Staying in a Smoky Mountain or Townsend Cabin for the first time?

So you have made your reservations and you are going to be staying in a cabin in the Smokies for the first time.  You went online or you called a reservationist, you picked the cabin that had all the amenities that you wanted, you got the right number of bedrooms and you are packing the car to head to the Great Smoky Mountains for the best vacation of your life.  So the question is:  What do you bring, or what do you need to pick up for your week long stay in a cabin?

First things first, you are going to have a full kitchen in the cabin.  This is completely different than staying in a hotel room.  That first night you get in, you are not going to want to go to the store before you get to the cabin and settle in for the night.  Bring enough food to cook breakfast for the next morning.  Your vacation rental will have a refrigerator; bring the items that you need for breakfast without fear that they will spoil overnight.  If you have the room, bring your food for the whole week and save that shopping trip the next day.  Either way, remember this is one of the reasons that you got the cabin in the first place.  Being able to cook some of your meals will save you money and bring your family closer together then eating out every meal while you are on vacation.

Another reason that you chose a cabin was for the entertainment that the amenities provide.  If you got a cabin that has a theater room or a large screen TV, make sure that you bring movies with you to watch.  If your cabin has a hot tub (most of them do) or a pool, bring extra towels for the many trips to the hot tub or pool that you will take.  The cabin rental companies do provide towels in the cabins but you will find yourself washing all the time to keep up with the demand that a pool might put on the towels in the cabin.

And speaking of laundry and cleaning, most rental companies will provide a starter set of laundry detergent, dishwashing soap and dishwasher detergent.  If you are staying for a week or more you are going to want to either bring some cleaning supplies with you or you are going to want to pick some up while you are in the area.  As previously said, you will have towels but just like at home, unless you want to use the same one all week, you are going to wash at some point.  If you have kids with you, there will be accidents and you will wash at some point.  Also, before you leave the cabin, the rental company is going to ask you to leave it like you found it before you check out, so having some cleaning supplies is a good idea.  Bring them with you or pick them up while you are out having fun in the area.

Remember that in a cabin you are staying in a home and there is no maid service like in a hotel. You are going to want to pick up after yourself and come prepared to have a good time while you stay in the Smokies.  Stock up on food, bring plenty of movies to watch on the numerous TVs that are in most cabins, and bring extra towels if you are going to use the hot tub a lot and some cleaning supplies are a must.  Making sure you have what you need when you stay in a cabin will make your vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains area that much more fun.

Picnic Pantry Cafe – Lunch, Brunch and On the Go

Townsend, Tennessee’s Picnic Pantry Cafe offers a wide variety of sandwiches and coffee shop fare for anyone looking to stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just to grab a snack before hitting the trail.

For many, coming through Townsend means a quick bite to eat on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or fueling up before hitting the trails for a few days. And that’s just the way Townsend, Tn restaurant the Picnic Pantry Cafe would have it.

Not only do they welcome visitors in for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they’re always ready to send you on your way with a salad, sandwich, or other to-go snack in order to get you out in nature all the more sooner.

Those of you seeking breakfast, the Picnic Pantry Cafe offers a variety of breakfast sandwiches, wraps and yogurt. Daily specials include ready-made sandwiches and soups, as well as salads. Paninis, roast beef, turkey, ham, and pastrami are piled high on top of 9 grain wheat, marble seedless rye, croissants, freschetta, and sourdough bread. If you’re there in the afternoon, or evening, maybe it’s a refreshing glass of wine (try with a fruit or cheese tray) that’s more to your liking, or an ice cold beer. Expresso, lattes, and various hot coffees are also available.

As mentioned, for those of you looking to beat the crowd in the national park and hit the trail, the cafe offers numerous baked goods that can be wrapped and saved for later. Trail mix, crackers and jerky are also offered for numerous hiking junkies that make the pantry the final stop before getting back to nature.

The Picnic Pantry Cafe’s special events including cookie decorating classes for kids are always a hit around town. Every month the cafe seems to be offering something new and different, and July is no different. June featured a wine tasting event and July will feature one as well on Tuesday, July 14 at 6 p.m. This will be a four course meal that is paired with four wines. Reserve your spot by calling the Picnic Pantry at 865-738-3183.

Starting June 30th, the Townsend Farmers Market will be located in Trillium Cove Shopping Village next to the cafe.  It will run every Thursday, starting June 30th.

Picnic Pantry Cafe operating hours: Sunday and Monday : 11 am to 5 pm – Tuesday -Thursday: 8 am to 8 pm – Friday and Saturday: 8 am to 9 pm

Townsend Spring Itinerary

Cades Cove church

Spring in Townsend, Tn might just be the perfect time to be in the Smokies for some, though you’re sure to hear the exact opposite from those fall foliage lovers, but that’s neither here nor there. In actuality, both seasons offer ample opportunities geared at getting visitors back to nature – something Townsend excels at, no matter the season. From popular festivals to numerous hikes and bicycle tours around the Smokies and Cades Cove, we’ve compiled a list of Spring “to-do’s” in Townsend. Be prepared to spend a few days if you plan on getting to everything, or just use it as a daily reminder if you plan on coming back a few time this spring.

Strap on your hiking boots and pack something warm just in case as the first jaunt on the Townsend Spring Itinerary gets you off the beaten path and onto the trails of the Smoky Mountains –

  • Take one of the numerous wildflower walks and hikes offfered in the Smoky Mountains; rent a bike from the Cades Cove Campground store and bike the Cades Cove Loop Road or rent from one of the many locales in town and ride the Townsend bike path. One of the most popular day hikes in the area is the Abrams Falls hike by way of Cades Cove – an easy 5-miler that will cool you off halfway through with a quick dip in the pool below Abrams Falls. Definitely worth the hike.

Our next itinerary suggestion lets the traveler enjoy the best of what Townsend and the Smokies has to offer – Cades Cove –

  • Beat the crowds and tour the Cades Cove loop in morning. Take in an evening tour if you’re interested in the Cove’s wildlife and history. Guided tours are now available through Cades Cove Heritage Tours. Be sure to stop by the Cades Cove Campground Store for some of their fabulous ice cream.

So, you’re ready to get back and sample some of Townsend’s offerings, etc? Not only does Townsend offer a handful of great locally-themed stores, there are also a number of historical stops around town to introduce visitors to the history of Townsend and the Smoky Mountains.

  • Check out the arts and crafts of Townsend at some of its many galleries and craft boutiques. From Apple Valley Farms to Nawger Nob to Southern Fried Gallery, Townsend is ripe with local artistic flavor. During the spring there are numerous festivals including the Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day, as well as the Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival. For you history buffs, check out the Little River Railroad Company. It was there that the region got its start as loggers roamed the area before it was designated part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Did you miss anything while you were exploring? Use your final day to just mill around town, or ask the locals what some of their favorite haunts are –

  • Many people come to Townsend to fish. If so, stop by an Little River Outfitters and find out where the fishing is best to be had and pick up some of the latest gear too, eat a great meal at a distinctive local Townsend restaurant, or tour a Tennessee farm. Whatever it is, you’re sure to be back in town in no time. Townsend sort of has that effect on people – they drive through just looking for a way to get to the national park and end up staying for a few days. There’s sure to be even more to add to your list next time you’re in town, hopefully this is a good start.
Cars parked along Cades Cove loop road

Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival

Where can you see an artist whose work is displayed in galleries across America and is known in artistic circles as one of the best in his craft? This year, it’s basically right in your backyard at the Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival in Townsend as Jim Reinert is the featured artist at the 2012 version of the festival.

Around 30 potters and masters of clay from around the region are expected to be in attendance at the Townsend Visitors Center June 2. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 2. Artists will show off their skills of hand building, Raku and horsehair firing demonstrations. Children will be able to take part in hands-on activities with Carol Ware.

Reinert received an MFA in ceramics from Michigan State University in 1976. He currently works in Owosso, MI as an active studio potter. Reinert has been involved for many years with the Lansing Community College ceramics and art programs in addition to serving as an instructor at the Potters’ Guild since 1974. He was a founding member of the MI Guild of Artists and Artisans and maintains an active profile in its operation. The guild produces one of the three Ann Arbor summer art fairs.

Hugh Bailey, a 50-year potter whose creatures and various animals are renowned, and Joe Frank McKee of Treehouse Pottery in Dillsboro, N.C., will also be at the festival presenting their wares. The children’s tent, where young people and families can learn how to work with clay, will be overseen by Maryville native Carol Ware.

A grant from Arts Build Communities, a program funded by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Arts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville, is what makes this festival possible every year.

The festival also includes food booths and music, and is located at 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend.

Troutfest 2012

Townsend plays host to another big festival in May (19 & 20), this time welcoming anglers of all ages to Troutfest 2012 – a flyfishing expo/fundraiser. Troutfest organizers say they expect another big crowd this year, upwards of 4,000 attendees.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department, Friends of the Smokies Fisheries Scholarship Fund or other youth educational conservation projects all benefit from the money raised through Troutfest. This year, the event looks to be one of the largest held for fly anglers in the Southeast United States.

Throughout the weekend, some of the best fly tyers from the region will be demonstrating their skill and imparting their knowledge on flyfishing. Demonstrations are FREE and the tyers specialize in flies for bass, panfish, saltwater, and trout. Get up close and talk with such notable fly tyers as Mike Adams, Walter Babb, Ray Ball, Troy Basso, Jack Gregory, Rex Wilson, and more.

Notables including Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Jason Borger, Zach Matthews as well as other fly fishermen will be featured in free seminars both days. This is a great chance to meet and talk shop with a few of the legends in the sport.

All the year’s new fishing gear will be prominently displayed as national fly tackle manufacturers will be on hand in Troutfest’s national exhibition tent.

Also on hand in the exhibition tent will be local and national fly shops, artists, non-profit organizations and government fish and game agencies including Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited puts on Troutfest every year. The Chapter entity provides funding with other sponsors to underwrite this event. The Chapter holds all funds and disperses profits to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department and Friends of Great Smokies National Park Fisheries Scholarship Fund. Profits will be also be used for youth education fishery programs. Some funds will be retained as seed money for next year’s Troutfest.

Many of the volunteers are LRCTU members but many more come from other non-profit organizations such as other TU Chapters, The Fly Fishing Federation and individuals who are not connected with non-profit organizations. You do not need to be a TU member to volunteer or participate. All donations are tax deductible.

Troutfest 2012 in Townsend, Tn will be held on the grounds of the Townsend Visitors Center.

Townsend Visitors Center
7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway
Townsend, TN
37882
865-448-6134

Hiking Townsend – Abrams Falls Trail

Hiking to Abrams Falls by way of Cades Cove and Townsend, TN.

As far as Smoky Mountain hikes go, the Abrams Falls Trail is one of the most conducive to beginners and weekend hikers. It’s an easy 5-miler (round-trip) that families can plan a weekend or day-trip around. Set aside 3 hours to fully enjoy the hike however, longer if you plan on enjoying the waterfall. Starting in Cades Cove, just outside Townsend, TN, the trek to Abrams Falls is a great way to get to know the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

So lets talk about the trail itself, which ascends to 1,800 feet at one point. Once you reach Abrams Falls you are actually 300 feet lower than when you began. To get there, take Little River Road from Gatlinburg or Townsend (refer to map below), take the one-way Cades Cove Loop Road 4.9 miles and turn right onto a gravel road that leads to a parking area. If you reach the Cades Cove Visitors Center you’ve gone too far. The Abrams Falls Trail begins at the end of the parking area. You’ll cross the wooden bridge at Abrams Creek to start out. At the 0.5 mile mark, the Elijah Oliver Place is present and the trail goes left to begin the hike to Abrams Falls. For the most part Abrams Creeks will run right with the trail, with one exception when it veers to a highly fished horseshoe bend. Wilson Branch appears at mile 2.5 and the short side trail leads to the falls.

You’ll notice that Abrams Creek resembles a narrow chute before transforming into a beautiful, yet violent 20-foot plunge over a ledge. This natural pool is a haven for swimmers and sunbathers during the hot summer months. In June, laurel and rhododendron frame the falls on its banks. The mist from the falls is a welcome break for hikers as an easy way to cool off and enjoy the park’s natural beauty.

For those looking for an even bigger challenge, the remaining two miles of the trail are much more isolated and unkempt. Ending at Abram’s Creek Ford, get on the Hannah Mountain Trail (left for 1.9 miles to the Rabbit Creek Trail at Scott Gap) and the Hatcher Mountain Trail (right 2.8 miles to the Cooper Road Trail and the Beard Cane Creek Trail). Or just retrace your steps to the Abrams Creek Trail and return to Cades Cove. You’ve completed the 5-mile round trip.

hiking.jpgA quick word of advice, wear hiking boots or shoes comfortable enough for a good walk. For day-hikers, running shoes should suffice, but the National Park’s uneven trails require hiking boots. Please stay on the trail. Hikers can easily lose their way when they leave the trail. If you get temporarily lost, try to retrace your steps until you cross the trail again.

Consider packing yourself some rain gear and a wool sweater as well. Both could be the difference between a terrible hike or a memorable one, especially  if it rains. During the spring and summer you never know when one of those afternoon showers are going to pop up. Even during the summer rain can lead to hypothermia. Having said that, don’t let a fear of hypothermia, getting lost, or bears prevent you from enjoying the Abrams Fall Trails, or any other trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for that matter.

Thinking about bears now? Most park rangers will tell you that more likely to see a bear’s behind as he runs off than meet one face to face. “Incidents” occur when people try to feed or bother the bears or bear cubs.

Directions: To get to the Smokies area from where you are, see directions to get to Gatlinburg or Townsend, Tennessee. From Townsend take TN 321 to the park entrance, turn right on Little River Road to Cades Cove. From Gatlinburg, turn right at the Sugarlands Visitor Center onto Little River Road and on to Cades Cove, where you will travel nearly halfway around the 11-mile loop road to the parking area for the 5-mile round-trip hike to Abrams Falls.

Little River Outfitters Townsend TN

Fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains is a outdoor sport loved by many who venture to the national park every year. For weekend anglers and serious fly tiers alike, the one place you should be sure to stop before fishing in any mountain stream is Little River Outfitters Townsend TN! Their staff has a wealth of knowledge on anything that has to do with l0cal fishing, especially around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and they carry all the gear you might need to successfully reel in that prized trout while you’re here.

Since 1994, Little River Outfitters Townsend TN has catered to the Great Smoky Mountain fly fisher. The Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina are crisscrossed with numerous rivers and streams stretching thousands of miles across each state. Little River is a family owned fly shop and fly tying school that has become a destination for Smoky Mountain fly fishers looking to catch the Smokies’ wild rainbow, brown and brook trout. Little River staff can help the saltwater fishermen as well. They’re essentially the strength of the shop. The employees love to fly fish and have the experience to back up their recommendations.

Little River Outfitters started teaching fly fishing and fly tying classes in the mid ’90s. As far as fly fishing instruction goes, in those days it was few and far between. Today, Little River Outfitters has its own classroom devoted to instruction and sponsors events like Troutfest which occur every spring in Townsend. For the serious fly fishermen, or woman, Troutfest is the event of the year as anything and everything fly fishing can be seen, heard, and bought at Troutfest. By the way, fly tying classes at Little River are offered two weekends each month from May through October.

In all, over 800 miles of fishable trout streams make up the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is all you need to cast your line in any of them. The national park’s mountain streams are filled with populations of rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. Though brook trout are catch and release only. Just outside the park you can find excellent smallmouth bass fishing in the rivers and streams running out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Additionally, the Tennessee River watershed provides lakes, tailwaters, freestone mountain streams and lowland rivers with some of the finest fly fishing for brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, stripers and panfish found anywhere. Still, Townsend, Tennessee is the perfect base camp for a fly fishing vacation. Little River Outfitters is there to help meet your fly fishing needs along the way.

Little River Outfitters Townsend TN
106 Town Square Drive
Townsend, Tennessee 37882
877-448-3474
Open 7 Days/Week

Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day

This is Townsend’s week – the annual Spring Festival and Old Timers Day, May 4 and 5, 2012! It’s that time of year when bluegrass, clogging, arts and crafts, BBQ, storytelling, and wildflower walks, all come together in harmony and at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains.

On Friday, May 4 at 7:30pm join us for a free concert featuring a young bluegrass band, performing at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

Tentative Schedule: (Subject to change.)

Friday, May 4:

9-11am: Wildflower Walk on Chestnut Top Trail with Tom Harrington; limit 15 (call 865-448-6134 to reserve a spot). Meet at the Trailhead at the “Y”.

9am-5pm: Featured Authors and Booksignings

10am: Hedgewood Gardens Tour. Meet at Hedgewood Gardens on Bethel Church Rd.

1:30-3:30pm: Wildflower Walk on Chestnut Top Trail with Tom Harrington; limit 15 (call 865-448-6134 to reserve a spot) Meet at the Trailhead at the “Y”.

2pm: Hedgewood Gardens Tour. Meet at Hedgewood Gardens on Bethel Church Rd.

6:30pm: Knoxville Pipes and Drums Concert and Parade: Highland music in celebration of Scottish heritage. Visitors Center

7:30pm Concert: Special entertainment at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

Other festival events and goings on:
– Bluegrass Music on the stage from 12:00pm-until 10:00pm, and pickin’ on the porch and in the grove.
– Arts and Crafts Booths in the back field from 10am-6pm
– BBQ vendors, ice cream, specialty sandwiches, hot dog booths, kettle corn, and other good food.
– Cake Raffles and Bake Sale for Hearts and Hands Scholarship Fund at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm.

Artisan Demonstrations in the Exhibit Room from 9am-5pm
– Basketry: Karen Kenst and Bonny Kate Sugg
– Woodcarving: Lendel Abbott
– Quilting: Maetta Conrad and Marcella Emrick
– Rug Hooking: Carol McBride
– Spinning and Weaving: Sue Mason
– Spinning on the Great Wheel: Dale Liles
– Charcoal/Pencil Art: Andy England

Old Fashioned and Portrait Photos around the grounds with Mary Grace and Bud McCaffery.
Family Art Fair: Arts activities led by Townsend Artisan Guild from 9:00am-5:00pm. Storytelling Tent
Pottery Demonstrations: Hand building and wheel-throwing with Carol Ware. Storytelling Tent

Appalachian Demonstrations around the grounds
Mountain Berry Basket Making and Poetry: Bill Alexander
Bee Keeping and Bee Hive Observation: Tony Holt
Cornmeal Making: Ronald Fowler
Oak shingle-making: Sam White
Cades Cove Preservation Association Exhibits
Appalachian Bear Center activity Booth

 

Saturday, May 5: “Old Timers Day”

Bill Leistner, a festival favorite, dmeonstrates how to drink from a moonshine jug.

10am-5pm: Old Fashioned Kid’s Games. Behind the Visitors Center.

10am: Hedgewood Gardens Tour. Meet at Hedgewood Gardens on Bethel Church Rd.

11am-7pm: Demonstrations of Cast Iron Cooking by members of Blount County Fire Protection District. Corn bread, biscuits, beans, greens, cobbler.

9am-5pm: Featured Author and Booksigning: Roy Oliver, Last Man from Tremont

2pm: Hedgewood Gardens Tour. Meet at Hedgewood Gardens on Bethel Church Rd.

2-5pm: Young Pickers Talent Contest. Bluegrass music contest for musicians18 years of age and under. Held at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Call 865-448-6134 for entry forms.

1-3pm: Storytelling Program.  Lendel Abbott and Mistress of Ceremony Robin Goddard. Storytelling Tent.

3:30-5pm: Old Harp Sing: Shape note music with the East Tennessee Old Harp Singers in the Storytelling Tent.

8pm: Square Dance with caller Don Tipton and music by the Carolina Bluegrass Boys. Stage.

Other festival events and goings on:
Bluegrass Music on the stage from 12:00pm-until 10:00pm, and pickin’ on the porch and in the grove
Arts and Crafts Booths in the back field from 10am-6pm
BBQ vendors, ice cream, specialty sandwiches, hot dog booths, kettle corn, and other good food
Cake Raffles and Bake Sale for Hearts and Hands Scholarship Fund

Artisan Demonstrations in the Exhibit Room from 9am-5pm
Basketry: Karen Kenst and Bonny Kate Sugg
Woodcarving: Lendel Abbott
Quilting: Maetta Conrad and Marcella Emrick
Rug Hooking: Carol McBride
Spinning and Weaving: Sue Mason
Spinning on the Great Wheel: Dale Liles
Charcoal/Pencil Art: Andy England

Old Fashioned and Portrait Photos in front of the hearth with Mary Grace and Bud McCaffery
Pottery Demonstrations: Hand building and wheel-throwing with Carol Ware. In the Storytelling Tent from 9:am-12:00noon.

Appalachian Demonstrations around the grounds
Mountain Berry Basket Making and Poetry: Bill Alexander
Bee Keeping and Bee Hive Observation: Tony Holt
Cornmeal Making: Ronald Fowler
Oak shingle-making: Sam White
Cades Cove Preservation Association Exhibits
Appalachian Bear Center activity Booth

The Young Pickers Talent Contest
Saturday afternoon May 5

New Location: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center

Young bluegrass musicians: Compete in the Young Pickers Contest May 5!
For information, call the Townsend Visitors Center at 865-448-6134.

The Spring Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day is the first of a few Heritage Days held each year in Townsend, TN. For a complete list of goings-on in Townsend, check out the calendar of events, as well as Townsend cabins if you’re gonna be here for the entire weekend.

Townsend Tn Cabins, Chalets & Lodging

Townsend Tn Cabins, Chalets & Lodging

 

Townsend, Tennessee offers a wide variety of cabins, chalets, bed & breakfasts, cottages and campground spots for people just looking to get away for a bit to the vacationing family looking for that perfect Smoky Mountain summer getaway. All cabin & chalet rentals in the Townsend area have mountain, streamside, or forest views, and most come with luxurious amenities like a hot tub, Jacuzzi, HDTV, fireplace, pool table, theater room, and fully-equipped kitchen. Luxury Smoky Mountain cabins are what Townsend, Tenn. specializes in.

Tennessee Cabins & Chalet Rentals

wears valley cabins
Wears Valley Cabins		 pigeon forge cabin rentals
Pigeon Forge Condo Rentals


Listed above are a number of area resorts. Most offer 1 to 12 bedroom cabins located in Townsend TN, Wears Valley & Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville, Tennessee. Generally, most come with spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains, yet lie only minutes from area attractions such as Dollywood theme park, Dollywood Splash Country, Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Mall, the Pigeon Forge Parkway, Gatlinburg, Tn and Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Planning a Smoky Mountain vacation in Tennessee this year or next? Select from over 500 luxury Pigeon Forge cabin rentals, or if you are a cabin owner, add your property in a matter of minutes and be processing Townsend, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg cabin rental reservations within minutes!

Additional Inns and B & B’s

Gilbertson’s Lazy Horse Retreat………………..865-448-6810
Highland Manor Motel………………………….865-448-2211
Pioneer Cabins and Guest Farm…………………865-448-6100
Talley Ho Inn…………………………………….865-448-2465
The Inn at Blackberry Farm……………………..865-984-9850
Twin Valley Bed & Breakfast & Horse Ranch….865-984-0980
Wayside Manor Bed and Breakfast………………865-970-4823
Wears Valley Cabins……………………………………1-877-237-9055

Townsend Campgrounds

Cades Cove Campground……………………..800-365-CAMP
Lazy Daze Campground and Motel………….….865-448-6061
Little River Village Campground………………..865-448-2241
Mountaineer Campground……………………….865-448-6421
Tremont Hills Campground…………………..….865-448-6363
Tuckaleechee Campground and Horse Camp……865-448-9608

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Townsend Herb and Wildflower Day

Townsend, Tn and nature go hand in hand. With many events and attractions centered around the area’s more natural aspects, it’s no wonder that one of the more popular events is the annual Herb and Wildflower Day, Saturday, April 7. This Spring, Townsend’s Herb and Wildflower Day will be held at the Townsend Visitor Center, 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN  37882, 865-448-6134. Some of the many things to do during the event include  illustrated talks about wildflowers, herbs, and area natural history, naturalist-led walks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, plus cooking demonstrations and classes centered around herbs, opportunities to purchase plants from area gardeners, as well as fresh baked goods, and pottery.

Townsend Herb and Wildflower Day Schedule:

7am – Bird Walk with Carey Jones, Great Smoky Mountains National Park park ranger.  Meet on the back porch of the Townsend Visitors Center.

9am – “Spring Wildflowers of the Smokies”, talk by Tom Harrington, Great Smoky Mountains National Park volunteer guide.

10am – “Forest Communities”, talk by Paul Threadgill with Maryville College.

11:30am – “Cooking with Herbs”, cook and learn with Paula Begley of Little River Outfitters.

12:30-1:30pm – Lunch break.  Shop and browse through all the plants, baked goods, and pottery available at the visitors center.  Explore town and eat at one of the many great Townsend restaurants.

10am-3pm –  Plant sales from Honey Rock Herb Farm, Trillium Cove Home and Garden, and The Lily Barn; pottery from Marge Murphy, and baked goods from Wild Mountain Rose Bakery.

Wildflower rambles and hikes.  Advance registration required *. Call 865-448-6134:

1:30-3:00pm – * Chestnut Top Trail, “What’s in Bloom”; easy stroll with Tom Harrington, Volunteer, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Meet at the trailhead at the Townsend “Wye”.
1:30-4:00pm – * White Oak Sinks; moderately strenuous hike with Jim Burbank, Volunteer, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Meet on the porch at the Townsend Visitors Center.

Here is a list of Wildflower Hikes.

If you’re in Townsend, TN for the weekend, check out our recommendations for some of the best Townsend, TN cabins, as well as the full Townsend calendar of events.