Cocke: Hiking Trails, Waterfalls, and Scenic Overlooks

At the foot of Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies Cocke County. The Cosby area combines a stream landscape shaded by hardwood forest with hiking trails, a waterfall, and a scenic road. Cosby Creek flows through the broad cove. Spring wildflowers and autumn foliage are as much a part of the area as historic cemeteries and old-growth forest.

Nature and Trails Around Cosby

The Cosby Picnic Area is open seasonally every day from mid-April through the end of October, from sunrise to sunset. It sits at an elevation of 2,179 feet (664 m) and has 35 picnic sites and a pavilion. If you are planning a visit, check the seasonal opening hours before your trip. Nearby, you can hike, ride horses, and fish; a license is required for fishing. Trails near the picnic area include the Gabes Mountain Trail and the Low Gap Trail.

One specific hiking destination is Hen Wallow Falls, a 90-foot (27 m) waterfall near the Cosby Campground. The round trip from the Gabes Mountain Trail trailhead near the campground to the falls is 4.3 miles (6.9 km) long. The trail length may vary slightly depending on route conditions. When planning, note that this is the total round-trip distance, not just the distance to the waterfall.

Scenic Overlooks and River Activities

The Foothills Parkway East runs from Cosby along Green Mountain toward I-40. Over a distance of 5.6 miles (9 km), the road climbs more than 1,000 feet and offers four scenic overlooks. The focus here is on the drive and the views; the 5.6-mile figure refers to the road segment, not a hiking route.

There are different river options for rafting. On the Pigeon River, a lower and an upper section cater to different skill levels. Whitewater rafting is also popular in Cherokee National Forest along the French Broad River, from the North Carolina border to Del Rio. The scenic stretch of the French Broad River is 33 miles long and has nine access points along a Blueway more than 40 miles long.

Newport: Local History, Culture, and Golf

Downtown Newport developed as the city's commercial center shifted toward the Pigeon River with the arrival of the railroad. The Newport Harvest Street Festival takes place in downtown Newport on the first weekend in October. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the specific event dates in advance.

Founded in 1988, the Newport Theatre Guild promotes theater and professional-level stage productions for audiences in the region. In Newport, the Smoky Mountain Golf and Country Club also offers a challenging round of golf with panoramic mountain views. The Newport experiences described here range from local history and stage performances to golf with mountain views.

Hotel and Trip Planning

If you are looking for a hotel in Cocke, first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: the Cosby area offers nature experiences and trails, while Newport has a festival, theater, and golf. The Foothills Parkway East offers a different experience with a scenic drive. The picnic area's seasonal opening hours and the festival date may also be important for your plans; check both before your trip.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Del Rio, Newport, Parrottsville, Cosby, Claiborne County, Franklin County, Henderson County, Decatur County.

For the regional travel overview: Tennessee.