Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

If you want to hike, but are inexperienced or have small children, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest may be the place for you. The trail through the forest is only 2 miles long and has steps built into the trail. The hike should only take 1-2 hours. The forest is named after Joyce Kilmer, poet and World War I soldier who was killed in battle. For more information about the trail, click here.

Roaring Fork Motor Natural Trail

If you do not want to hike but still want to experience the wilderness of the Smokies, take a drive! Roaring Fork is perfect for a drive, offering 5 miles of scenic wilderness. You will see everything from old buildings to waterfalls as you drive through the deep forest. If you are planning to visit, booklets explaining numbered posts along the way are available at the start of the road. For more information, click here.

Annual Pumpkin Festival

 

Come discover the beauty of the Smokies this fall during the Annual Pumpkin Festival. Feast your eyes on the gorgeous landscapes that the mountains provide in the fall with many festivities and activities that this festival withholds. The Wears Valley Farmer’s Market presents the Annual Pumpkin Festival, running from September 15 through October 30, which is located in Wears Valley, TN. Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, the festival offers a wide arrangement of seasonal mums to fresh produce and pumpkin carving. Along with arts and crafts, this festival has a wide assortment of happenings to satisfy any family’s desire. 

 

Capture the essence of fall this year during your trip into the Smokies with the Annual Pumpkin Festival: http://www.wearsvalley-farmersmarket.com/pumpkin-festival.html .

The Little River

The Little River provides around 51 miles of incredible scenery in the Southeast.  It begins in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and joins the Tennessee River and Fort Loudon Lake in Knox County.  Portions of the river are used for whitewater rafting and tubing while other portions are much calmer for fly fishing and wading.   The Little River brings people from all over for events like Trout Fest and tournaments.  Cabins line parts of the river for beautiful vacationing spots for those who love to be outdoors.

Wears Valley

Wears Valley is considered to be one of the most scenic areas surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains.  It has become a popular vacationing spot with all that it has to offer.  From visiting the Smokies to whitewater rafting and tubing Wears Valley offers something for every outdoor enthusiast.  The shops in Wears Valley are unique and fun places to visit as well.  Wears Valley provides something for every age group, and it’s very convenient to Gatlinburg – so you can take a day-trip and extend the magic of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Railroad Days

The final festivities of the Townsend Days Celebration are Railroad Days at Little River Railroad Museum. Activities include museum tours, hand car rides, walking tour of old Townsend and Tremont. The walking tours are both under a mile. Check out Railroad Days to learn all about the Little River Railroad and trains of yester year.

Nawger Nob Arts and Crafts Show

Check out the Nawger Nob Arts & Craft Fair in Townsend .  Over eighty crafters will sell wares like woodcarvings, baskets, paintings, pottery, chairs, and many more mountain crafts. The event takes place over the weekend of the 26-28th.  Nawger Nob is located on Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend.

Vintage Camper Fall Rally in the Smokies

On the 11th and 12th of this month, Misty River Cabins and RV Resort in Walland (near Townsend) is hosting the Vintage Camper Fall Rally in the Smokies. Come check out old-school camper ranging from 8’ teardrops to 35’ busses. Misty River was voted Tennessee Campground of the Year 2008-2009. You can call 877.981.4305 for more details. If you can’t get enough of the vintage transportation, head over to Pigeon Forge for the Shadows of the Past Show for more good times.

Bird Watching

The Great Smoky Mountains is a premier location for bird watching. The crest of the smokies towers almost a mile above the foothills, while provides a diversity of habitats and climates for the nearly 240 birds that have been found in the park. Out of these 240 birds, only sixty are year round residents. The spruce-fir forest of the high ridges is home to the Black-capped Chickadee, the Golden-crowned Kinglet, and the Blackburnian and Canada Warblers. The northern hardwood and cove hardwood forests are home to the Blue-headed Viero, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and the Black-throated Blue Warbler. To learn more about which birds make their home in the smokies, visit http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/birds.htm.

Tuckaleechee Cove

Tuckaleechee Cove refers to the area where the Little River descends from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but most people know this area as Townsend. Townsend is located between Bates and Rich mountains and the Little River runs east to west through the town. The city is about 0.9 miles in size, and as of the year 2000, 244 people call it home. Townsend has been nicknamed the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” so if relaxation and a little quiet time is what you are looking for, Townsend may be the place for you.