Discover Sevier

Sevier offers a range of options for planning your trip: the mountain scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains, waterfalls and natural areas, scenic drives, and places with a layered history. The destinations and themes below range from short nature outings to longer drives and historic buildings.

Mountain Scenery and Nature Destinations

Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevier County covers 522,427 acres in Tennessee and North Carolina. It provides the largest protected habitat for bears in the eastern United States. A smaller natural area is Roundtop Mountain in southwestern Sevier County, which covers 237 acres. These represent two very different scales, from an expansive national park to a clearly defined natural area.

Wildflowers, waterfalls, streams rich in fish, historic buildings and cemeteries characterize the Greenbrier Area. In the Sugarlands Area, several trails lead to streams, waterfalls and historic log cabins. Cataract Falls is a narrow, 40-foot waterfall near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. A 0.7-mile round-trip hike leads from the Visitor Center to the falls. If you’re looking for a specific nature destination rather than a larger area, you can take this trail length into account when planning.

Roads with Different Characteristics

The routes vary in length and course. The section of the Foothills Parkway from Walland to Wears Valley is about 14.75 miles long and climbs to nearly 2,500 feet near Caylor Gap. By contrast, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 5.5-mile one-way road through the forest. Historic cabins, grist mills and other historic buildings line the route. In Gatlinburg, the road can be reached from the main street at traffic light number 8. These details give you specific points of reference for distinguishing a shorter one-way drive from a longer stretch of the parkway.

Newfound Gap Road is a 31-mile National Scenic Byway through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the Tennessee side, the first two-mile section runs between Gatlinburg and Sugarlands. This distinction is important for orientation: 31 miles refers to the entire byway, while two miles refers to the section described between the two places. The trolleys in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg also connect Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley serves Dollywood, Dolly’s Splash Country and Wears Valley, among other destinations; check the schedule when planning your trip.

History, Crafts and Unique Experiences

Elkmont was once the second-largest town in Sevier County before becoming a campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elkmont Campground is located on the site of the historic town. The Harrisburg Covered Bridge tells another story of local history: built by Elbert Early in 1875, it crosses the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River and is considered a landmark of Sevier County. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Other historical topics also offer a distinct way to explore the region. The Battle of Fair Garden was the largest Civil War battle fought in Sevier County; its site is part of the Tennessee Civil War Trails. Blowing Cave Mill, completed in 1880, is an example of the flour and grist mills built in Sevier County during the 19th century. Arts and crafts are another focus: since 1941, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community has been considered the largest concentration of craftspeople in the United States.

For a hands-on experience, Dollywood offers craft activities where visitors can make their own items. At the Handsville Wax Company, visitors can dip their hands in wax and make a detailed impression. Forbidden Caverns beneath English Mountain offers a tour past formations, natural chimneys and grottos, and along a clear stream. The Bush Brothers Visitors Center in Sevierville features an interpretive museum, a gift shop and a café. When planning your trip, you can choose between nature, history, crafts and individual attractions.

Discover more destinations: Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Beech Springs, Seymour, Kodak, Maury County, Washington County.

For the broader travel overview: Tennessee.