Scenic Areas of Great Smoky Mountains

Our region is known world-wide for its granite crags, sparkling waterfalls, lush laurel and rhododendron thickets and dense forests, with glittering rocky mountain cascades for explorers to enjoy. There are innumerable activities to take pleasure in outdoors, including hiking, gem mining, mountain biking, golf, field sports, tennis, zip-lining, canoeing, equestrian activities, kayaking, camping, river rafting, croquet, jet-skiing, geocaching, mountain biking, swimming and fly fishing, just to name a few. The charm of our mountain hamlets will delight both the seasonal and the permanent resident alike, celebrating and preserving our natural beauty, historic heritage and rich tradition for generations to come. Here in the Smokies, we are proud of the small-town values our communities were built on, yet we maintain a broad-based outlook, offering our residents the very best of both worlds. Tucked away and off the beaten path, but close enough for convenience and luxury, The Smokies are your destination to find your own heaven in the mountains! To learn more about the Appalachian way of life, please visit:

The Smoky Mountain Vacation Guide
http://www.smokymountains.org/

Newfound Gap Road
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/nfg.htm

In southern Appalachian slang, a “gap” refers to the low point of a mountain ridge. Newfound Gap, which stretches from Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg, TN, takes travelers up to 3,000 foot altitudes through the most breathtaking parts of the Great Smoky Mountain range. The changes in topography are drastic; many spectators have likened the visual experience to driving from Georgia to Maine in terms of terrain. From the zenith point, the road winds through coves of northern hardwoods and ancient pines, ascending to the summit points of fragrant, evergreen spruces and firs, similar to northern boreal forests. The road is studded with parking areas, scenic view pull-offs, rest areas with restrooms and picnic areas, wayside exhibits and the classic Rockefeller Memorial.

Cataloochee Valley
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cataloochee.htm

Cataloochee Valley, tucked in the valley between 6,000 foot high rocky mountain peaks, is one of the Great Smoky Mountains’ most breathtaking areas. The tranquility and peacefulness of its remote location make it a favorite among birdwatchers and those interested in quietly observing the natural wildlife. The seven-mile loop of Boogerman Trail, a favorite among hikers, takes walkers through the open field areas of Cataloochee, where deer, elk, turkey, bears and other wildlife are frequent visitors. The tributaries of Cataloochee Creek are known for their plentiful trout, and fishing regulations are available at Smoky Mountain Park visitor centers.

Little River Road
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm

Little River Road runs parallel to the Little River, extending from the Sugarlands Visitor Center at the Gatlinburg entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, terminating in Townsend, Tennessee. In addition to the spectacular view of the mountain river, there are ample opportunities along this drive to catch a glimpse of the area’s abundant wildlife, the magnificent Smoky Mountain waterfalls and bursts of colorful native wildflowers during the warmer months.

Laurel Falls
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm

One of Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s most travelled trails is the modest 2.6 mile trail leading to Laurel Falls, which bisects the waterfall itself into two distinct parts. At the top of Laurel Falls, the waterfall springs forth from a grove of rhododendron (called “laurels” by early pioneers, hence the name), falling 50 feet before collecting in a pool , which hikers often use to relax and soak their feet in. From the pool at Laurel Falls’ mid-way point, the waterfall continues a second, 35-foot drop before reaching the bottom terminus.

The Sinks
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/sinks-road-imp.htm

The Sinks are a unique geographic occurrence, a combination of hydraulic rapids and deep pools that are located 1.5 miles east of the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area and Townsend Wye swimming area. Less waterfall and more of a big cascade of water over the rocky terrain, The Sinks are a beautiful sight to behold but due to the speed of rushing water and jagged cliffs over which the water runs, it is inadvisable to swim in The Sinks.

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion
http://www.recreation.gov/tn/Metcalf_Bottoms/Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70958

A diversity of plant and animal life, an abundance of seasonal wildflowers, and a peaceful setting to relax in make the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion one of the most-visited places in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Grills, covered eating areas and restroom facilities that accommodate up to 70 guests make this a premier picnic destination for guests of the Smoky Mountains.

Townsend Wye at Little River
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/jakes-creek-imp.htm

The Little River is a favorite for tubing and fly-fishing—the Townsend “Wye”, a long-standing local favorite, is the junction point of the middle and western forks of the Little Pigeon River. The open, serene curve of Townsend Wye is perfect for swimmers and tubers, and the soft grassy banks of the river are ideal for picnicking or simply spreading a blanket and enjoying the afternoon with a book or a sun-soaked nap. Townsend Wye is also a favorite among both locals and guests for its ease of access, located one mile from Townsend and seven miles away from Cades Cove.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaringfork.htm

Cherokee Road Orchard Road
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaring-fork-road-imp.htm

Roaring Fork is a 6 mile (one way traffic only) motoring trail, designed to allow drivers to slow down and enjoy the scenery—prior to entering the motor trail, take a self-guided tour of the Ogle homestead, or visit Rainbow Falls trailhead, Grotto Falls trail, or the “wet weather” Place of a Thousand Drips waterfall at the end of the trails. Roaring Fork, named for the dazzling waterfalls of its loop, is especially spectacular following rainfall, when the waterfalls are in full swing. Cherokee Orchard Road, recently refurbished, is a two-way traffic road offering access to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Rainbow Falls trailhead, as well as rest areas and views of historic buildings and native wildflowers.

The Balsam Mountain Area
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/offbeatenpath.htm

A bit further from the beaten path, but definitely worth the drive, is the Balsam Mountain area, which offers visitors a summer explosion of perfume and color from native wildflowers and the magnificence of its mountain views year-round. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is an 11-mile distance to the Balsam Mountain Campground, with numerous overlooks along the way for visitors to stop and take pictures that will last a lifetime. One mile past the campgrounds are the Heintooga Picnic Area and Overlook, equipped with restroom facilities and covered eating areas to enjoy at your leisure.

Rich Mountain Road
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/offbeatenpath.htm

Rich Mountain Road takes the traveler a bit further out of the way, but 8-mile, oak-lined roadside, providing a one-of-a-kind vista of Cades Cove, is well worth it. Rich Mountain Road is a one-way gravel road travelling north over Rich Mountain and terminating in Tuckaleechee Cove and Townsend, TN.

Lakeview Drive, “The Road to Nowhere”
http://www.greatsmokies.com/roadnowhere.html

Lakeview Drive is a 6-mile scenic drive into the North Carolinan side of the Smokies, where it abruptly dead-ends, which is why it is often jokingly referred to as “The Road to Nowhere”. As its official name implies, Lakeview Drive—though it leads nowhere—does provide travelers with extraordinary views of both the Appalachian Mountains and Fontana Lake.

Fontana Dam
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fontanadam.htm

Standing 480 feet high, Fontana Dam is the tallest concrete dam in the eastern United States, holding back the waters of the Little Tennessee River that form Fontana Lake. Additionally, Fontana Dam provides hydroelectric power to its surrounding areas, offers 240 miles of scenic shoreline in Lake Fontana, and provides boating and fishing access to more remote park areas, particularly Hazel Creek and Eagle Creek.

Foothills Parkway
http://theblueridgehighlander.com/scenic_drives/tennessee/foothills_parkway/index.php

The Foothills Parkway is a series of drives through the low mountains and hills of the Great Smoky Mountain Range Foothills, which are characterized by their narrow, long ridges that run parallel to the pinnacle of the Smoky Mountains. Three completed sections of the Foothills Parkway are open to through traffic year-round as the weather permits. The incomplete section of the Parkway remains open to bicycles, equestrians and pedestrian traffic. The views from the lower mountain ranges of the Foothills are easily comparable to those from higher points of the range, taking visitors over the treetops and foothills, offering a different vantage point for the mountain panoramas. The ideal time of day to visit the Foothills Parkway is in the early evening, when the light alongside the mountain skyline exaggerates the giant crests of the mountains, creating an awe-inspiring show of light and shadow down the length of the Smoky Mountain incline.