If you’re looking for a fun place to go on the Tennessee side of the Smokies, you should check out the Tremont area, where you’ll find peaceful hiking trails, scenic drives, and an institute with lots of fun programs that allow visitors to learn more about the national park! Keep reading to learn more about why you should add a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont to your itinerary for an upcoming visit:
1. Educational Programs for All Ages
The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has educational programs for all ages! They are led by experts who will answer all of your questions. There are a lot of events to choose from during the warmer months. One of them is Birds of the Smokies. Participants will learn about the 240 species of birds that thrive in the park. The Plants of the Smokies program allows visitors to expand their knowledge of the rich plant population in the area.
There are special programs just for kids and families. Little ones and their parents can participate in the Firefly Camp or the Smoky Mountain Family Camp. Children aged 9 to 12 can attend a summer program called Discovery Camp. There are also summer options for teens, such as the Wilderness Adventure Trek or the Trout Adventure Camp. When registering for any program, be sure to plan in advance because spots can fill up quickly. You can put your name on the waitlist if an event is already filled.
2. Great Hiking Trails Nearby
Need a trail map, parking tag, or souvenir? You can find all of that and more at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont! Plus, there are some great hiking trails nearby, such as the West Prong Trail or the shorter hike to Spruce Flat Falls. It’s only 1.4 miles roundtrip and leads to a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall that stands around 30 feet tall!
Another option is hiking the 8.3-mile Middle Prong Trail to see Lynn Camp Falls. This is a stunning multi-tiered waterfall. Other interesting things to see nearby are the remnants of an old Cadillac. It probably belonged to someone who once lived in the area.
3. Fishing and Swimming Opportunities
If you visit Tremont during the warmer months, there are great opportunities for swimming. There are pull-offs on Tremont Road that allow for wading in the Little River. Another water activity to do is fishing. The waters of the Little River have a rich population of fish. Just make sure you have proper fishing gear and a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license. When you’re done with all your activities, sit down to a nice picnic.
How to Get to Tremont
Now that you know all that Tremont has to offer, you need to know how to get there. Drive to Cades Cove from the Townsend Y intersection and look for the sign to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute. Upper Tremont Road is one of the most underrated scenic drives in the entire national park!
More Things to Do near Tremont
Now you know why you should visit the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Want to know about more things to do in the area? Read about another popular spot not far away: the Townsend Wye!
