The Foothills Parkway skirts the park's northern side. This scenic drive stretches along 17 miles and travels along the backbone of Chilhowee Mountain between Chilhowee Lake and Townsend. You may view Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the beautiful valleys of the Tennessee River Valley bordered by the plateau of the Cumberland Mountains. The Parkway takes you to the Tail of the Dragon if you want the adventure of traveling 11 miles with 318 curves!

One of the most peaceful features of the Smoky Mountains is its Rivers and Streams. Listening to the water flow over huge rocks will lift anyone's spirit. All picnic areas and campgrounds within the Park are located on a river. Between the sound of the river and the crickets at night, you will experience a wonderful night's sleep after a day or even a short period of time spent on the river.

Camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be backcountry, frontcountry, group camping, and horse camping. The most popular is frontcountry which is camping near your vehicle in a developed campground with restrooms. Backcountry camping requires one to hike several miles to a site located in the park's backcountry. Large campsites are available for groups of 8 or more people. Horse camps offer hitch racks for horses.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 11 major Waterfalls: Abrams Falls, Grotto Falls, Hen Wallow Falls, Indian Creek Falls, Juney Whank Falls, Laurel Falls, Mingo Falls, Mouse Creek Falls, Rainbow Falls, Ramsey Cascades, and Tom Branch Falls. There are 2 waterfalls to which you can drive: Meigs Falls on Little River Road and Place of a Thousand Drips on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Nearly 80 historic structures — homes, barns, churches, schools, and grist mills — have been preserved in the Park. The best places to see these historic buildings are at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Oconaluftee, and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Grist mills are still functioning in Cades Cove, Oconaluftee and Roaring Fork. This is an image of the Elijah Oliver Place in Cades Cove.

WHERE TO EAT
Restaurants
Farmers' Markets
Recipe Cards