Townsend Visitors Center
Townsend Visitors Center
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Townsend Visitors Center is located in the back yard of Cades Cove. Stop by for area information regarding accommodations, restaurants, and things to do during your visit! As well as Great Smoky Mountain National Park info and gift store ran by the Great Smoky Mountain Association!
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
171 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
40
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
MonroeLouisiana
Monroe145 contributions
Sept 2020
The visitor center is easy to find on main road, and is appealing log cabin structure. They are taking necessary Covid precautions. The information center has help-your-self brochures and a gift shop. One side of the building has some crafters selling their goods. It was a good way to get organized and start our day in the area.
Written 15 September 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.
LexiV
Cleveland, OH1,682 contributions
Aug 2021
We came in from the rain to find helpful advice and an arts and craft show. The merchandise available is similar to what you find in the Sugarlands or Cades Cove Visitor Centers with similar pricing. I would definitely recommend it if you're in town.
Written 19 August 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.
khfl29
Byram, NJ90 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Beautiful visitor center, definitely worth a visit while in Townsend. Half of the building is like a visitors center and gift shop for the National park and the other half had an artist in residence. The employee was very helpful and they have a National Park passport cancellation specific to that visitor center.
Written 20 July 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.
BearFacts
United States321 contributions
Jun 2022
This is our go-to when visiting the Smokies. The staff is always friendly and helpful. They offer the same products found at the Cades Cove Visitor Center and the Sugarlands Visitor Center (minus the crowds).
There is a small area in the same building that usually has a rotating artist showing their craft. We have enjoyed many different forms of art...and it free to look!
There is a small area in the same building that usually has a rotating artist showing their craft. We have enjoyed many different forms of art...and it free to look!
Written 9 July 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.
Ellyn R
Oxford, AL24 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
These people are so helpful!! I recommend buying the Cades Cove booklet as well as the trails map! They came in very handy. You can also buy the parking pass that you now need for going into park. They sell about $5 a day and I think the weekly is less expensive. They have great suggestions on hikes and how to get there. Love the Visitor Center!
Written 19 June 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.
jgbtravels
Louisville, KY4,670 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
After reading a blog that this should be our first stop when coming to Townsend we did just that to get information and maps of the area. However, the last day we were in Townsend the road to Elkmont was closed due to downed trees from a storm the previous night. Fortunately the visitors center was a few minutes down the road. We stopped there to see if there was an alternative route to Elkmont. The staff there not only called the national park system to see how far down the road was closed but provided another route to our destination. To be honest they saved our day. Had we not been able to visit Elkmont it would have put a damper on our visit. Thank you to the staff person there that saved our day.
Written 9 August 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.
Denise M
Clarksville, TN170 contributions
Oct 2020
Greeted by friendly people who have great suggestions or answers on things to check out in the area. A full selection of souvenirs without the crowds inside the park. They also have a national passport stamp available. Clean restrooms!
Written 28 October 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.
Jeff S
Gainesville, GA1,353 contributions
Sept 2021 • Friends
All the years we’ve been in the area we’ve never stopped in. We finally made the visit and glad we did. Very nice modern building with knowledgeable staff. There are many pieces of information on the area posted. The main thing of interest is the many books that are available for purchase that details the area and the Smoky Mountains. Worth the stop.
Written 22 September 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.
PaleoGypsy
Philadelphia, PA2,347 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
The building is modern, clean, and well-lit. The bathrooms are located where you enter. This place is conveniently located near many of the fun attractions in Townsend. Merchandise is for sale. The staff is polite. Free literature is available.
Written 1 August 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.
SJscrapbooker
San Jose, CA202 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Lovely sitting area out behind the building where we sat and had our picnic lunch. The small gift shop is well stocked with Townsend, Cades Cove and GSMNP merchandise 8ncluding books, t-shirts, coffee mugs and the like. I was especially interested in the memoir books recounting life in Cades Cove when the community was established.
Written 7 October 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.
Adult - $17.00
Child (5 - 11) - $8.00
Child (4 - Under) - FREE
Written 29 July 2017
I was told that there's a trail that you can hike up and then rent a tube and float back down the river. Do happen to know which company or trail this would be ?
Written 19 July 2015
Actually there are a few River tubing companies in Townsend. Each have different color tubes & buses. They are all along the main portion of Townsend on both sides and all charge about the same price. There is a bike trail that is like a large sidewalk that runs the length of Townsend on both sides of Hwy 321 and various actual "hiking" trails off on the side roads. These are mainly quiet forest walks and not true trails.
Hope this helps you!
Written 20 July 2015
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