Kuwohi — renamed from Clingmans Dome in September 2024, restoring the Cherokee name — is the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet, crowned by the 1959 Mission 66 observation tower: a concrete spiral ramp to a platform that, on clear days, claims views into seven states. The summit road (Kuwohi Road) closes December 1 to March 31, the air at the top runs 15–20 degrees colder than Gatlinburg, and the Appalachian Trail crosses at the tower's base. Films before the renaming use the old name; the summaries follow each film, and this page uses Kuwohi with the alias noted.

Watch: first looks

3 videos · summaries from the actual guides

Why you should visit Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains

Ramblin Reflections

Ramblin Reflections climb to the tower in October 2026 with the high-country rules stated up front: it runs 15 to 20 degrees colder on the peaks than in the valley. The tower itself is the 1959 Mission 66 concrete spiral, up a paved half-mile whose first stretch is, in their words, steep as crap.

Key takeaways
  • Expect it 15-20 degrees colder at the summit than in the valley
  • The tower is a 1959 Mission 66 concrete spiral
  • Paved half-mile climb; the first stretch is the steepest

Kuwohi FULL WALKING TOUR & What to Expect // Formerly Clingmans Dome // Great Smoky Mountains

Melissa and Wes

Melissa and Wes' full walking tour of the summit, filmed in 2023 when it was still signed Clingmans Dome (the peak's Cherokee name, Kuwohi, was restored in September 2024): the drive up, the dollar trail booklet worth donating for, and the tower walkthrough - the tallest peak in the park, start to finish.

Key takeaways
  • The summit is the tallest peak in the park (6,643 ft)
  • Filmed 2023 as Clingmans Dome; renamed Kuwohi in September 2024
  • The dollar trail booklet at the top is worth the donation

Kuwohi Observation Tower | The Most Challenging 1/2 Mile Hike in The Smokies!

Adventure Is Out There

Adventure Is Out There climb 'the most challenging half mile in the Smokies' in April 2026, on the season's opening days for the summit road - and note in passing that Laurel Falls was due to reopen that year after its long rehabilitation closure. A full, current-condition tour of the paved climb and the tower.

Key takeaways
  • The summit road opens for the season around April 1
  • A half-mile climb locals call the Smokies' most challenging
  • Filmed April 2026 - current conditions on the paved path

The climb

Half a mile of steep paved path from the parking area — the films are honest that 'paved' is not 'easy' at this altitude. The golden-hour guide film treats the summit as the Smokies' sunset throne: arrive late, layer up, watch the ridges stack into blue. The definitive tower film covers the 1959 build and the spiral-ramp design; the road-guide film drives the seven-mile climb from Newfound Gap with its overlooks.

Weather writes the visit

Above-the-clouds mornings and whiteout afternoons both appear here: a summit entirely inside cloud (the common case, and eerie), an inversion sea at sunrise, and summer haze. The Appalachian Trail hikers' film catches the tower as a thru-hike milestone — the AT's highest point — and dates the legal renaming for viewers who knew the old name.

Watch: more views

3 videos · summaries from the actual guides

Clingmans Dome Redemption | Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Our Journey Project

A redemption climb, September 2026: Our Journey Project return to a summit that got the best of them last time - 27 miles from Pigeon Forge, roughly 5,300 feet of gain, temperatures dropping 10 to 20 degrees on the way up - and take the tower properly this time - heat, wildflowers and all.

Key takeaways
  • About 27 miles from Pigeon Forge; roughly 5,300 ft of gain
  • Temperatures can drop 10-20 degrees on the drive up

Clingmans Dome Opening Weekend 2021 Highest Point in the Smokies 360 Views Great Smoky Mountains TN

Yankee in the South

Yankee in the South visit on opening weekend 2021 and read the tower-top view like a map: Mt. LeConte ahead, Newfound Gap 5.5 miles, Gatlinburg 10.5, Pigeon Forge 15. With the road's calendar stated for the record - the summit road closes December 1 to March 31.

Key takeaways
  • The summit road closes December 1 to March 31
  • From the tower: Newfound Gap 5.5 miles, Gatlinburg 10.5, Mt. LeConte ahead

Clingmans Dome - Great Smoky Mountains

Smokies Plus

Smokies Plus visit the dome in 2021 - 'quite the sight to behold,' in their description, and recommended to anyone wanting amazing views. (The film is English-narrated, but its only served caption track is an auto-translation, so it loads as watch content.)

The name

Kuwohi means 'mulberry place' in Cherokee; the 2024 renaming, requested by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is the park's headline act of restoration. The films that use 'Clingmans Dome' predate or straddle it — history, not error.

Sources: the 9 videos on this page, filmed at Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Watch: the full set

3 videos · summaries from the actual guides

Clingmans Dome, walk to Observation Tower, Great Smoky Mountains N P

Jennifer Lupine

Jennifer Lupine starts at dawn in 2022 among the elk at Oconaluftee, over on the Cherokee side, then drives up with friends for the tower walk - with a bear story for the road: one crossed right behind their truck on the climb, and the car behind caught it on film.

Key takeaways
  • Start at Oconaluftee at dawn for elk before the climb
  • Bears cross the summit road - one crossed behind their truck

From Gatlinburg to the TOP of the Smoky Mountains! 🏔️ | Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) Adventure

Tales of home and the world 🌎 🏠 (ঘরে-বাইরে)

An October 2026 run from Gatlinburg to the top of the Smokies: the mountain drive, the winding roads, and the hike to the Kuwohi observation tower for the panorama. (The film is Bengali-narrated; its served caption track is that narration, so it loads as watch content.)

Highest Mountain in the Smokies - Kuwohi/Clingmans Dome

Visit Gatlinburg

Visit Gatlinburg's portrait of the summit: 6,643 feet, the highest mountain in the Smokies, the highest point in Tennessee and on the Appalachian Trail - and the place whose original Cherokee name, Kuwohi, 'mulberry place,' was restored in September 2024.

More Gatlinburg essentials

Start from the Gatlinburg hub for the full directory, or keep exploring:

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