional extras and airport exit parking are separate. Your dates carry through to the vehicle page.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 30th Anniversary
2 seats · Manual · RWD · Convertible
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2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Base
5 seats · Automatic · 4WD
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2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams
5 seats · Automatic · 4WD
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2014 Nissan NV Passenger SL
12 seats · Automatic · RWD
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2017 Nissan NV Passenger SL
12 seats · Automatic · RWD
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2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0
4 seats · Manual · RWD
View vehicle & pricing →Ready to request a trip? You'll create an account, verify your email and phone, and provide your driver's license, a selfie and insurance details before submitting. A request is reviewed before your booking is confirmed.
Need help with seating, luggage or pickup? Ask us before you book.
The drive to Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome sits at 6,643 feet, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the highest point in Tennessee, and the highest point on the entire Appalachian Trail. (The highest peak in the Appalachians is Mount Mitchell, NC, at 6,684 feet.) The access road is Clingmans Dome Road, a 7-mile paved spur off Newfound Gap Road (US-441) at the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. The spur is steep, well-maintained, and fully paved, but the 25 mph speed limit and switchbacks demand a car with confident brakes.
The road is closed from December through March due to ice and snow at high elevation. April through November is the open season, with the clearest air conditions typically in late September and October before foliage peak crowds arrive.
From the parking area, a half-mile paved trail (steep, about 300 feet of elevation gain) leads to the summit observation tower. Above the tree line near the top, the 360-degree view spans seven states on clear days.
What to know before you go
Temperatures at 6,643 feet are significantly colder than the valley floor, typically 10–15°F cooler. Bring layers regardless of the season. In April and October, summit conditions can include wind and occasional frost even when Gatlinburg is comfortable.
The half-mile trail to the observation tower is paved but steep. Strollers and wheelchairs are manageable with effort, but it's not trivial. The tower itself is closed for renovation through various seasons; check NPS.gov before visiting for current hours.
Drive times from our pickup points
| From | To | Minutes | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) | Clingmans Dome parking area | 115 | 65 |
| Maryville, TN | Clingmans Dome parking area | 105 | 60 |
| Gatlinburg, TN | Clingmans Dome parking area | 55 | 23 |
| Clingmans Dome | Cades Cove loop entrance | 95 | 48 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive to the top of Clingmans Dome?
There is no road to the summit. Vehicles park 0.5 miles below at the Clingmans Dome parking area and walk up the paved trail to the observation tower. The drive on the 7-mile spur road brings you to the trailhead parking, not the summit.
Is AWD required for the Clingmans Dome road?
Not on dry pavement. The spur is fully paved and any vehicle handles it in normal conditions. If the forecast includes rain or if you're visiting in late October or early November, AWD gives meaningful margin on the steep descent. The road closes in winter specifically because of ice.
How long does a Clingmans Dome visit take?
Plan 3–4 hours total from Gatlinburg: 40 minutes up Newfound Gap Road, 15 minutes on the spur to the parking lot, 30–45 minutes for the hike and summit time, then the reverse. Many guests combine it with a stop at Newfound Gap itself on the state line.
When is the best time to visit Clingmans Dome?
Late September through early October for fall color at the summit level. The spruce-fir forest has a distinct character from the hardwood forest below. Early morning avoids the parking lot crunch and offers the best chance of clear skies above the cloud line. Mid-July through Labor Day is the busiest period; if you must visit then, arrive by 8am.
How do I see pricing and request a booking?
Open a vehicle and select your trip start and end dates and times to see pricing. A listed vehicle is not a guarantee of availability for your dates. Continue from the vehicle page to submit a booking request.
Where do I collect the car?
Choose Maryville pickup or contactless delivery at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Review the pickup instructions for your confirmed booking before traveling. Airport delivery has no separate delivery charge. Customer responsible for airport parking fee upon exit, typically no more than $13
Related
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Smoky Mountains
The broader Smokies umbrella: Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and the park roads.
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Cades Cove
The western side of the park: 11-mile paved loop, about 90 minutes from Clingmans Dome.
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Gatlinburg
The closest town to Clingmans Dome: rental logistics and broader trip planning.
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AWD rentals
When the summit forecast includes clouds. AWD gives margin on the steep spur in mixed conditions.
Current scenic-road choices