Discover Sevier: Mountains, Nature and History

Sevier combines the mountain landscape of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with waterfalls, historic sites and varied driving routes. The national park covers 522,427 acres in Tennessee and North Carolina and provides the largest protected habitat for bears in the eastern United States. In Sevier, nature experiences, regional history and excursions by car therefore stand alongside one another as distinct facets.

Mountains, Waterfalls and Paths through the Landscape

One defining natural area is Roundtop Mountain, a 237-acre nature area in southwestern Sevier County. The Greenbrier Area also demonstrates the region's landscape diversity: There you will find wildflowers, waterfalls, fish-filled streams, as well as historic structures and cemeteries. In the Sugarlands Area, several trails lead to streams, waterfalls and historic log cabins.

One clearly distinct nature experience is Cataract Falls. The narrow waterfall is 40 feet high and can be reached via a 0.7-mile round-trip hike from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Those who want to combine a longer drive with scenery and history can plan the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The 5.5-mile one-way road runs through the forest and past historic cabins, gristmills and other historic buildings. The entrance is in Gatlinburg at traffic light number 8 from the main road.

Scenic Routes and Excursions with Different Focuses

The section of the Foothills Parkway from Walland to Wears Valley is approximately 14.75 miles long and rises to almost 2,500 feet near Caylor Gap. These details help you distinguish a drive with clear route orientation from a shorter nature stop. Another notable connection is the 31-mile Newfound Gap Road, a National Scenic Byway through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the Tennessee side, the first two-mile section runs between Gatlinburg and Sugarlands.

There are also special destinations away from the mountain roads. At Douglas Lake, anglers catch, among other species, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish; the lake has 555 miles of shoreline used for agriculture and residential purposes. Beneath English Mountain, Forbidden Caverns offers a tour through formations, natural chimneys and grottoes, and along a clear stream. Handsville Wax Company allows visitors to dip their hands in wax and make a detailed impression.

History and Craftsmanship in Sevier County

Sevier can also be explored through its historic sites. Elkmont was the second-largest town in Sevier County before the location became a campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elkmont Campground is situated on the site of this historic town. The Harrisburg Covered Bridge, a landmark of Sevier County, was built in 1875 by Elbert Early and crosses the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Other topics range from the Civil War to regional economic history. The Battle of Fair Garden was the largest battle fought in Sevier County during the Civil War; its site is part of the Tennessee Civil War Trails. Blowing Cave Mill was completed in 1880 and is an example of the flour and gristmills built in Sevier County during the 19th century. The oldest marked grave in Sevier County is located on the grounds of Fox Cemetery.

For travelers interested in regional craftsmanship, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is noteworthy. Since 1941, it has been the largest concentration of craftspeople in the United States. Dollywood complements this cultural side with hands-on craft offerings and interactive experiences where visitors can make their own handicrafts. At the Bush Brothers Visitors Center in Sevierville, the offerings include an interpretive museum, a gift shop and a café.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Plans?

When choosing a vacation apartment or vacation home in Sevier, the desired travel style is therefore the key consideration: nature trails and waterfalls, historic sites, scenic routes, or excursions to the lake and craft attractions. The trolleys of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg connect Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge; the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley serves, among other destinations, Dollywood, Dolly’s Splash Country and Wears Valley. For further orientation, you can also view the location pages for Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Beech Springs, Seymour and Kodak.

For the overarching travel overview: Tennessee.

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