09/09/2026
Townsend, Tennessee is like travelling back in time. 🪵🥾Compared to the busy side of the Smokies like Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, TN – Townsend is a breath of fresh air. It’s quiet, surrounded by nature, has an awesome food scene and only has one traffic light.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and experience the Great Smoky Mountains in the most quintessential way, here’s 3 things that you must add to your itinerary.
1. Look Rock Tower 🥾
Located on the Foothills Parkway, Look Rock Tower is a scenic 20 minute drive from Townsend. To get to the lookout, it’s a paved 1 mile round trip (that is more of an uphill walk than a hike) and delivers spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains and the valley below.
2. Tuckaleechee Caverns 🏔️
Known as the Greatest Site Under the Smokies, this huge cave system goes hundreds of miles underground. An amazing adventure for young and old, this is the perfect excursion for when the weather outside is not ideal. Take the Tuckaleechee Caverns full tour (approx. 90 minutes & 1.25 miles) through these ancient caves and explore the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern U.S. This is definitely one for the books.
3. Fly fishing with Little River Outfitters 🎣
This family-owned fly shop and school Little River Outfitters will fully equip you with everything you need for a day of fly fishing. There are over 800 miles of fishable trout streams in Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone. A beautiful past time and an experience your kids won’t soon forget.
Save this for your next trip to Townsend, Tennessee and take a trip back in time for the perfect mountain getaway.
📍Townsend, Tennessee
🏔️Travel Back in Time