clingmans dome

Clingmans Dome is one of the most touristed things you can do in Smokey Mountain National Park. Being a very popular place to visit it's a mixed bag of good and bad.The good first:1. It is the highest point in the state of Tennessee. So if you're into saying you've been to places like that it's certainly a must do.2. The elevation at the top of the mountain is over 6000 feet which means it's cool even in the summer. Sometimes it can be cold and really windy. This means that the plant life on top of the mountain is very different from the lower elevation.3. If it's a clear day you can have a great view from the top.4. It's easy to get to. Clingmans Dome is on a spur road off the main highway through the park. You can simply drive your way to the top of the mountain. If you want there is a short but steep path at the very top leading up to an observation platform. But other than that there is almost no physical activity involved in getting to the top of a big mountain by eastern United States standards.The Bad:1. Clingmans Dome is usually really crowded with people. the parking lot at the top is always full. There's also almost always some form of political or religious group voicing their views at a designated area right at the entry of the path. All of this to me means that Cingmans Dome is a crowded very un-peaceful antithesis of what I go to visit the Smokey's for.2. As I said above if the weather is good you have great views, but the weather is rarely good so probably half of the time if you are at the top of Clingmans you are covered in fog or clouds.

We had the opportunity to visit after an early winter snowfall. The dome climb was very interesting in the snow. It is a challenge in regular seasons but is much more taxing in fresh snow.

Literally, the day we visited we barely got to the top before the clouds rolled in all around us, not above, around. Beautiful, unique. A bit of a hike, some steepness, but go at your own pace, paved, places to sit.A great, easy walk and a way to get into the park up close.

I went to Clingman's Dome when I was very young and haven't attempted to hike all the way to the top since then. It seems that I'm never in the mountains when it's clear enough to make it worth the hike! The incline is very steep and because of the altitude, it can be rough on your lungs. There are benches along the way to stop to rest and catch your breath.There is a gift shop just a short walk from the parking lot, which is at least worth walking to even if you don't plan to go all the way to the top of Clingman's Dome. They have very reasonable prices on their souvenirs. They had a nice warm fire inside on the day we were there when it was super cold outside!There are restrooms in the parking lot, but they usually have a long line. If you'll walk up to where the visitor's center is at, there are more restrooms located there.We were last visiting in October, during a day when it was very cold and smoky (foggy) outside. There was NO VIEW from the parking lot or anywhere up to the gift shop, so I can only imagine how bad it was at the top. I was feeling claustrophobic just being down at the bottom! When it's that thick, I'd rather not be in it.If you are visiting in the winter, make sure you check road conditions because the road getting to Clingman's Dome is often closed due to snow/ice.

If you're lucky enough to get up here on a clear day, the views are breathtaking! The hike up to the top is kinda rough, but it's on a paved trail, and there are places to stop and catch your breath. It's around 1/4 mile up, and when I say up, I mean up all the way...fairly steep. The views are amazing!

I had 2 goals for our trip to Clingman''s Dome, 1. Make it to the top 2. Don't go down in an ambulance. I accomplished both. The length of the hike is relatively short, it is the incline that is daunting. For those like me, who are out of shape, benches are place every 10th of a mile to rest. For those, like my husband and daughter, who are in good shape, neither needed to stop and were at the top in about 15 minutes. Once at the top the guide told us that on a clear day you can see for over 100 miles (7 states). Sadly, that was not the case for us, all we saw was a sea of fog but we still enjoyed the day. For those with children, we saw many people struggling with strollers, parents we are guessing who either gave up or who ditched the strollers because we did not see any strollers at the top. There is a small gift shop at the bottom. Bathrooms are in the parking lot, use before you head up to the dome. Definitely worth the trip, even if you don't make it to the top, the drive up is gorgeous.

Spectacular views for those that make the .5 mile walk to the dome. Honestly, there have been times I've been here and never left the parking lot though. The panorama is incredible. The 7 mile drive from 441 is stunning as well. Closed in the off season, make sure you check road conditions to make sure the Clingman's Dome road is open before you head out.We've taken our share of sunset photos from the Dome and there's one thing to remember....even in late May, it's cold up there....I've seen snow on the ground in May. Dress appropriately, with close toed shoes and coat, scarf & gloves, if you go any time other than the height of summer.The .5 mile path to the dome is paved and there is a bathroom at the bottom in the visitors center/shop. They have water for sale in there as well. A half mile doesn't seem long but the grade is steep and you'll not want to overdo.Enjoy...the walk is worth it!

Get your hiking shoes out when you go. It is not easy to find a parking place but once you do it is a long hike up hill but well worth the view you will have once you are there.

Clingman's dome is a must-see if you are visiting the smokies. It is free, and the ride up to clingman's dome is beautiful and provides many areas to pull of and take pictures, take it all in. The walk from the parking area to the tower is pretty tough if you're not in the best shape, but there are areas to rest if needed. The view from the top is well worth the hike! Even if you aren't up for the hike, the view from the parking area is just as beautiful.

A visit to Clingmans Dome is sheer delight any time of the day; however, the view from mountain top is at its best very early in the morning. A perfect destination for photographers. The best spot to shoot sunrise or the sunset is the parking lot from where you get a perfect view of fog covering the lowlands, and the fir trees. A walk to the dome could be strenuous, and the view is not as great compared to the view from the parking lot. It takes close to 45 mins of drive the get to the parking lot from Gatlinburg. The drive is picturesque, especially during mid October or early November when the fall colors are at their best. Will definitely visit again next year!

We enjoyed hiking some great trails in the Smoky mountains which allowed us to see a momma bear with her two cubs in a tree. Hiking up to Clingman's dome and enjoying the view is a must. There are clean restrooms and a gift shop. There were bear sightings by us as well as others we met.

The drive to Clingman's Dome was beautiful! The trail up to the dome is paved with several resting places which made it easy (especially since I had my one year old in a baby carrier on my back). My 6 year old was able to do this walk with no problems. We were there right after a storm so it was overcast and still muggy out. Even so it was still a nice hike, and pretty views.

I am not going to lie, this is a hike to get to. You park in the parking lot and walk up and its all uphill. You get to the base of the dome and another uphill walk to get to the top. It is suppose to be a 0.5 mile walk up to the dome but it feels more like a 2 mile round trip. Is the view on top worth it? It depends. As a photographer, yes it was worth it. You can take amazing pictures from the top but that's all there is to see. However, the drive to the dome was amazing. There are scenic pullouts where you can park your car to take pictures on your way to the falls. These places were amazing. You are surrounded by trees and wilderness and its really pretty. The best one is the TN NC border -this is a MUST-SEE place!! Do not miss this. A lot of the Smokie Mountain is weather-dependent so be sure to check the weather and go on a day where the roads aren't too foggy and where you can actually get a view from the top. We lucked out and went on a good sunny day and were able to see everything clearly. I'd saw the dome was okay but the drive up to the dome was MUCH better!

The drive from Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome was so beautiful! By the time we got to the parking area for the dome, however, cars were backed up for almost a mile. No one parks correctly here which causes a massive pile-up that is not worth your time.

If you paln (plan) to take this hike up a steep grade to take in the view make SURE you go on a clear day. Otherwise you will NOT see much except clouds. It is very steep and you will be huffing and puffing which will require breathers along the way but it is worth the pain to make the trip. I have seen some powered wheel chairs trying to make it but most give out before reaching the top.There is not much to see until you reach the top which has a viewing area atop a seventy foot tall tower. There is a ramp instead of steps so it is wheelchair accessible.We always stop if we have the extra time. Great views!!