Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a more accessible and budget-friendly option with extensive hiking trails, while Yellowstone National Park offers a larger, more diverse wilderness experience with lodging and greater accessibility features but requires an entrance fee.
| Attribute | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Visitation | Over 12 million recreational visits in 2024; 13.3 million visits in 2023 (3% increase from 2022) | 4.5 million visitors in 2023 |
| Park Size (acres) | 522,427 acres (816.28 sq mi) | 2.2 million acres |
| Entrance Fee | No entrance fee | 7-day pass for private, non-commercial vehicle: $35; 7-day pass for motorcycle or snowmobile: $30; 7-day pass for individuals (foot, bicycle, etc.): $20 per person; Annual Yellowstone Pass: $70; "America the Beautiful Pass": $80 |
| Number of Hiking Trails | Over 150 official hiking trails (over 850 miles of trails) | Not available |
| Accessibility (ADA compliance) | Much of the park can be enjoyed from vehicles, with accessible facilities and programs available. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is a fully paved, half-mile trail accessible for wheelchair users. Many ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible. | Wheelchair-friendly boardwalks at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Mammoth Hot Springs; ADA-compliant facilities at major visitor centers; Accessible lodging and campsites; Accessible shuttles and wheelchair rentals |
| Wildlife Viewing Opportunities | Black bears, deer, elk, and various bird species. Commonly seen in Cades Cove (black bears and white-tailed deer, early morning and evening). Elk are often spotted in Cataloochee Valley during the early morning and late evening. | 67 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 16 species of fish, 5 species of amphibians and 6 species of reptiles. Iconic wildlife includes bison, elk, bears, wolves, and moose. |
| Camping Facilities (number of campgrounds/sites) | 10 developed campgrounds with around 1,000 sites. Offers frontcountry, backcountry, group, and horse camping. Frontcountry campgrounds have restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets, a fire grate, and a picnic table at each campsite. | 12 campgrounds in the park. Yellowstone National Park Lodges operates 4 campgrounds and 1 RV park. Most campgrounds have accessible sites. |
| Availability of Lodging Inside the Park | No lodging available inside the park | Nine lodges are operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges. Lodging options include hotels, cabins, and motels. |
| Ranger-led Programs Offered | Many ranger-led programs are available | Accessible ranger programs are noted in the park's newspaper, available at entrances and visitor centers. |
| Distance to Nearest Major Airport | Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), about an hour's drive from the Tennessee side of the park | Yellowstone Airport in Montana is just 2 miles from the west entrance. |
| Cell Phone Service Availability | Cell phone service is unreliable in many areas, including Cades Cove and Cataloochee | Limited cell service is available. Cell towers at Mammoth Hot Springs, West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake Village, and Mount Washburn provide service to most developed areas and to the North and West entrances. Verizon Wireless generally provides the best coverage. |
| Pet-Friendly Policies | Pets are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads if kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Pets are allowed in front-country areas, within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds. Pets must be kept under physical control. Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, trails, or in the backcountry. Pets are allowed in all campgrounds operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges. Designated pet-friendly cabins are available. A $25 fee is charged for each unit occupied by a pet. |