A Relaxed Guide to Foothills Parkway | Wears Valley Cabins

One of the most popular drives throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas is the awe-inspiring Foothills Parkway. Since completion, the Foothills Parkway has become the “must-do” auto-tour in the Smokies following a close second to Cades Cove and Historic Roaring Fork Nature Trail. Our cabins in Wears Valley are a 3-minute drive to the now completed “Missing Link” of the Foothills Parkway allowing our guests quick access to sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing. Additionally, we have cabins in Pigeon Forge that are a mere 8-15 minutes from the heart of Wears Valley making these cabins another wonderful selection of cabins that are close to the Foothills Parkway 

Book your stay either by phone at 888-991-9040 or online at https://www.heartlandrentals.com/. We offer an online chat if you would like one on one assistance without having to call. If you prefer email correspondence, you may reach us at reservations@heartlandrentals.com. 

Very Brief History of the Foothills Parkway

Congress was actively planning and approving national parks all throughout the country and North Carolina was given the go-ahead to begin construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway- although the plans created showed zero connectivity to Tennessee. Over some time, Frank Maloney, the Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association Vice President, began to petition and lobby for a connected parkway that showcased the beauty of the newly founded, conserved, and protected Great Smoky Mountains National Park which borders North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Within a few years, GSMCA Maloney swayed congress to be in favor and approve the plans for Tennessee’s Foothills Parkway in 1944.

Parkway Sections Explained

As we all know, not everything always goes according to plan. The original plans of the Foothills Parkway were to be comprised of 8 sections with each next section to begin construction once the previous section was completed.

Here are the sections in better detail:

  • 8A – US 321 connection to Cosby – 5.6 miles
  • 8B – Cosby connection to Pitman Center – 14.1 miles
  • 8C – Pitman Center connection to US 441 – 9.6 miles
  • 8D – US 441 connection to Wears Valley – 9.8 miles
  • 8E – Wears Valley connection to Carr Creek – 9.7 miles
  • 8F – Carr Creek connection to Walland – 6.1 miles
  • 8G – Walland connection to Look Rock – 10.1 miles
  • 8H – Look Rock connection to Chilhowee Lake – 6.9 miles

Sections 8A, 8G, and 8H were completed in the 1960s. Once the 1970s rolled around, this project began running into financial backing issues. No funds mean no construction. Construction was halted until 1984 when the construction of section 8E and section 8F began. However, this construction too was halted for several years to come due to unforeseen erosion issues caused by nearby streams. One fine day in December 2018, section 8E and section 8F were revisited, constructed to be structurally sound, and was also given a new name. Section 8E will be forever known as “The Missing Link” which we all know was the gap that kept the Foothills Parkway from being fully whole.

East Side of Foothills Parkway

The east side of the Foothills Parkway directs from Interstate 40 and connects to Cosby, Tennessee. This section is known as section 8A, which was the first section to be constructed and completed. Along this road, there are many offerings to bear witness to: Mount Cammerer Overlook, English Mountain Overlook, and Stone Mountain Overlook. Once you reach the end of 8A, you will come across a small community in Cosby (don’t blink or you’ll miss it!). Once you reach this point, this is where section 8B will exist to connect in the future.

West Side of Foothills Parkway

The east side of Foothills Parkway is actually divided into sections. There is a southern section and a northern section. Section 8G’s southern section is comprised of 8G and 8H. Section 8G’s northern section is comprised of 8E and 8F. Some of THE BEST overlooks are found here: Gregory Bald Overlook, Great Smoky Mountains Overlook, Cumberland Plateau Overlook, and Look Rock. Look Rock is a designated picnic and rest area with restrooms and offers a mini hike to an overlook that allows you to stretch your legs and be out of the car for a while without having to sacrifice scenery.

Hey, wait a second before you go! Be sure to check our Current Cabin Specials, Deals, and Discounts to see if your stay qualifies for a special discount! Book your cabin in Gatlinburg with Heartland Rentals for a memorable moment in the mountains.