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At 6,643 feet Clingman’s Dome is the
highest point in the Great Smoky
Mountains National
Park. It
is also the highest point in Tennessee
and the second highest point east of the Mississippi River
– second only to North Carolina's
Mt. Mitchell
which rises 41 feet higher. The Appalachian
Trail crosses Clingman’s Dome, marking the highest point
along its
2,144 mile journey.
Clingman’s Dome is located
along the
state-line ridge and is
half in North Carolina
and half
in Tennessee. The 54 foot observation tower at the top sits
equally in both states and is accessible after walking a paved
half-mile trail
from the summit parking lot. The tower
provides a 360º view
and
on clear days the viewing distance can be as far as 100 miles reaching
into 7
states.
Note: Although
Clingman’s Dome is open year-round, the seven mile access road from the
Newfound Gap Overlook to the Dome parking lot is closed to vehicle
traffic from December 1 through
April 1. Visitors are welcome to hike, cycle, or
cross
country ski this road during these times.
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