They aim to invite curiosity, explore different perspectives, ask questions, experiment & analyze, reflect on experience, and share new knowledge. Walker was an interesting sort; he was such a sharpshooter he'd be barred from shooting contests. This trail is arguably one of the best waterfall hikes in the national park since it features 3 large waterfalls and dozens of other smaller cascades to enjoy. Offer valid on remaining nights only. Furthermore, specific At the end of West Prong Trail, a hiker can take Greenbrier Ridge Trail up to the Appalachian Trail, near Derrick Knob Shelter.

While the waterfall will not yet be visible, youll certainly hear the falls as you reach the unmarked spur located behind a large boulder at a sharp, steep bend in the trail. For each of the fields, please provide the following information: After your first search, it isn't necessary to click the "search" button again as this feature will automatically filter your results for any new search features you provide, unless you change the date, the number of nights, or go to a new webpage. All of Upper Tremont Road is like a journey into stillness and nature. Though this hiking trail is not included on most trail maps, it is arguably one of the best short hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. By the 1970s, an environmental education center was established in the area by Maryville College. It begins where Panther Creek Trail comes in and climbs 2.5 miles through Campsite #26 and up to where Lynn Camp Prong Trail comes in. The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is an education-centered wildlife observation/outdoor reaction center. This peaceful forested trail is moderately difficult, but it is not too challenging for most hikers. Follow the bridge over Lynn Camp Prong and stay left on the main gravel road. 2022 Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. Its perfect for grabbing the attention of your viewers. Teacher Professional Development? Smokies Adventure This 2.7-mile trail winds up-mountain from the Tremont parking lot to access Bote Mountain Trail. At 2.3 miles, youll cross the junction with Panther Creek Trail on your left. Additionally, you clear your favorites list by clicking "remove all" on the favorites bar. At the Institute itself, there are many things of interest here, and you should visit the gift shop. Follow this trail for 0.1 miles and then take a right where the trail splits.

You'll find the trailhead for this hike near the Great Smoky Mountains Institute Visitor center. To this day, you can see evidence of past logging activity in the form of cables, railroad beams, and other metal items. This is also bear country, so be aware of this. Townsend agreed. Driving Directions: The trail progresses under a vine-draped canopy with rhododendron growing along the forest floor. Theres not much traffic on this road, since many people dont know about it and after you visit, youll hesitate to tell many people too. At 4 miles in, you'll find an unmarked side trail that leads to Indian Flats Falls.

At 2.1 miles in, you'll reach campsite 18, a picturesque area complete with a meandering mountain stream and a log footbridge. On Tremont Road just before you reach the Tremont Institute, you'll find the trailhead for the West Prong Trail. This is the spot to explore, rest up, eat lunch, and just enjoy the surroundings. Don't worry, we won't send spam! The institute at Tremont is all about experiental learning and connecting people with nature. Maryville College established Tremont Environmental Education Center in Walker Valley in 1969 with the purpose of providing a direct approach to understanding and educating about the environment and ecology of the surrounding mountains.

Step into an outdoor classroom and let your students explore and learn outside the walls of the school! We invite all ages to step away from their daily routine and join us for an adventure in the Smokies. In April, dwarf irises, trilliums, jack-in-the-pulpits, violets and other wildflowers carpet the forest floor. The Institute is a residential center for young kids to learn the ways of the forest world, and the national park, with hands-on teaching. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. He set up a base camp for logging around Middle Prong - where Lynn Camp & Thunderhead Prong meet. He helped families during the Civil War by going house to house and chopping firewood and doing chores. If you'd like to stay overnight at this campsite, be sure to get a permit from the national park service and read up on backcountry camping regulations for the Smoky Mountains. 2006-2021 Smokies Adventure / Woodyear McElroy Properties, LLC.

Big warning: there's not cell service out there! By checking the box next to your selected rentals, you can compare up to three properties. the products, vendors, consultants, or businesses referenced in these web pages. Tremont Road begins from the road leading to Cades Cove very shortly after you leave the Townsend Wye. Whether youre seeking more information on wilderness emergency medical or just looking for a fun family adventure, youll find the perfect workshop that fits your needs.

In partnership with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, our mission is to deliver experiential learning for youth, educators, and adults through programs that promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and effective teaching, and leadership.

The largest of these is about 30-ft. tall and it cascades into a shallow pool that's perfect for soaking your feet in on a nice summer day. Compare Favorites For demanding workflows or managing a high number of websites, you can ap twitter.com/i/web/status/1. The Tremont area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful place to drive, hike, fish, swim and simply enjoy the outstanding natural scenery and the quiet. Insider Tips: Gather on the SMOC porch for social hour with special guests from Tremont Institute on Friday, June 24th to join in on conversation about wildlife sightings, get updates and information on hiking trails, and learn about what types of plants and animal life to look for this season in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To the left of this building, you'll see a sign for the Lumber Ridge trailhead. The Civilian Conservation Corps converted what was left of the Little River railroad beds into roads and trails. After making a right turn towards Cades Cove, drive a few hundred yards and take a left at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Miry Ridge Trail is an extension of Jakes Creek Trail, coming out of Elkmont. and give us insights into user behavior so we can improve our communications and products. Explore these articles to learn more about fun e -, Make the most of your vacation in the Smoky Mountains with our tips and tricks! The grade steadily increases as the trail makes several sharp left-hand switchbacks followed by a right-hand switchback. Meigs Creek Trail goes a total of 3.5 miles from the The Sinks, near Little River Road to Lumber Ridge Trail and Meigs Mountain Trail junction. Head southwest from the Townsend Y junction of Little River Road and TN 73 towards Cades Cove. Please be patient, this may take a minute. All Rights Reserved.

Walker eventually sired around 26 children. The lower Tremont area was home to a logging town, while other areas like the Upper Middle Prong Trail was once a railroad grade for hauling timber from the mountains. You can rent bikes in Townsend see our guide to Mountain Biking in the Smokies for the lowdown on the whole region and check out Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center in Townsend for bikes (and river tubing!). No pets and no bikes are allowed on this trail. This trail is rated moderate and not too hard. Sign up for our newsletter! 2022 Visit My Smokies, The ONLY site you need to plan your Smoky Mountain vacation, is a website owned and operated by Sevier County, Tennessee. The first half of this road is paved, but it eventually turns to gravel. This could be a great taste of wilderness adventure without much exposure to the rigors of the wild. )A completed waiver is required for participation in this event. Everything You Need to Know About the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, exciting things to do in the national park, 5 Thrilling Smoky Mountain Attractions That Feature Rope Courses, About Parson Branch Road: A Less Crowded Scenic Drive in the Smoky Mountains, 5 Water Attractions in the Smoky Mountains Your Kids Will Enjoy. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? Tremont also provides access to many hiking trails, and the visitor center staff is very welcoming. At 3.9 miles, youll reach the unmarked trail spur to upper Indian Flats Falls. Townsend had to give Walker his word that he wouldn't log the trees along Thunderhead Prong. web site are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency and/or suitability of all information. However, only the uppermost drop is easily accessible. We treat any information that you share as confidential. First, park near the visitor center and walk up a paved road to the Tremont Complex. You can also connect to the Elkmont campground area and Little River Trail from here, getting all the way to The Sinks at Little River Road (not to be confused with the Trail). After two miles, youll pass the Great Smokey Mountains Institute at Tremont on your left before the road changes to gravel. After half a mileon the trail,the road swings to the left at the largest set of cascades for the Lynn Camp Prong, revealing one of the Smokies most photographed locations. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. Its an excellent place, and the people there know lots of things its a place where could get a lot of good advice to save you time and expand your experience of the park. Learn more and register online at www.gsmit.org. After a short drive (0.2 mile), turn left onto Tremont Road. We believe that education creates lasting positive change for people and our planet. Under the favorites tab on the search bar, you can view your selected favorites. It is surrounded by miles of trails, a rushing river, a gorgeous waterfall, and a half million acres of mountains and forests. At 0.6 miles in you'll reach Lynn Camp Falls. Their mission is achieved through residential programs, research that complements their learning lab, community engagement and advocacy for outdoor learning. As a result, you can explore the treasures of Tremont without having to deal with the crowds. Here is everything you need to know about the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont: Tremont Institute has partnered with many local Smoky Mountain communities to strengthen youth education and educator preparedness by increasing access to the great outdoors. Sign-up to get the latest news and update information. At the end of Upper Tremont Road, the richness of possibilities begins to make itself known. Instead, enjoy a short break at the uppermost falls, snap a few photos, and then return to the trailhead by reversing your route. Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. Photography? [Show Map]. All paved roads in the park AND this 3-mile gravel stretch allow bikes. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. Youll have to scramble over boulders and under rhododendron thickets in order to reach the additional drops, which is inadvisable even in the best weather. Its quite narrow for driving, but its wide open for walking, with a decent shoulder, and with little traffic (because no one tells anyone about this place). From backpacking in the wilderness to studying the lives of the Smokies wildlife, there are tons of fun activities to take part in. Townsend sold his Little River tract to the GSMNP Commission in 1926 with the agreement that he could continue logging the area for 15 more years. The Quiet Walkways in the national park are special places that park rangers have chosen as a short walk that plunges deep into nature, and many of them are very easy. Tremont is a region of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that's only a short drive from Gatlinburg, TN. Looking for other ways to experience the Smokies? Join the YPK Outdoor Affinity Group for a group hike at the beautifulk Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. To access West Prong Trail, go across the bridge to the gravel parking lot on the other side of the road. After hiking 0.4 miles, you'll reach Lower Lynn Camp Falls, a 35-ft waterfall. Backpacking? About | Privacy Policies | Business Resources | Sitemap | Made with by IMEG. -Bear activity is common along the Middle Prong Trail, especially in the fall. This trail is 3.7 miles long and connects to Miry Ridge Trail. best short hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Five Stores: Exploring the Village in Gatlinburg, Vacation Tips: Top 5 Sandwich Shops in Gatlinburg. Indian Flats Falls is a series of four modest waterfalls, each approximately 10 to 15 feet high. This moderate difficulty level hike along the Lynn Camp Prong to the scenic Indian Flats Falls is the quintessential Smoky Mountains stream hike. They host multiple Teacher Escape weekends throughout the year, in addition to three Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Programs (SANCP), backpacking trips, photography workshops and geology workshops. The trail switchbacks 4.2 miles up the mountain. Young Professionals of Knoxville -All rights reserved | YPK Photo & Video Disclaimer, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Keep an eye out for potential sightings while hiking. 2022 - SmokyMountains.com. Tremont Institute delivers experiential learning for youth, educators, and adults through programs that promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and effective teaching and leadership. You could actually just walk anywhere you wanted and find a trail. Users of this Tremont has it all. They began hosting youth conservation corps during the summer in th '70s, and by 1980 the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association took control of the center. Note that bikes are not allowed on the trail. There are camps for younger kids and families (ages 4-9), kids (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13-17). There are some great swimming holes too, so your family could actually park at the first suitable place and walk along the road or river, exploring this part of the area. Experience nature's beauty to the fullest by visiting one of the top four parks in Gatlinburg, TN, for the perfect addition to your Smokies getaway.

He kept more than 100 bee stands (didn't use a mask or smoke to tend them) and sold honey in Tuckaleechee, where he was born. Maggie Valley, NC 28751, The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Arrival: When you arrive, drive past the welcome center and main parking lot past the stop sign that says "registered guests only" - there's a big parking lot on the right that will be best for everyone to meet at. Indian Flats Falls includes four separate scenic drops. This road is open for bicycles, by the way NOT the trails of course. -The nearest restrooms are located at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. A small community developed in the Middle Prong area called Walker Valley, home to tenant farmers, gristmills, and growth. Click here to Learn how to promote your outdoor content. Call toll free 866-347-6659 for details.

Happy Birthday to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! See winners from every year of the contest. Tremont is an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that predates the park's establishment. Check out our great selection of cabins in Gatlinburg, Tennessee for your vacation! After about 4 miles, an unmarked spur leads off the trail to the right, but youll hear the rushing water of the Falls. -While the best time to hike Indian Flats Falls is spring or fall, the trail is a fun, enjoyable hike any time of year.

Once you find your perfect rental for the right date, simply click "book now" to begin the booking process. The entire Tremont area is a web of hiking trails leading into stunning natural scenery, and all the trails we mention here connect with numerous other trails and scenic destinations. The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont recently announced that they plan on beginning construction on a second location soon! The lumber company bought 86,000 acres around Elkmont all the way to the slopes of Clingmans Dome. They encourage youth to discover personal connections to nature and hope these same young people engage in educational practices that cultivate curiosity, leadership, social skills and academic motivation. Your kids will be able to engage in an in-depth summer learning experience that will give them a new appreciation for their environment and the importance of being good stewards towards the Earth. Tremont Institute holds workshops for all ages and interests. businesses, or services on the Cabins USA Gatlinburg web site is for informational purposes only.

Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. Are you feeling hungry? Continue straight on the main road. It leads to Campsite 18, a back-country camping site that is totally gorgeous some would call it the most beautiful campsite in the park. Though Tremont is not the most popular or well-known area of the national park, that is probably a good thing. This event is free and open to all ages. When you get to the Institute, look for the trailhead to Spruce Flats Falls.

See our guide to the Quiet Walkways of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for descriptions of some of them, including this one, the West Prong. View ListTo see all of your favorite rentals on one page, simply click "view list". After doing this, you will have to perform a new availability search.The number next to the favorites tab is the number of properties you have selected. Questions, comments or suggestionsplease let us know in the form below, and we will be in touch quicker than apple butter runin down an Apple Valley Biscuit! Park here for the trailhead. The well-maintained trail continues along the Indian Flats Prong. This moderately difficult 2-mile round-trip hike goes to Spruce Flats Falls, an excellent multi-tiered waterfall that's quite photogenic. Complimentary refreshments will be available from the Dancing Bean Coffeehouse. Running from the junction of Meigs Mountain Trail and Lumber Ridge Trail. During the drive, there are tree-shaded parking areas located around the loop allowing visitors to park for a picnic or access to the Middle Prong Trailhead. It was quite the controversy at the time. Be sure to pack your camera! The road follows alongside the Little River and later the Middle Prong of the Little River, and there are several pull-offs along the way to park and walk to the river. This 2.3-mile trail comes off Middle Prong Trail, leading to Tremont, and connects to Jakes Creek Trail at Jakes Gap. Please Note: Cabins USA Gatlinburg's area information, The story of Tremont as a settlement starts with William Walker and his wife settling in the Middle Prong area around 1859. Explore the most visited national park in the country. At 3.5 miles, cross a bridge over Indian Flats Prong. Hiking in the Smokies today you might come across the remains of an old skidder cable or railroad tie. Before 1934, it was a small logging town.

Try one of our picks for the top 5 sandwich shops in Gatlinburg on your next Smokies getaway! Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is located four miles from the Townsend, Tennessee entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. area events, and blog pages are provided as a public service. If youre a hiker, pick up a map and spend some time here. Indian Flats Falls comprises four tiers of waterfall, not all visible at once, and not exceptionally dramatic, but very lovely. From there, it climbs another 2.5 miles to the Appalachian Trail, between Cold Spring Knob and Buckeye Gap, making the trail 5 miles in length. Better yet, The Middle Prong Trail also features several excellent waterfalls and cascades.

Walker did not like the idea of a large scale logging operation in his valley, but after suffering a stroke in 1918, he agreed to sell the Middle Prong land to Townsend - on one condition. Starting at the end of the West Prong Trail junction with Greenbrier Ridge Trail, Lynn Camp Prong Trail heads toward Campsite #28.

In fact, while this road is nice to drive, there are lots of sights that are better to explore on foot! -, Copyright 2013-2022, Cabins USA Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg, TN. But just before you get there youll find the trailhead for the West Prong Trail. View the main Smoky Mountain Trails here, Bounce rate & cart abandonment does adversely affect sales & should cause you to rethink your design strategy. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree At a recent fundraising event, the institutes president and CEO Catey McClary, explained how they have a really bold vision for the new campus and hope to continue educating people about the environment and land around them! Not available for existing reservations. For more information please read our privacy policy. In good weather, turn Indian Flats Falls into a bike-hike combo trip. Today, this section of the park is home to The Great Smoky Mountains Institute, a non-profit outdoor education organization that offers a variety of programs for children and adults. This route follows the Middle Prong of the Little River. Near Wears Valley, Upper Tremont Road provides the perfect setting for a scenic drive, especially during the peak of fall. You will notice that the "+" has now changed to a "-". By the 20th century, logging operations had begun in the area. Proceed a few hundred feet over rocks to reach the base of the uppermost set of Indian Flats Falls. This is a hidden gem (in an entire area of hidden gems) that you may wish to hike to see our guide to Spruce Flats Falls: Beauty Worth Hiking For for the full story. They believe that by empowering people to explore their role in the environment, that communities will benefit from the increased knowledge and experiences that go hand-in-hand with outdoor education. If you keep on, youll get to the Institute. The hike to the falls begins behinds the end of Tremont Road and follows an old railroad grade built by Little River Lumber Company in the early 1900s. This lesser-used hike is primarily used by backcountry campers to reach campsite 18, but it's also an excellent day hike! Whether youre looking to take your little ones on an adventure to the Smokies or sending your teen on a fun summer trip with their friends, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has a summer camp option for you! If youre a teacher or school administrator, you should definitely consider taking your kids on a field trip with the Tremont Institute. In these workshops youll learn all about what makes the Smokies so special and how you can work to ensure the beauty of these mountains is still around for years to come.