However, visitors centers remain open, and their orientation information and museum displays provide a good starting place when visiting the Smokies. See the Calendar Page for more information. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is open daily except Christmas. It is two miles south of Gatlinburg, TN on US Route 441. Focusing on natural history, this visitor center has displays on the Park's plants and animals.
Staff is available to help with questions or comments.
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is also open daily except Christmas. It is one mile north of Cherokee, North Carolina. It is also near the southern terminus of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. Its displays center on the economic and environmental changes associated with logging, farming, and other 19th century activities. Orientation information is available.