Blount County: Mountains, River and History

In Blount County, the foothills of the Appalachians meet Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In Townsend, the Little River flows through the town, which borders the park. South of Townsend lies Cades Cove, a scenic valley surrounded by mountains. For your trip, you can choose between different priorities, including nature, river activities and historic sites.

Park Scenery and Hiking Trails

Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers more than half a million acres and offers more than 800 miles of hiking trails. Alongside this extensive trail network, the Foothills Parkway offers a specific destination: an approximately 0.8-kilometer-long trail leads to Look Rock Tower. The Foothills Parkway itself is a scenic drive. You can therefore consider a drive along the scenic parkway and a hike to an observation tower as different options for planning, without applying the stated trail length to other routes.

Cades Cove also brings together scenery and history. Within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cove has the greatest variety of historic buildings. Its setting in a valley surrounded by mountains gives this historic focus a different character from the expansive views across the park’s trail network. Visitors interested in nature and history can find both at this named location.

History in Cades Cove and Maryville

The Cades Cove Museum is located in the historic Thompson-Brown House in Maryville. It preserves stories, photographs and artifacts from families who lived in Cades Cove before Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established. It focuses on the people and family histories of the Cove, while the variety of historic buildings there offers a glimpse of its architectural heritage.

The museums in Maryville offer another way to explore regional history. Exhibits at the Blount County Historical Museum highlight the people, places and stories that have shaped Blount County. The Sam Houston Schoolhouse State Historic Site is a one-room, log cabin-style schoolhouse built in 1794. Comparing the two historic sites brings into focus, on the one hand, the county’s many historical themes and, on the other, a specific schoolhouse from the late 18th century.

Townsend: River, Nature and Traditions

River activities are among the specific options to consider when planning a trip to Townsend. Smoky Mountain River Rat offers two tubing routes on the Little River. Route features include a private rock jump, swimming holes and several moderate rapids. Offerings are seasonal, and route details may change. Check the provider’s current information before your visit.

The section of the Little River that flows through Townsend offers easier access for fly fishing and has plenty of stocked fish. Check fishing regulations and license requirements separately. If you would rather learn more about the local natural environment, Townsend River Walk & Arboretum is a nature education park. Plaques on the trees provide information about their characteristics.

The Townsend Visitor Center offers information about attractions, natural history and cultural traditions in Townsend, Blount County and Cades Cove. In the exhibit room, local artisans demonstrate their skills and sell their work. Recurring seasonal events include the Townsend Heritage Festivals, held every spring and fall in the Great Smoky Mountains. Check the specific event dates before planning your trip.

Planning Your Trip

For most visitors, a car is the easiest way to travel between the communities of Blount County and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Access to the park is via Townsend on US-321 North/TN-73 East, followed by TN-73 into the park. Check current road conditions before setting out. When choosing a hotel, it may help to first decide which places and activities will shape your trip: for example, the park and its hiking trails, river activities in Townsend, or historic sites in Cades Cove and Maryville.

Discover more destinations: Alcoa, Friendsville, Maryville, Townsend, Madison County, Weakley County, Carter, Decatur County.

For the main travel overview: Tennessee.