They have bathrooms and bubbler there too. Park Rangers conduct seasonal programs for the public at this location. Shop online or visit a bookstore at the following park locations: Sugarlands Visitor Center Oconaluftee Visitor Center Cades Cove Visitor Center Clingmans Dome Visitor Information Station Join Us Today! Guests can enjoy the Grist Mill, the Becky Cable House, and the park bookstore and gift shop. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Bikes are also allowed on this popular trail. On a recent visit to Sugarlands Visitor Center, we stopped a Park Ranger on the sidewalk and ended up talking for nearly half an hour. When is the Sugarlands Visitor Center open? LeConte. Check at the visitor center for times.ExhibitsIndoor and outdoor exhibits of Southern Mountain life and culture. Sugarlands Visitors Center: Sugarlands Visitor Center - See 1,041 traveler reviews, 358 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. When you leave the visitor center, take a left to get back to New found Newfound Gap Road. Stop by the information desk and ask to talk to a ranger who can give tips on what to look for, which forks to take and how to make the most out of your time in the mountains. RCK continues supporting the Park with projects such as a trail for handicapped visitors, a wildlife display at the Sugarlands Visitors Center, an information display on Mt. Cataract Falls is behind the center I'd you have time for a quick hike. For example, get out of a storm or just find a resting spot while you wait for the rest of your party to finish their hike. Great gift shop and clean bathrooms. Short and easy to hike. (865) 325-1355. But before you worry about what you can do once you leave the center, it's important to know more about the center itself. For your convenience, weve also provided some information about nearby RV parks and resorts. This answer is for others Public restrooms and vending machines are available to the left of the center's main entrance. There are also books available for purchase for those thirsty for knowledge or who want to learn more about the history of the area. You can do a short hike or slightly longer (1.7 miles? 4.1/5 Very Good! Clingmans Dome Visitor Center | Photo: Billy Hathorn. Stopping by the visitor center will give you an idea of what to expect during your visit. It's located off of US-441 just two miles south of Gatlinburg and is situated right next to Park Headquarters. This is a nice place to visit in the Sevierville/ Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg area, off highway 441 South, just south of Gatlinburg and inside the north entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The rangers are very friendly and informative and the line moved quickly. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Hours: 9:00-5:00. The well marked trail begins at the visitor center and features tree cover (perfect in summer and fall! And the trailhead for the formidable Chimney Tops Trail is nearby. 3. Four visitor centers are located within the national park at Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome. The Becky Cable house, a barn, and other structures may be toured also. Chateau Mouton Rothschild, a Premier Cru Class from the Bordeaux region and one of the world's greatest wines, is owned by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the most interesting monsters mentioned on Travel Channel's Mountain Monsters (media photo from Travel Channel, werewolf rendering from Adobe stock), Lake proponents argued that turning Cades Cove into a body of water would promote tourism (photo by Patrick Jennings/stock.adobe.com), Sugarlands Visitor Center is a must see on your visit to the Smokies. Both trails are nice, but I prefer the Cataract Falls trail, especially for families with small kids since it is easier and mostly flat with wide, clear trails! Sugarlands Visitor Center | Photo: Ann Bowman. You will be glad you did. Yes! Located just a short drive from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the center offers a variety of exhibits and programs that will introduce you to the park's natural and cultural history. People have been living and working in the mountains for generations, and the history is all on display here. The temporarily closed Sugarland's museum featured local flora, fauna and wildlife (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com) Even Sugarlands itself is a place where the uninitiated can get themselves in trouble quickly. 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 Get there early. Smoky Mountain Cat House Do you have a feline friend or just love anything and everything that has to do with cats? Sugarlands Visitor Center, located near the Gatlinburg entrance of the park is the main visitor center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After hiking up Rainbow Falls, we doubled back to Gatlinburg and re-entered the park at Sugarlands. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. more, #16 of 104 things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 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. Gatlinburg Trail is also unique in that it's one of only two trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that allows dogs and bicycles. *Please be advised: Hours may vary due to COVID19. The roof also features recycled rubber, solar panels and solar tubs to provide additional lighting and energy without using electricity. Public restrooms and telephones.Historic Grist MillsCable Mill in Cades CoveHoursOpen From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00 - 5:00LocationInside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road.ExhibitsWater-powered grist mill.Mingus Mill near OconalufteeOpen From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00 - 5:00LocationInside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US 441.ExhibitsTurbine-powered grist mill.Tremont Institute. The Little Pigeon weaves its way over around giant boulders next to the area making for great wading in the warmer months. These may be open or closed during different periods of the year, so be sure to check their availability before going! This visitor canter gets five stars, for the wildlife. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. There is a few parking spaces. Both are natural terrain, basically level and easy to complete (Both family & dog friendly). Stop here for maps or to get general information about the mountains. Backcountry permit station. This area is wild and free, so its important to practice wildlife safety protocols. Sugarlands Discovery Center is located at 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN. It closes in winter due to weather conditions. The trailhead is located between the visitor center and the comfort station. Just down the sidewalk is an open-air museum. You dont want to miss this experience. The Sugarlands Center is named for the valley in which it resides. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. Located inside theGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, off US highway 441, the Sugarlands Visitor Center has all the answers to your questions regarding planning your trip to the national park. Guests have access to a variety of activities and learning experiences. The facility includes a bookstore and a gift shop for all your souvenir needs. There were two people at the customer service desk busy answering people's questions. 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. Stores Were Commercial and Social Centers in Great Smokies. Sugarlands Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.Jan. Join us to celebrate Christmas in the mountains with old-time music, harp singing, storytelling and reminiscing, craft demonstrations such as weaving, spinning, quilting . And whether you're just headed into the park or on your way out of it for the day, keep in mind that this visitor center has lots of free parking (although on busy days, it can still be challenging to find an empty spot), vending machines and restrooms. There are restrooms, an information desk and small gift shop. Yes No Tucked into the Great Smoky Mountains, there's a barn house we call home. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. And it also offers a perfect slow, one-way drive for nature and wildlife viewing. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It is an easy trail to hike and takes less than an hour. Supplementing all this firsthand knowledge is a treasure trove of printed information. An additional four information centers are located outside the park in Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Townsend. Its one of the most highly-rated destinations in the country, and almost everybody reports that they absolutely loved their experience. I was barely able to find a parking spot and when I went to go inside I learned they weren't even letting people in. Overall, an excellent visitor center that should be enjoyed by all visitors to the park. Bring cash! A separate building houses modern bathrooms and several trails begin at the center. We mentioned the center's gift shop earlier as a source of information, but visitors will find all types of park-related merch at this retail center as well. Bathrooms and gift shop. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is one of four facilities of its kind in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Public restrooms and telephones.Townsend Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.Jan. The Covid restrictions have closed the museum and movie portions, but it's still worth stopping. These waterfalls include the Cataract Falls a beautiful waterfall located just behind the Visitor Center; Grotto Falls on the Trillium Gap Trail (a popular trail and a fairly easy hike); Baskins Creek Falls and the immaculately named The Place of a Thousand Drips. Southern Mountain Life Open-Air Museum | Cades Cove | Photo: Marc Bowman. You don't have to wait in line to purchase. NOW, as a sort of family tradition, we bring our own kids! We hiked from the Gatlinburg Trail to get here only to find out that there is a line to get in. Just a heads up..Don't get to close to the Elk! Take a left to Gatlinburg. After hiking up Rainbow Falls, we doubled back to Gatlinburg and re-entered the park at Sugarlands. Been to a campground lately? The ranger was pleasant and assisted us with help on trails in the area. Open Friday-Sunday in November The center is your starting point for three different hikes, all of them rated as easy. The visitor center features knowledgable rangers, maps, restrooms, animal exhibits, informative museum, and a free movie. It had various U.S. states and countries marked on individual clear boxes. $42. Parking fills up quickly and can be challenging. Park rangers also lead tours that showcase the natural beauty of the area. Do not let the uniforms intimidate you. And of course, dont forget to stop by the gift shop and buy some fun souvenirs! The kids thought it was neat to feel the fur from a bear, otter, fox, skunk, raccoon, etc. You do not need to go inside for anything except the store or a National Parks Passport Stamp. Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. You can reach the Sugarlands Visitor Center by calling 865-436-1291. Visitor Center opens daily at 9am. There is no fee for participating, so check with the visitor center for the times and locations. The Visitor Guide with park map is available outside the center and so are trail maps. We had a great conversation about the Synchronous Fireflies event in Elkmont, the park, how he became a ranger, and Tennessee and Alabama football. The rangers know current conditions (bear activity ie). Also, the Cove Hardwood Nature Trail is a three-quarter-mile loop showing the diversity of trees in the park. 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 1.7 miles ahead on the right side of the road. Perhaps a nearby place where we can see animals, waterfalls etc. This is a great outing for families with younger children. The next time you are near Sugarlands Visitor Center and short of time, check out this list and make the most of it. Look for national-park-themed clothing items as well as souvenir mugs and ornaments and games and activities designed for kids. Get there before 4 pm if you want to see the movie and/or museum! The seasonal visitor center features exhibits, a gift shop, as well as a park film where you can learn more information about the area. Public restrooms. Sugarlands is one of the top-rated visitor centers in the area and in the whole country! There were a few other areas in the visitor center, including a small museum, that we didn't explore, but it looked well-curated. Campground Reviews is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. Best 5 Things to Order, Is Mountain Monsters Real? A gentle climb follows Fighting Creek and passes by two historic properties - the Noah McCarter cabin and the John Ownby cabin. Next door are clean restrooms. Park Rangers conduct seasonal programs for the public. 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. It does get busy, but there is plenty of parking. What did you think? Even though the summer hours have been extended to 7:30 PM, when we arrived we found that the museum wing and the movie wing closed at five. Its free to get in with no fees, and there is designated parking available. For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. Public restrooms and telephones.Sevierville Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.9:00 am 6:00 pmLocation3099 Winfield Dunn ParkwayKodak, TN 377641.25 miles from Interstate 40/81 on Highway US-66 near SeviervilleAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. This sophisticated center packs a big punch with its varied display of preserved flora and fauna. But more importantly, the center is home to a park ranger. After about 4.5 miles, you'll find Elkmont Road. per night. I know it is one of my first memories of the Smokies. The main attraction of this area is the caverns themselves, and there are tons of guided tours available. Parking for the Gatlinburg Trail can be found at either the Sugarlands Visitor Center or in a small parking area on . The Sugarlands Visitor Center features free admission to a 20-minute film about the Great Smoky Mountains National . Ranger was friendly and even asked the kids some interactive questions. Denali National Park is home to the tallest mountain in North America. We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a must stop when visiting Gatlinburg and The Great Smoky Mountains. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. Learn all about visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park - when go go, what to do, what to expect, recommended tours and more! It is a nice visitor center, with brochures, helpful staff, a gift shop, wall exhibits and a topographical map that helps with orientation to the park. When you enter the visitor centers, look for local newspapers, maps, souvenirs, t-shirts, posters, coffee cups, trail patches, hiking sticks, snacks, books, and a lot of other cool stuff. Is the Gatlinburg Trail fairly easy? Best information Center on all the trails in the Smokies! I used to rely on various guides to choose trails but now I go and talk to a ranger and ask for a recommendation based on length of hike, waterfalls or not etc, and difficulty. First of all, we were so grateful that Smoky Mountain National Park opened at all during Covid and that there were rangers working in the park. This is also one of two trails where you may take your dog. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 9822 Cty Rd 75. Some park newspapers and maps are available free of charge, while the gift shop on site has tons of books and other informative resources for sale, covering everything from the history of the area to more in-depth studies of the native flora and fauna. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. Read Our Blog Browse helpful planning articles & info. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Online Shop Unique gifts from the Smoky Mountains. Check at the visitor center for location and times.ExhibitsThe adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a fascinating collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn cribs and others. The center is staffed by Park Rangers who normally share maps, answer questions and share park history and other pertinent information. 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