Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap: Smokies Day Trip & Elkmont Ghost Town

Summary

Elkmont ghost town trails and mountain roads up to Newfound Gap ridge

You’ll ride from Gatlinburg into the heart of the Smokies with a local guide, wander among Elkmont’s ghostly cabins, climb winding roads to scenic overlooks, and finally stand on the state line at Newfound Gap—where history meets mountain silence. Expect stories you won’t find on signs and moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed was how the air in Gatlinburg felt—kind of damp, a little piney, with that faint smell of wood smoke you get in these mountain towns. Our guide, Mike (born and raised here), pulled up in this clean van and handed out bottled water before we even left the parking lot. He joked about “Appalachian air conditioning”—aka rolling down the windows as we started winding toward Elkmont Ghost Town. The drive wasn’t long but it felt like stepping back a hundred years; mossy stone chimneys poking through trees, a few crumbling cabins where you could almost hear echoes if you stood still enough. Mike told us about loggers and old resort folks who used to summer here—he even pointed out a rusty mailbox someone had left behind. I tried to picture what it sounded like when trains ran through here. Hard to imagine now with just birds and our footsteps crunching gravel.

The road up to Newfound Gap is all switchbacks and sudden views—one minute you’re deep in shadowy woods, next there’s this break in the trees and you see layers of blue ridges fading off forever. We stopped at one overlook where the wind nearly took my hat (should’ve listened when Mike warned me). He answered every random question—about wildflowers, black bears, even why the valleys look so smoky in the morning (it’s not actual smoke). I got a photo of my friend pretending to hold up a cloud. It was colder than I expected at 5,000 feet; everyone zipped their jackets tighter when we stepped out at Newfound Gap.

Standing on that stone marker between Tennessee and North Carolina felt oddly important—like being in two places at once for a second. There’s this plaque where President Roosevelt dedicated Great Smoky Mountains back in 1940; Mike read part of it out loud and for some reason that hit me harder than I thought it would. The Appalachian Trail crosses right there too—I watched two hikers disappear into the trees heading north, backpacks bouncing. For a minute it was just quiet except for wind and someone laughing about “should we just keep walking?” Honestly I still think about that view down into Oconaluftee Valley—a kind of hush over everything that made me want to stay longer than we did.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore park history and scenic views

• Pickup in Gatlinburg, TN
• Visit Elkmont Ghost Town ruins
• Learn about logging and pioneers
• Drive 13 miles on Newfound Gap Road
• Stop at scenic overlooks for photos
• Arrive at Newfound Gap state line
• Learn about Appalachian Trail and park dedication

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap take?

The tour is designed as a day trip with several stops along the way from Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap.

Is there hotel pickup included in this Smokies tour?

The tour includes pickup at a set location in Gatlinburg, TN.

What do we see at Elkmont Ghost Town?

You’ll explore remains of old cabins, learn about logging history, early settlers, and see relics from its days as a resort town.

Are snacks or drinks provided on this trip?

Bottled water and snacks are included during your day trip through the Smokies.

How high is Newfound Gap?

Newfound Gap sits over 5,000 feet above sea level on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina.

Does this tour include hiking?

You’ll walk around historic areas like Elkmont but it’s suitable for all fitness levels—not strenuous hiking.

Will we learn about Appalachian Trail history?

Yes—the guide shares stories about the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail which crosses right at Newfound Gap.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Gatlinburg in an eco-friendly van with bottled water and snacks along the way; you’ll have time to explore Elkmont Ghost Town on foot before driving scenic mountain roads up to Newfound Gap with plenty of stops for photos and stories from your local guide.