Southern Mountain Life Open-Air Museum | Cades Cove | Photo: Marc Bowman. This sophisticated center packs a big punch with its varied display of preserved flora and fauna. Information about specific programs is available at each visitor center. See 63 traveller reviews, 42 photos, and cheap rates for Travelodge by Wyndham Pigeon Forge Dollywood Lane, ranked #69 of 99 hotels in Pigeon Forge and rated 3.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Parking Pets Allowed Restrooms Wifi Wheelchair Accessible Credit Cards Accepted See More Details (5) Nearby Hotels Whittier, North Carolina Illuminated Heart Sanctuary Robbinsville, North Carolina There are a few parking spaces by the trailhead. This 1.2 mile loop trail is perfect for people of all ages! A staff made up of both paid and volunteer park rangers is on hand to answer virtually any question a visitor to the Smokies might have, whether it's an inquiry about the behavior of black bears, the location of a trailhead for a specific hike or even the history of the region before it became a national park in the 1930s. Impossibilities Magic, Mindreading and Mayhem! It is home to one of the best picnicking spots in the Smokies. Townsend and local area information. This post may contain affiliate links, This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy, 5 Visitor Centers That Are Worth Exploring, 1. If youre a fan of geology or just want to see something incredibly unique, its hard to top Carlsbad Caverns. Thank you. Stores Were Commercial and Social Centers in Great Smokies. Leason Gregg built this house in Cades Cove in 1879 and operated a store on the first floor. The path crosses the West Prong of Pigeon River at one point and runs alongside the river for much of the route. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Only a few people allowed in Welcome Center at one time even if masked. What To Know About the Shows Creatures, Cades Cove Lake: The effort to turn the Cove into a body of water, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrance Fees, What You Should Know, Smoky Mountains in March: Events in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge [2023], A Simple Guide to Smoky Mountain Parking Passes, Park it Forward, 5 Reasons Why Dollywood Is Better Than Disney World, What To Expect at the Dolly Parton Stampede in Pigeon Forge. One of Sugarlands' best functions is that of provider of information. The Gatlinburg Trail is an easy, accessible trail that runs from the Sugarlands Visitor Center and follows the river to the border of Gatlinburg. As the original homesteading families grew, the younger generations found their way to the Sugarland Valley, located on the outskirts of Gatlinburg, in the shadow of Mt. Cataract Falls We are two seniors who would like to know what to see and do in Gatlinburg. This year we also noticed a NEW type of donation box in the lobby. Sugarlands is a literal "one stop shop" for all the information you might need on your Smokies trip, Sugarlands' experienced staff will help make your trip one that you'll always look back on fondly and with great remembrance. What hotels are near Sugarlands Visitors Center? Typical Visitors Center, but see the Presentation anyway!! more, Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour. The Sugarlands visitor center is basically a large gift shop, though you can get your questions answered by a park ranger. It does get busy, but there is plenty of parking. But more importantly, the center is home to a park ranger. The gristmill is a fully operating mill and is open daily 9:00 to 5:00, March 6 to October 31, 2022; and open Friday to Sunday in November. You can hike a half-mile to Cataract Falls, a 25-foot waterfall, enjoying lots of wooded areas, streams and bridges along the way. Gatlinburg Welcome Center - DowntownHours Open every day except Christmas Day.10:00 am - 6:00 pmLocation520 ParkwayGatlinburg TN 37738At traffic light #3 on the parkway in downtown GatlinburgAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Answer 1 of 11: Going to TN in April. And what it has to offer. The next time you visit our Gatlinburg zipline attraction, we recommend that you also work in a trip to the national park and be sure to make Sugarlands Visitor Center a part of your outdoor experience. A guide to the most scenic drive in the Smokies. A separate building houses modern bathrooms and several trails begin at the center. The temporarily closed Sugarland's museum featured local flora, fauna and wildlife (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com) There were about 25 people waiting in line while we were there. Visitor Center, you start walking along the road for about .4 miles. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 1.9 mi from Sugarlands Visitor Center Great Smoky. Park Rangers are approachable and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I always stop to see the movies at these centers; it usually makes sense to acquaint yourself with the big picture before finding some piece of it to see for the day. We recommend booking Sugarlands Visitors Center tours ahead of time to secure your spot. It had various U.S. states and countries marked on individual clear boxes. There's a self-guided wildlife exhibit that features replicas of the many types of animals that call the national park home - everything from snakes to owls to foxes. . Sugarlands is one of the top-rated visitor centers in the area and in the whole country! A park ranger will roll up fast to let you know to back up for your protection and the animals. The center is staffed with helpful Park . Is the Gatlinburg Trail fairly easy? They are Sugarlands, Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, andOconaluftee. Supplementing all this firsthand knowledge is a treasure trove of printed information. We hiked from the Gatlinburg Trail to get here only to find out that there is a line to get in. Sugarlands was a very nice little visitor center and there were several excellent trails that originated from the visitor's center, which was very convenient. By Marc Bowman | 2020-04-23T13:32:26-04:00 21 April 2017 | Related Posts Great American Outdoors Act to Benefit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The hike features a gentle climb that follows Fighting Creek and features two historic properties the Noah McCarter cabin and the John Ownby cabin. The roof also features recycled rubber, solar panels and solar tubs to provide additional lighting and energy without using electricity. Just a heads up..Don't get to close to the Elk! Enjoy! 6. It is a paved 1/2 mile loop trail suitable for wheel chairs. - May 9:00 am - 5:00 pmJune Oct. 9:00 am - 6:00 pmNov.- Dec. 9:00 am - 5:00 pmLocation7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy (U.S. 321)Townsend TN 37882Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. This year's theme will be "Find Your Park." Sugarlands is one of the top-rated visitor centers in the area and in the whole country! The Bypass works well to avoid some traffic around Gatlinburg. In 1887, Rebecca Cable and her brother Dan bought the house and continued to operate the store for about eight more years. The rangers are very friendly and informative and the line moved quickly. Read Our Blog Browse helpful planning articles & info. This is a great outing for families with younger children. The Roaring Falls Motor Nature Trail isnt far from the Visitor Center. Open Friday-Sunday in November Plenty of parking. Then you travel the same distance to get back to Sugarlands. Good place to stop before heading on to Laurel Falls and Cades Cove. After passing Ski Mountain Road, you will enter the National Park. There are a variety of bookstores, gift shops, and restaurants to explore. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences. Enjoy ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Sugarlands Visitors Center: Sugarlands Visitor Center - See 1,056 traveler reviews, 367 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. Sugarlands Visitor Center is not only a place to learn about the national park and gather information, it's also a good place to get your feet wet (figuratively) in terms of outdoor experiences. It's located off of US-441 just two miles south of Gatlinburg and is situated right next to Park Headquarters. Park Rangers conduct seasonal programs for the public at this location. On Feb 28, 2014. Parking is bad so go early or plan on circling around. LeConte and improvements to Alum Cave Trail. The terrain is mostly level, with some moderate inclines along the way. They have a nice park store on location in addition to a FREE museum of animals native to the region. Smoky Mountain National Park may be the most visited park, but most people don't seem to actually leave their cars to hike on the trails. Spotted near Meigs Falls. This answer is for others Ranger-led programs are offered periodically. Park rangers also lead tours that showcase the natural beauty of the area. Heintooga Picnic Area at Balsam Mountain, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Auto Tour, Three Big Reasons You Should Not Feed Bears, Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: My Smoky Mountain Guide. more, Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour. Even Sugarlands itself is a place where the uninitiated can get themselves in trouble quickly. Grand Canyon Visitor Center There are several visitor centers for this park, including the South Rim (AKA Grand Canyon Village), Desert View, and the North Rim. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Do you have specific questions about the park that cant otherwise be found in a guide? The Sugarlands visitor center is basically a large gift shop, though you can get your questions answered by a park ranger.They have a large parking lot. Book your tickets online for Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: See 3,088 reviews, articles, and 3,412 photos of Clingmans Dome, ranked No.12 on Tripadvisor among 104 attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also a great spot to orient yourself no matter how many times you have been to the park. Learn about the park's plants and animals with natural history exhibits. We are visiting with my parents who love nature, but are not as sure on their feet as they used to be. 107 Park Headquarters Road This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Public Restrooms are located on the opposite side of the visitor center next to the parking area. In addition, the park itself features over 270 miles of roads offering dozens of opportunities for scenic drives. This is why Sugarlands convenient facility has trail guides, maps and papers to help burgeoning explorers find their way, and be aware of possible pitfalls. Two historic gristmills are open seasonally in the park. A big parking lot and grassy area to picnic on before or after you begin your step back in time on the loop drive. In the visitors center, there are several extensive natural history exhibits, a free 20-minute film about the national park and an information center. Date of experience: October 2021 Ask AndyB5542 about Sugarlands Visitors Center 1 Thank AndyB5542 If you have kids I'd recommend the Jr Ranger books (buy the book for $2.50 in the shop) to fill out and get the wooden Jr Ranger Badge. Great Smoky Mountains Association members receive many benefits: discounts online and at bookstores You will be glad you did. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. And it also offers a perfect slow, one-way drive for nature and wildlife viewing. Just up Newfound Gap Road/hwy 441 S is the Sugarland Valley Nature Trail. #1 THING TO DO IN GATLINBURG! The Sugarlands Visitor Center features a gift shop where you can browse books on a variety of topics, including hiking, wildlife, and history. Ranger was friendly and even asked the kids some interactive questions. For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. Visitor Centers Closed now 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About GSMA Store Locations and HoursCades Cove Visitor Center HoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.January 9:00 am - 4:30 pmFebruary 9:00 am - 5:00 pmMarch 9:00 am - 6:00 pmApril - Aug. 9:00 am - 7:00 pmSept. Prior to 2020, the Sugarlands Visitor Center was also something of a small museum with extensive natural history exhibits that even young children could enjoy, which included a free 21-minute movie about the park. A bookstore operated by Great Smoky Mountains Association is inside the Cades Cove Visitor Center. Cades Cove A one-way, 11-mile loop takes visitors through 4,000-acre Cades Cove valley, the most visited area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which boasts an abundance of wildlife (including black bears, deer, foxes, wild turkey and raccoons), as well as preserved pioneer homesteads, an old mill, hiking trails, a 161-site . They have a suggested price per pamphlet and a donation box nearby. You can reach the Sugarlands Visitor Center by calling 865-436-1291. $42. They had a small line to get into the center (thanks to COVID) but it goes quick. There were a few other areas in the visitor center, including a small museum, that we didn't explore, but it looked well-curated. What did you think? The Sugarlands Visitor Center's Animal Exhibit - The animal exhibit boasts several stuffed specimens of local wildlife, from wild hog to black bear, which includes a description of each animal's distinctive features. The park staff is always friendly its right in the middle of everything that . The facility includes a bookstore and a gift shop for all your souvenir needs. We stopped at a few gift shops during the day and a Sales Associate suggested Sugarlands Gift Shop. . You may purchase flour milled here when the mill is in operation. The Sugarlands is a valley in the north-central Great Smoky Mountains, located in the Southeastern United States.Formerly home to a string of small Appalachian communities, the valley is now the location of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park headquarters and the Sugarlands Visitor Center. A Comfort Station (official jargon for restrooms), is located next to the visitor center. Bikes are also allowed on this popular trail. Four visitor centers are located within the national park at Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome. Parking lot, though large, was crowded and full. ).The bathrooms at the VC were great--clean and well maintained. Threds and Sugarlands Distilling Co.'s relationship goes beyond producing great merchandise to be sold at the Sugarlands Distillery gift shop. If you love outer space, this visitor center is a must-see. You could easily spend an entire day here learning about the history and the future of space travel. They gave us some great ideas for our visit. Inside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road. LeConte, improvements to Alum Cave Trail, annual updates to the Sugarlands Recognition Wall, and restoration of the Elkmont Theater. She loves to spend time skiing, roadtripping, and just exploring the outdoors. There are great dioramas featuring stuffed animals, birds, reptiles from the area and the environments in which they are found. Feel free to ask questions, get directions, or just chat. Sugarlands Visitors Center Location: 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Entrance Fee: Free to enter, tours cost $15+ Website: nps.gov Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to many interesting historical sites and beautiful natural landmarks. You can touch a real moon rock, speak to astronauts, and get up close and personal with a rocket. Soda and water machines. Part of the walk goes to an old log structure, and the hike eventually goes uphill and then circles back to meet up with the shorter trail to the visitor's center. ; s located off of US-441 just two miles south of Gatlinburg and is situated next! Association is inside the park Gatlinburg and is situated right next to park Headquarters building houses modern and. 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