Guests staying in Wears Valley Cabins will want to head to Townsend to enjoy a leisurely day-trip down this Great Smoky Mountain Parkway. So, make a playlist to enjoy the scenery with and make the journey through the breath-taking high-elevation Smoky Mountain Foothills Parkway.
The Foothills Parkway Construction and History
The Foothills Parkway was authorized for construction in 1944, but remains unfinished. As of 2010, only a third of the Great Smoky Mountain Parkway has been completed, and legislative and funding setbacks have stunted the original intents of the Foothills Parkway construction project stretch from I-40 to Chilhowee. Currently, Foothills Parkway is divided into two sections, Foothill Parkway West, which runs from Walland to Chilhowee, and Foothills Parkway East, which travels from Cosby to I-40. Ongoing, Foothills Parkway construction continues despite setbacks, with most of the focus on the Wears Valley section of this Great Smoky Mountain Parkway. Open sections of the Foothills Parkway are opened year-round, weather permitting, and intermittent work continues on unfinished sections of the Parkway.
The Foothills Parkway Experience
The Foothills Parkway presents visitors to the Smoky Mountains with a less-traveled Smoky Mountain parkway that provides the chance to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the forests of the Smokies from the comfort of your car or motorcycle. Traversing otherwise roadless ridge crests, more glimpses of the wonder of the natural beauty of East Tennessee wait around each corner on this Smoky Mountain Parkway. For over 17 miles, the Foothills Parkway transports you into a place of scenic mountain bliss. Drivers should be advised that the Foothills Parkway is oftetimes winding, so take caution if any of your guests suffer from motion-sickness easily. Here are some highlights to enjoy along the Foothills Parkway include:
- Foothills Parkway Photography- The various pull-offs along the this Smoky Mountain parkway invites drivers to snap shots of scenic sunrise or sunsets. Capture candid moments of Smoky Mountain wildlife, wildflowers, trees, and landscapes.
- Foothills Parkway "Tail of the Dragon" Access- A favorite among motorcycle-enthusiasts in the Smokies, The "Tail of the Dragon" rests just of the Foothills Parkway and boasts a total of 318 curves in 11-miles, making for a thrilling ride for careful motorcycle riders. It is not advised to travel the "Tail of the Dragon" under inclement weather conditions as the numerous curves make it a particularly dangerous ride.
- Peace and Quiet at Foothills Parkway - Because this Great Smoky Mountain Parkway doesn't boast as many travelers, vacationers can enjoy true peace and quiet at the pull-out along the Foothills Parkway, where you can snap photos or enjoy a quiet picnic under the shade of the mountains trees.
Look Rock at Foothills Parkway
One of the highlights of Foothills Parkway, Look Rock offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from a natural observation ledge and its observation tower. Only a 1/2 mile hike from the Look Rock parking lot, brings you to the Look Rock observation tower which offers 360-degree views of the mountains. Since the Foothills Parkway is less crowded, Look Rock offers a perfect place to observe fall foliage during peak times in October. The natural Look Rock observation ledge rests on the west side of the Look Rock parking lot, but does not offer the same 360-degree views as the Look Rock observation tower.
The Foothills Parkway offers a quiet, less-crowded Smoky Mountain Parkway to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Smoky Mountains. Come enjoy a leisurely drive down the curves of the Foothills Parkway today!