Things to do in the area
WHAT TO DO while visiting the Great Smoky Mountains/Wears Valley/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Townsend area
Current Conditions & Alerts
Parking tag required effective March 1, 2023
UNLESS
Your vehicle has a valid, state-issued disabled placard or license plate.
National Park
Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
Foothills Parkway “Missing Link”
A 16 mile drive with multiple scenic overlooks starts in Wears Valley
Next to Hillbilly’s Restaurant:
- Wears Valley Coffee & Snack Company
Hand-crafted coffees and teas, light snacks
Tips for our 4-footed guests
Smoky Mountain Grocery
865-366-7261
“Do The Loop”
Enjoy the 8 Mile Loop Road
With Over 100 Artists & Craftsmen
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
(open Spring – Fall)
April 18 – November 30, 2025
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park.
Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to all vehicles on Wednesdays from May June – September to provide for pedestrian and bicycle use. Check this link for June date.
Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible Sugarland Valley Nature Trail
Hawk Syklift
Smoky Mountain Horses
Townsend
Caverns
tuckaleecheecaverns.com
Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend, are known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies” and are the highest rated Cave or Cavern of the Eastern United States.
Golf
Mini Golf – so many in the area – this one is at least partially w/c accessible plus Mini-Bowling!
Crave Golf Club
Waterfalls in the Park
Every year over 200,000 visitors hike well-worn trails to view Grotto, Laurel, Abrams, Rainbow, and other popular waterfalls in the park.
Note – Laurel Falls Trail closed
This popular hike is closed for rehabilitation through at least March 2026.
Helicopter Tours
Wears Valley Tour Flight!
Accessible Travel Writer Candy Harrington
2018 Suggestions
Places to Go, Things to Do
Site is paid for by your lodging tax!
