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

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

Key Takeaways:

Two key regional airports, Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge (KGKT) and Western Carolina Regional (KRHP), serve as aviation gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains.
KGKT, located near Sevierville, TN, provides convenient access to park attractions with a 5,506 ft runway, full fueling, and panoramic views adjacent to the national park.
KRHP, situated in high terrain near Murphy, NC, features a 5,500 ft runway, requires careful approach considerations due to topography, and is a cold-temperature-restricted airport requiring altitude corrections.

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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.