I’ve now visited 4 highest peaks in 4 states. Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Tennessee. It’s the 3rd highest peak east of the Mississippi. It’s a magnificent mountain towering over the surrounding mountains. The day we visited was hopping with visitors ready for spring and wanting to visit Clingmans Dome, which had just opened the road for warmer weather.
Clingmans Dome Tower is only a 0.5 mile hike from the parking area, but don’t let that fool you. This is an extremely steep hike. The 1 mile round trip walk is straight up hill and straight downhill. Because of the steepness the National Park Service says the paved trail is not ADA accessible, but the area is still a great place to visit because many overlooks are accessible for anyone to view.
Two other trails are near here. Mountains – to – Sea Trail and the highest point along the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
Interpretive signs near the parking area are on the Cherokee history of the area. This area to the Cherokees was vital as a homeland, refuge, and their spirituality. During the Trail of Tears after the Indian Removal Act, many Cherokees would find these mountains an escape from the soldiers driving them from their homeland. Near the parking lot there are quotes on the various beliefs of how the land was formed.
The average, estimated 82 inches of rain, and the 12 degrees cooler temperatures than the foothills provide an unique community. You’ll see more coniferous spruce-fir trees and less hardwood forests. Clingmans Dome is much like a forest you would find instead in Canada.
Many benches line the trail to the top of Clingmans Dome. The trail is rated moderate in difficulty. After reaching the top you only have to walk to the top of the tower. The concrete tower wasn’t built until 1960, and until then visitors used a wooden tower at the peak.
The tower provides a 360 view over the trees at the top of the mountain. Clingmans Dome towers at 6.643 feet. From the Southern View the above photo is facing you can see into Cherokee, Thomas Ridge, Shepard Bald, Andrews Bald, Standing Indian, Fontana Lake, Cheoah Bald, the Snowbird Mountains, and High Rocks. The sight takes you into the Nantahala National Forest. The acidity of rain and snow is 5-10 times worse than normal. It damages the trees, streams, soil, plants, and animals. The damaged Fraser Fir trees you see are actually a victim of an European insect, adelgid. It’s relative, hemlock wooly adelgid, has been killing hemlocks throughout the park.
As you move around to the Eastern View you have a view at Cherokee, Mount Pisgah, Newton Bald, Cold Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Big Cataloochee Mountain, Mount Guyot, Newfound Gap, High Top, and Balsam Point. You can also partially see Mount LeConte from this view.
From the Northern View you see into Tennessee and North Carolina. You have a view of Mount LeConte, Blanket Mountain, Cove Mountain, Bluff Mountain, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Balsam Point, High Top, Mount Goyut, and Newfound Gap.
On clear days you can 100 miles over the Smokies, but because of pollution the usual visibility is 20 miles.
We also took a quick look down to see how high we were towering above the ground below us.
The last view we walked to was the Western View. Cheoah Bald, Snowbird Mountains, High Rocks, Shuckstack, Gregory Bald, Thunderhead Mountain, Blanket Mountain, Cove Mountain, and Cades Cove are visible from this view. You also have a view of some people making it up the trail, or going back down.
This above photo is a photo from when we traveled to Clingmans Dome in 2014. The sky was clear, but we didn’t go to the tower. This year I was determined to make it to the tower, and it was the first thing I did when in the Great Smokies. I loved the way the tower was built with a cover on top because I have vertigo, so it kept me from becoming as faint as I usually do at high peaks.
I would say anyone can visit Clingmans Dome regardless of whether you go to the tower. The parking lot has a sidewalk around the parking so you can walk and enjoy more views. Plus there are overlooks on Clingmans Dome Road. Clingmans Dome and the observation tower are free to visit, but donations can be made. The 7 mile road to Clingmans Dome closes from December 1st till March 31st.
An Innovative Pursuit 