Sunrises are inspiring, especially on a crisp morning surrounded by old-growth forests, the frozen fog, the sounds of the woodland creatures waking up, and the quiet of the day coming to life. Wake up with the mountains at any of these top 3 places to watch the sunrise in the Smoky Mountains.
NEWFOUND GAP
The Newfound Gap parking area is the midway point of Newfound Gap Road. This area offers wide-open views of the east and the west.
CLINGMANS DOME
Who wouldn’t want to view the sunrise from 6,643 feet? Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies. Viewing the sunrise from the observation deck, you can see an expanse of up to 100 miles on a clear day.
CADES COVE
To watch the sunrise from the footbed on the valley floor of Cades Cove is like watching the rain fill a lifeless creekbed. The sunlight melts into every crevice and hollow, filling it up until it pours into the fields and pierces through the trees.
