What Is The Closest International Airport To Gatlinburg, TN | An Airport Travel Guide

Jan 22, 2025

Last Updated on: Jul 8, 2025

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McGhee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville is the closest international airport to Gatlinburg, TN. It offers general, commercial, and military aviation services. Further, six airlines operate here, and they have flight services to as many as 25 destinations. 

The airport is equipped with the following modern-day amenities.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power Plug-In Sports
  • SmartCart
  • Service Animal Relief Area
  • Lactation Station
  • ATMs
  • Food & Retail
  • Information Booth
  • Free Phone & Wait Parking
  • Classic Shoe Shine
  • Customer Service

Furthermore, the airport promotes the artwork of regional artists in its Art in the Airport Exhibit section on the right of the TSA Security checkpoint. Moreover, the airport is compliant with ADA or the American Disability Act. 

So you will get wheelchair assistance at the airport, and for the same, you must contact customer service at (865) 342-3180.

Where Is The Closest International Airport To Gatlinburg, TN?

Where Is The Closest International Airport To Gatlinburg, TN

The Closest International Airport To Gatlinburg, TN, McGhee-Tyson Airport is located at a 12 miles distance from downtown Knoxville. The airport is south of downtown.

Further, the distance between the McGhee-Tyson Airport and Gatlinburg is 40 miles. 

It is a premium air service connecting East Tennessee to other parts of the world. Its complete address is 2055 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, TN 37701. 

Need A Ride At The Closest International Airport To Gatlinburg, TN?

Need A Ride At The Closest International Airport To Gatlinburg, TN

McGhee-Tyson Airport has dedicated car rental counters. These counters are near the baggage claim of the airport terminal building’s lower level. 

You will get taxis, hotel shuttles, charters, car rentals, and ride shares from these counters. Uber and Lyft offer ride-share services here. 

Further, the car rental companies include:

  • Alamo (Reservation: 1 (800) 342-3210)
  • Avis (Reservation: 1 (800) 342-3210)
  • Budget (Reservation: 1 (800) 342-3210)
  • Enterprise (Reservation: 1 (800) 342-3210)
  • Dollar Car Rental (Reservation: 1 (800) 342-3210)
  • Car Rental Payless (Reservation: 1 (800) 342-3210)
  • National (Reservation: 1 (800) 342-3210)
  • Hertz (Reservation: 1 (800) 342-3210)

Moreover, the taxi services here are Sunday Taxi ((865) 518-1223), Tennessee Transportation ((865) 242-9719), and Discount Taxi ((865) 317-0554). 

In addition, Fairfield Inn & Suites ((865) 409-5950), Hilton Knoxville Airport ((865) 970-4300), etc., are some hotel shuttle services available at the airport. 

Economic Importance Of The Closest International Airport To Gatlinburg, TN

McGhee-Tyson Airport, the closest international airport to Gatlinburg, TN, is crucial for local tourism and the entire tourism scenario of East Tennessee. It keeps Gatlinburg and East Tennessee connected to other states of the USA and the rest of the world. 

Further, this airport has a significant economic impact on East Tennessee. At least 2,700 people work here, and the annual benefit of the airport is around $1 billion. Moreover, it indirectly supports the local economy through commercial aviation services. 

In addition, there are several tourist attractions near McGhee-Tyson Airport. You can visit them to learn more about East Tennessee.

Places To Visit Near McGhee-Tyson Airport

Along with being the closest international airport to Gatlinburg, TN, McGhee-Tyson Airport is also near a lot of tourist places. 

So, if you are planning a day out, you can visit the following places. 

1. Bicentennial Greenbelt Park

Address: 122 McCammon Ave, Maryville

Distance from McGhee-Tyson Airport: 6.3 Kms

The Bicentennial Greenbelt Park will be your go-to place if you want to explore Maryville-Alcoa Greenway. In the heart of downtown Maryville, this park is an oasis of tranquility.

This park has wide-open areas and benches to sit and talk with your friends. Further, this park houses the Greenbelt Lake Loop and Maryville-Alcoa Greenway.

2. Louisville Mercantile

Address: 2940 Topside Road, Louisville

Contact Number: 8657243195

Hours Open: 10 AM to 5 PM (Monday-Friday). 10 AM to 4 PM (Saturday), Sunday Closed

Distance from McGhee-Tyson Airport: Around 3.3 Kms

If shopping is the therapy you need and you are near the closest international airport to Gatlinburg, TN, you must visit Louisville Mercantile. 

Here, you can buy the best jams, jellies, gift items, and recycled paper.

3. Lakeshore Park

Address: 5930 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville

Contact Number: +1 865-215-1722

Hours Open: 6 AM to 10 PM

Distance from McGhee-Tyson Airport: Around 12 Kms

Lakeshore Park, with the tagline “It’s Your Park,” is a go-to spot for a family day out. Here, you can enjoy the tranquility of a marshland with more than 1000 trees and birds chirping around. 

Further, it has many sports and fitness facilities like baseball, practice lawns, soccer grounds and fitness centers. Very soon, the park is going to have pickleball and basketball amenities. 

However, the best activity here is taking a walk down the miles of trails here. You can get the best view of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Tennessee River from here. 

Moreover, you can take your furry friends on a walk at Lakeshore Park. Having said that, you have to ensure that your pet is on the leash and you are leaving no trace behind after their walk. 

4. Maryville Farmers Market

Address: 306 E Broadway Avenue, Maryville

Contact Number: +1 865-268-9614

Hours Open: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Distance from McGhee-Tyson Airport: Around 7 Kms

With the concept of farm-to-table cuisine becoming more popular, places like the Maryville Farmers Market are growing in importance. Here, the producers, or the farmers, grow crops, vegetables, and other produce, bringing those straight to you. 

It is a great initiative to boost sales and improve the livelihood of local farmers. Further, it helps to throw light on the agricultural traditions of Tennessee through a direct farmer and consumer relationship. 

Moreover, when you get fresh produce from the farmers, the essentials have better nutritional value, flavors, and taste.

5. Capitol Theatre

Address: 127 W Broadway Avenue, Maryville

Contact Number: +1 865-980-1966

Hours Open: 1-9 PM (Monday to Thursday), 1-10 PM (Friday-Saturday), Sunday Closed

Distance from McGhee-Tyson Airport: 6.6 Kms

Capitol Theatre, near the closest international airport to Gatlinburg, TN, is a premium entertainment spot in Maryville. The history of this place goes back to 1934. Further, it was completely renovated in 2008.

The ambiance here exudes the quintessential old Hollywood vibe. Moreover, it is used as a venue for corporate events, weddings, and other celebrations today. 

Are you looking for more attractions near the McGhee-Tyson Airport? Visit the Blount County Historical Museum, Brackins Blues Club, Resurrected Relics, etc. 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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BY  Sibashree Jan 23, 2025

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What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park: Into The Darkness Of Subway Cave After A Fire Breakout

BY  Sibashree Oct 15, 2024

Lassen Volcanic National Park was in the news recently as the fourth-largest wildfire in California exploded out of proportion. The park's officials evacuated staff from the Mineral community near the park headquarters.  120 people were there in the community, and the evacuation started as the fire started moving east to the park on the evening of 26th July 2024.  However, the park fire reached near containment in August, and on 17th August 2024, the park was partially reopened. You may wonder what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park after the fire breakout and if there is any significant destruction in the places of interest in the park.  Let me assure you. The park officials stated that the fire had never entered the park. However, there are still risks in the southern part of the park and Mill Creek and Mineral communities.  Nevertheless, the reopened parts of the park are out of danger despite some lingering smoke. 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The USDA Forest Service maintains the cave, which remains open from dawn to dusk.  Before I get into more stories and facts about the cave, I want to present the basics you need to know briefly.  Important Facts About Subway Cave, Lassen National Volcanic Park Location in the ParkA 2-minute walk from the parking lot near the junction of “Highway 89” and “Highway 44” in Old StationAmenitiesPicnic TablesDrinking WaterParkingToiletsInterpretive SiteFeesFree (You can make donations)Pet-FriendlyNoParking FacilitiesMany Parking Facilities, Buses and RVsOutdoor ActivitiesInterpretative Sessions, Caving, PicnicTemperature Inside the Cave46 Degree Farrenheit Nearby AttractionShasta County (Mountainous landscape and multiple picnic locations)Nearby Trails*Cinder Crone TrailSpattercone Nature TrailButte Lake to Widow Lake, etc.  *Many hiking trails in the park, such as the Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, and Mill Creek Falls, are closed as the park has partially reopened after the recent wildfire explosion. So, check with the park authorities before you plan a hike on the park trails.  This Is How The Subway Cave Was Formed  If you are a keen learner of geology and want to know what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you cannot avoid the lure of Subway Cave. I have already shared an account on the geothermal wonders of the park. This cave is an example of how lava flowed around 20000 years ago and created some magic.  A major lava explosion happened all across the Hat Creek area around 20000 years ago. The top layer of the lava flow became cold and hard in contact with air. Thus, a hard cap was formed. However, there was a continuous flow of molten lava below this cap.  The molten lava drained out Over time, but a hollow tube structure remained there. As you hike this trail, you will find traces of the more recent lava flows.  Route To The Subway Cave Is Bumpass Hell on your list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park? Are you planning a trip to the park soon? Then, you will be disappointed as the Bumpass Hell trek route is closed after the park has reopened following the recent fire breakout.  Further, as Bumpass Hell is closed, you must take the Warner Valley Area route to  Devils Kitchen, which is the cave's opening. Devils Kitchen is a 4.4-mile hike from the Warner Valley Area (camping here is closed for 2024).   Accessing The Subway Cave  You have to climb down metal stairs as you access the Subway Cave. You will get down into a wide opening in the ground. The ground surface has a leveled floor. However, you must be careful as you get off the stair flight.  Further, you must wear sturdy footwear to avoid injuries and difficulties where the floor gets rough.  Fortunately, the ceiling and walls are quite smooth, minimizing the hiking difficulty level while hiking. Also, there is complete darkness inside the cave. So, you will need a flashlight to make it to the end.  The weather inside is a little cold, even in summer. So you will need a light jacket. Moreover, don’t forget to read and follow the interpretative signs through the trail to better understand the place.  The best thing about this park is that it’s 30 feet wide. So, even with complete darkness inside, you never feel suffocated.  What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park Subway Cave It is not a long walk inside the Subway Cave. However, this short walk is enough to make it feature on the list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic Park.  Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac (An Attraction Very Few Knows About) Have you listened to Satan’s Cul-de-sac from Gangland Buries Its Own? The first thing that may amaze you inside the cave is Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac. There is a split as you enter the cave, and you are to turn to the right if you want to continue the trail. However, you will notice a big room if you are adventurous enough to turn left, when I tell you about Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac, The ceiling height starts from 6 feet and gets higher up to 15 feet. The most amazing thing about this room inside the cave is the rock formation on the ceiling and walls. It’s gothic and justified its name.  https://open.spotify.com/track/6cq37W4OXjEdQRLh2IVQOF As The Hike Advances  The ceiling height will vary as you continue the trek, and there are small boulder-like rock formations in many places. So, be careful with your steps and do not stumble upon them. Also, because of these rock formations, you must not wear an open-toe shoe while walking through the cave.  Nevertheless, the ceiling formation is fascinating, and in one section, it looks like stoned rainfall or water ripples. The section is called the Lavacicle Lane. Molten lava dripped off through the cracks in the ceiling cave, and there were formations of “drip pendants” or “lavacicles.”  Further, as you plan to take the exit, you notice all the colors in the lava rock formation, including green, blue, white, and brown lines.  Getting Out Of The Subway Cave As you approach the end of the cave, you will find a metal stair flight similar to the one at the entrance. From the top of the exit staircase, you can hike through an on-ground trail to the west or north to find the parking lot.  However, I prefer to take another walk through the cave and get back to the entrance. It will be so much fun to explore this unique geological formation again.  Things To Remember Before Getting Into The Darkness Of The Subway Cave  Subway Cave is a hidden gem if you consider what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, once you take the hike and read the interpretative signs, you will learn why it is geologically unique.  Nevertheless, you must be careful about certain things to ensure complete safety throughout the hike.  You will find rattlesnakes in the trail, and you have to be respectful to these reptiles. You must not make any move to catch or hurt them. Moreover, you cannot go off trails or litter inside the cave.  No food, water, or firelighting is allowed inside the cave. There are picnic areas nearby for you to catch refreshments. Wish you a safe, easy, and fun-filled experience inside the Subway Cave!  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.