Sugarlands (GSMNP)

The Sugarlands area of Great Smoky Mountain National Park is located in Sevier County.  Being close to the resort town of Gatlinburg, this area is one of the most popular in the park.  The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the main visitor center on the Tennessee side of the park.  Roaring Fork Nature Trail is a one-way motor trail with access to hiking trail and numerous scenic waterfalls.  Trails heading up over 6,000 feet to Mount LeConte are also available from this area.

Map:

Trails:

Baskins Creek Trail

Baskins Creek Trail leads 2.7 miles connecting with Roaring Fork Motor Trail in two spots passing a cemetery and waterfall.

Rainbow Falls Trail

Rainbow Falls Trail starts from a large parking area near the end of Cherokee Orchard Road and leads up to its namesake and then on to Mount LeConte.

Points of Interest:

Baskins Creek Cemetery

There is a small cemetery located off Baskins Creek Trail.

Baskins Creek Falls

Baskins Creek Falls is a 40-foot waterfall on a tributary of Baskins Creek.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is a 75-foot waterfall on LeConte Creek.

Wildlife:

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)

Slender false foxglove (Agalinis tenuifolia)

Bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa)

Giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea)

Mica cap (Coprinellus micaceus)

Honey fungus (Armillaria mellea)

Queen crater snail (Appalachina chilhoweensis)

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Black bear (Ursus americanus)

Blog Entries:

18-Sep-2024: Rainbow Falls

16-Sep-2024: Day in Gatlinburg

04-Aug-2024: Surf & Turf