But more importantly, the center is home to a park ranger. I always stop to see the movies at these centers; it usually makes sense to acquaint yourself with the big picture before finding some piece of it to see for the day. The National Park Service maintains four official visitor centers inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Staff were restricting occupancy to 50 people due to COVID, but we didn't have to wait very long. 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. We mentioned the center's gift shop earlier as a source of information, but visitors will find all types of park-related merch at this retail center as well. I got three booklets/maps for $1.00 each. Outside the center, visitors can enjoy the Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum, an open-air museum with a collection of some of the oldest log structures original to the park. The building has a cool roof system, which allows heat to escape freely, generating lower cooling costs. On Feb 28, 2014. Visitors to Sugarlands Visitor Center should also take advantage of some of the interpretive learning opportunities available at the facility. Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center, 2. Complete with a natural history museum, a gift shop, and helpful rangers, the Sugarlands Visitor Center is a great resource for planning your trip. Good place to stop before heading on to Laurel Falls and Cades Cove. Learn about the park's plants and animals with natural history exhibits. The path crosses the West Prong of Pigeon River at one point and runs alongside the river for much of the route. ).The bathrooms at the VC were great--clean and well maintained. Read more. Impossibilities Magic, Mindreading and Mayhem! Sugarlands Visitor Center is 1.7 miles ahead on the right side of the road. Make your trip to the park more enjoyable and memorable! Do the Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail and Fighting Creek Trail both start at the visitor center? When To Go, What to Order, Is the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg Worth It? 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.. People have been living and working in the mountains for generations, and the history is all on display here. The temporarily closed Sugarland's museum featured local flora, fauna and wildlife (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com) Howard Johnson by Wyndham Downtown Gatlinburg. These programs are educational and fun and the children especially love it. Some of them educate, others entertain, and others showcase interesting features of the area. In addition to the free movie, knowledgable rangers, and exhibits, you will find several easy hikes with a trailhead next to the visitor center. Park Rangers are managing this process. The Bypass works well to avoid some traffic around Gatlinburg. There was a ranger in a plexiglass box answering questions. RCK continues supporting the Park with projects such as a trail for handicapped visitors, a wildlife display at the Sugarlands Visitors Center, an information display on Mt. Visitor Center opens daily at 9am. Sugarlands Visitor Center, located near the Gatlinburg entrance of the park is the main visitor center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Sugarlands Visitor Center features a 21-minute movie about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, nature exhibits, hiking (see below), park exhibits, gift shop, restrooms, and plenty of free parking. I have been visiting this visitor center for over 3 decades now. Sugarlands Visitor Center is on the corner of Newfound Gap Road (US 441) and Fighting Creek Gap Road, just 2.0 miles from traffic light #10 in Gatlinburg. An additional four information centers are located outside the park in Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Townsend. The Sugarlands visitor center is basically a large gift shop, though you can get your questions answered by a park ranger. 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. Cades Cove A one-way, 11-mile loop takes visitors through 4,000-acre Cades Cove valley, the most visited area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which boasts an abundance of wildlife (including black bears, deer, foxes, wild turkey and raccoons), as well as preserved pioneer homesteads, an old mill, hiking trails, a 161-site . Both provide demonstrations of corn meal milling. Smoky Mountain Ziplines is generally open March through December of each year, operating on a more limited schedule during off-season periods. 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 Covid restrictions have closed the museum and movie portions, but it's still worth stopping. Do you have specific questions about the park that cant otherwise be found in a guide? In addition to the interior exhibits, there are three great hikes all located at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located on Newfound Gap Road (US 441) about a half mile past the entrance to Blue Ridge Parkway. Thank you. This trail begins at the visitor center and follows a beautiful river to the outskirts of Gatlinburg. All Rights Reserved. Visitor Center, you start walking along the road for about .4 miles. They have maps and have lots of great info on trails and have great recommendations. Where Can I Have Packages Delivered While On The Road. The Gatlinburg Trail is an easy, accessible trail that runs from the Sugarlands Visitor Center and follows the river to the border of Gatlinburg. Best place to stop and find out some information on trailheads and trails, plus waterfalls. America's Top-Rated 5-Star TripAdvisor distillery experience is open daily offering samples of award-winning Sugarlands Shine, Appalachian Sippin' Creams, and more. Every purchase you make puts money in an artist's pocket. The Gatlinburg Trail is very easy and well maintained. Maps (for $1) and personalized help from rangers are available for many areas of the park. How do you get there? (865) 436-1200 Don't Forget to Take a Bathroom Break at the Visitor Center The Visitor Center is a great rest stop before you drive to other trailheads that might not have restrooms available within the National Park. Campground Reviews is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. Do you need to book in advance to visit Sugarlands Visitors Center? This has created a number of scenic waterfalls reachable by hiking trails with trailheads near the center. You can reach the Sugarlands Visitor Center by calling 865-436-1291. Having been here many times my wife and I did not choose to wait. Great place to start your exploration of the park. Best 5 Things to Order, Is Mountain Monsters Real? That one could easily make it to Cades Cove. My Mom and Grandma used to bring us here when we were kids. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It is one of the only two dog-friendly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its is the perfect place to launch a variety of Smoky Mountain adventures. What did you think? Also, the Cove Hardwood Nature Trail is a three-quarter-mile loop showing the diversity of trees in the park. Public restrooms. They also have several maps available for waterfall hikes, scenic hikes, auto drives, etc. The rangers are a living fount of knowledge. - April 8:30 am - 4:30 pmMay 8:30 am - 5:00 pmJune Aug. 8:00 am - 6:00 pmSept.- Oct. 8:30 am - 6:00 pmNov. The visitor center is open year-round, and there is always something . Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and gift shop. There were a few other areas in the visitor center, including a small museum, that we didn't explore, but it looked well-curated. This year's theme will be "Find Your Park." Helpful Park Rangers and park volunteers staff all the visitor centers. Sugarlands Visitor Center is always a great place to stop to learn information about the park, visit the gift shop and museum, enjoy the beauty of God's Great Smoky Mountains and to relax a bit. Today, Sugarlands serves as one of the most frequently visited areas of the park. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is open year round (2022), except Christmas Day. But before you worry about what you can do once you leave the center, its important to know more about the center itself. There are tons of tours, videos, and exhibits that are suitable for all kinds of people. Click "Show M. Just a heads up..Don't get to close to the Elk! Ranger was friendly and even asked the kids some interactive questions. Despite the cold winters in this area, its Emilys favorite season! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. , Here are the top 4 reasons to stop by the Sugarlands Visitor Center: 1. It's not expensive. The facility includes a bookstore and a gift shop for all your souvenir needs. Staff were restricting occupancy to 50 people due to COVID, but we didn't have to wait very long. Extensive natural history exhibits. It can easily be accessed at the end of River Road in Gatlinburg. There is a wall of maps and informational pamphlets. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Upvote 6 Downvote. It closes in winter due to weather conditions. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the perfect spot to begin your Smoky Mountain vacation! Kids will love this feature at this Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors center. There is a few parking spaces. Sugarlands is a literal "one stop shop" for all the information you might need on your Smokies trip, Sugarlands' experienced staff will help make your trip one that you'll always look back on fondly and with great remembrance. Bayard, NE 69334. It is a paved 1/2 mile loop trail suitable for wheel chairs. The center is still open but due to the Covid-19 virus social distancing and other protocols mean that you will be required to get in line and wait before you will be allowed to go inside (everyone was wearing a mask). We recommend booking Sugarlands Visitors Center tours ahead of time to secure your spot. While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. Sugarlands Visitor Center could be considered the hub of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). The sidewalk will take you in between the visitor center and the restrooms. They have bathrooms and bubbler there too. You may purchase flour milled here when the mill is in operation. , Public Restrooms are located on the opposite side of the visitor center next to the parking area. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Social: "Towering to the heavens" is how one pioneer described Chimney Rock, the most recognized landmark along the Oregon Trail. You can reach the Sugarlands Visitor Center by calling 865-436-1291. Feb. 8:00 am - 4:30 pmMarch 8:00 am - 5:00 pmApril - May 8:00 am - 6:00 pmJune Aug. 8:00 am - 7:00 pmSept. After hiking up Rainbow Falls, we doubled back to Gatlinburg and re-entered the park at Sugarlands. And it also offers a perfect slow, one-way drive for nature and wildlife viewing. There are public restrooms, telephones and drink machines available for use as well. The rangers are very friendly and informative and the line moved quickly. They have bathrooms there! It runs along the river and walk as much or as little as you like. (1,110 reviews) "Conveniently located in the heart of Gatlinburg. Oct. 8:00 am - 6:00 pmNovember 8:00 am - 5:00 pmDecember 8:00 am - 4:30 pmLocation 1420 Little River RoadGatlinburg TN 37738Inside the park, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US-441Special Programs Ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. 3. Begin your exploration of the park at a visitor center. They had a small line to get into the center (thanks to COVID) but it goes quick. Look for national-park-themed clothing items as well as souvenir mugs and ornaments and games and activities designed for kids. This is also one of two trails where you may take your dog. Sugarlands Visitors Center: Sugarlands Visitor Center Visit - See 1,061 traveler reviews, 396 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. Public restrooms and telephones.Historic Grist MillsCable Mill in Cades CoveHoursOpen From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00 - 5:00LocationInside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road.ExhibitsWater-powered grist mill.Mingus Mill near OconalufteeOpen From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00 - 5:00LocationInside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US 441.ExhibitsTurbine-powered grist mill.Tremont Institute. First of all, we were so grateful that Smoky Mountain National Park opened at all during Covid and that there were rangers working in the park. Gift Shop With Books. Sugarlands was a very nice little visitor center and there were several excellent trails that originated from the visitor's center, which was very convenient. Send Email. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Great place to make your first stop if you are entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg. For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. 107 Park Headquarters Road 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. Check with the volunteers, or ask a Ranger, for information about times and locations. The museum and movie theater has since been temporarily closed. Get there before 4 pm if you want to see the movie and/or museum! There may be a line to enter because of COVID restrictions. Here are the hours by season for the visitor center: Sugarlands Visitor Center Hours of Operation. 9822 Cty Rd 75. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. The Sugarlands Visitor Center's Animal Exhibit - The animal exhibit boasts several stuffed specimens of local wildlife, from wild hog to black bear, which includes a description of each animal's distinctive features. Backcountry permit station. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. There were two people at the customer service desk busy answering people's questions. Throughout the last century and into the new millennium RCK continues supporting the Park with projects such as a trail for handicapped visitors, a wildlife display at the Sugarlands Visitors Center, an information display on Mt. Some park newspapers and maps are available free of charge, while the gift shop on site has tons of books and other informative resources for sale, covering everything from the history of the area to more in-depth studies of the native flora and fauna. It had various U.S. states and countries marked on individual clear boxes. Then you travel the same distance to get back to Sugarlands. There is also a short hike from the visitor center to Cataract Falls, which is very convenient. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Date of experience: October 2021 Ask AndyB5542 about Sugarlands Visitors Center 1 Thank AndyB5542 This visitor's center is a must-see for anyone visiting the park. It is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day. Soda and water machines. more, Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour. We stopped at a few gift shops during the day and a Sales Associate suggested Sugarlands Gift Shop. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you have enough time to devote to your visit to Sugarlands, you might also want to step into the theater space, where they screen a 21-minute movie about Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a repeating schedule throughout the day. This is due to both its proximity to Gatlinburg and also to the natural wonders contained within. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. In addition to getting info on the park, I highly recommend taking the time to visit the museum there. The GSMNP is vast. The Little Pigeon weaves its way over around giant boulders next to the area making for great wading in the warmer months. The center is your starting point for three different hikes, all of them rated as easy. Inside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US 441. RELATED: Oconaluftee River Trailis a popular spot for anyone who wants an easy trail close to civilization. Learn about the park's plants and animals with natural history exhibits. Typical Visitors Center, but see the Presentation anyway!! The good news is the restrooms are in a separate building and are still open and readily available. After passing Ski Mountain Road, you will enter the National Park. Turn left at the stop sign. And what it has to offer. The most authoritative source for restaurants, attractions, & cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains. Are you over 21? Next door are clean restrooms. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Sugarlands Visitors Center Location: 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Entrance Fee: Free to enter, tours cost $15+ Website: nps.gov Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to many interesting historical sites and beautiful natural landmarks. $42. The seasonal visitor center features exhibits, a gift shop, as well as a park film where you can learn more information about the area. This answer is for others Also a great spot to orient yourself no matter how many times you have been to the park. There is also an extensive gift shop with T-shirts, CDs of mountain music, DVDs and books to remind you of your visit. Remember, the further you venture into the park, the sketchier cell service becomes. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Two historic gristmills are open seasonally in the park. It is an easy trail to hike and takes less than an hour. Emily Lawrence lives in Idaho with her husband Nathan. Smoky Mountain Cat House Do you have a feline friend or just love anything and everything that has to do with cats? The Sugarlands Visitor Center is one of four facilities of its kind in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The center is your starting point for three different hikes, all of them rated as easy. I thought this was genius; a little way of saying that you were here. When is the Sugarlands Visitor Center open? Written 6 August 2022. . What restaurants are near Sugarlands Visitors Center? Shop online or visit a bookstore at the following park locations: Sugarlands Visitor Center Oconaluftee Visitor Center Cades Cove Visitor Center Clingmans Dome Visitor Information Station Join Us Today! This official visitor center is open daily and has all the information necessary to plan an active and fun-filled day in the park! The museum and movie are both closed and the rangers strictly monitor how many people are inside at a time. They have a large parking lot. more information on current conditions Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. We invite you to sample our award-winning spirits, enjoy delicious Sugarlands Cocktails and take a behind the scenes tour of our still house. Gatlinburg You can also find other Tourist Information on MapQuest In 1887, Rebecca Cable and her brother Dan bought the house and continued to operate the store for about eight more years. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Oct. 9:00 am - 6:00 pmNovember 9:00 am - 5:00 pmDecember 9:00 am - 4:30 pmLocationInside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road.Special ProgramsRanger-led programs are conducted seasonally. Excellent staff, friendly and very helpful. Great place to stop before entering the mountains. Ranger-led programs are offered periodically. You can touch a real moon rock, speak to astronauts, and get up close and personal with a rocket. As an adult, my husband and I would stop every year on our annual trips to the Smokies. Children and their families can join in a variety of free, hands-on activities including ranger-guided walks, historic toy making, visiting a blacksmith shop, and exploring touch tables with animal skins, skulls, and scat. SUGARLANDS VISITOR CENTER - NPS - 129 Photos & 32 Reviews - 1420 Little River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN, United States - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Sugarlands Visitor Center - NPS 32 reviews Unclaimed Visitor Centers Edit Closed 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM See hours See all 130 photos Write a review Add photo Save (about 1/2 mile). The Grand Canyon always draws crowds from all over the country. On a recent visit to Sugarlands Visitor Center, we stopped a Park Ranger on the sidewalk and ended up talking for nearly half an hour. Cataract Falls trail is located behind the visitor center. The Roaring Falls Motor Nature Trail isnt far from the Visitor Center. This will give you additional information about the caverns so you can more fully enjoy your experience once youre in them. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Inside the visitor center are exhibits detailing mountain life from the times of the Cherokee Indians through the establishment of the national park. What hotels are near Sugarlands Visitors Center? It's located off of US-441 just two miles south of Gatlinburg and is situated right next to Park Headquarters. I was barely able to find a parking spot and when I went to go inside I learned they weren't even letting people in. Sugarlands Visitors Center reviews TripAdvisor traveler rating 1,059 reviews Google 4.8 By Q8105RDdan My wife & I visited on Monday. Blog for Zip line Attraction in the Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg Bring cash! Shop online or visit a bookstore at the following park locations: Great Smoky Mountains Association members receive many benefits: To find out more, become a member, or browse the online bookstore, visit www.smokiesinformation.org, 107 Park Headquarters Road Join us to celebrate Christmas in the mountains with old-time music, harp singing, storytelling and reminiscing, craft demonstrations such as weaving, spinning, quilting . I would love to come back sometime and see the museum. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. There are great dioramas featuring stuffed animals, birds, reptiles from the area and the environments in which they are found. Movie and exhibits not accessable during Covid. You don't have to wait in line to purchase. Get the maple syrup. Hikers come here to enjoy these amazing trails: Abrams Falls, Elijah Oliver Trail, Rich Mountain Trail, and Gregory Ridge Trail. We used this opportunity to get an official park map/newsletter, get our NPS passport cancellation stamps, and pick up a few postcards in the gift shop. You can also pick up plenty of information about the park if you plan to explore it on your own. Backcountry permit station. You can find even more campgrounds and RV parks while planning your route with RV LIFE Trip Wizard or the RV LIFE App. Only a certain number of people are allowed inside at a time and masks must be worn. The entrance to the restrooms is outside and to the left of the Visitor Center.We did not have to pay an entrance fee or show our National Park passes, but if you are 62 years old or above, I would recommend you buy your lifetime Senior Pass ASAP, before the fee increases from $10 to $80 on 8.28.2017. The valley served as home to a number of small Appalachian communities in the 100-plus years before the National Park existed. As with the other visitor centers, Park Rangers conduct seasonal programs for the public. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a great place to stop early in your Smoky Mountain vacation. Theres also a gift shop full of all sorts of interesting things from knick-knacks to souvenirs to basic hiking supplies. And whether you're just headed into the park or on your way out of it for the day, keep in mind that this visitor center has lots of free parking (although on busy days, it can still be challenging to find an empty spot), vending machines and restrooms. . Stop here for maps or to get general information about the mountains. We had a great conversation about the Synchronous Fireflies event in Elkmont, the park, how he became a ranger, and Tennessee and Alabama football. The next time you are near Sugarlands Visitor Center and short of time, check out this list and make the most of it. Learn all about visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park - when go go, what to do, what to expect, recommended tours and more! There are a few parking spaces by the trailhead. This was at 8:15 am on a Tuesday. Just past the welcome sign to the park (on the left) there will be a road to the left. The visitor center features knowledgable rangers, maps, restrooms, animal exhibits, informative museum, and a free movie. Feel free to ask questions, get directions, or just chat. You do not need to go inside for anything except the store or a National Parks Passport Stamp. In fact, Newfound Gap Road runs essentially from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, North Carolina. The trailhead is located between the visitor center and the comfort station. Copyright 20082023 RV LIFE. This year we also noticed a NEW type of donation box in the lobby. For many a year, it had been known on (the North Carolina) side as Blockaders Glory, which is the same as saying Moonshiners Paradise, and we all believed it to be fitly named., Read Also: Walker family cabin Smoky Mountains: See where the Walker sisters lived. NOTE: The featured photo above is Cades Cove Visitor Center. Soda and water machines. Prior to the creation of the national park in 1934 . Relax with handcrafted cocktails, enjoy a guided tour, and shop for moonshine . And the trailhead for the formidable Chimney Tops Trail is nearby.