Enter The Smoky Mountains Through A Wildly Underrated Tennessee Town
By Grae Gleason
VACATIONS
For Smoky Mountains views without the crowds, head to the wildly underrated Townsend, Tennessee for a delightful small-town experience, good hiking, and excellent fall foliage.
Townsend bills itself as one of the most peaceful places in the Smokies. It has fewer than 1,000 residents and welcomes travelers without sacrificing its small-town charm.
Idyllic views surround Townsend. Travelers should be sure not to miss Tuckaleechee Caverns, Silver Falls, and the Little River Railroad Museum in particular.
With Great Smoky Mountains National Park mere minutes away, hikers can take gorgeous routes like Abrams Falls Trail, Chestnut Top, and the meadows of Cades Cove.
Fall in Townsend will treat you to plenty of fiery foliage. From September to November, yellow birches and scarlet oaks light up this Smoky Mountains gateway town.