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© 2026 Roaming.Camp · Data from NPS, Recreation.gov, BLM, USFS, NWS, and the FCC.Operating on ceded ancestral land.Photography via Unsplash.

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View from Waterrock Knob

Visitor center

Waterrock Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 451.2)

NC

Weather Signal Booking Overview Trails Reviews Trip reports Photos Nearby

Overview

Waterrock Knob is our highest elevation visitor center on the Parkway. Known for its beautiful long-range views of several major mountain chains in the Appalachians, Waterrock Knob is uniquely suited for viewing sunrises and sunsets. The small visitor center introduces visitors to the area's rugged terrain and tremendous scenic resources, including the Great Smoky Mountains that are visible from here.

At a glance

Type: Visitor center
State: NC
Coordinates: 35.4602° N · 83.1410° W
Phone: (828) 348-3400
Booking: First-come, first-served

More places nearby

Open the map here

20.7 mi away
Cosby Campground
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11.9 mi away

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Smokemont Group Campground

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Deep Creek Campground

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Trails nearby

See all trails on the map

Waterrock Knob Trail
0.2 mi away · 1.0 mi out & back · 467 ft gain · lwn
EasyHike
Lyn Lowry Trail
1.2 mi away · 3.0 mi out & back · 1,050 ft gain · lwn
ModerateHike
Plott Balsam Trail
2.5 mi away · 3.6 mi out & back · 1,013 ft gain · lwn
ModerateHike
Pinnacle Park Tour
3.2 mi away · 9.5 mi out & back · 3,712 ft gain · lwn
Very hardHike
Pinnacle Trail
3.5 mi away · 2.7 mi out & back · 585 ft gain · lwn
ModerateHike

Trip reports

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Photos from visitors

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Signal

Cell coverage here

VerizonLTE · Good
AT&TLTE · Fair
T-Mobile5G · Good

FCC coverage data · signal varies in remote terrain

Booking

Reservations

First-come, first-served

(828) 348-3400 Get directions

Recreation.gov and the managing agency

Weather

7-day forecast

Fri56°38°Sunny
Sat49°35°Sunny
Sun53°37°Sunny
Mon56°41°Sunny
Tue56°39°Sunny
Wed54°38°Sunny
Thu49°Sunny

Fri: Sunny · wind 3 to 8 mph NW

National Weather Service · refreshed hourly