Contact Numbers:
Smoky Mountains National Park Office – 865-436-1230
Townsend Visitors Center – 800-525-6834
Loudon County Visitors Bureau – 888-568-3662
 
Driving Directions
Take exit 81, Lenoir City, off I-75. Turn onto Hwy 321 N. (toward Smoky Mountains). Follow the directions below for the specific hike you want to take.
 
Rich Mountain Loop  (Beginners)
Follow 321N 39 miles to Townsend Welcome Center.  Continue on River Road (do not take 321 to Pigeon Forge) approximately three miles to the “Y.”  Turn right and go seven miles to the entrance to Cades Cove.  Go three miles to Rich Mountain Loop. (This is a one-way road that leads out of the Cove to Townsend.)—1.5 mile trail
 
Laurel Falls (Beginners)
Follow 321N 39 miles to Townsend Welcome Center.  Continue on River Road (do not take 321 to Pigeon Forge) approximately three miles to the “Y.”  Turn left on Little River Rd. (Rt. #75).  Go 14 miles to entrance of Laurel Falls Parking.—2.5-mile trail.
 
Schoolhouse Gap   (Beginners)
Follow 321N 39 miles to Townsend Welcome Center.  Continue on River Road (do not take 321 to Pigeon Forge) approximately three miles to the “Y.”  Turn right and go 3.3 miles to Laurel Creek Road.—4.5 mile trail
 
Gregory Bald  (Moderate)
Follow 321N 39 miles to Townsend Welcome Center.  Continue on River Road (do not take 321 to Pigeon Forge) approximately three miles to the “Y.” Turn right and go seven miles to Gregory Bald trail head.—11 mile trail  
 
Thunderhead Mountain & Spence Field (Steep and Strenuous)
Follow 321N 39 miles to Townsend Welcome Center.  Continue on River Road (do not take 321 to Pigeon Forge) approximately three miles to the “Y.” Turn right and go seven miles to the entrance to Cades Cove Picnic Area – On Anthony Creek Trail, hike 11 miles to Spence Field.  From Spence Field, hike 1.5 miles east on Appalachian Trail to Thunderhead Mountain.—14 mile trail