This route follows the Appalachian Mountain chain from Shenendoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—a distance of 469 miles. There are frequent turnouts for mountain vistas, waterfalls, picnic areas, and visitor centers. Much of the Parkway is closed in winter. The speed limit is strictly limited to 45 miles per hour, and trucks are prohibited.The South Section Auto Tour covers the last 175 miles of the parkway beginning at the visitor center at Linville Falls, North Carolina. The parkway passes through a series of gaps, meadows, tunnels, and scenic overlooks. Points of interest include the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, the Folk Art Center and Craggy Falls. A popular sidetrip is a visit to the Vanderbilt’s magnificent Biltmore...
This 7-mile, one-way route runs north from Cades Cove to the Park boundary at Rich Mountain Gap and on down the mountain to Townsend TN. Rich Mountain Road was built in the 1820s following an old Indian trace into Cades Cove. Points of interest include a stand of shagbark hickory, a species rarely found in the Smoky Mountains. At one point on the road—shortly after leaving Cades Cove—you can enjoy a spectacular view of the cove and the Primitive Baptist Church, a favorite of photographers. The road is closed in winter. No trailers or RVs are allowed. Plan on spending about one hour on this trip if you stop to enjoy the spectacular view back down towards Cades Cove and the Primitive Baptist Church—a favorite of...
This 8-mile gravel road leads from the Cades Cove Loop Road to US 129 toward the North Carolina side of the Park and Calderwood Dam. Parsons Branch Road was originally a main artery among a complex of roads feeding the smaller coves and hollows with Cades Cove. These highlands coves were home to several mountaineer farmers who stood against Confederate raiders. Parsons Branch leads south from Cades Cove and is located just after the Cades Cove Visitors Center. No trailers or RVs are allowed. This route takes approximately one hour to...
The most visited part of the Park—and for good reason. A favorite in the Fall, this 11-mile loop road is located in an idyllic setting and offers a self-guided tour of historic homesteads, preserved structures, and churches. Mountain vistas, beautiful pastureland, abundant wildlife, and a visitor’s center allow the visitor a real feel for what it was like for the early settlers to the area. The loop road also provides access to Parson Branch Road and Rich Mountain Road which exit on the NC and TN sides of the Park, respectively. An additional feature of Cades Cove is access to the trailhead to Abrams Falls, a relatively easy 5-mile round trip hike. From this trail, Abrams Creek bends away in a horseshoe shape to a secluded area favored by anglers for trout fishing. Plan on spending the entire day in Cades...
About the Lakeview Drive Auto Tour This 6 drive is also known as “The Road to Nowhere.” This Smoky Mountain driving tour gives you amazing views of Fontana Lake. When the Fontana Dam was created, in the 1940s, the roads in the area flooded. The solution was to build this new road to follow the shore of Fontana Lake. The road is completely paved and starts right outside Bryson City, North Carolina. And, hence the name, the road ends in the middle of nowhere at a tunnel. It truly just ends. Why? Because the park could not finishing the road due to environmental studies stating that the park would be impacted by the road construction. So, today, the road still remains unfinished, but you’re able to drive along it without a problem. Directions to The Road to Nowhere Auto Tour To get there, travel south on Newfound Gap Road into Cherokee NC. In Cherokee, turn right on US 19 and drive 10 miles to Bryson City. At the old Swain County Courthouse, turn right onto Everett Street and cross the Tuckaseegee River. Follow Everett Street through town (it changes to Lakeview Drive) and continue to the park boundary. Continue 5 miles into the park. Lakeview Drive ends at the mouth of a...
About the Little River Road Driving Tour Originally an old railroad, this 18-mile Smoky Mountain driving tour runs from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Cades Cove Loop Road. A relatively slow-go, the Little River Road meanders alongside (you guessed it) Little River, passing at one point the exit to Townsend TN. Along the road, you will spot a variety of different natural and manmade structures. You’ll pass the trailhead to the Laurel Falls trail. About 10 miles into the drive, you’ll see the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. If you’re able, you can stop and enjoy a picnic in the afternoon. You may even be able to see some wildlife during your afternoon picnic! From the picnic area, you can see the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse. Once you get back on Little River Road, you’ll come up to the Townsend Y, a popular swimming hole for visitors and locals. Then, later on the road, you can make a stop at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. In addition to these great stopping points, this road shows you some of the best of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can really see the beauty of the forest and mountainside and you also have a really great chance to see wildlife like the Smoky Mountain Black Bear. You can’t go wrong with this Smoky Mountain driving tour. Directions to Little River Road Auto Tour From Pigeon Forge, turn at traffic light #3 (Wears Valley Road). You’ll travel about 14 miles into Townsend. From Gatlinburg, travel about 2 miles south on South 441 to reach the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The, you’ll turn right onto...