Blue Ridge Country March/April 2024 - 36

INSIDER'S GUIDE
TO THE
SMOKY
Great
MOUNTAINS
NATIONAL
PARK
Meigs Falls runs full after a good spring rain.
NEW WELCOME!
A
new visitor center filled with educational
and retail materials about the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
is now open in Townsend, Tennessee. In
the large first floor, find " membership
information, merchandise and displays
developed in collaboration with the
National Park Service. " Plans for the
second floor include events and audio
recording facilities.
This venue is the eighth location
managed by the Great Smoky Mountains
Association (GSMA), a nonprofit
supporting the scientific, historical and
interpretive activities of the park. It is
located on E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
across from the previous welcome center.
For more GSMA information, visit
smokiesinformation.org.
-AM
ficult to strenuous and often overlooked
by visitors and hikers alike. The first 1.5
miles are wooded and lead to the iconic
1820s John Oliver cabin. After this
point, the ascent begins with views of the
cove below. Along the ridge, stop at the
remains of an old fire tower, enjoy views
of Townsend, then start the descent that
culminates near a 25-foot waterfall.
Insider tips: Park in the lot on the left
just prior to the Cades Cove Loop Road
entrance gate. The trailhead is through
the gate and across the road. If the entirety
of a four- to five-hour difficult hike
is not in the plans, this is also a terrific
trail for short walks out and back. Turn
left to reach the cabin and right to see
the waterfall.
BEST WATERFALLS TO DRIVE TO
The Sinks, Meigs Falls, Place of a Thousand
Drips. Keep a sharp eye open for the
small parking lot at The Sinks. The falls
were created by a human-made change
in the river and all the water in the Little
River flows over here. The falls can be
thunderous (spring rains) and the obser36
BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
vation area feels quite close.
Meigs Falls sits tucked back into the
mountainside and displays different
personalities throughout the seasons.
Watch the roadside for a long stretch
of pull-off with a low stone wall seven
miles east of Townsend and 13 miles
west of Sugarlands.
To see multiple cascading rivulets
of water at Place of a Thousand Drips,
drive the Roaring Fork Nature Trail.
Insider tips: Explore the trail leading
away from The Sinks for solitude. Wait
for other vehicles to leave the pull-off
at Meigs Falls for good photo opportunities.
Visit Place of a Thousand Drips
(and these other falls) after a good rain to
see a good show.
Note to the reader: While any " best of " list
is difficult to narrow down, this one is based on
five decades of exploration. Information on the
destinations mixed with experiential subjectivity
guided this writer's choices. These suggestions,
impressions and representations are offered
with the hope of inspiring you to find your
own treasures in the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park.
http://www.smokiesinformation.org http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country March/April 2024
