Great Smoky Mountains National Park · North Carolina, Tennessee

Kuwohi Trail

0.8 mi of trail, end to end · Hike to Kuwohi: 1 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 450 ft of climbing · 6,199 ft–6,644 ft · asphalt surface · trail class Developed

ViewsPeaksVisitor centersTowers

6,199 ft 6,643 ft · 0.7 mi high 6,643 ft

Along the way Kuwohi Kuwohi Tower Forney Ridge Overlook Kuwohi Overlook Kuwohi Visitor Center

Trailhead Kuwohi Trail Trailhead 6,310 ft Drive there

Hike to Kuwohi 1 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

no dogs · entrance fee applies

Start Expect crowds and full parking at Kuwohi—consider a shuttle

An elevated, paved walkway to a round observation tower overlooking mountains. Hiker icon in corner.
Hike one mile (1.6 km) roundtrip from the parking area and past the visitor information center. Photo: NPS Photo/Bennett

Overview

Expect extreme crowding and limited parking—consider a shuttle or alternate hikes listed below

Walk one mile (1.6 km) roundtrip from the parking area along a steep, paved path to an iconic and popular observation tower with panoramic views from the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park .

Reach the observation tower from either the paved hike leading from the parking lot or the bypass trail, which begins at the Forney Ridge Trailhead and ascends towards the Appalachian Trail. The bypass trail offers visitors high-elevation solitude in what is often a congested area of the park. Along this short route, visitors can enjoy vistas of Sugarland Mountain and the Elkmont area of the Smokies.

Kuwohi Road (formerly known as Clingmans Dome Road) is closed in winter.

Length

1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip

Parking & Trailhead

Consider a shuttle or park at the end of Kuwohi Road (formerly known as Clingmans Dome Road). The trail leaves from near the visitor information center. Don't forget your parking tag .

Nearest Restroom

Pit toilets near parking lot (closed in winter)

Alternate Hikes

Look Rock Tower : 0.8 miles (1.3 km) roundtrip

Andrews Bald : 3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip

Pets The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only two park trails where pets are permitted. Pets are also allowed in picnic areas, in campgrounds, and on roads.

Accessibility Trail is paved but very steep.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 244 trails in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.