The left fork at Little River Road takes you to Sugarlands Visitor Center and the north entrance to the park on Highway 441. This section of road is much more curving and twisting as it follows the Little River.  Take your time and drive slowly, not only because the road topology demands it, but so you can enjoy the spectacular scenery and coursing river. Driving distance from Townsend to Sugarlands Visitor Center is 34 miles. The road crosses over the river at several points, so the river is viewable from the right or left sides of your vehicle as you travel this road. There are many pull-offs where you can stop and take in the views. Just be careful as you pull off or onto the road - traffic can be heavy during peak seasons.

Driving this road after it rains heavily will reward you with awesome white water in the normally gently cascading flow of the Little River! It's unbelievable how quickly the river can turn into a raging torrent of white water. The noise of the raging water is so loud, it's hard to hold a normal conversation.

We were amazed how quickly the flow of the stream increased and we now have great respect for flash flood warnings that are issued during rainstorms in the Smokies. Of course the kayakers live for the resulting white water conditions. After a heavy rain they head into the park with kayaks strapped to the top of their cars. It's interesting to watch them paddle and steer their kayak around the rocks in the churning waters. Another sight to watch for are the "dry waterfalls" along the roadside. Normally, no water flows in these falls but as soon as wet weather moves across the Smokies, the small falls come alive.  Be sure to observe all caution signs posted at the rivers and streams. The currents and water depths can be deceiving and several people have drowned while swimming in park waters.

Be sure to watch for wildflowers on your walks on the trails. There is such diversity in the park because of the large change in elevations, that something is always blooming from late March through July. The trilliums, flame azaleas, rhododendron, and red bud trees are spectacular when they are blooming.

The first outstanding feature along Little River Road is Meigs Falls on the right side of the road. It's easy to drive by and not notice the falls because it is set back off of the roadway about 300 feet. So watch for the pull-off. Meigs Falls is quite spectacular in the fall and wet seasons. Words just can't describe the picture painted by a waterfall nestled in the woods adorned with their brilliant fall colors. Stop for a while, relax, and soak up the view.

One of our favorite stops along this road is The Sinks. The parking area on the right is small, so it's best to stop here in the early morning in the peak seasons. Here the river makes a drastic change in course and rushes over some large exposed rocks in the river bed. The sounds of the water and wilderness views combine to produce a fantastic experience for one's senses. One story has it that The Sinks were formed when a logging crew tried to break up a huge log jam on the river when logging was taking place in the park. Too much dynamite was used and The Sinks was the result. Then again, maybe it's the work of Mother Nature!

The next item of interest is Metcalf Bottoms picnic area and is named for the family that farmed here. It's so relaxing to have lunch next to the rushing waters of the Little River in the shade of ancient trees. There is a bridge that crosses the river and on the other side is a trail that leads to Little Greenbrier School and cemetery. Check the park's publications for more information on this trail. This trail is on our to-do list of hikes in the park.

On down the road is Elkmont Campground and Nature Trail. Unfortunately, we have only briefly driven a short distance into this area and still want to explore it in more detail. Again, refer to the park's publications for more information on this area.

The access to the Laurel Falls trail is the next major attraction on the Little River Road. It's hard to miss since there are parking areas on both sides of the road and both are usually filled with vehicles. Drive slowly and cautiously through this area, it's almost always congested with cars and people. The paved two and one half mile (round trip) trail leads to a cascading waterfall with a wooden walkway crossing the stream at the base of the falls. The trail meanders through a quiet forest and during our walk here, we spotted several deer along the trail. Do not climb to the top of the falls or walk on the rocks at the base. The slick, wet surfaces can quickly lead to falls (no pun intended), and cause serious injury or even death.

Sugarlands Visitor Center is the next major stopping point. Information and publications on the park's history, flora, fauna, and trails and be purchased at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. For additional information on the park, purchase a copy of the "Smokies Guide" at any visitor center. It costs 25 cents and is published four times a year by the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association. All proceeds benefit the park. The latest weather, road, and trail conditions are posted, also. Rest rooms are located nearby in a separate building. A short loop nature trail is just off to the side of the rest rooms and provides easy viewing of some native wildflowers. Be sure to check the flower beds near the visitor center as they are planted with native wildflowers and shrubs. From the Sugarlands Visitor center you have access to Hwy. 441 with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to the north and Newfound Gap Road that runs south, through the park to Cherokee, North Carolina, where the parks boundary ends.

A lovely waterfall is located near the visitors center. Cataract Falls is an easy 0.1 mile walk on a reasonably level dirt trail. We have never run into any crowds at these falls, given its close proximity to the visitor center. The woodlands are cool and quiet. To access the trail from the visitor center, walk past the rest rooms and past the nature trail. At the fire hydrant , keep to the left and walk through the park employee parking lot. To the right will be the Park Headquarters. Continue through the parking lot to a road that crosses a bridge. The trail to Cataract Falls begins on the other side of the bridge. The first time we did this we could not find the trail head and had to ask a ranger for directions. Now we can easily find our way to the falls and have visited Cataract Falls during spring, summer, and fall. We have read that the falls can be spectacular in the winter when portions of it freezes over and the surroundings become encrusted in shimmering ice crystals. As with all waterfalls in the park, do not climb to the top of the falls or walk on the rocks at the base. The slick, wet surfaces can quickly lead to falls (no pun intended), and cause serious injury or even death.

You've probably already noticed that there is no entrance fee for the GSMNP. This is due to a clause in the Park's enabling legislation. Other parks such as Grand Canyon and Yellowstone can charge entrance fees of $20 per vehicle and earn millions of dollars in supplemental funding as a result. Please consider making purchases at the Visitors Centers where proceeds go toward funding worthwhile projects in the Park. Additional financial help is provided by the Great Smoky Mountains Association and the Friends of the Smokies organizations. Please consider joining these organizations in their effort to help the Park. There are also donation boxes along side some of the roads in the park.

For more travel links on the Smokies, visit our Smoky Mountains Page.

For a listing of publications on the Smokies that we have found to be helpful, check out the Lotz Travel Bookstore or use the box below to search Amazon.com for your interests.

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The Right Fork: Cades Cove Picnic Area, Cades Cove, Horseback Riding, Cades Cove Campground

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All photographs copyright 1997 - 2006 by the Lotz Family
Updated 1/22/06

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