Visiting the Smokies, Spring 2026

VISITING THE SMOKIES

Nothing Short of Magical

VISITING THE SMOKIES

WHAT’S INSIDE

CALL OF THE WILD A safari in the Smokies

BYBEE - Right here in Cocke County, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, you can go on a scenic four-mile safari to visit animals from six different continents at Briarwood Ranch Safari Park.

These animals - from around the world - include exotic species, deer and antelope, bovines and large herbivores and petting zoo animals.

Safari Park Manager Yaulanda Haney explained the park, located at 255 Briar Thicket Rd. in Bybee, TN, has 300 to 350 animals for guests to enjoy.

The four-mile driving route allows visitors to get up close to the animals, and many animals will approach the vehicles to eat feed pellets, which are available for purchase at the park entrance.

Visitors can either drive their own vehicles through the park and along the path, or they can take a wagon ride. The tractor-pulled wagon rides are available by reservation. The wagon rides allow for safe feeding, and helps visitors keep their own vehicles clean.

Haney estimates that in the average year there are 10,000 visitors to the park, including adults and children. She said the park is enjoyed by visitors of all ages.

Animals include zebras, zonkeys, camels, ostriches, emus, fallow deer, axis deer, white-tailed deer, bovines, large herbivores, white bison, black bison, water buffalo and elk. There is a petting zoo area that allows visitors to interact with smaller, friendly animals such as llamas, donkeys, peacocks, goats and chickens.

Guests can drive through the park as many times as they like on the day of their visit to the park. The speed limit is 5 miles per hour.

BARNES

Elizabeth Hemsworth and her son, David Branch, are shown on a wagon ride at Briarwood Safari.

There are hundreds of animals at Briarwood. Some of them were purchased and some of them were rescued.

Haney explained they have contractors who are familiar with the animals and who know how to properly care for each kind of animal. The park buys specialty feeds and provides shelter and medical care for the animals to ensure they are in good health. Different species have different feeding requirements and the park ensures their nutritional needs are properly met.

Automobile windows should be rolled all the way down when feeding, and never try to roll up a window when an animal is attempting to feed as this may cause injury to the animals or damage to your vehicle.

The park opened to the public in 2006. It is owned by Deborah Nease. Since the park opened, thousands of people have visited the park.

There are dozens of different species of animals at Briarwood Safari Park in

The park is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weather permitting. Call (865) 919-5072 to confirm hours and to reserve a wagon ride.

Admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children ages 3 to 12 when driving

your own vehicle. Admission is $28 for adults and $17 for children ages 3 to 12 for the wagon ride. There is a $2 discount for seniors, ages 60 and older, and military.

A bucket of feed for the animals is $5, or buy three buckets for $12.

RAFTING ON THE REBOUND following flooding

Rafting, despite a flood-related setback in 2024, continues to be a wildly popular activity for Smoky Mountain visitors, especially on the Pigeon River which has become one of the most rafted rivers in the United States and was named the most popular rafter river in America as recently as 2020.

Hartford, located 14 miles south of Newport, is the home to multiple whitewater outposts on the Pigeon River.

Rafting companies had to rebuild after the 2024 flood from Hurricane Helene took a toll on the popular recreational activity, but after rebuilding in 2025, all signs are pointing to a successful 2026 season.

The trip down river had to be improvised because of Waterville Road, Trail Hollow Road and Hartford Road suffering severe damage. The rafting season started later in 2025, and new put-ins had to be built for the rafts to be put in the river.

The preliminary totals show 159,980 people made their way down the Pigeon River during 2025, while less than in previous years, it was an impressive rebound following devastating flooding that impacted the entire region.

The records for 2024 show 211,717 paid customers went down the Pigeon River. The year before, in 2023, saw 239,398 rafters go down the river.

The preliminary numbers show that 51,737 fewer people went down the river, but those numbers are expected to once again climb back up to the normal numbers in 2026.

Current plans are for rafting to get underway earlier in 2026.

“Through the resilience of our commercial rafting companies assisted by our county officials, EMA Director Joe Esway and rafting committee, we were able to have a strong rafting season considering the obstacles that had to be

The Cocke County Rafting Season Opener Celebration was held on Friday, May 30, 2025. Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis joined several special guests to head down the Pigeon River.

overcome to even allow the companies to have a rafting season in 2025,” said Cocke County Clerk Shaleé McClure, who is also the county rafting agent.

Discussing 2025’s rafting season, Cocke County Tourism Director Linda Lewanski said the flood recovery process affected the numbers.

“It was a challenging year,” she said.

“I am proud of how our businesses have fought back, and I must say, our future looks bright.”

She explained tourism covers a wide range of jobs around the county, and there are many people who play an important role in the tourism industry.

“It involves everyone who serves tourists. It can be the person who works at the gas station, the cashier at the store, the server at the restaurant and the rafting guide,” she explained. “Each plays an important role in bringing people to our area.”

While there is still quite a way to go with flood recovery efforts across the county, she anticipates that the numbers will start to climb back up this year.

The following rafting companies that were permitted in 2025 include:

Rafting is a big part of the tourism industry in Cocke County.

BIG CREEK EXPEDITIONS

3671 Hartford Road

Hartford, TN 37753 (423) 487-0178

www.bigcreekexpeditions.com

NANTAHALA

OUTDOOR CENTER

3485 Hartford Road Hartford, TN 37753 (423) 487-0668

SMOKY MOUNTAIN RIVER RAT

WHITEWATER RAFTING

3630 Hartford Road

Hartford, TN 37753 (423) 487-4303

www.smokymtnriverrat.com

BIG BEAR

WHITEWATER RAFTING

3165 Big Creek Road Hartford, TN 37753 (844) 799-7238

RAFT OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

3635 Trail Hollow Road Hartford, TN 37753 (866) 333-7238

SMOKY MOUNTAIN OUTDOORS (SMO) RAFTING

3299 Hartford Road

Hartford, TN 37753 (865) 430-3838

FORBIDDEN CAVERNS offers a look into the past and underground beauty

The State of Tennessee has more caves than any other state in the country with 8,350 caves registered. One of those caves, Forbidden Caverns, is located in Sevierville.

Visitors to Forbidden Caverns are provided with an entertaining and educational tour experience that includes sparkling formations, towering natural chimneys, multiple grottos and a flowing stream of crystal clear water.

The caverns feature special lighting effects and well-trained tour guides combine to make this the most enjoyable experience for all visitors. Trails are well-lighted and handrails are available at all necessary locations.

Hundreds of years ago Forbidden Caverns was known to the Eastern Woodland Indians who roamed the forests and mountains of East Tennessee in search of hunting grounds. The cave was a winter shelter and the river inside the cave provided constant water. Scientists believe the water source is an underground lake below English Mountain, which is now famous for its spring water. Flint is found here and was used to create knives, arrowheads and scrapers. The cave is the home of many unique calcite formations that are still growing today. The cave also boasts the largest wall of rare cave onyx or dripstones that are known to exist.

An interesting Indian legend explains the fate of an Indian princess who was lost in “a hollow mountain of two streams”...”which is forbidden.” From the early 1920s until 1943 the cave was used for making moonshine. The constant water supply and the isolated location was ideal for moonshiners to make their homemade whiskey.

A group of business professionals began planning the vast undertaking of opening the natural attraction to the public in 1964. After three years

of development and excavation, Forbidden Caverns opened in June 1967. The entrance to the caverns is through a picturesque valley that allows for a majestic view of the LeConte range as well as English Mountain of the Smoky Mountains.

A quaint grist mill museum, primitive farm houses and a trout farm are among the points of interest on the way to the caverns. Forbidden Caverns is a 35-minute drive from Gatlinburg and a 45-minute drive from Knoxville. It is also within a few minutes of the Bush Brothers Visitor Center, which is by the factory where the world famous beans are canned.

The average guided tour takes about 55 minutes. Free parking is available for cars and small RVs. There is a picnic pavilion and a souvenir shop.

Forbidden Caverns is open April 1 through Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The caverns are closed on Thursdays and Sundays.

Ticket prices, which are subject to change, are $25 for adults ages 13 and older and $15 for children ages 5 to 12. Children 4 and younger are free. Because of staffing shortages and a lack of designated parking, Forbidden Caverns is not accepting buses or organized groups at this time.

Call (865) 453-5972 for additional information. The tour is not recommended for those with mobility and/or respiratory issues because of typical slippery surfaces and tight places you encounter in most caves. There is a part of the tour that involves 50 steps that go down a narrow pathway, which can be difficult for some to maneuver.

The cave can be wet, can have water puddles and is 58 degrees Fahrenheit year round, so please dress accordingly.

SPIRIT OF NATIONS POWWOW

to Feature Champion Hoop Dancer

Three-time World Hoop Dance Champion Josiah Enriquez, will be a special guest at the Spirit of Nations Powwow scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at Jefferson County High School in Dandridge.

Enriquez, 23, claimed his third consecutive title at the 36th Annual World Hoop Dance Championship at the renowned Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ, in February.

Born into a rich heritage of Navajo, Isleta, and Tewa ancestry, Enriquez began dancing and participating in ceremonies at just three years old, discovering his passion for hoop dancing at age eight.

Enriquez has spent 15 years perfecting his artistry and skill, earning multiple second- and third-place finishes across youth, teen, and adult divisions before rising to the top of the world stage.

Beyond competition, Enriquez serves as a master instructor with the Lightning Boy Foundation and is a part of the Indigenous Enterprise, sharing Indigenous culture and storytelling with audiences worldwide through performance, mentorship, and community engagement.

Isabelle Matthews, administrator with the Lightning Boy Foundation, located in Santa Fe, NM, said, “I’m very excited for the people at the Spirit of Nations Powwow to experience Josiah’s powerful hoop dance performance! He just secured his third hoop dance title as World Champion, and I couldn’t be more proud of his dedication to perfecting his skill

and setting that positive example for his students at the Lightning Boy Foundation.”

Dr. Mark Finchum, president of Indian Creek Productions, Inc., sponsor of the powwow, said, “It is truly exciting that we have been able to arrange this special exhibition for our powwow guests. I think it’s worth the price of admission all by itself. Don’t miss it!”

In addition to the hoop dance performance, guests will experience special demonstrations of traditional arts, such as basketry, beadwork, wood carving, fingerweaving, and more, along with American Indian arts and crafts for sale, a Southeastern bark encampment display, activities for children, competition powwow dancing, flute playing, a silent auction, and a special performance by the Dine Tah Navajo Dancers.

Funding for the Spirit of Nations Powwow is provided in part by grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Tennessee America 250 Commission and the Jefferson County Department of Tourism.

Jefferson County High School is located at 115. W. Dumplin Valley Road, Dandridge, TN, 37725. Admission is $7 for adults and $2 for children. Veterans and active-duty military personnel are admitted free. More information is available at www.indiancreekproductions. com or on the Indian Creek Productions Facebook page. Specific questions can be directed to indiancreekproductions@gmail.com.

PARKING in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

smokymountainnationalpark.com

There are three parking tag durations available for purchase. A daily pass is $5, a weekly pass can be purchased for $15, and an annual parking tag is $40. The prices are the same for all vehicle types and sizes.

PARKING TAG GUIDELINES

• Physical parking tags must be displayed in the vehicle, and digital tags will not be accepted.

• Each tag is only valid for a single vehicle and it must include the license plate number of the vehicle it is displayed in.

• Parking tags may be purchased online and onsite at locations within the park.

• Parking tags will be required anywhere within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for vehicles parked for more than 15 minutes.

• Parking tags will not be replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradeable.

• Daily and weekly tags must be placed face-up on the lower side of the passenger side dashboard.

HOW TO PURCHASE A PARKING TAG

There will be a variety of options for those who are looking to purchase their parking tags, including:

• Purchasing an annual parking tag through Great Smoky Mountains Association and having it shipped straight to your door.

• Purchasing both daily and weekly parking tags through recreation.gov and printing them off at home. Note that the park will not be able to print your parking tag for you.

• Purchasing all variations of parking tags onsite at welcome and visitor centers across the national park. The locations where you can purchase your parking tag in person include the Gatlinburg Welcome Center,

• Annual parking tags must be displayed in the front, lower passenger side windshield.

Sugarlands Visitor Center, Townsend Visitor Center, Cades Cove Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store, Clingmans Dome Visitor Center, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Swain County Visitor Center, and Visit NC Smokies Visitor Center.

• Daily and weekly parking tags are available for purchase by credit card from automated machines available throughout the park. Guests will be able to access machines year-round, 24 hours a day.

Do parking tags guarantee a parking spot?

No, parking tags will not guarantee a parking spot at a specific location or for a specific time.

What are the consequences of failing to purchase a parking tag?

Failure to comply with the parking tag guidelines may result in a warning, citation, or your vehicle being towed at your expense.

When do daily and weekly tags expire?

Daily and weekly parking tags will expire at 11:59 pm ET on the date that is listed on the tag.

Are vehicles with disabled parking placards exempt?

Yes, visitors with valid, state-issued disabled tags are exempt from having to purchase a parking tag.

How are proceeds from the parking tags being used?

All revenue generated from the parking tags is being directly put back into the operational costs for managing and improving services for guests, including trail maintenance, trash removal, and staffing increases. Will there be a limit on the number of parking tags sold?

No, the park does not limit the number of parking tags sold on any given day or week.

Information from smokymountainnationalpark.com

RHYTHM on the RIVER

NEWPORT- The Cocke County Partnership’s Chamber of Commerce again hosts “Rhythm on the River,” a series of concerts this summer along the beautiful City of Newport’s Riverwalk directly behind City Hall.

“Our concerts have become a summer tradition for residents to gather with family or meet up with friends and have a relaxing evening of music” said Chamber of Commerce Director Lynn Ramsey. We will host five great concerts this summer.”

Rhythm on the River usually kicks off its first concert in late May, with concerts to follow every other Thursday into July.

Bands begin playing at 7 p.m. Food and games will be set up by 6:30 pm, attendees can relax and enjoy

the atmosphere before the concerts kick off.

Mark your calendar as all concerts are free to the public. Concessions will be available. All you need to do is bring a chair or blanket.

The series has regularly featured crowd-pleasing regional and local acts and more of the same top-notch entertainment is anticipated for its 12th season.

What could be better than music, mountains and the city of Newport’s beautiful riverwalk?

So bring your chair or blanket. Bring a football or a frisbee to pass with friends while taking in the sounds of summer. The Chamber will also have cornhole and other games for the little ones to enjoy.

OUR PLACE

The Smokies’ community-minded bookstore with a whole lot more

From books and geodes to java and genealogy, Our Place Bookstore in Cosby is more than the 100,000 books within its unassuming walls, according to owner Deann Hines.

“It’s a family business. That’s why we call it Our Place,” she said, emphasizing that her shop is, first, a bookstore but also “a lot more.”

Located in Cosby at 115 Cricket Hollow Road, Our Place has been a popular stop for campers, rafters, hikers and vacationing families on their way into the Smoky Mountains since 2004.

“People come into our shop thinking they might just have a look around, get a cup of coffee, and browse a book or two, but then they tend to get carried away,” Hines said. “I’ve had people walk through the door just a few steps and their response is, ‘Wow, what a magical place!’ I’ve had people from all over the country tell me it’s not just the books they enjoy here.”

She believes the shop’s emphasis on local interests, such as history, arts and crafts and its attention to those details are what makes Our Place a place for everyone.

“We’re not a tourist trap. We’re a family trying to make a living and help support other locals, and it’s worked for over 20 years,” she said.

Hines recalled how she and her family fell in love with Cosby and the Smoky Mountains while on vacation from Indiana more than 35 years ago. Following 15 years of regular visits to the usual hotspots around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, she said they decided to permanently relocate to the quieter side where, today, she calls Cosby “home.”

“The Smokies kept calling us,” she said, smiling with a laugh. “So, we decided to stay. It’s very quiet out here, which is something we enjoy. Since we

started coming to the area as tourists, places like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have really grown, and a lot of people want that but I prefer the quiet we have here.”

Having already been an established bookseller in Indiana, Hines pointed out that the creation of Our Place was an obvious next step in her journey.

“We have our regular customers, but also return customers year-after-year,” she said. “I have more than one couple who drives four hours from Nashville to see us. They’ll come here, spend a couple hours, grab a cup of coffee, go find something to eat, then drive back home. That’s how much they love it here. I’ve been told over and over there’s no store like us.”

Keeping that idea in mind, Hines added, Our Place has evolved to specialize in interests of all kinds — from those of the traveling bibliophile to others in search of local history and knowledge.

“There’s a lot of joy in reuniting people with books,” she said, “whether it’s things they’d forgotten, books they might’ve had as a child, or helping them discover new reads. Books are a good escape for a lot of people. They get lost in their books, and it’s a good feeling to bring people together with good literature.”

Hines said the National Park Service also sends visitors to her store for genealogical reference and research material.

“We carry a lot of books the park service doesn’t have [at their shops], so we’re big on The Smokies in general,” she said. “A lot of people will come here and find books they didn’t even know existed relating to the history of the park because we dig deep for some good stuff. We have

PHOTO BY DAVE RUTHENBERG

everything. Of course, there’s a lot of paperback novels, but also history books, cookbooks and kids books. We even do book giveaways in the area.”

In addition to niche volumes, Our Place also carries vinyl records and cassettes for nostalgia-seekers, fair trade and shade-grown coffees, teas from chai to matcha, salt lamps, candles, Smoky Mountain souvenirs, and even sundries for the needful camper or hiker.

“We’re known for our organic coffees,” Hines added. “We ship those to people from all over the country who come in, buy a bag, then later they’ll call me up and I’m shipping it to them.

We also have amazing soaps, rocks, stones and gems — you name it — all kinds of jewelry; bracelets, necklaces, rings. ... We also carry local honey, jellies, snacks for the hikers, apple cider, and mugs of all sorts because, if we’re also a coffee place, you need a mug, right?”

Our Place additionally supports locally made, locally owned wares.

“We promote local craftspeople as much as we can,” Hines said.

“The [surrounding] arts and crafts community has suffered a bit from the regional focus on Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, where tourists tend to follow the main highways and don’t get away from there as much as they once did. So, whenever visitors to our store see what we have available from local artists, I

use the opportunity to tell them about those, as well as others in the area.”

Hines said if she could say one thing to tourists it would be, “Take the drive, make the extra effort to get here and enjoy yourself. We’re definitely worth going out of the way to spend a few hours, have a cup of coffee and, chances are, we’ll be your new favorite place to visit in The Smokies.”

“We’re a family spot,” Hines said. “People have been coming to Our Place for so many years that they’ve watched my kids grow up, I’ve watched their kids grow up, and they now have grandkids. There’s a lot of history here. It’s also just beautiful. I can step out my door and see the mountains. It’s peaceful, quiet and a beautiful place to be. It’s wonderful.”

Hines said if she could say one thing to tourists it would be, “Take the drive, make the extra effort to get here and enjoy yourself. We’re definitely worth going out of the way to spend a few hours, have a cup of coffee and, chances are, we’ll be your new favorite place to visit in The Smokies.”

Our Place Bookstore can be reached by calling (423) 248-6524, on Facebook by searching for ourplacecosbytn, Instagram at booksatourplace, or via email at booksatourplace@comcast.net.

Hines also maintains a small bookstore space, a mini Our Place, she said, inside Roscoe’s Treasures at 255 E. Main Street in Newport.

WEAVER’S BEND and ALLEN BRANCH POND

offers history, fishing, camping, birdwatching and more

Traveling east from Newport toward Hot Springs along Highway 25-70, you will come to Del Rio. As you pass through Del Rio, about 11 miles from Newport, you will see a brown national forest sign on the left of the roadway indicating Allen’s Branch Pond and Weavers Bend.

Turn left at the sign onto the well-maintained gravel road. There are pullover spots in the event there is oncoming traffic, so keep a lookout ahead because the roadway is narrow. You will travel about three miles before reaching Allen’s Branch Pond, which is on the right of the roadway. There is a small parking area that will accommodate four or five vehicles. Additional cars can park alongside the road.

The two-and-a-half acre pond is well-stocked with bass, catfish and bluegill. There is a one-half mile interpretive trail that completely goes around the pond, and there are small fishing piers. Flora and fauna surround the pond, creating a warm-water ecosystem. Turtles, frogs, deer and other animals can be seen around the pond area as well. Tennessee state fishing regulations do apply to fishing at Allen Branch Pond. Travel farther past the pond on the gravel roadway - about three more miles - and you will come to Weaver’s Bend. Weaver’s Bend Road runs from its intersection with Brush Creek to the French Broad River. The roadway transitions from a gravel road to a dirt road. Along the road are several marked campsites, and many of them are riverside. There is a 14-day maximum stay at any campsite at Weaver Bend. When you get near the end of the roadway at Weaver’s Bend, you will cross the railroad tracks. This is an active Norfolk-Southern rail line. On the right hand side of the crossing is the Lower Twin Bridge, which is bridge number two across the French Broad River between the Morristown Junction and Asheville, NC. This bridge was constructed in 1927 by the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company. The four-span bridge consists of Baltimore through trusses, and it is only one of two bridges in Tennessee that are of the Baltimore truss style. Each span is 110 feet long, and all have been skewed positively 30 percent because of how the bridge approaches the riverbanks’ curves. The

bridge has a total length of 541 feet.

Newer concrete piers on the bridge are attached to the older stone piers, which gives indication that the bridge served as a replacement of an original bridge, which was set on the stone piers. The original bridge that sat in the same spot was built in the 1880s to connect the old East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad and the Western Carolina Railroad.

There is a second train bridge to the left of the crossing, and it reaches into North Carolina. The S-line does run this route, so remember to stay clear of the tracks and use caution when crossing the railroad tracks.

There is river access for fishing at Weaver’s Bend. The French Broad River is also a popular area for canoeing and kayaking.

When you leave Weaver’s Bend, you can turn back toward Highway 25-70 and pass Allen’s Branch Pond again, or you can turn right onto the paved roadway and head toward Highway 107. You will come out near Paint Creek and Houston Valley. Houston Valley Recreational Area and Campground are closed because of extensive damage caused by flooding.

Weaver’s Bend, Paint Creek and Houston Valley have all suffered damage in the past because of flash flooding, so visitors are urged to use caution in the event of a storm or heavy rain.

Paint Creek, which is located in Greene County, has a picnic area and campground. The family-oriented campground, which is tucked away in a mountain cove, has closed in the past because of bear activity.

Before visiting the area, check to make sure that it is open. Tent camping and camping trailers are welcome with a fee charged for some activities. Camping spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $10. The group size is limited to five people with two vehicles allowed per site. Reservations are accepted by visiting https://www.recreation.gov/camping/ campgrounds/10056245.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN TRAIL MAP

ROARING FORK MOTOR NATURE TRAIL in Gatlinburg

An exuberant mountain stream gave this area its unusual name. Roaring Fork is one of the larger and faster flowing mountain streams in the park. Drive this road after a hard rain and the inspiration behind the name will be apparent.

The narrow, winding, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the area. The

5.5-mile-long, one-way, loop road is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins, gristmills, and other historic buildings. Please note that the road is closed in winter. Before entering the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a stop at the Noah

“Bud” Ogle self-guiding nature trail offers a walking tour of an authentic mountain farmstead and surrounding hardwood forest. Highlights include a streamside tubmill and the Ogle’s handcrafted wooden flume plumbing system.

Just beyond the Ogle farmstead is the trailhead for Rainbow Falls, one of the park’s most popular waterfalls. The hike to the falls is 5.4 miles roundtrip and is considered moderately strenuous. If you plan to attempt this hike, be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and carry plenty of water and snacks.

The entrance to the motor nature trail is located a short distance past the parking areas for Rainbow Falls. Several homes and other buildings have been preserved in this area. The trailhead for Grotto Falls, another of

the park’s most popular waterfalls, is located along the route. And a “wet weather” waterfall called Place of a Thousand Drips provides a splendid finale to your journey. An inexpensive booklet available at the beginning of the motor nature trail details landmarks along the route.

DIRECTIONS

To access Roaring Fork, turn off the main parkway in Gatlinburg, TN at traffic light No. 8 and follow Historic Nature Trail Road to the Cherokee Orchard entrance to the national park. Just beyond the Rainbow Falls trailhead you have the option of taking the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (closed in winter). Please note that buses, trailers, and motor homes are not permitted on the motor nature trail.

HOT SPRINGS TRAIL MAP