Newfound Gap
August 15, 2025
Cades Cove Loop Rd | Smoky Mountain UTV and Vehicle Trail
August 15, 2025
The Little River Road gently winds between Gatlinburg and Townsend. Begin the relaxing drive at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg and enjoy the roadway’s easy curves as it snakes along the Little River. Eventually, the Little River Road dead-ends into Cades Cove. Along Little River Road, be on the lookout for seven signposts—each numbered to designate a point of interest.
Visit Here to learn everything about Little River Road. Thanks to smokymountains.com for this fabulous information about Little River Road: https://smokymountains.com/park/things-to-do/little-river-road.
Spanning 18 miles, the Little River Road drive includes overlooks, trailheads, picnic areas, campground access points and even a waterfall that can be seen from the road. Enter the Laurel Falls trailhead from the parking area at stop 2. The 2.5-mile paved trail takes hikers of all abilities to a beautiful waterfall; the ideal spot for pictures and a picnic. Stop 4, Metcalf Bottoms also offers a picturesque picnic site alongside the Little River. This site has picnic tables, grills and restrooms.
Get to Little River Road via Gatlinburg, Townsend or Wears Valley. In Gatlinburg, past stop light #10 into the Park at the Sugarlands Welcome Center turn right and drive to Townsend, Tennessee on Little River Road. From Wears Valley you can access Little River Road from Line Springs Road, through the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area.
Did you know that every vehicle rental with Wranglers & Razors in Pigeon Forge comes with a free National Park “Park It Forward” pass? This pass is required for parking along hiking trails, viewing stations and many other sites in the Smoky Mountain National Park territory and we are happy to provide it to all our guests.
