THE EARNEST TRAVELER
Kuwohi — formerly Clingmans Dome, and given back its original Cherokee name in 2024 — is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains and the highest on the entire Appalachian Trail.
The Summit & Tower
At 6,643 feet, Kuwohi tops both the park and the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail. A spiral observation tower at the summit gives 360-degree views — on a clear day, into seven states. A small visitor center sits near the parking area. This is spruce-fir forest, cool and often cloud-wrapped even in summer; bring a layer.
The Trail Up
From the parking area a paved trail climbs half a mile to the tower. It is short but genuinely steep — doable for most visitors at a slow pace, with benches along the way. The Appalachian Trail also crosses here, so you can step onto it directly from the summit.
The Road & Parking
Kuwohi Road is open roughly April 1 through November 29, 2026, and closes for winter (and during snow or ice). Parking demand here regularly exceeds capacity — arrive early or late, and mind the 15-minute parking-tag rule.
Kuwohi is one of the best sunset and night-sky spots in the East — far from city light, high above the haze. Bring a headlamp for the walk back down after dark, and check that the road is still open for the season.
It is cold and breezy at 6,600 feet even in summer.