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Townsend, Tennessee

Top Spots in and near Townsend

  • Walland, Tennessee

    Drive the Foothills Parkway National Scenic Byway

    5.0
    The foothills parkway runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains. It is 38.6 miles in total with the longest section at 33.0 miles. There are a few different places to get on to the parkway. There is one entrance near Fontana, Walland, Wears Valley, and Cosby. However Cosby is a smaller section a...
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  • 35.604955,-83.770373

    Hike to Rocky Top

    5.0
    12.8 mi / 3500 ft gain
    Rocky Top is known to be the spot that inspired the famous fight song of the University of Tennessee, which is also an official song for the state of Tennessee.  The trailhead for this hike begins in the Cade’s Cove picnic area parking lot towards the back side. There are a few parking spots ri...
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  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Backpack to Spence Field

    13.8 mi / 3100 ft gain
    Start your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation 1,800 ft), in the Cade’s Cove area. The trailhead is located at the far end of the day-use picnic area near Cade’s Cove campground. There are a few parking spots right at the trailhead, but note that the picnic area closes at dusk (a gate clos...
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  • Tallassee, Tennessee

    Abrams Falls Trail

    4.8
    4.96 mi / 625 ft gain
    One of the biggest perks of hiking Abrams Falls is the drive to get there. The trailhead is located approximately 5 miles into the scenic Cades Cove Loop. Cades Cove is an adventure in itself. Keep your eye out for black bears, deer and wild turkey. If you are taking the self guided auto tour, Ab...
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  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Bike Cade's Cove Loop

    4.7
    10.5 mi
    Cade's Cove is a valley located smack in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Feel free to drive the 11 mile loop in the day, but if you're really cool, you'll schedule your trip around a full moon so you can bike under the light of night! Allow yourself a few hours to explore a...
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  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Spruce Flats Falls

    4.8
    1.64 mi / 495 ft gain
    To get to Spruce Flats Falls, you will want to drive down 2.2 miles down the scenic Tremont Road to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute and park in the visitor center parking area. You will then want to ascend up the gravel road past the sign that says restricted to unrestricted traffic (meaning ...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Hike to Upper Meigs Falls

    5.0
    3.55 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Parking available off of Little River Gorge Road (State Hwy. 73) at The Sinks/Meigs Creek Trailhead. The trail starts with winding elevation gain until it crests around 1 mile into the hike (notice pine trees at higher elevation). After the crest it starts descending towards Meigs Creek. While f...
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  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail

    5.0
    11.3 mi / 3020 ft gain
    The Gregory Bald summit is indisputably picturesque – the 10-acre meadow at the top hosts magnificent azalea blooms in June, wild blueberries in August, and views of Cades Cove, Rich Mountain, Fontana Lake, Thunderhead Mountain, and Clingmans Dome, year-round. Start this hike at the Gregory Ridg...
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  • Tallassee, Tennessee

    Hike to Look Rock Tower

    5.0
    1 mi / 300 ft gain
    Look Rock tower has spectacular views and is a great hike to enjoy year round. The tower is an old fire tower used for spotting smoke in the valley. Because of this the tower is placed on the highest ridge around making for some amazing views. The only way to get to the tower is along the Foothil...
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  • Upper Tremont Road, Tennessee

    Hike to Indian Flat Falls via Middle Prong Trail

    4.5
    7.21 mi / 1140 ft gain
    One of the best trails in the Smokies is the Middle Prong Trail. The trail passes three major waterfalls, in addition to numerous smaller falls, cataracts and cascades. Once you've parked, you'll start at the trail head and immediately see your first cascade. From the trailhead hikers will cro...
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  • Sevierville, Tennessee

    Laurel Falls Trail

    4.3
    2.45 mi / 314 ft gain
    This straightforward, yet scenic hike follows a paved trail to the falls, which is among the most popular in the park. This trail can be especially crowded during the summer, so be sure to arrive early. Keep an eye out for a few steep drop-offs on either side of the trail along the way. There ha...
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  • Sevier County, Tennessee

    Little River Trail to Backcountry Campsite #30

    5.0
    12.34 mi / 412 ft gain
    The trailhead parking area is large but if no spaces are available additional parking can be had at the Jake's Creek trailhead at the top of the hill and to the right of the Little River trail parking lot. After parking, the trailhead itself will be to the left of the parking area. Parking Lot Co...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Hike the Cucumber Gap and Little River Loop

    4.0
    5.5 mi / 800 ft gain
    This loop offers a scenic 2.5 mile hike next to the river before looping back around via the Cucumber Gap Trail. At the tail end, you'll connect with the Jakes Creek Trail for about 0.7 miles to return you back to the parking lot.  Many people hike this trial clockwise, but if it's a hot day, it...
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  • Robbinsville, North Carolina

    Gregory Bald via Twentymile

    4.0
    15.42 mi / 3694 ft gain
    Gregory Bald via Twentymile is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Robbinsville, North Carolina.
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Gatlinburg Trail

    5.0
    3.8 mi / 351 ft gain
    Gatlinburg Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Cataract Falls, Smoky Mountains

    4.4
    1.09 mi
    You will find the trailhead to this gravel path just to the left of the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The easy walk along Fighting Creek is scenic and tends not to be crowded, either. At the end of the hike you will find a beautiful 25-foot waterfall. Please refrain from climbing on or around the f...
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Camping and Lodging in Townsend

Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
Townsend, Tennessee

Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday

Cades Cove Campground
Townsend, Tennessee

Cades Cove Campground

Cades Cove Group
Blount County, Tennessee

Cades Cove Group

Anthony Creek Horse Camp
Townsend, Tennessee

Anthony Creek Horse Camp

Abram's Creek Campground
Tallassee, Tennessee

Abram's Creek Campground

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion
Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion

Guides, Insights and Stories from Townsend

Indulge in Adventure at this Base Camp Near the Great Smoky Mountains

Indulge in Adventure at this Base Camp Near the Great Smoky Mountains

The Outbound Collective

20 Must-Do Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

20 Must-Do Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Outbound Collective

The Smokies Are Still Alive!

The Smokies Are Still Alive!

Merritt McKinney

6 Inspiring Photos from the Smoky Mountains

6 Inspiring Photos from the Smoky Mountains

Nick Spicer

The 5 Best Fall Hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains

The 5 Best Fall Hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Christian Murillo