Great Smoky Mountains Byway

You can get to the Great Smoky Mountains Byway from exit 81 to Lenoir City from I-75, and take it all the way to I-26 in Johnson City, and all along the way you find endless panoramic views, roadside eateries, outdoor recreation outposts, craft hubs and more.

Below are the following documents:

• Byway Map
• Byway Brochure
• Points of interest with GPS coordinates by county
• Full list of local festivals

For detailed information for each county such as festivals, places to stay, restaurants, attractions, historical sites and more, simply use the navigational pane on the right.

     The eclectic mix of points of interest is what makes the Great Smoky Mountains Byway so distinctive. This area is home to birthplace of country music with the likes of Dolly Parton in Sevier County and the Carter sisters in Washington County, as well as the storytelling capital in Jonesborough with annual festivals and gatherings of the most talented American troubadours. There is a rich Civil War history along the Byway, with the National Campground in Loudon County and Andrew Johnson's deep roots in Greeneville and the Reconstruction. 

     This region is of course steeped in the history of Native Americans, including the independence, oppression and rebirth of the Cherokee Nation. Historic Downtowns dot the corridor, and the area is the cradle of the American Craft Revival, filled with artisans and craftsmen throughout the region, and concentrated in areas like the 8-mile loop of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg.

     Given the name Great Smoky Mountains Byway, visitors would be remiss to miss the ancient mountains, roaring waters, endless trails and boundless flora and fauna of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the United States.

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