Foothills Parkway
Written By Ron Johnson
Edited by Jessica Green
The Foothills Parkway has been in the works for some 75 years and likely will be another 20 years to completion. Congress authorized the Foothills Parkway as a 72-mile scenic parkway on February 22, 1944. According to National Park Service (2024), the Foothills Parkway was one of seven congressionally mandated parkways and is the only one yet to be completed. Today, only three segments totaling 38.6 miles are open to the public. Interestingly, the Foothills Parkway is the oldest unfinished highway project in Tennessee, but you would never notice while driving on this well maintained and exciting road. The two main reasons for the incomplete project are the difficult terrain and funding. (U.S. National Park Service, 2024).
The three completed sections of the Foothills Parkway are quite spectacular. The oldest and shortest section totaling only 5.6 miles, opened in 1968, is located near Crosby, TN. While this section is not directly connected to the others, it is worth the drive. In 1966, the parkway opened the next section running from US 129 at the Chilhowee Lake to US 321 at Walland, TN. The next phase was opened in December of 2018, connecting Walland, TN to Wears Valley, TN. The two newest sections of the parkway are connected and total around 33 miles together.
The drive on the Parkway between US 129 and Wears Valley is arguably the best way to see the Great Smoky Mountains. The route has minimal traffic compared to other Smoky Mountain highways and provides an easy, scenic connection for tourists between the Tail of the Dragon and Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. It’s part of what we call the Great Smoky Mountain Loop, an all-day tour that takes visitors to some of the best spots our mountains have to offer.
U.S. Department of the Interior. (2024). Foothills Parkway (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/places/foothills-parkway.htm
Activities Along the Route:
- Look Rock Tower Trail – For unforgettable 360° views take this short .8 miles hike, located between mile marker 14 and 15 on the Foothills Parkway
- Towsend, TN – Located at the Walland exit, this growing mountain town has amazing shops, restaurants, gas stations, and accommodations
- The unique placement of the road allows for both sun rise, and sun set viewing in multiple pull offs
- You will come across many paved pull offs for your relaxation and taking in the beautiful Smoky Mountains
Tips for the Best Travel Experience:
- There are no facilities along this route, so make sure you have enough gas, snacks, and drinks to make the crossing.
- Road conditions are subject to weather, for the most up to date road closures https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
- U.S. National Park Service Foothills Parkway Home Page – https://www.nps.gov/places/foothills-parkway.htm
Printable Maps
