look rock tower traillook rock tower trail

There is a clearly marked crossing area. The park is also a fisheman's paradise. Staff Reports 3 min ago 0 Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closing the observation tower and access trail at Look Rock from Monday, July 10, to Saturday, July 15, weather depending.. Clear-day views extend more than 50 miles. 2:C BF2=:EJ >@? Begin your adventure by parking at the Look Rock Trailhead, conveniently located along the Foothills Parkway. There are 10 sites with electric hookups. 2023 - SmokyMountains.com. The Beginning of, Read More Adventure Awaits: Abrams Falls Trail The Perfect Blend of Challenge and Natural BeautyContinue, If youre seeking a serene and picturesque hiking experience in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, look no further than Porters Creek Trail. :42E:@?D 2== 2C@F?5 q=@F?E r@F?EJ]k^Am, kAm~FC E@H6C 2E {@@< #@4< 92D 366? Photos of Look Rock Tower Trail - Tennessee | AllTrails A maximum of 6 people may occupy a campsite. Look Rock, nestled within the majestic Great Smoky Mountains, is a true highlight of the enchanting Foothills Parkway. The Look Rock Tower serves as a public observation tower, an air quality monitoring site, and hosts radio equipment that serves Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blount County Sheriff's Office, Ft. Loudon Electric Cooperative, and the USDA Forest Service. lley to the west and the Smoky Mountains to the east. It usually doesnt take too long since it is paved the entire way. Preview trail Additional Park Information. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. A definite MUST DO! #1 - Look Rock Tower Trail Great Smoky Mountains National Park Length: 0.8 mi Est. Look Rock Campground is located along the beautiful Foothills Parkway West. We won't share it with anyone else. The most authoritative source for restaurants, attractions, & cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains. For locals, its fun to let your kids look closer into neighboring areas like Maryville & pick out landmarks in the town. 2? Watch your little ones very carefully near the overhangs and at the top of the tower. We went on Friday at about 3pm and there was two other people there! Gregory Bald Trail: The Ultimate Challenge for Adventure Seekers Are You Up for It? www.Facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Pretty quickly you will pass an air quality station on your right which collects information for the National Park Service. This hidden gem, nestled in the Greenbrier section of the park, offers a four-mile roundtrip hike filled with breathtaking views, historic landmarks, and the enchanting sight of a cascading waterfall. Cancellation Policy for Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Once at the top, you can see some of the highest peaks of the Smoky Mountains when you look to the east. Paved Surface of Look Rock Tower Trail | Photo: Marc Bowman. Firewood Vendors. Hit the bathrooms before you make your way to Look Rock Tower. This is about an injury or accident Subscribe to get your FREE checklist of family friendly hikes in the Smokies! Create a password that only you will remember. Please read our full disclaimer here. . However, Look Rock Campground and Look Rock Picnic Area are bothclosed until further notice. Look Rock Tower closed July 10 to July 15 for radio system upgrade 12.8 km The tower is an air quality monitoring site and hosts radio equipment for multiple agencies." Devil's Head Lookout: 2707 Reviews, Map - Colorado | AllTrails It didnt go where we thought. So, be sure to use your best judgment about whether or not this trail is appropriate for your kids. When weather cooperates, it provides amazing view of the surrounding mountain scenery. 1,385' Up 167.56 m Down, 8.0 mi accounts, the history behind an article. Steep incline and declines short vigorous fun, trail with beautiful views plus theres a trail that goes up to picnic area and camping. 2023 East TN Family Fun | All Rights Reserved, Enjoy Breathtaking Views on the Look Rock Tower Trail - VacationBestie. Adventure Awaits: Abrams Falls Trail The Perfect Blend of Challenge and Natural Beauty. Spring is great when rhododendrons are in bloom. Fines are high, as much as $5,000. Boogerman Loop via Caldwell Fork Trail, 36. Don't Threaten. GATLINBURG, Tenn.Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that the observation tower and access trail at Look Rock, located on the Foothills Parkway, will be closed to visitors from Monday, July 10 to Saturday, July 15, weather depending. Just a little bit from the trailhead is a service road up to the tower. In fact, we saw a young couple pushing a stroller to the top on our recent visit. Great view from tower on clear days, but still expect haze on the horizon. To reach the tower, there's a 0.9-mile hike, but there's also a nice observation point located at the Look Rock parking area if you are unable to make the hike. It is fenced off but you can take a look around as you pass by. If you happen to be here in the autumn, the fall colors will blow you away. On the forested side of the road, a short 0.9-mile trail leads . Where is Clingmans Dome? Read our fulldisclaimer. Cool lookout tower to go to especially if your driving the foothills parkway drive. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. You may well be sharing the path and the tower, particularly in summer and fall, but theyre unlikely to be thronged. Explore on Street View. Paved trail that is a steep incline all of the way up to the tower. Create Recommended Route or In short, most people will find this a pretty easy mosey, and the kindly grade and pavement mean its doable even for strollers. TN Fishing in the Park. Spam? https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm, http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/grsmcam/grsmcam.cfm. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Abrams RS area | List | AllTrails Secure transaction. You know your family best, and are ultimately responsible for discerning the safety and appropriateness this hike. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You will pass a trail sign to confirm that you are going the right way. Spend as much time as you would like up at the top. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, Look Rock Towers accessible all-year-round for the most part, except for periodic spells when bad winter weather closes the Foothills Parkway. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closing the observation tower and access trail at Look Rock from Monday, July 10, to Saturday, July 15, weather depending. 0.4mi, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Family-Friendly Reminder: Although the Look Rock Tower Trail is an excellent choice for families, please note that, For more information on the Look Rock Tower Trail, visit, Explore MySmokyMountainGuide.coms guide to, Read about personal experiences and insights on SimplyAwesomeTrips.coms article about, Plan your hike with additional information from, Discover more family-friendly activities at, Check out traveler reviews and ratings on. The piece de resistance is the wonderful view from the tower. 2-3 Miles Devils Head Fire Lookout Hike If you've not hiked to the top of the Devils head trail and climbed the 143 steps to the fire lookout, then I think you're not allowed to have one of those Colorado Native bumper stickers. This scenic wonder stands tall at 2,652 feet, making it the highest point along the Parkway. Not too hard with a good view at the top. 4,600' Up Beautiful view. Don't miss the overlook in the parking area. There are a couple of different ways to get there. As you traverse this scenic path, youll be immersed in natures serenity and discover the rich history of the region. Pass the ramp to the tower and there are some rocky areas with quieter nice views. And if you luck out and there are some other visitors are there, you can ask them to take a family picture for you! 496 reviews. Several side trails are along the way. Cross the Parkway on the designated crosswalk to reach the trailhead. The trail has a moderate elevation gain from the trailhead to the observation tower. GATLINBURG, Tenn. ( WATE) The Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced Thursday that Look Rock Tower and its access trail will be temporarily closed to visitors as crews work to upgrade . Look Rock Tower welcomes visitors throughout the year, except during occasional closures caused by severe winter weather along the Foothills Parkway. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 421.98 m Down, 1.3 mi Look Rock Tower Trail Creator: Harley, Grant L.; Maxwell, Justin T. Date Created: 2018 Description: Picture of trail side information sign Subjects: trail information picture Location: Blount County, Tennessee Species: Pinus echinata Indigenous Land Ownership: . The Foothills Parkway, in general, tends to be less crowded, allowing visitors to enjoy a more serene and personal connection with nature. that is degrading to another person. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. As with any National Park, before you head out to explore, it never hurts to have on-hand some reliable and trustworthy resources for easy reference. A carrier will be a better choice for this trail. From the parking lot, you will walk down the sidewalk and cross the road to get to the Look Rock Tower Trailhead. The trail spans just under a mile and remains paved throughout its entirety, providing a smooth and gentle hike. 4.1 km Official MapQuest website, find driving directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions. Approaching Look Rock Tower Parking Area | Photo: Marc Bowman. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Take your binoculars with you to see further into the distance. The hillside the trails are on is taken care of in the form of weed abatement and miles of U-channel to . The blue hue is amazing. 4,600' Down Look Rock Campground is located along the beautiful Foothills Parkway West. Designation: National Register of Historic Places Located atop Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains (6,643'), Clingmans Dome Tower is a prominent destination in the 800+ square mile Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Its also great for little boys to play on. Fall is great for foliage. Each campsite has a picnic table, tent pad, and fire ring. Its quite the panorama, to put it mildly: stretching from the high crest of the Great Smokies out across the Tennessee Valley to the uplands of the Cumberland Plateau beyond. Your gift purchase was successful! - Bring a snack Looking forward to reading more of your fantastic articles and potentially collaborating in the future. Get to know this 9.1-mile loop trail near Summerhaven, Arizona. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. It offers a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station. This short, half mile (1 mile round trip), out and back trail, is popular because of the 360 views it provides of the Smoky Mountains from the observation tower. www.Twitter.com/GreatSmokyNPS Look Rock Tower Trail will always be one of our familys favorite quick and easy hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains. The tower was icy in spots from recent snow. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites. E@H6C[ 2? Some sites will accommodate tents only, while other sites will accommodate large camper trailers. Threats of harming another 33.75 m Down, 24.5 mi Receive a free weekly newsletter with money advice from Nerdwallet and Dave Ramsey, plus market reports and Blount business news. And of course, be sure to take a few pictures while you are up there. On a clear day, the visibility can provide 100-miles of remarkable memories! Not only did I hike this trail often when I was growing up, but Matt and I have been taking our kids on this trail since they were itty-bitty. Another one of our familys favorite things to do when I was growing up was to go to the Look Rock Picnic area. Thanks for stopping by! 56.52 m Up Also, depending on the season, the views will be slightly different. The views were beautiful! Something else? If youre here during the off-season, you may well have this epic panorama to yourself! Here is link to a web cam located near the tower: Elijah Oliver Trail via Abrams Falls Trailhead, Abram Falls, Hatcher Mountain, Cooper Road and Wet Bottom Loop, Rabbit Creek Trail to Abrams Falls Trail Loop, Abrams Falls and Little Bottoms to Abrams Creek Campground, Blackberry Farm Boundary Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY]. A good one to go to if clingmans done is to busy for you! Its a little off the beaten path. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 8.2 km The looks out over the lowlands to the north are also amazing, if less dramatic. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. - Wear appropriate footwear Read More Download the Outbound mobile app Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. 550' Up On your navigation app, put in directions to Foothills Parkway Southwest Parking #6, Foothills Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37803 and that will get you to the exact parking area that you need to be at to easily access the trailhead. There are only a few opportunities throughout the park to have this kind of view of the Smokies without having to trek very far! Safety First: Due to the windy conditions often experienced at Look Rock Tower, exercise caution, particularly if you are visiting with small children. Visitor looking for scenic roadways will not be disappointed. 167.56 m Up Of course, each family has its own unique needs. 107 m Up From this trailhead the trip to the summit is 5.2 miles one way (11.2 roundtrip) and fairly strenuous in difficulty. Look Rock Tower Trail Easy/Intermediate 3.5 (4) Areas TN Eastern TN Great Smoky Mountains National Park - TN Plan with onX Backcountry " A short paved trail up to the Look Rock Observation Tower " David Hitchcock OpenMapTiles OSM 0.4 Miles Point to Point 2,643' High 2,476' Low 166' Up 1' Down 7% Avg Grade (4) 18% Max Grade (10) Toolbox 1. Look Rock Tower Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Nearby is the section of State Route 129 know as "The Tail of the Dragon". If you look closely, you can even get a glimpse of Fort Loudon Lake on a clear day. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hikers paradise. 24m Hike from the Foothills Parkway to the Look Rock Tower (observation). Join us as we explore this must-see destination that guarantees an unforgettable experience. The Look Rock Tower serves as a public observation tower, an air quality monitoring site, and hosts radio equipment that serves Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blount County Sheriffs Office, Ft. Loudon Electric Cooperative, and the USDA Forest Service. Although the picturesque setting of the trail is satisfying on its own, its not the main event. Site 34, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 11, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 66, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric, Site 16, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 40, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 42, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 44, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 26, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 55, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 63, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric, Site 64, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric, Site 1, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 12, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 8, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 35, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 3, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 33, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 15, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 24, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 65, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric, Site 22, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 45, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 5, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 28, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 69, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 21, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 10, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 14, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 39, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 50, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 7, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 4, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 32, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 6, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 31, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 54, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 53, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 57, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 13, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 47, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 36, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 49, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 48, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 19, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 9, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 18, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 27, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 23, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 52, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 61, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 17, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 29, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 30, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 62, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric, Site 59, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 25, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 20, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric, Site 51, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. 6>2:= %9FCD52J] xE :D @FC 46?EC2= 9F3 7@C 4@>>F? Heintooga Picnic Area at Balsam Mountain, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Auto Tour, Three Big Reasons You Should Not Feed Bears, 38. Look Rock Tower Trail, nestled within the majestic Great Smoky Mountains, is a true highlight of the enchanting Foothills Parkway. 34.02 m Up This strenuous hike is 11.1 miles roundtrip and includes 3045 feet of elevation gain. Reservations which exceed the 14 consecutive day limit may be cancelled and refunded. The outcropping is clearly visible from Castle Rock to Woodland Park. :42E:@?D]k^Am, kAm{@@< #@4< %@H6C :D 2 AF3=:4 @3D6CG2E:@? Register now for FREE. Sometimes you may feel like you need to hang on to something. Beautiful views definitely worth the short but steep hike. Not only is the trail paved and well maintained, but it is wide enough that you can walk beside your child. Easy. We will stay up at the top and explore for about 10 minutes or so before we head back down. Sometimes the best finds are a little off the beaten path. The Foothills Parkway West offers a relaxing drive through the high country, with many scenic pulloffs along the way. - DO NOT approach wildlife The Look Rock Tower Trail is by far the closest (and shortest) hiking trail to us in the Great Smoky Mountains. As an Amazon Associate CaddyWampus Life earns from qualifying purchases. Thats true of the Foothills Parkway in general, really. One of the remarkable aspects of Look Rock is its accessibility and the tranquility it offers compared to other destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains area. The upgrade is expected to improve radio communications across the park. There are many opportunites for unique and scenic drives in the area. Click here to get your free checklist of, best scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains, Hike Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Little Greenbrier School, Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains, Laurel Falls Trail Hike to Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains, Spruce Flats Falls Hike Great Smoky Mountains, Cataract Falls A Beginner Waterfall Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains, Deep Creek Waterfalls Hike in the Smokies, The Foothills Parkway Visiting the Missing Link, Tips for Visiting Clingmans Dome in the Fall, 10 Fun Things to Do in the Florida Keys with Kids, Support the Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui, Hawaii. This is one of the best zoomed-out looksyoull get of the Great Smokies, given the slight remove and elevated vantage provided by Look Rock. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. It is a great family-friendly hike to introduce your kids to hiking and will hopefully be a great foundation for building a love of hiking! It provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas. Here are a few of our favorite pocket guides that we recommend for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains: For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here! Written by: Brittany Mendez Local Expert's Rating: 4.5 / 5 ? Invalid password or account does not exist. It really is a very peaceful place to spend a few minutes soaking in the sunshine and the beautiful sights. The left side of the tower features the sweeping ridges of The Great Smoky Mountains, while the right side features expansive views of the Tennessee Valley. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Hawks Pointe and Muir Trails. This unique section of roadway offers scenic views and features 318 curves in 11 miles. Mount Cammerer: The Hike & History Of The Lookout Tower - PigeonForge.com The park stay limit is 14 consecutive days. For more information about temporary road, facility, and trail closures, . The sides are rather low at the top so be sure to keep a close eye on the kiddos! Look Rock Tower, Maryville, Tennessee - The Outbound Look Rock Tower: 45 Reviews, Map - Tennessee | AllTrails Head on up the ramps to the top of the viewing platform to get some amazing panoramic views of the Smokies. Once at the top the tower offers stunning 360 views. www.Instagram.com/GreatSmokyNPS For additional information about these firewood regulations, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/frontcountry-camping. The parking area for the Look Rock Trail along the Foothills Parkway delivers its own impressive views, but theyre just the prelude. Explore! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Reservation Required! Some of the points of interest are Clingmans Dome, Mt. Look Rock Observation Tower & Trail by Erica Cardinal Foothills Parkway, known for its sweeping scenic views, is also home to the kid-friendly Look Rock observation tower and hiking trail. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Rated as a moderate trail, this enchanting trek covers a roundtrip distance of five miles and offers an exhilarating experience for outdoor enthusiasts. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. - We will never spam you and you can unsubscribe at anytime! (P.S. Maggies very first trek on this trail was at 4 months old. Recreation.gov! No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism To access the tower from the parking lot, walk to the back of the lot, away from the scenic overlook. Although the picnic area was closed in 2013, it just recently reopened for a short season in 2019. Devil's Head Lookout Trail takes you to a distinct granite rock outcropping in the front range west of Castle Rock. If youre an avid hiker and love exploring the great outdoors, then the Ramsey Cascades Trail should be on your bucket list. Along with Look Rock Tower, scientists use this air quality monitoring station to study the quality of the air. Take a minute to stop and read the sign. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Erica is a long-time resident of East TN and the founder of East TN Family Fun. Look Rock Tower Trail is a perfect beginner hike for the young and old (and everyone in-between!). Highlights: Scenic 360 Views. The boys have always loved this hike as well since they were little. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. and reservations. You can spend a little time walking around the parking lot area. About . If youre someone who craves the adrenaline rush of conquering challenging trails and yearns to immerse yourself in breathtaking natural beauty, then Gregory Bald Trail is the ultimate destination for you. Surface: Hard (Paved) Adults need to be careful as well, especially on windy days. Townsend is a quiet town worth visiting. Stroller and motorized chair accessible! Great paced trail. Being a jerk / offensive? From the towering observation platform, visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of the Smokies and the vast Tennessee Valley. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. - Bring fresh water And for more incredible views, be sure to take some time to drive on the Missing Link of the Foothills Parkway before or after your hike as it is one of the best scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains! Clingmans Dome Hike - Photos & High-Resolution Video - smokymountains.com