Feeling Great in Wears Valley!

Wears Valley, unincorporated, is situated between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, Tennessee. The valley is accessed via Highway 321. Wears Valley sits in a cove known as Wear Cove. A drive through the valley is always a delight any time of year. The valley is adjacent to and provides access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park via Lyon Springs Road. The elevation of the valley is 1,454 feet above sea level with the highest nearby peak rising to 4,078.

The valley affords many opportunities to enjoy your time in the mountains. There are numerous unique shops and restaurants like Elvira’s Cafe. Everything from hiking gear at Great Smoky Mountain Outfitters to antiques can be found just around the corner. You’ll also find plenty of cabin rentals in the Valley for lodging during your mountain vacation. There’s even Smoky Mountain Grocery in the valley that delivers right to your cabin!

The scenic beauty of the cove is a draw to motorcycle and automobile enthusiasts from all over the country. A fun hangout for bikers is Friendly Falls; they have tasty burgers and you can even have your wedding there by the waterfall. Access to the popular Metcalf Bottoms picnic area in the National Park invites families and fisherman for a great day in the Great Smoky Mountains.

“We just love cruising through the valley with the top down,” says one happy motorist, “this place is amazing especially when the leaves are changing in the fall!”

Rich in cultural history, the valley was settled by Europeans in the late 1700’s by Revolutionary War veteran Samuel Wear. Wear built a fort at the entrance of the cove in what is now Pigeon Forge to protect the residents from Cherokee reprisals for occupying their lands.

For more information, contact the Wears Valley Area Chamber of Commerce at 865-296-4779.

Feeling Great in Cosby!

Cosby, Tennessee is nestled on the northeastern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The valley is accessed via Highway 321 from Gatlinburg and Newport. Tennessee Route 32 also enters this scenic valley from North Carolina. Cosby may be accessed from Sevierville via TN 339 known locally as Jones Cove Road.

Apples have long been a mainstay of the mountaineer diet and no visit to Cosby would be complete without a visit to Carvers Orchard and Applehouse Restaurant. Any time of year apples are available in more varieties than you can shake a stick at. They offer local canned goods, cheeses, and other produce. Don’t forget to try an apple fritter and cider while you are there, or enjoy a tasty plate of chicken and dumplings in the restaurant.

“My family loves to visit Carver’s Orchard. It is one of the only ways I can convince my kids to eat some fruit!” says Tim from Pelham, Alabama.

Don’t forget to take a drive on the Great Smoky Mountains Foothills Parkway connecting Cosby to Interstate 40. This scenic road climbs thousands of feet above the valley floor and affords majestic views of the surrounding mountains. One of the most commonly photographed geologic features of the area Mt. Cammerer, is front and center from the overlooks along the Parkway. The fall foliage on this stretch of road is always some of the most vibrant of the season. 

One of the best kept secrets of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Cosby section found just off TN 32. When all the other park campgrounds are full, you can usually find a spot in the Cosby Campground. The nature trail in Cosby offers a spring wildflower display that is unbelievable. The Cosby Nature Trail is also a great walk for small children. If you’re up to a more challenging hike, you can hike up to the historic fire tower on Mt. Cammerer for a bird’s eye view of the surrounding Tennessee Valley. The historic stone and lumber fire tower was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Core (CCC) in the 1930s and was lovingly restored by Friends of the Smokies.

History of Cosby

Long referred to as the “moonshine capital of the world,” Cosby has a rich and colorful history. Before that name was applied though, this area was the hunting grounds of the Cherokee Nation. The area saw its share of conflict with Native Americans and later by its own citizens during the Civil War. During this sad period the valley was divided between Union and Confederate sympathizers. Skirmishes were common between the factions as well as thievery and worse.

For more information, or to order a Visitor Brochure, contact the Cocke County Partnership at 423-625-9675.