Over the Top Tour in Oconaluftee

Overview

Available languages

English

5 hours

Mobile ticket

This tour travels over the crest of the Smokies from Tennessee into North Carolina. Along the way we'll experience one of the most scenic roads in the Southeast along with several panoramic mountain vistas. When we arrive in the Oconaluftee Valley we'll visit historic structures learning about the culture of the native Cherokee and European-descended mountaineers. While exploring this historic valley, we'll keep an eye out for elk. The largest animal in the Smokies, they were reintroduced by the park service in 2001.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please provide your own infant/booster seat if needed

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

The visitor center located at the Cherokee, NC, entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to the Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum. Additionally, its fields are home to dozens of elk, the largest animal found in the Smokies. Guests have time to explore the exhibits and gift shop.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

The most scenic road in the southeast, this 33-mile route snakes through the mountains as it crosses the Newfound Gap at higher than 5,000 feet elevation. We'll make several stops for scenic vistas.

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Bottled water

Snacks

Car seats- please provide your own car seat for children that are too small for a regular seat belt

Options

Over the Top Tour in Oconaluftee

Reviews

5.00

22 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Absolutely loved this experience
Compass02246401482,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a tour last Wednesday with Wes and it was nothing short of fantastic. It wasn't like a mechanical tour of the mountains, it was more akin to meeting up with an old friend and being driven round stunning scenery. Wes was a fountain of knowledge and everywhere he took us was stunning and insightful. He found us a family of elk to watch and then rather than sitting in a huge line of traffic once we had watched the elk, he took the time to take us to other sights. Highly recommended using this company.
Mind blowing!
tabbethag2025,,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I can’t say enough about this trip and Wes, our guide. So knowledgeable and entertaining. In my husband’s words, you can tell he cut his teeth out here. He knew so much and exactly where to go to see the most stunning sites. We saw the biggest bull elk we have ever seen in our lives and several females as well. It was beautiful and a once in a lifetime experience! We already have plans to come back next year and request Wes for a specialized tour. We will never regret booking this trip. Thank you so much for an unbelievable experience. Me, Billy, Jason, and Michelle can’t quit talking about it!
Tour in Smokey Mountain National Park
teresakE3416ZX,,Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Going to Smokey Mountain National Park had long been on our bucket list and finally while visiting family in Charlotte we were able to hop in a car and make the long awaited visit to the park. It was an absolutely beautiful October day and the park was so amazing! Our “Over The Top Tour in Oconaluftee” with Smokey Mountain guide Phillip was great as well! Born and raised in North Carolina our guide was so knowledgeable of everything that the park had to offer us. You could sense the love that he had of the park as he drove us to see the beautiful vistas where the leaves were changing colors. Phillip shared with us the history of the park and the people past and present. He also generously shared his photography skills offering to take pictures of us surrounded by the beauty of the Smokey Mountains. We both had an amazing day and Phillip deserves most of the credit. Thank you all!
Great intro to the psrk
O2724LZleslies,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Mark was an excellent guide. He is very knowledgeable about the park and local history and made sure everyone was comfortable.
Over the Top Tour in Oconaluftee
Y629CPmaryw,,Aug 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Phillip Bateman contacted me the night before our tour and indicated that he would be willing to pick us up at our hotel in Gatlinburg. He met us at the appointed time the next morning and introduced himself to myself and my husband. We were the only tourists on the tour. We enjoyed the tour of the mountains he was very knowledgeable about the Indians native to the area. We also went to Cherokee, North Carolina. Phillip was very personable and knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the mountain area as well as the history of the tribes native to that area. We would definitely recommend Phillip Bateman and his company for tours of this area. The tour was outstanding.
Must do tour
Lisa G,,May 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Fantastic tour. We had Philip as our guide and he was great. Very knowledgeable about the area and especially the Cherokee tribe and how everything came about being in the Smoky Mountains. I would definitely book this trip . In fact we changed our Cades Cove tour from Pink Jeep to instead go with Philip again on his Cades Cove one. I think he will make that trip great also
Way over the top!
Edward N,,Mar 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Philip was our tour guide. He as very knowledgeable about all of the history of the area and extremely courteous at all times. Very interested in knowing what exactly we were looking forward to seeing. If we are ever in the area again, we would definitely book another tour with Philip!
Substitute Tour was still Excellent
William P,,Mar 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our Over the Top Tour got canceled due to wind and snow at the higher elevations. So our guide Wes proposed a substitute “mini tour” which lasted about 90 minutes. He cut the price and took us to the Elkmont settlement. During the drive he shared a lot of great information about wildlife, and park history. We truly enjoyed the tour and appreciated the substitution. He even volunteered to contact us the next morning and let us know which roads were open and he followed up on his promise. We highly recommend Wes!!
Must visit
lauraz46074,,Jan 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Thank you, Wes, for taking us to see the Smoky Mountains for the first time in our lives. It was an unforgettable experience, and we learned so much about the history of the mountains, the Elkmont Club, and the Cherokee communities. It was amazing to discover that elk can only be seen in the North Carolina part of the park, and we were lucky to see them during our visit! Wes went above and beyond to help us spot wildlife in the mountains, and we truly appreciate his effort and dedication. This trip was both educational and enjoyable, and we are so grateful for the experience. Highly recommend Wes to anyone looking to explore the Smoky Mountains!
Guide was awesome. Took...
Rich R,,Dec 6, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Guide was awesome. Took us to incredible vistas, explained the history around everywhere we went. Took us to see herd of elk. Entertaining, educational, and all around great guide.