The Smoky Mountains are full of amazing scenic drives you can explore on your vacation. These routes allow guests to experience the beauty of the mountains without ever leaving the comfort of their car. One of the most popular drives in the Smokies happens to also be the lowest pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here are 4 reasons to take a drive on Newfound Gap Road:
1. Wildlife Opportunities
While Cades Cove is the most popular destination to spot wildlife in the Smokies, Newfound Gap has been reported to see its fair share of all types of critters. Some of the most popular animals that have been seen along this scenic drive include black bears, white tailed deer, wild turkeys, and coyotes! Be sure to keep your eye open as you make the tight curves because you never know what you might see lurking around the next bend!
2. Beautiful Scenery
No matter what season you are traveling to the Smokies, there is always fantastic nature to see! The warmer months are most known for vibrant greenery and colorful wildflowers. This is also the most common time to see black bears roaming through the forests. During fall, you will be treated to the amazing view of fall foliage. The vibrant yellow, orange, and red leaves are a sight you have to see to believe. During the early winter, you have the opportunity to take in the beautiful snowy landscape. Please keep in mind that Newfound Gap Road is closed from the beginning of December until the end of March due to the possibility of snowy roads. However, you can still hike in the area to check out the snow.
3. Historic Pull Offs
If you want to stop and stretch your legs on the 33-mile drive, there are plenty of places to pull off to take a break from driving. If you want to explore the area, there are some short trails that can take you to some incredible sights. One of these places is Campbell Overlook. It is about 4 miles from Newfound Gap Road and offers incredible views of Mount LeConte. In addition to the unbelievable scenery, you can learn more about the overlook, named after a conservationist who helped establish the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
4. Mingus Mill
If you make it to the North Carolina side of the scenic drive, you can stop at Mingus Mill. This is a historic grist mill that was built in 1866, but was restored in 1937. While just seeing the mill up close is an experience you don’t want to miss, you might even be lucky enough to see a miller on site who demonstrates how to grind corn into cornmeal. In the early days, this is how the early settlers were able to survive. The grist mill was a game changer in their everyday lives, and something that made the complicated tasks just a little easier.
Now that you know why you should take a drive on Newfound Gap Road, check out some more history of this area in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to seeing you soon!
