The Cades Cove Loop winds for 11 miles through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a picturesque drive with a backdrop of the mountain peaks and its lush, rolling greens. What makes Cades Cove unique from other visitor centers in the park are the two historical grist mills that are located nearby. Check with the volunteers, or ask a Ranger, for information about times and locations. Features historical photographs and illustrations which show what life was like a century ago. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. We had a great conversation about the Synchronous Fireflies event in Elkmont, the park, how he became a ranger, and Tennessee and Alabama football. November: 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Finally, if you have the time, Sugalands offers a free 20-minute movie about the park. I found it interesting and learned quite a bit. Buses, motorhomes, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited on this road Please note: When Forge Creek Road is closed due to mud, Parson Branch Road is not accessible to motor vehicles. In addition to the interior exhibits, there are three great hikes all located at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Gatlinburg is the busiest, most touristy gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 4 visitor centers: Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, Sugarlands and Clingmans Dome. The well marked trail begins at the visitor center and features tree cover (perfect in summer and fall! These Are The 10 Hottest National Parks You Should Visit - TheTravel The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a six-episode series produced by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan and written by Dayton Duncan. Operated by the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park. The park's bookstores are operated by Great Smoky Mountains Association, a nonprofit partner of the park. Townsend, TN 37882 Contact kmitchell@blountpartnership.com 865-448-6134 Hours 7 days a week - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Christmas Day. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Bush's Visitor Center in the Smokies - Learn About Beans Start Summer with 50% Off Outside+, Ends June 1. Come with a backup destination in mind and park responsibly with all wheels out of the roadway. Open every day except Christmas, 9 a.m. to as late as 7:30 p.m. in summer (hours vary seasonally). Make your trip to the park more enjoyable and memorable! Make Gatlinburg your basecamp for adventure. Want to get listed and grow your business? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitor centers offer a variety of resources that help you to navigate through the park and have a truly memorable time! This entrance is an hour's drive southeast of Knoxville on US 441. Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for other books, maps, and guides to the park. March: 9:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. It is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day. Open/close dates for the remaining picnic areas are as follows: Big Creek April 3 Nov. 1 The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is located at Parkway milepost 384, which is about a mile south of the US 70 intersection (or one mile north of the US 74-A intersection) and about 8 miles east of downtown Asheville. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area's trails. Heintooga Ridge Road Open May 15 November 1 for hiker access. 1194 Newfound Gap Rd. Explore with Pets Review pet-friendly park activities for a great visit. . 2023 - SmokyMountains.com. The visitor centers rangers can clue you in as to whether elk have lately been seen. Watch The National Parks: America's Best Idea | Ken Burns | PBS Share the Smoky Mountains video with the people you'll be camping in the Smoky Mountains with!. Open every day except Christmas, 8 a.m. to as late as 7:30 p.m. (hours vary seasonally). 11 Most Scenic Road Trips to Take in Tennessee - WorldAtlas December: 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. January February: 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 865-983-2241. Park Entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Check out two museums in this visitor center just north of Cherokee, NC. Continue with Recommended Cookies. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Sugarlands Visitor Center Gloria Wadzinski. Stop by a park bookstore for a wide array of fun and educational items to help you explore the park: The park's bookstores are operated by Great Smoky Mountains Association, a nonprofit partner of the park. Subject to additional closures December 1 31 and March 11-31 due to snow, ice or muddy conditions. Sugarlands Visitors Center (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) - All 0:00. They are Sugarlands, Cades Cove, Clingman's Dome, and Oconaluftee. On a recent visit to Sugarlands Visitor Center, we stopped a Park Ranger on the sidewalk and ended up talking for nearly half an hour. The Mingus Creek Trail, meanwhile, begins not far away from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, providing a nearby route into the high backcountry of the Great Smokies. This is important because the Smoky Mountains are a wilderness. Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC, TN Info Alerts 4 Maps Calendar Fees Alerts In Effect Park Closures Trail Advisory Several trails in the park are temporarily closed. The Sugarlands Visitor Center features a 21-minute movie about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, nature exhibits, hiking (see below), park exhibits, gift shop, restrooms, and plenty of free parking. It is an easy trail to hike and takes less than an hour. In addition to the free movie, knowledgable rangers, and exhibits, you will find several easy hikes with a trailhead next to the visitor center. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. more information on current conditions temporary closures due to weather and construction. TN Hours: 9:00-5:00. 4 Great Reasons to Visit the Smoky Mountain National Park Visitors Center Helpful Park Rangers and park volunteers staff all the visitor centers. November: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Inside, exhibits on human history teach about Native Americans, pioneers, and the development of the national park; outside, tour the restored settlers buildings of the Mountain Farm Museum. Heintooga Picnic Area at Balsam Mountain, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Auto Tour, Three Big Reasons You Should Not Feed Bears, Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: My Smoky Mountain Guide. Beyond its interpretive displays, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center also serves as an all-around information hub: Rangers and staff are on hand to answer any questions you might have about the parka useful resource, to say the least, for planning your itinerary here. The parks largest visitor center features natural history displays and shows a free, 20-minute park movie. Cades Cove is famous for its access to Abrams Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. The peak rises to a height of 6,643 feet and the observation tower offers a spectacular place to be in the morning, so be sure to get there . Roundbottom/Straight Fork Road Open April 3 November 1. Cades Cove Visitor Center Clingmans Dome has a different schedule. April May: 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Visitors pass through an idyllic valley encircled by impressive peaks on this 11-mile scenic trip. This easy hike is perfect for families with young children. Travelers favorites include #1 Newfound Gap, #2 Sugarlands Visitor Center and more. Yes! The most authoritative source for restaurants, attractions, & cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) It serves as a natural lookout in every direction for a hundred miles. Camping in the Smokies. For current ranger-led activities, visit the park's calendar for details. Fontana Dam & Visitors Center (Great Smoky Mountains National Park This tranquil locale with breathtaking, scenic views provides an abundance of activities for all ages in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elk are native to the Southern Appalachians but were extirpated (that is, regionally eliminated) by the early to mid-19thcentury. Gatlinburg Trail Gatlinburg, Clingmans Dome Visitor Center | Photo: Billy Hathorn. Situated outside the historic Mountain Farm Museum, the visitor center serves as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with all its natural beauty, outdoor attractions, and amenities. December: 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. January February: 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Oconaluftee Visitor Center Near Cherokee: Southern Gateway to the Smokies. Camp under the stars. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. 37738. Samuel Hobbs Photo courtesy of Friends of Great Smoky Mountains, 107 Park Headquarters Road Townsend Visitor Center. The visitor center is open daily, with the exception of Christmas, and includes indoor and outdoor exhibits about the Smoky Mountains, the John P. Cable Mill, a bookstore and shop, and restrooms. You dont want to miss this experience. Photo: Marc Bowman Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Centers | Copyright: Ann Bowman THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Sugarlands Visitors Center, Great Smoky Temporarily closed for preservation and rehabilitation work. While driving the loop road, please be courteous to other visitors and use pullouts when stopping to enjoy the scenery or view wildlife. The exhibit featuring a natural history of the park is worth seeing. Pick up the self-guiding tour booklet available at the entrance to the loop road for information about the buildings you'll see in the cove and the people who lived here. Location. Shop online or visit a bookstore at the following park locations: Great Smoky Mountains Association members receive many benefits: To find out more, become a member, or browse the online bookstore, visit www.smokiesinformation.org, 107 Park Headquarters Road The Cades Cove, Elkmont and Smokemont campgrounds are open year round. A free twenty-minute film about the park runs on a loop inside the visitor center. Please check the "Trail Closures, Warnings and Cautions" section of the Temporary Road and Facilities Closures page for further details. ), streams, bridges, and a beautiful waterfall. Visitor Centers - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Most of these relicsa barn, a farmhouse, a blacksmith shop, corn cribs, and moredate from the late 19thcentury. The most authoritative source for restaurants, attractions, & cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Open April 10 November 30. June August: 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Feel the cool spray of a waterfall. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Nestled in the foothills of the Smokies in Chestnut Hill, Tennessee, just 45 minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Bush's Visitor Center is a fascinating journey into America's favorite canned bean brand. You may purchase flour milled here when the mill is in operation. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 1 Visitor Center Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY, 42259 Phone: 270 758-2180: Hours: . It probably comes as no surprise that Clingmans Dome is one of the best sunrise (and sunset) viewing locations due to it being the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Plan Your Visit - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National The main difference between Clingmans Dome Visitor Center and others is that Clingmans dome is used more for ranger contact and communication between various parts of the park rather than focused on information. Whether you are a tourist or a local to the Great Smoky Mountains, you need to have a plan and educate yourself on the region prior to attempting any adventuring in the area. Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for other books, maps, and guides to the park. All Rights Reserved. -While the Cataloochee area tends to the most productive place to spot elk in the Great Smokies, its not uncommon to see them grazing in the meadow beside the Oconaluftee Visitor Center as well, particularly around dawn and dusk. Sugarlands Visitor Center Near Gatlinburg - smokymountains.com Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Center, Cherokee NC Explore and learn how families lived in the mountains 100 years ago. Smokemont Campground is on the North Carolina side of the national park, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. When you enter the visitor centers, look for local newspapers, maps, souvenirs, t-shirts, posters, coffee cups, trail patches, hiking sticks, snacks, books, and a lot of other cool stuff. Park Rangers are approachable and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. You can talk to park rangers, pick up a park map, use the restroom, grab a drink, or explore the many exhibits in the informative museum! 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy Townsend, TN 37882 . Two historic gristmills are open seasonally in the park. These four visitors centers are Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome. The Oconaluftee River corridor deeper in the park hosts an array of trailheads, but youve also got a fine hiking opportunity right here at the visitor center. Mammoth Cave National Park Travel Guide - Parks & Trips Learn more about the regions early inhabitants, tap ranger knowledge, and explore historic Smoky Mountain structures next door at the Mountain Farm Museum. Hikers come here to enjoy these amazing trails: Abrams Falls, Elijah Oliver Trail, Rich Mountain Trail, and Gregory Ridge Trail. Map. However, some of the secondary roads are subject to seasonal closures. It is also just a short drive from Maryville or Knoxville, Tennessee, so locals love visiting as much as they can. 2. Explore Gatlinburg, TN | Things to Do & The Great Smoky Mountains Full of souvenir shops, craft stores, restaurants and kitschy attractions (think . There's also a free 20-minute movie about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a gift shop. Every State Inside the Appalachian mountains, Smoky Mountain Speedways: The Complete List, How the Appalachian Mountains Were Formed, Cataloochee: From Spring Resort to Ski Resort. Blue Ridge Parkway - Smoky Mountains in NC Smoky Mountains Visitor Center at Townsend - TN Vacation Little Greenbrier Road Open April 10 November 30. TN Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. The Oconaluftee River Trails also notable as one of the only ones in the park to allow pets and bicycles. Situated outside the historic Mountain Farm Museum, the visitor center serves as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with all its natural beauty, outdoor attractions, and amenities. Located inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, off US highway 441, the Sugarlands Visitor Center has all the answers to your questions regarding planning your trip to the national park. Rises to an elevation of about 1000m with several historic cabins from the first settlement in the Smoky Mountains. Visitor Centers - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Hotels near Sugarlands Visitors Center Hotels near Sugarlands Visitors Center Check In / / Check Out / / Guests 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US-441, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN Read Reviews of Sugarlands Visitors Center Property types Resorts Inside the visitor center are exhibits detailing mountain life from the times of the Cherokee Indians through the establishment of the national park. Contains historic photos. Of the visitor centers, Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, and Cades Cover are only closed on Christmas Day. Public Restrooms are located on the opposite side of the visitor center next to the parking area. Turn off Newfound Gap Road (US 441) and drive 7.0 miles. Additionally, you will find a few more opportunities to learn about the park as the visitor center has a museum inside as well as an adjacent museum called the Mountain Farm Museum. Oconaluftee is considered to be the main entrance to the park if you are venturing from the North Carolina side of the park. Great Smoky Mountains Association Bookstore is inside the visitor center. Your Guide to the Smoky Mountain Visitor Centers - Visit My Smokies For your convenience, here is a guide to each of the visitor centers in the park. The Clingmans Dome Visitor Contact Station sits at the Clingmans Dome trailhead, which is seven miles off US-441 on Clingmans Dome Road. While the park itself is open all day, every day, some areas and roads in the park do close throughout the year. Ranking of the top 15 things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mingus Mill near Oconaluftee Open daily April 1 through October and on weekends in November. TN Shop online or visit a bookstore at the following park locations: The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Plan your visit today! Today, visitors to Cades Cove can enjoy the largest variety of historic buildings in the Great Smoky . The center is staffed daily (except Christmas) by knowledgeable, helpful park rangers and volunteers. Gatlinburg, Improve this listing All photos (228) Top ways to experience nearby attractions Oconaluftee Visitor Center | Photo: Billy Hathorn. Visitor Centers Historic Gristmills All roads and facilities are subject to temporary closures due to weather and construction. After passing the historic buildings, you continue the loop back to the visitor center. Stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Center - PIgeon Forge, TN White-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, turkeys and other wildlife are frequently spotted in the open valley of Cades Cove. If you would like to order a printed guide, please fill the following form. 204 reviews #3 of 20 things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Dams Visit website Call Write a review About One may take a cable car ride into the depths of the Fontana Dam. Your adventure awaits! Clingmans Dome Visitor Center | HeySmokies - Smoky Mountain Events Feel free to ask questions, get directions, or just chat. Themes include European American settlement, Civilian Conservation Corp work, and the development of the park. Located on the northwestern side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the address for the Cades Cove Visitor Center is 5686 Cades Cove Loop Rd. Full color topo map and elevation charts. 2022 2. Heres more information about the seasonal opening and closing dates for areas in the park: All primary roads in the Smoky Mountains are open year-round, weather permitting. 299. Learn about farming, home life, religion, and recreation in the fascinating history of this beautiful, lively mountain community. The gristmill is a fully operating mill and is open daily 9:00 to 5:00, March 6 to October 31, 2022; and open Friday to Sunday in November. Sugarlands Visitor Center Reviews | U.S. News Travel Sugarlands Visitors Center 1,061 Visitor Centers Open now By ALL4JESUS66 Sugarlands Visitor Center is always a great place to stop to learn information about the park, visit the gift shop an. Stop here to stretch your legs, get your bearings, and speak with experts about your itinerary. Smokies Fee Program Your Guide to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Centers Fortunately, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has four visitor centers to help you educate yourself and stay safe during your adventures. Inside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road. Sugarlands Visitor Center is on the corner of Newfound Gap Road (US 441) and Fighting Creek Gap Road, just 2.0 miles from traffic light #10 in Gatlinburg. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is Great Smoky Mountains National Parks first new visitor service facility to be constructed since the early 1960s. 'Cades Cove Visitor Information Center. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. Recently renovated in 2013, the visitors center has since been updated to handle more visitors and improve access for all potential visitors. With few exceptions, all vehicles parking in Great Smoky Mountains . Clingmans Dome Visitor Center is the highest elevation information center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,300 feet in elevation. . Park Store - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Parson Branch Road Closed due to hazard trees. 1:29. Day Hikes In and Around Cades Cove Theres also benches to take a rest, first aid kits, and food and drinks. Mountains. Sugarlands Visitor Center | Photo: Ann Bowman. This is also one of two trails where you may take your dog. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Walk through a farmstead of structures carefully preserved from the last century, including a log farmhouse, a barn and apple house, a springhouse, and a working blacksmith shop. Access to snacks and water can be found on the property as well as suitable restrooms for those in need. more information on current conditions Vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop Road, Self-Guiding Auto Tour Booklet Cades Cove. However, the National Park Service reintroduced them to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2001 and 2002. Win a Free Getaway Get Your Free Vacation Guide Close to Downtown Gatlinburg The official visitor's center with the closest proximity to Gatlinburg is Sugarlands. Situated outside the historic Mountain Farm Museum, the visitor center serves as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with all its natural beauty, outdoor attractions, and amenities. The Cades Cove Visitor Center hours are as follows: January: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All Purchases Benefit the Park! September October: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad: A Relaxing Daytrip, Clingmans Dome: Highest Point in Tennessee, Little River Road: Overlooks, Trails and Waterfalls, Sugarland Riding Stables: A Relaxing Wilderness Experience. April May: 8:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 201 S. Washington Street Maryville, TN 37804. Located half-way around the loop road in the Cable Mill historic area. 9. There happens to be a bookstore and shop where visitors can find souvenirs or educational materials and maps to aid them in their trip. These programs are educational and fun and the children especially love it. Camping in the Smokies You can choose from 10 frontcountry campgrounds or head into the backcountry. Cades Cove Visitor Center | Photo: Marc Bowman. This is actually the second Oconaluftee Visitor Center: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the original. Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular activity year round. Collins Creek April 3 Nov. 1 Demonstrations of farm life are conducted seasonally.Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. A bookstore operated by Great Smoky Mountains Association is inside the Cades Cove Visitor Center. Get the Guide - Blount Tourism Clingmans Dome Visitor Center is located at the Clingmans Dome Trailhead on Clingmans Dome Road. Obviously, the visitor centers cant be run 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, but they are operated for a majority of the year. You can also ask questions and pick up permits at the Backcountry Information Office here. Cosby April 3 Nov. 1 Whether you are looking for help, education, history, culture, or adventure, you can find it through all of these visitor centers. Photo: Marc Bowman, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Centers | Copyright: Ann Bowman. Check with the visitor center for times and exact locations. 107 Park Headquarters Road Celebrated as America's most visited national park, its biodiversity, and preservation of Appalachian mountain culture are unparalleled. Hiking. . Learn more about the region's early inhabitants, tap ranger knowledge, and explore historic Smoky Mountain structures next door at the Mountain . 1. 2023 - SmokyMountains.com. The grounds outside Mammoth Cave National Park is home to dense hardwood forest. Copyright 2016-2022 Marc & Ann Bowman | All Rights Reserved |, 9. A green-built facility, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center includes a gift shop, picnic area, river trail, and historic Mountain Farm Museum on the grounds showing a glimpse of early farm life in the region. RELATED: Cades Cove is the most popular destination in the park. Visit Our Site For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact Smoky Mountains Visitor Center at Townsend directly. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the perfect spot to begin your Smoky Mountain vacation! Other campgrounds close for the winter season. Photo by Scott Basford via Wikimedia Commons | Scott Basford via Wikimedia Commons'. It closes in winter due to weather conditions. A quality experience awaits your family in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check at the visitor center for location and times.ExhibitsThe adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a fascinating collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn cribs and others. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 4 visitor centers: Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, Sugarlands and Clingmans . Newfound Gap - Smoky Mountain National Park Keyed to numbered posts or landmarks along the Cades Cove Loop Road, this tour booklet describes the history of the Cove and describes the homes, barns, churchs, Cable Mill, and other historical buildings you'll see as you tour Cades Cove. 1. Please visit the following pages for information about seasonal opening and closing dates for: Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Seen as the main entrance to the park for many tourists, Sugarlands is known for its proximity to a large forest of sugar maple trees during the 1800s. The famous Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the entire Appalachian Mountains. America's most-visited national park does not charge entrance fees, but starting today, it does charge for parking. While the park itself is open all day, every day, some areas and roads in the park do close throughout the year. No part of this website may be reproduced, published, distributed, displayed, performed, copied or stored for public or private use without written permission from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Visitor Centers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park