Great Smokies: How To Get There

A couple of great airports offer ideal landing spots for a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 03:48 PM ET

Verified

Two local mountain airports are convenient gateways for your visit to the Great Smokies. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Three primary airports serve as gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains: McGhee Tyson (Knoxville), Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge (KGKT), and Western Carolina Regional (KRHP near Murphy).
Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (KGKT) in Sevierville, TN, offers a 5,506-foot runway with RNAV/VOR approaches, amenities like fuel and tie-downs, and is celebrated for its scenic views next to the national park.
Western Carolina Regional Airport (KRHP) near Murphy, NC, features a 5,500-foot runway but requires careful approaches due to high surrounding terrain and PAPI limitations, also being a cold-temperature-restricted airport.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Your gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains reflect the wide variety of terrain and activities that the national park and surrounding areas provide. While there’s always McGhee Tyson Airport (KTYS) in Knoxville, the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (KGKT) gives you good access to the attractions nearby, and the airport near Murphy, Tennessee (KRHP), offers a beautiful spot from which to launch your outdoor adventures.

READ MORE: Great Smokies: Aircraft for the Adventure

Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (KGKT)

Sevierville, Tennessee

The airport is located 2 miles southeast of the town of Sevierville, Tennessee. Runway 10/28 measures 5,506 feet by 75 feet. There are trees off the extended centerline of the runway, so watch the PAPI as you navigate this 3.50-degree glideslope.