It is a great place for sunrises and sunsets. Cloudy days, precipitation, and cold temperatures reveal the hostile environment atop Clingmans Dome. Proper preparation is essential for a good visit. Weather conditions atop Clingmans Dome change quickly. May. Although Clingmans Dome is open year-round, the road leading to it is closed from December 1 through April 1, and whenever weather conditions require.
People can hike and cross-country ski on the road during the winter.
The Park's third highest peak, Mt. LeConte , is home to LeConte Lodge , accessible only by foot or horseback. Even those who can't bring themselves to leave the comfort of their cars find a visit to the Smokies awe-inspiring, because the roads in the park are designed for scenic driving . There are numerous turnouts and parking areas at viewpoints or historic sites. Traffic, winding roads, and the scenery conspire to making driving time more important than distance here in the park. Figure about twice the time to drive a given distance that you would for normal highways.