Foothills Parkway
Foothills Parkway
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5.0
637 reviews
Excellent
525
Very good
93
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Thomas S
Indian River, MI152 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We love the Foothills Pkwy. If you have ever been in the stop and go traffic through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg on a busy, or normal day, the Foothills Pkwy is a very pleasant escape. No restaurants, gas stations or tourist attractions except nature and beautiful vistas. Winding paved road with numerous scenic turn- outs. The speed limit is 25-35. Very little traffic. The Parkway roughly parallels the north boundary of The Great Smokey Mts National Park. There are three section I know of: Chilhowee Lake at the south up to Wallend takes about 45 minutes depending on how often and long you stop. Wallend to Pigeon Forge takes more or less an hour. You can travel the entire length in one day if you choose. We have done them on separate days. The third section is near Cosby at the NE corner of the Park. This short section of Parkway runs from highway 40 west to hwy 321 near Cosby. Not as long or dramatic as the Blue Ridge Pkwy. But a very pleasant and scenic drive. May be closed in winter.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bridgit B
Pine Level, AL13 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
I felt like I was driving in the clouds. The views up here on this side of the mountain are just breathtaking! Hardly any traffic. Many pull off spots for pictures. You go up up up and down and back up, around curves. Lots of fun. Most all the traffic was headed to Newfound Gap 441 but we decided to hit the Foothills Parkway and it was the better choice. We stopped and for moonshine (FOR LATER) and boiled peanuts for the road, right before the entrance of the Parkway.
Written 27 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ms.LoveTravel
Knoxville, TN953 contributions
Oct 2019
Don't let a little bad weather stop you from this drive to see the higher elevations for miles. We did not have the best weather on our early Fall (just as leaves were starting to turn venture up the new Foothills Parkway. Your tax dollars paid for it so by all means don't miss it! Roads are smooth. Several spots to pull over and take your photos. Early is best...maybe before breakfast. You can start in in Sevierville and end up in Townsend or vice-a-versa. We opted to start in Sevierville and lunched at the Trailhead Steakhouse in Townsend.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hillbilly V
Townsend, TN61 contributions
Nov 2020
Millions of visitors to the immediate areas surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park take in Pigeon Forge, Cherokee, and Gatlinburg but fail to take one of the most scenic drives in the park. The entire length of the Foothills Parkway is a must do. From vistas of the quaint village of Townsend to the Look Rock Tower where the mountains as well as the Tennessee valley open up for a 360 degree view of East Tennessee. There are no businesses on the Parkway so gas up ahead of time and there is a picnic area at Look Rock but I haven't used it myself to comment. Again, this drive is about million dollar vistas along the way.
Written 17 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DALC
145 contributions
Apr 2022
This was a wonderful ride with plenty of overlooks for pics. I would recommend starting at Hwy 321 near Cove Creek RV Resort and then go east. When you get near the Look Rock area, the road was closed for construction. But you can turn around and head back.
Written 5 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunshine31LG
Chattanooga, TN403 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We live in the area. We started thru Townsend TN. It was a beautiful day for a Sunday drive. The bulk of the people turned towards Cades Cove and we turned left for the quieter side of the Smoky Mountain. There were plenty of pull outs and picnic areas. We visited The Sinks (small parking) which was pretty. We did all of the sections. I love seeing the valley views, Walland to Wears. There are no garbage cans on the pull offs in the newer section so please don’t litter. It was a local and company worthy drive.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana C
3 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
The views are even better than Cades Cove!! It is a public highway with sport where to park so be careful! In some places you would have to cross the parkway to take those pics!! But it is worth 100% Also, you can turn around and go back at any point which is better than having a one way loop. We went for Thanksgiving Beak and the colors of the foliage in the mountains were unbelievable! An amazing way to spend the afternoon, enjoy nature and take some amazing pictures.
Written 1 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Black and Silver Nomadic
Box Elder, SD216 contributions
Mar 2022
This is a beautiful drive straight out of Gatlinburg that covers a good portion of the Smokeys. This is an awesome road, because if you decided to drive the Cherohala Skyway and finish up tail of the dragon, this is another scenic byway to bring you right back to TN. If you don't have time for the whole loop, this is still a very nice drive, but I recommend at least adding on the Tail of the Dragon if you can! If you take your time along this route and check all trails, there are tons of great hiking spots along here. There are also great lookouts for photos if you keep your eyes peeled.
Written 7 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rebekahgcj
Perrysburg, OH87 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We accidentally and unknowingly ended up on Foothills Parkway on our way back to our cabin. Our navigation routed us on this road and it was such a treat! Gorgeous motor trail through the Smokies with amazing views! Take the time to pull off at the various places that are just off the parkway in order to see some amazing views! We didn’t stop and I regret it. Driving the parkway doesn’t take much time at all!
Written 16 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TSG A
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
Used to be a great and safe ride. Now it has been taken over by idiots on motorcycles and cars flying up and down the road. Seeing some innocent person dieing on this road from these idiots. You really can't enjoy the views because you are being hounded by these idiots the entire drive.
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Park Service said the Foothills Parkway-West would be closed for road maintenance from Look Rock to Hwy 321 in Walland until August 31, 2022. Today is September 12, 2022. Does anyone know if this section is now open? Thanks.
Written 13 September 2022
Donna T
Marion, Illinois
It all opened up on August 31, yes it is now open. ENJOY the beautiful drive
Written 14 September 2022
how long does this take & what is the distance? thanks!
Written 8 September 2020
It takes less than an hour without stops. I believe from the Wears Valley entrance to the Walland area is about 21 miles.
Written 12 October 2020
We plan to drive from Hwy 129 to Hwy 321 on the parkway pulling our 24' fifth wheel. Is this permissable and advisable?
Written 15 August 2019
I did not see any restrictions posted except for commercial vehicles. The road is certainly wide enough and smooth. It is so new I can't recall seeing any RVs but as word spreads that may change mapping preferences.
Written 21 October 2019
I’m going to be in Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg for Vacation starting 08/03/19.
I’m driving Cade’s Cove on Monday Morning 08/05/19 and would also like to drive the Foothills Parkway afterwards.
What would be the best route to take from Cade’s Cove to the Foothills Parkway?
Would like to drive more than just the new section. Where does the Foothills Parkway start from?
Thanks in Advance 😊
Written 9 July 2019
I see you want to drive more than the new section. To do that you have to start or end where it connects to the tail of the dragon hwy 129. You used to be able to exit cades cove half way through on parsons branch road to get to hwy 129. However that road is now closed. Your only alternative is to drive from walland or wears valley to hwy 129 and turn around and drive back. Then seperately drive up to and through cades cove. Not a one day trip. Enjoy. Both are beautiful.
Written 9 July 2019
Is there a risk driving this parkway in a 2 wheel automatic transmission. I do not know how to shift any kind of gears of any sort! Thank you!
Written 28 December 2018
The speed limit is 35 and many automatics will downshift on their own. May have to brake some.
Written 29 December 2018
Where can you start this parkway. Live in west Knoxville, but unfamiliar with this hwy
Written 29 November 2018
We started just outside of Townsend between Maryville & Townsend a bit closer to Townsend tho.
Beautiful views along the way.
Written 29 November 2018
How much time would it take for a speed-limit drive from Walland to Wears Valley on the Foothills Parkway?
Written 25 November 2018
Just driving through, without stopping or getting behind slow traffic, maybe 30 minutes. But spend time up there. Stop and take in the view. Don't worry about slow traffic. Spend an hour or two up there. You won't regret it.
Written 1 March 2019
How do you get there from pigeon Forge?
Written 8 November 2018
Take 321 North out of Pigeon Forge. I believe it is light 3. It takes you through Wears Valley. You will arrive at the light in Townsend in about 15 miles. Take a right and run it out a few miles and you will see the parkway to the left. It is marked with signs. Once you have run the parkway, it will dead end on 129. The famous Tail of the Dragon. Go left on 129 to run 318 curves in 11 miles. Have fun.
Written 8 November 2018
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