This sophisticated center packs a big punch with its varied display of preserved flora and fauna. Visitors to Sugarlands Visitor Center should also take advantage of some of the interpretive learning opportunities available at the facility. Helpful Park Rangers and park volunteers staff all the visitor centers. 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. Here are the hours by season for the visitor center: Sugarlands Visitor Center Hours of Operation. Just past the welcome sign to the park (on the left) there will be a road to the left. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I thought this was genius; a little way of saying that you were here. 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. This is your typical visitors center with a gift shop. The Gatlinburg Trail is located at the very end of River Road in Gatlinburg which is no more than a 5 minute drive from the Visitor Center. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. The Sugarlands visitor center is basically a large gift shop, though you can get your questions answered by a park ranger.They have a large parking lot. The rangers are very friendly and informative and the line moved quickly. Public restrooms and telephones. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. They know all about the native plant and animal life, so dont hesitate to ask them about it! The ranger was pleasant and assisted us with help on trails in the area. Sugarlands needed a merchandising partner to . The Bypass works well to avoid some traffic around Gatlinburg. Its also a good place to book tours and find great hiking trails. #1 THING TO DO IN GATLINBURG! Theres no better way to truly experience the country. Also a great spot to orient yourself no matter how many times you have been to the park. It closes in winter due to weather conditions. We visited early evening to get maps for hiking. When we left there was a nice line forming to get in as they are controlling the number of people in the building at one time. Smoky Mountain Ziplines is generally open March through December of each year, operating on a more limited schedule during off-season periods. Located inside theGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, off US highway 441, the Sugarlands Visitor Center has all the answers to your questions regarding planning your trip to the national park. She loves to spend time skiing, roadtripping, and just exploring the outdoors. Great place to start your exploration of the park. And the trailhead for the formidable Chimney Tops Trail is nearby. Visitor Centers Closed now 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About GSMA Store Locations and HoursCades Cove Visitor Center HoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.January 9:00 am - 4:30 pmFebruary 9:00 am - 5:00 pmMarch 9:00 am - 6:00 pmApril - Aug. 9:00 am - 7:00 pmSept. Reviews help other RVers like yourself, and they help the campground. And there are restrooms. There were about 25 people waiting in line while we were there. ), streams, bridges, and a beautiful waterfall. This is a great outing for families with younger children. how to get to quezon avenue mrt station Uncovering hot babes since 1919. They have a large parking lot. There were a few other areas in the visitor center, including a small museum, that we didn't explore, but it looked well-curated. See 63 traveller reviews, 42 photos, and cheap rates for Travelodge by Wyndham Pigeon Forge Dollywood Lane, ranked #69 of 99 hotels in Pigeon Forge and rated 3.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. 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. 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). Copyright 2016-2022 Marc & Ann Bowman | All Rights Reserved |, 9. Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay. Let us know. What To Know About the Shows Creatures, Cades Cove Lake: The effort to turn the Cove into a body of water, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrance Fees, What You Should Know, Smoky Mountains in March: Events in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge [2023], A Simple Guide to Smoky Mountain Parking Passes, Park it Forward, 5 Reasons Why Dollywood Is Better Than Disney World, What To Expect at the Dolly Parton Stampede in Pigeon Forge. Your recap is right on the mark, Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. RELATED: Cades Cove is the most popular destination in the park. 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. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a great place to stop early in your Smoky Mountain vacation. (1,110 reviews) "Conveniently located in the heart of Gatlinburg. With thousands of visitors every year, they sought to build an exceptional gift shop to suit the high demand for Sugarlands Distilling Co. merchandise. Read Also: Gatlinburg history: When did Gatlinburg become a tourist attraction? It runs along the river and walk as much or as little as you like. The wooded area of the trail ends at the Park maintenance facility. Gatlinburg It is about .5 miles from the Sugarland Visitor Center but you will need to drive the trailhead. Yes No Tucked into the Great Smoky Mountains, there's a barn house we call home. Heading that way Thursday. more, Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour. In the visitors center, there are several extensive natural history exhibits, a free 20-minute film about the national park and an information center. When I visited there were tons if Elk. The Sugarlands visitor center is basically a large gift shop, though you can get your questions answered by a park ranger. We had a great conversation about the Synchronous Fireflies event in Elkmont, the park, how he became a ranger, and Tennessee and Alabama football. 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. But before you worry about what you can do once you leave the center, it's important to know more about the center itself. The gift shop is awesome. Been to a campground lately? Stop by the information desk and ask to talk to a ranger who can give tips on what to look for, which forks to take and how to make the most out of your time in the mountains. I used to rely on various guides to choose trails but now I go and talk to a ranger and ask for a recommendation based on length of hike, waterfalls or not etc, and difficulty. Chateau Mouton Rothschild, a Premier Cru Class from the Bordeaux region and one of the world's greatest wines, is owned by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. This center was no different, although there were great park rangers available to help you decide where best to hike or drive, and the maps were reasonably priced, as was the gift shop, where we did spend $50 or so.There is a nice hike right outside the visitor's center--you can walk down to a sweet little falls, and many families were playing in the creek, stacking rocks and having fun. 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. The National Park Service maintains four official visitor centers inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Parking for the Gatlinburg Trail can be found at either the Sugarlands Visitor Center or in a small parking area on . What hotels are near Sugarlands Visitors Center? The center is located just inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on US 441 via Gatlinburg & serves as the gateway to the park. Overview. The roof also features recycled rubber, solar panels and solar tubs to provide additional lighting and energy without using electricity. RELATED: Clingmans Dome is the tallest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a must stop when visiting Gatlinburg and The Great Smoky Mountains. But before you worry about what you can do once you leave the center, its important to know more about the center itself. Thank you. Ranger-led programs are offered periodically. Cataract Falls ).The bathrooms at the VC were great--clean and well maintained. Within walking distance to all attractions, restaurants and shops." There are a variety of bookstores, gift shops, and restaurants to explore. Book your tickets online for Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: See 3,088 reviews, articles, and 3,412 photos of Clingmans Dome, ranked No.12 on Tripadvisor among 104 attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Smoky Mountain Cat House Do you have a feline friend or just love anything and everything that has to do with cats? The path runs along the river. 6. If Rover is tired of being cooped up in the car, this is your best option! A staff made up of both paid and volunteer park rangers is on hand to answer virtually any question a visitor to the Smokies might have, whether it's an inquiry about the behavior of black bears, the location of a trailhead for a specific hike or even the history of the region before it became a national park in the 1930s. Theres also a gift shop full of all sorts of interesting things from knick-knacks to souvenirs to basic hiking supplies. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center, 2. You must wear a mask to enter the center. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Downtown Gatlinburg. Even though the summer hours have been extended to 7:30 PM, when we arrived we found that the museum wing and the movie wing closed at five. There is one small and gentle hill. All of the visitor centers provide a great experience, but the South Rim center is especially noteworthy. (865) 325-1355. Campground Reviews is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. Read Also: Picnic areas in the Smoky Mountains: The 4 best-kept secret spots. It has a fairly large parking lot. 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 also features a nature trail (that leads to Cataract falls), a 20-minute informative park video, and a gift shop packed with mountain-themed gifts and educational gear. These structures are original to the park and give visitors a first hand look into southern mountain life and culture. It is hard to say where it will end up but signs are posted to be careful if you spot one and stay 50 yards from it. Located about 15 minutes from the Visitor Center is the Chimney Picnic Area. There's also the Gatlinburg Trail, which runs 1.8 miles from the visitor center and terminates at the southern border of Gatlinburg. The visitor center is an eco-friendly building. Click "Show M. The hike, which is less than a mile roundtrip, ends at a beautiful 25-foot waterfall. We would have younger kids with us and have 3-4 hours to spend there. But guests can still catch the movie from the lobby, which plays on repeat. Impossibilities Magic, Mindreading and Mayhem! Good place to stop before heading on to Laurel Falls and Cades Cove. 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. . And of course, dont forget to stop by the gift shop and buy some fun souvenirs! Upvote 6 Downvote. Emily Lawrence lives in Idaho with her husband Nathan. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. If you love outer space, this visitor center is a must-see. Its hard to define what the best visitor centers are, but weve selected five fantastic options below. Nice walking trails, beautiful scenery. Clingmans Dome Visitor Center is located at the Clingmans Dome Trailhead on Clingmans Dome Road. Gatlinburg Trail is also unique in that it's one of only two trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that allows dogs and bicycles. Plan to come here at the beginning of your trip, so you can pick up maps and get any information you might need. Great Smoky Mountains Association Bookstore is inside the visitor center. Public restrooms and telephones.Gatlinburg Welcome Center - On the Spur between Pigeon Forge and GatlinburgHoursOpen every day except Christmas DayApril - October 8:30 am - 7:00 pmNovember - March 8:30 am - 5:30 pmLocation1011 Banner RoadGatlinburg TN 377382 miles outside of Gatlinburg on US-441 SouthAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Threds and Sugarlands Distilling Co.'s relationship goes beyond producing great merchandise to be sold at the Sugarlands Distillery gift shop. A Comfort Station (official jargon for restrooms), is located next to the visitor center. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to many interesting historical sites and beautiful natural landmarks. Its a bit discouraging to see that entrance fee, especially if you have younger kids who might not get their moneys worth. In fact, Newfound Gap Road runs essentially from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, North Carolina. Kids will love this feature at this Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors center. This visitor's center is a must-see for anyone visiting the park. If you have kids I'd recommend the Jr Ranger books (buy the book for $2.50 in the shop) to fill out and get the wooden Jr Ranger Badge. You can reach the Sugarlands Visitor Center by calling 865-436-1291. , As an adult, my husband and I would stop every year on our annual trips to the Smokies. The Gatlinburg Trail, which is a scenic, paved 3.8 mile roundtrip walk, is one of only two trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to allow dogs and bicycles. On Feb 28, 2014. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We invite you to sample our award-winning spirits, enjoy delicious Sugarlands Cocktails and take a . Written 6 August 2022. . Soda and water machines. The valley served as home to a number of small Appalachian communities in the 100-plus years before the National Park existed. The most authoritative source for restaurants, attractions, & cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains. Relax with handcrafted cocktails, enjoy a guided tour, and shop for moonshine . The Roaring Falls Motor Nature Trail isnt far from the Visitor Center. 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. A Comfort station ( official jargon for restrooms ), streams, bridges, and just exploring the.... Sugarlands Visitor center should also take advantage of some of the Trail ends at a 25-foot. 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