Here are the top 4 reasons to stop by the Sugarlands Visitor Center: 1. You must wear a mask to enter the center. In addition to the free movie, knowledgable rangers, and exhibits, you will find several easy hikes with a trailhead next to the visitor center. It is home to one of the best picnicking spots in the Smokies. Today a museum operated by History Nebraska pays tribute to those who traveled the trails and features unique exhibits and a gift shop with one-of-a-kind items. The sidewalk will take you in between the visitor center and the restrooms. Here you can talk to the park rangers, pick up a map, sign up for the junior ranger program, use the restrooms on-site, pick up a water from the vending machines, watch a short FREE park video OR do one of the hiking trails out back. LeConte, improvements to Alum Cave Trail, annual updates to the Sugarlands Recognition Wall, and restoration of the Elkmont Theater. 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 A Upvote 6 Downvote. The gift shop has a wide selection of souvenirs, as well as an extensive collection of books about the Smoky Mountains. NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, How To Use Historical Imagery To Find Boondocking Locations, 10 State Park Campgrounds That Are Big Rig Friendly, Get Free Weekly RV LIFE Updates in your Email Inbox, Passport America Discount Camping Club Is Still Going Strong, The BestCounty Park CampgroundsFor RVers. It runs along the river and walk as much or as little as you like. They have bathrooms and bubbler there too. But guests can still catch the movie from the lobby, which plays on repeat. 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. Smoky Mountain National Park may be the most visited park, but most people don't seem to actually leave their cars to hike on the trails. Click "Show M. This post may contain affiliate links, This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy, 5 Visitor Centers That Are Worth Exploring, 1. This is why Sugarlands convenient facility has trail guides, maps and papers to help burgeoning explorers find their way, and be aware of possible pitfalls. 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. 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. Stopping by the visitor center will give you an idea of what to expect during your visit. $42. There is also a gift shop here and restrooms. ).The bathrooms at the VC were great--clean and well maintained. (1,110 reviews) "Conveniently located in the heart of Gatlinburg. How do I book this shuttle from Sugar to Elkmont? RELATED: Fighting Creek Nature Trail is very popular with visitors to Sugarlands Visitor Center. These may be open or closed during different periods of the year, so be sure to check their availability before going! The Sugarlands visitor center is basically a large gift shop, though you can get your questions answered by a park ranger.They have a large parking lot. You may purchase flour milled here when the mill is in operation. 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. To get to Elkmont Historic District, take US-411 from Gatlinburg to Sugarlands Visitor Center, where you'll turn onto Fighting Creek Gap Road. There were a few other areas in the visitor center, including a small museum, that we didn't explore, but it looked well-curated. Take a left to Gatlinburg. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The center is home to soda machines and water fountains as well as public restrooms, a valuable commodity for those not willing to go in the wild, so to speak. They separated there and one went into Gatlinburg and the other was heading in the opposite direction. The rangers know current conditions (bear activity ie). Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. And it also offers a perfect slow, one-way drive for nature and wildlife viewing. Staff were restricting occupancy to 50 people due to COVID, but we didn't have to wait very long. Cades Cove Visitor Center | Photo: Marc Bowman. After passing Ski Mountain Road, you will enter the National Park. Sugarlands is one of the top-rated visitor centers in the area and in the whole country! We had a great conversation about the Synchronous Fireflies event in Elkmont, the park, how he became a ranger, and Tennessee and Alabama football. 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. When is the Sugarlands Visitor Center open? There's also the Gatlinburg Trail, which runs 1.8 miles from the visitor center and terminates at the southern border of Gatlinburg. LeConte and improvements to Alum Cave Trail. Sugarlands Visitor Center, located less than 3 miles south of Gatlinburg on U.S. Route 441, is open daily (except Christmas Day). Smoky Mountain Ziplines is generally open March through December of each year, operating on a more limited schedule during off-season periods. The seasonal visitor center features exhibits, a gift shop, as well as a park film where you can learn more information about the area. LeConte. The Visitor Center can also be a great place to take a break. You do not need to go inside for anything except the store or a National Parks Passport Stamp. We would have younger kids with us and have 3-4 hours to spend there. Collin Messer September 30, 2013. Backcountry permit station. Photo: Marc Bowman, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Centers | Copyright: Ann Bowman. - May 9:00 am - 5:00 pmJune Oct. 9:00 am - 6:00 pmNov.- Dec. 9:00 am - 5:00 pmLocation7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy (U.S. 321)Townsend TN 37882Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Been to a campground lately? The path runs along the river. The park staff is always friendly its right in the middle of everything that . The gift shop is awesome. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is open year-round on every day except Christmas Day. This answer is for others Today, Sugarlands serves as one of the most frequently visited areas of the park. What restaurants are near Sugarlands Visitors Center? A separate building houses modern bathrooms and several trails begin at the center. Turn off Newfound Gap Road (US 441) and drive 7.0 miles. This way you could put your donation in the box corresponding from where you were visiting from. The Visitor Center has plenty of parking for cars, RVs, and motor coaches. Learn all about visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park - when go go, what to do, what to expect, recommended tours and more! A must stop if exploring the park. more, Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour. Park Rangers are managing this process. All Rights Reserved. Check with the visitor center for times and exact locations. It is a concrete .5 mile loop trail that goes past the river. Sugarlands Visitor Center, located near the Gatlinburg entrance of the park is the main visitor center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Enjoy ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Its a bit discouraging to see that entrance fee, especially if you have younger kids who might not get their moneys worth. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Educational and interesting at the same time. You will be glad you did. Order Smokey Mountain auto tour information online because you won't be able to get it at Sugarland Visitors Center. Sugarlands Visitor Center T-shirts, stickers, wall art, home decor, and more designed and sold by independent artists. It closes in winter due to weather conditions. Explore different ways to experience this place. Its is the perfect place to launch a variety of Smoky Mountain adventures. 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. You can hike a half-mile to Cataract Falls, a 25-foot waterfall, enjoying lots of wooded areas, streams and bridges along the way. As the original homesteading families grew, the younger generations found their way to the Sugarland Valley, located on the outskirts of Gatlinburg, in the shadow of Mt. In fact, Newfound Gap Road runs essentially from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, North Carolina. There are a few parking spaces by the trailhead. 6. If you are taking pictures at the Welcome sign, you can access the Gatlinburg Trail by walking the short path to the right of the sign. Yes No Tucked into the Great Smoky Mountains, there's a barn house we call home. The GSMNP is vast. On Feb 28, 2014. If you just arrived at the park, this is the perfect ad-on to a stop at the visitor center. They have a nice park store on location in addition to a FREE museum of animals native to the region. Great Smoky Mountains Association members receive many benefits: discounts online and at bookstores Feel free to ask questions, get directions, or just chat. As one of the four main visitors centers within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Sugarlands Visitor Center is a major stop for anyone's visit to the Smokies.. Profits generated by your purchases are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But before you worry about what you can do once you leave the center, its important to know more about the center itself. Enjoy! The center also features a nature trail (that leads to Cataract falls), a 20-minute informative park video, and a gift shop packed with mountain-themed gifts and educational gear. The Gatlinburg Trail, which is a scenic, paved 3.8 mile roundtrip walk, is one of only two trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to allow dogs and bicycles. Remember, the further you venture into the park, the sketchier cell service becomes. Open daily March 31 through October 31. Sugarlands Visitors Center reviews TripAdvisor traveler rating 1,059 reviews Google 4.8 By Q8105RDdan My wife & I visited on Monday. 2023 Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. Ways to Experience Sugarlands Visitors Center. . The next time you are near Sugarlands Visitor Center and short of time, check out this list and make the most of it. Top ways to experience Sugarlands Visitors Center and nearby attractions Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self Driving Tour 87 Adventure Tours from 12.65 per adult Fall Color Tour in the Smoky Mountains 9 Adventure Tours from 97.04 per adult (price varies by group size) Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour 6 Bus Tours from 139.23 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Stop here to stretch your legs, get your bearings, and speak with experts about your itinerary. Restaurants near Sugarlands Visitors Center: Attractions near Sugarlands Visitors Center: Sugarlands Visitors Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hours, Address, Sugarlands Visitors Center Reviews: 4.5/5. It is one of the only two dog-friendly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fighting Creek Nature Trail RELATED: Cades Cove is the most popular destination in the park. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. We strolled through the wildlife exhibit. For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. We visited early evening to get maps for hiking. Stop by a park bookstore for a wide array of fun and educational items to help you explore the park: The park's bookstores are operated by Great Smoky Mountains Association, a nonprofit partner of the park. It's located off of US-441 just two miles south of Gatlinburg and is situated right next to Park Headquarters. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If you have kids I'd recommend the Jr Ranger books (buy the book for $2.50 in the shop) to fill out and get the wooden Jr Ranger Badge. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the perfect spot to begin your Smoky Mountain vacation! I have been visiting this visitor center for over 3 decades now. Sugarlands Visitor Center could be considered the hub of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Both are natural terrain, basically level and easy to complete (Both family & dog friendly). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. There are a number of scenic waterfalls with beautiful scenery, trailheads and great hikes in the surrounding area. If youre a fan of geology or just want to see something incredibly unique, its hard to top Carlsbad Caverns. In the visitors center, there are several extensive natural history exhibits, a free 20-minute film about the national park and an information center. The visitor center is also quite impressive. A gentle climb follows Fighting Creek and passes by two historic properties - the Noah McCarter cabin and the John Ownby cabin. Anyone seen elk? It is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day. The visitor center features knowledgable rangers, maps, restrooms, animal exhibits, informative museum, and a free movie. Cades Cove Visitor Center is located inside Cades Cove about half way around the loop road. These elk have come to TN before but return to NC during mating season. . Got right into the museum/store without a wait. We stopped here to get ideas from the rangers for our visit and to pick up some maps. 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