Park Comparison
Great Smoky Mountains vs Sequoia & Kings Canyons
Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.
Updated
The Quick Take
Great Smoky Mountains
America's most-visited park offers 850 miles of trails, historic farmsteads in Cades Cove, and the continent's salamander capital.
Sequoia & Kings Canyons
The giant sequoias here include General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth by volume, anchoring a forest where trunks exceed 30 feet wide.
At a Glance
The Crowd Picture
Sequoia & Kings Canyons sees less than half the visitors Great Smoky Mountains gets, which translates to a noticeably different crowd experience on trails and at viewpoints.
Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains welcomes 12.2M visitors annually across 816.3 square miles — about 14,935 visitors per square mile. Congestion is intense, peaking in October.
Sequoia & Kings Canyons
Sequoia & Kings Canyons welcomes 2.0M visitors annually across 1,353 square miles — about 1,485 visitors per square mile. Congestion is low, peaking in July.
Sequoia & Kings Canyons is dramatically less congested than Great Smoky Mountains — you'll feel the difference on every trail.
When to Go
Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.
Trails & Activities
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more trail mileage for exploration.
Great Smoky Mountains Top Activities
- wildlife viewing 10/10
- hiking 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- bird watching 8/10
- ranger programs 8/10
Sequoia & Kings Canyons Top Activities
- hiking 10/10
- photography 10/10
- backpacking 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- rock climbing 8/10
Camping
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offers significantly more camping options.
The Bottom Line
Choose Great Smoky Mountains if you...
- Want to experience Clingmans Dome
- Are looking for world-class wildlife viewing
- Are traveling on a budget
- Want a park that's accessible year-round
Choose Sequoia & Kings Canyons if you...
- Want to experience General Sherman Tree
- Are looking for world-class photography
- Are an adventure seeker looking for thrills
- Want fewer crowds and more solitude
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Great Smoky Mountains or Sequoia & Kings Canyons?
It depends on what you're looking for. Great Smoky Mountains is known for Clingmans Dome, while Sequoia & Kings Canyons is known for General Sherman Tree. Sequoia & Kings Canyons is less crowded, making it the better pick if solitude matters to you.
Is Great Smoky Mountains or Sequoia & Kings Canyons more crowded?
Great Smoky Mountains has a congestion index of 7.1/10 and receives 12.2M visitors per year. Sequoia & Kings Canyons scores 2.1/10 with 2.0M annual visitors. Sequoia & Kings Canyons is the quieter option.
When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains vs Sequoia & Kings Canyons?
The best month to visit Great Smoky Mountains is April, while Sequoia & Kings Canyons is best visited in May. The different peak seasons mean you could visit one in spring and the other in fall.
Which has better hiking, Great Smoky Mountains or Sequoia & Kings Canyons?
Great Smoky Mountains has 850 trail miles and Sequoia & Kings Canyons has 700. Both parks offer strong hiking options.