Wears Valley TN: Great Smoky Mountains Driving Tour
- Laura
- 13 hours ago
- 6 min read
This post may contain affiliate links. To learn more about our affiliate links and cookies policy see our Terms & Conditions page. Thank you.
Halfway between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, find Wears Valley TN. Sitting in a valley alongside the Great Smoky Mountains, the area is known for its majestic mountain backdrops. Follow our Great Smoky Mountains driving tour to see the quiet side of the Smokies. Be charmed by country roads, artisan crafters, fun diners, and stores selling authentic Americana.
Less than a 30-minute drive, but far from the hustle of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, a road trip to Wears Valley will take you over rural lanes that are rich in Appalachian character and color. See local breweries, goat coasters, vintage housewares, and Sasquatch wood carvings. Our travel blog post includes a map of the best spots to stop on a Wears Valley TN scenic drive.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TOURS
ROUTE DETAILS: WEARS VALLEY TN DRIVING TOUR
Distance: Around 42 miles (68km)
Duration: 1 hour and 35 minutes without stopping. We suggest planning for a 3-4 hour outing.
Directions: Most of the route follows US Highway 321. (aka Wears Valley Road). If you get off track, GPS the next stop along the route. You can start the drive either at the Great Smoky Mountains Welcome Center in Townsend, or in Pigeon Forge.
TIP: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Wears Valley lie in a rural area and there are few public transportation options from the airport to the region. A personal vehicle is the most convenient way to travel.
Click this link for information regarding airfares to Gatlinburg.
Click this link for information regarding regional rental car prices.
HOW TO GET TO WEARS VALLEY TN
Wears Valley is located about midway between Townsend and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. US 321 runs through the town. To reach Wears Valley, navigate to US Highway 321 from anywhere in Townsend or from the Pigeon Forge Parkway.
GATLINBURG TOURS & EXCURSIONS
THINGS TO DO IN WEARS VALLEY TN
Although the area is less commercialized than Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, there is plenty to do. Here is a sampling of popular things to do in Wears Valley TN that are on, or near, our route:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Enter the park at a quieter access point (where the locals do) – near Cades Cove and Abrams Falls. Try this Cades Cove Self-Guided Audio Tour
Sample authentic southern cooking at Elvira’s Café, Pawpaw’s, the Hillbilly’s Restaurant, and the Sloppy Hog Burger Joint. Try this Taste of Smokies Appalachian Cooking Class
Sloppy Hog Burger Joint Take a thrill ride at Wears Valley Zipline Adventures or Goats on the Roof Mountain Coaster.
Shop Smoky Mountain arts and crafts along Wears Valley Road. Find potters, woodcarvers, jewelers, needle crafters, and more.
Get outdoors: Hike, bicycle, horseback ride, fish, golf, or go river tubing. Join a guided hike or bike tour. Try this Thundering Streams & Falls Hiking Tour.
Visit a farm or farmstand like the Blackberry or Webb Valley Farm.
WEATHER & BEST TIME TO VISIT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Wears Valley is surrounded by the Smokies. Summers are hot and hazy with frequent thunderstorms, and the most crowds. Winters are cool and rainy (occasional snow), with less visitors – but some seasonal businesses close.
We think the best time to visit the area is in spring and fall when the weather is pleasant, most business are open, and crowds are not at peak (excluding the peak foliage weeks).
WHERE TO STAY IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
For active couples and families, the town of Gatlinburg is a solid choice to use as a base for your Smoky Mountain adventure. It is close to the national park and has many dining, lodging, and entertainment options. If you prioritize shows and theme parks, consider Pigeon Forge.
Consider these well-reviewed hotels:
PIGEON FORGE & GATLINBURG TOURS
This half-day scenic drive will pair well with a guided tour. Consider these Smoky Mountain area options:
MAP: GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS DRIVING TOUR
STOPS: WEARS VALLEY TN DRIVING ROUTE
In this section, we have listed the stops we enjoyed the most on our Wears Valley TN road trip.
Stop 1. Dolly Parton Stampede
Address: 3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
Begin your driving tour at the Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Attraction. You can’t miss the big red barn along the Parkway. If you like horses, drive to the back parking lot and tour the barns filled with horses used in the show. If the gift shop is open, have a look around.
From the Stampede proceed to Mill Creek Road. As the scenery turns from commercial to country, keep an eye out for the Smoky Mountain Zipline. A bit later, pass the Big Rock Dude Ranch at Ponderosa. If you are into ziplining, horseback riding, or ATV adventures, make a reservation at one of these businesses prior to your drive.
Follow the signs to US Highway 321. Just before you reach the junction, keep an eye out for the Myers Brothers Farm. If it is strawberry season or the farm stand is open, make a stop here. Continue on Valley View Road until you turn left on US 321 (Wears Valley Road).
Stop 2. Wears Valley Antiques & Crafts
Address: 3234 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, TN
As you cruise along the Wears Valley Road, slow your pace and stop when the spirit moves you. Pass Pawpaw’s Catfish Kitchen and the Hatcher Cemetery before you come upon the Wears Valley Antiques & Crafts Complex.
Stop for antiques and crafts and then cross the street to explore the Wears Valley General Store, the Hillbilly’s Restaurant, Backwood Creations, and the Cades Cove Winery Cellar.
Stop 3. Tennessee Mountain View Winery
Address: 3345 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, TN
Just down the road from the Hillbilly’s Restaurant, find the Tennessee Mountain View Winery. Enjoy a tasting and shop for wine at this locally owned and operated winery.
Stop 4. Mountain Brothers Brewing Co.
Address: 3707 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, TN
On the next stretch of road pass the Wears Valley First Baptist Church before arriving at the Mountain Brothers Brewing Co.
At the complex, taste and shop for fine craft beers at the brewery. Then, peruse the expansive general store for toys, specialty foods, home wares, and clothing.
Later, move on to the ice cream shop, Nature’s Wonderland Carvings, the Heavenly Roast, and Pilgrim Pottery Store.
Stop 4. Captain Dave’s Little River Artistry
Address: 310 Wears Valley Road, Townsend, TN
Continue on US 321 until reaching Captain Dave’s. This fun wood carving emporium has a range of items on sale from chairs to walking sticks and lawn statues. Shop affordable pottery and wooden gifts.
Stop 5. Great Smokies Welcome Center
Address: 7929 E Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN
At the end of US 321, turn left onto the Lamar Alexander Parkway. Drive until you reach the Great Smokies Welcome Center in Townsend. Here you can stock up on National Park information and maps, and use the facilities.
You can end the driving tour here. Or, to make a loop retrace your route along US 321.
Stop 6. The Goat Coaster at Goats on the Roof
Address: 1341 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge, TN
Follow Wears Valley Road until you reach the Goat Coasters. Stop for few rides, if you enjoy a coaster experience.
Stop 7. The Island in Pigeon Forge
Address: 131 The Island Drive, Pigeon Forge, TN
Complete your Great Smoky Mountains driving tour right down the road from where you started at The Island in Pigeon Forge. The entertainment complex offers specialty gift shops, casual dining, amusement rides, and a fountain show.
Farewell from the land of Smoky Mountains and hounds, Laura and Randy
For more information on Smoky Mountain travel read our blog posts on:
IF YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE, PIN IT!
