THE ROAD LESS CROWDED (BUT JUST AS BEAUTIFUL)
If Newfound Gap Road is the Smokies’ famous front-and-center scenic drive, Foothills Parkway is its quieter, more relaxed sibling.
Authorized by Congress all the way back in 1944 as a 72-mile scenic parkway, Foothills Parkway was designed to run along the foothills parallel to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s still the only Congressionally mandated parkway that isn’t fully finished, but several stunning sections are open—and they’re all administered as part of the national park.
Today, the main western section runs 33 continuous miles from Chilhowee Lake to Wears Valley, with another 6-mile “Foothills Parkway East” section from Cosby to I-40 on the far side of the park.
In my opinion, if you want big views with fewer crowds, Foothills Parkway is one of the best deals in the Smokies—especially when you’re seeing it from a Jeep.
What Makes Foothills Parkway Special?
A few reasons locals love this road:
- Panoramic views in both directions
Parts of the parkway run along a ridge, so you get unobstructed Smoky Mountain views to the south and Tennessee Valley views to the north from many pull-offs. - Smooth, scenic curves and dramatic bridges
On the newer “Missing Link” section between Walland and Wears Valley, the road hugs the slopes with long, elevated viaducts that seem to float over the valleys—spectacular to look at and even more fun to ride. - Lots of overlooks, fewer bottlenecks
Between Chilhowee Lake and Walland alone, the parkway has 16 parking areas, 14 of which are scenic overlooks, giving you tons of places to pull over without the “we’ll never find a spot” stress. - A quieter alternative to busy park roads
It’s close to all the bustle of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Townsend—but just far enough out to feel peaceful, especially at sunrise and sunset.
That mix of views, curves, and calm is exactly why Foothills Parkway is such a natural fit for a scenic Jeep tour.
West Side Story: Chilhowee Lake to Wears Valley
The star of most Foothills Parkway conversations is the western 33-mile section, completed in stages and fully connected in 2018.
It runs:
- From US-129 at Chilhowee Lake (near the famous Tail of the Dragon)
- Across a series of ridges and bridges
- To US-321 in Wears Valley, a short drive from Pigeon Forge and Townsend
Along the way you’ll find:
- Multiple pull-offs with benches and low stone walls where you can take in layer after layer of blue ridges
- Views over Happy Valley, Maryville, and Alcoa on one side and Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the other
- Access to the Look Rock area, a natural ledge and observation tower that offers 360-degree views of the mountains on a short, easy hike when open
In a Jeep, this stretch feels like a curated highlight reel: gentle climbs, graceful curves, and new views at almost every turn.
Look Rock: 360 Degrees of “Wow”
If Foothills Parkway has a crown, Look Rock is the jewel.
Just off the parkway, Look Rock offers:
- A roadside overlook built on a natural rock ledge
- A short (about 0.5–0.8 mile) paved trail to the Look Rock Observation Tower, where you get 360-degree panoramic views of the Smokies and the Tennessee Valley
On a clear day, you can see:
- High Smoky Mountain peaks to the south
- Rolling farmland and towns to the north
- Ridges fading into the horizon in every direction
It’s one of the best “big view for little effort” combos near the park—and a fantastic stop on a Foothills Parkway Jeep tour when conditions and seasonal access allow.
Foothills Parkway East: The “Road Less Traveled” Side
On the opposite side of the park, Foothills Parkway East offers a shorter but equally scenic experience.
Running 5.6–6 miles from Cosby to I-40, this section climbs about 1,000 feet along Green Mountain and features four scenic overlooks looking over Cosby Valley, Cherokee National Forest, and the eastern Appalachians.
If you’ve already done the big-name roads and want something that truly feels off the beaten path, this eastern segment is a gem—especially in spring and fall.
When Is the Best Time to Drive Foothills Parkway?
The good news: Foothills Parkway can be beautiful in every season.
- Spring: Fresh greens and wildflowers along the slopes, with hazy blue ridges in the distance.
- Summer: Full, lush forests and long daylight hours—great for golden-hour Jeep rides.
- Fall: Fiery color in every direction, with ridges turning red, orange, and gold. Southern Living even calls it a must-experience route with “grand vistas rivaling those on the Blue Ridge Parkway.”
- Winter: When the road is open and clear, leafless trees mean even bigger views—and snow on distant peaks adds extra drama.
Like any high-ridge road in the Smokies, Foothills Parkway can close temporarily for snow, ice, or high winds in winter, so it’s smart to check current conditions before you head out.
On a guided Jeep tour, you don’t have to worry about that—we keep an eye on closures and conditions so you don’t have to.
Why a Jeep Tour Beats Driving It Yourself
You can absolutely drive Foothills Parkway in your own car. But here’s what a Smoky Mountains Jeep Tour adds:
- No navigation or parking stress
We handle the driving, timing, and pull-offs. You just enjoy the views and snap photos. - Better visibility from the Jeep
Higher seats and big windows (plus the open-air feel when weather allows) give you a clearer view over guardrails and trees. - Local storytelling
Instead of silently guessing which peaks you’re seeing, you get live commentary about the mountains, history, and towns spread out below. - Sunrise and sunset timing
Our Foothills Parkway tours are often timed for the best light of the day—golden, soft, and perfect for photos—without you having to calculate drive times or worry about driving back in the dark.
To me, Foothills Parkway is the kind of place where you want to put your phone on camera mode, not map mode—and a Jeep tour lets you do exactly that.
The Bottom Line: A Must-Do Scenic Drive
If you’re staying in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, or Townsend and you want a scenic drive that feels:
- Big on views
- Low on crowds
- Easy to pair with the rest of your trip
…then Foothills Parkway belongs at the top of your list.
Add a guided Smoky Mountains Jeep Tour into the mix, and it stops being just a road and turns into a full experience—bridges, overlooks, and all—with none of the stress of doing it alone.