The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Foothills Parkway is a scenic drive on the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but it is not one continuous route. The National Park Service (NPS) lists three disconnected open sections totaling 22.5 miles within a planned 72-mile corridor. Choose a segment for your itinerary rather than expecting to drive the full parkway end to end. NPS describes it as “a beautiful scenic drive and offers a quieter Smokies experience.”
Is the Foothills Parkway open? Three sections are open, according to the NPS overview. How long is the Foothills Parkway? The planned corridor is 72 miles; the open drives have separate lengths and entry points.
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Choose a section based on your route
The three open drives are geographically separate. Their one-way lengths, approaches and stops differ, so use the segment that fits where you are coming from and what you want to see.
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| Section | One-way length | Entry points | Overlooks and notable stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilhowee Lake–Walland | 16.6 miles | US-129 by Chilhowee Lake and US-321 near Walland | 16 parking areas, including 14 scenic overlooks; Look Rock and Look Rock Tower |
| Walland–Wears Valley | Approximately 14.75 miles | US-321 south of Walland and the road northeast of Line Springs Road in Wears Valley | Ten waysides and overlooks; a seasonal roadside waterfall pull-off |
| Cosby–I-40 | 5.6 miles | Cosby Highway near US-321 and I-40 Exit 443 | Four overlooks; Green Mountain Overlook at mile 2.2 |
Lengths and access details are from the NPS overview and the agency’s west-section, middle-section and east-section pages. All distances are one way as listed by NPS.
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Chilhowee Lake to Walland: the longer western drive
This 16.6-mile section follows the ridge between US-129 near Chilhowee Lake and US-321 near Walland. Its outlooks vary: some face the Smokies and the Cades Cove area, while others look over farms in Millers Cove, Maryville and Alcoa. On clear days, the Cumberland Plateau may also be visible.
Stop at Look Rock
Look Rock is about 7.1 miles from the southern entrance. Improved viewing platforms and a short paved trail lead to Look Rock Tower. The lower viewing area is reached by stairs, and the tower ramp is steep, so the stop may not suit every visitor’s mobility needs. NPS notes a seasonal restroom at Look Rock Picnic Area.
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There are no trash cans at the parkway parking areas; pack out what you bring. Check the NPS western-section page for route details and facilities.
Walland to Wears Valley: a high ridge route
Completed in 2018, this approximately 14.75-mile section reaches nearly 2,500 feet near Caylor Gap. Its ten waysides and overlooks offer views toward the Smokies, Wears Valley and Townsend. One pull-off provides access to a seasonal roadside waterfall. Enter from US-321 south of Walland or from the road northeast of Line Springs Road in Wears Valley. Details are on the NPS middle-section page.
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Cosby to I-40: a short eastern scenic alternative
The 5.6-mile eastern section runs between Cosby Highway near US-321 and I-40 Exit 443. It climbs about 1,000 feet along Green Mountain and has four overlooks with views of Cherokee National Forest, Cosby Valley and Raines Knob. Green Mountain Overlook, at mile 2.2, faces southeast. NPS presents this section as a scenic alternative for travelers going to or from the park. See the NPS eastern-section page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the planned parkway remains unfinished
Congress authorized the Foothills Parkway as a scenic parkway on February 22, 1944. NPS calls it Tennessee’s oldest unfinished highway project; difficult terrain and funding that started and stopped over time delayed completion.
The Walland-to-Wears Valley roadway opened in 2018 through a partnership among the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration’s Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division and NPS. The NPS announcement put the project cost at $178 million and described the western roadway then open as 33 continuous miles from Chilhowee to Wears Valley. That is a historical description of the 2018 opening, not the current route overview: today’s overview lists three open sections totaling 22.5 miles. Read the 2018 NPS opening announcement alongside the current parkway overview.
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Plan for conditions, parking and access
- Check before setting out: Road conditions and closures can change. Consult the NPS road and conditions page close to departure; it cannot guarantee that a particular section will be open on a future date. Conditions can also differ between the lower foothills and mountain elevations.
- Get a parking tag if required: NPS requires a tag for any vehicle parked in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. The NPS fees page lists daily tags at $5, weekly tags at $15 and annual tags at $40. The park charges no entrance fee. Verify current rules and prices on that page before travel.
- Match stops to your needs: Facilities and access differ by section and pull-off. Look Rock has stairs to its lower viewing area and a steep tower ramp; its picnic-area restroom is seasonal. Do not assume every overlook or parking area is equally accessible.
- Use a map for the gaps: NPS presents Foothills Parkway East and West as distinct scenic drives. Its auto-touring guide points visitors to park maps and guides through Smokies Life, the park’s nonprofit partner. Confirm that any map you choose covers the section you plan to drive.
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