Oconaluftee Visitor Center

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center sits at the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and serves as the main information hub for the region. The building houses permanent exhibits about local ecology and human history, along with interactive displays that help visitors understand the park's natural and cultural resources.

The center was established to document the human history of settlement in the Smokies region and the evolution of life in these mountains. Historic farm buildings from the early 1900s were preserved on the grounds to illustrate the agricultural practices that shaped the landscape for generations.

The center preserves and presents the story of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and their enduring presence in this region. Visitors can learn how indigenous peoples lived in these mountains and continue to shape the cultural identity of the area today.

Staff and volunteers are available daily except on Christmas to answer questions and provide maps, guides, and program information. The building gives easy access to nearby trails and offers educational activities for all knowledge levels and ages.

The open meadows surrounding the center provide habitat for elk that roam freely in the area. Early morning and late afternoon visitors have the best chance of spotting these large animals grazing in the fields or moving through the grassland.