Getting Here
There are multiple ways you can access the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, a natural wonderland comprising the seven westernmost counties of this breathtaking state. Explore this diverse region, where majestic peaks, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls are around every turn.
By Car
The Smoky Mountains feel remote, but you can access them from many metro areas within a few hours. Here’s an approximation of how long it takes to reach the mountain from your destination.
- 2 hours from Knoxville, T.N.
- 2.5 Hours from Atlanta G.A.
- 2.5 hours from Charlotte, N.C.
- 3.5 from Columbia, S.C. Atlanta is less than 2.5 hours away.
- 3.5. – 4 hours from Nashville, T.N.
- 4 – 4.5 hours from the Durham and Raleigh, N.C. area
NC DOT Traffic
Click here for NC travel conditions
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Road Conditions
Click here for current road and trail conditions/closures in the Park.
Blue Ridge Parkway Road Conditions
Click here for Blue Ridge Parkway Road and Facility Closures
By Air
Fly in to a regional airport and get a bird’s eye view of the mountains as you land.
Macon County Airport
1241 Airport Road Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-5529
franklinair@frontier.com
Located in the beautiful Iotla Valley in the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, Macon County Airport is approximately three miles from downtown Franklin, North Carolina. We are convenient to Highlands, Cashiers, Bryson City, Maggie Valley, Dillsboro, & Sylva, NC as well as Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Dillard & Clayton, Georgia – all within a 30 to 45 minute drive.
Hours Of Operation
8:00 a.m. to dusk – After hours service available upon request.
Directions
Take Highway 28N from Franklin and then turn left onto Airport Road. Continue for 1 mile and look for the Macon County Airport sign on the right.
Availability
The airport has been expanded with 5,000′ business jet accessible runway and state-of-the-art terminal facility with corporate meeting room availability.
Please call 828-524-5529 for more information.
Asheville Regional Airport
The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is Western North Carolina’s largest airport. It offers jet and commuter service on Continental, US Airways, and Delta through its carriers – Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Comair. Asheville has non-stop service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New York City, Newark, and Orlando. It is located fifteen miles south of downtown Asheville near the town of Fletcher. Ground transportation and major rental car companies are available at the airport terminal.
Greenville Spartanburg Airport
Flights into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) located in Greenville, South Carolina, are sometimes cheaper than flying directly to Asheville.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta GA
Hartsfield-Jackson is a global gateway, offering nonstop service to more than 150 domestic and nearly 70 international destinations. These locales include major commercial centers in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, and South and Central America. ATL also holds the distinction of being the first airport in the world to serve more than 100 million passengers in a single year.
Smoky Mountain Area Map
