Last updated: September 16, 2024
Place
Foothills Parkway
Smokies Life Photo/Joye Ardyn Durham
Quick Facts
Location:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Enjoy a scenic drive with less crowding. The Foothills Parkway provides breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains. View highlights of the east and west sections on the Smokies trip planning map.
Congress authorized the Foothills Parkway as a scenic parkway on February 22, 1944. Of the seven Congressionally Mandated Parkways, the Foothills Parkway is the only remaining parkway yet to be completed. The entire 72-mile corridor is administered by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, however, only three segments totaling 22.5 miles are completed and open to the public. The parkway is the oldest unfinished highway project in Tennessee. Challenging terrain and funding starts and stops have challenged the completion of the parkway.
Check road closure information before your trip.
Congress authorized the Foothills Parkway as a scenic parkway on February 22, 1944. Of the seven Congressionally Mandated Parkways, the Foothills Parkway is the only remaining parkway yet to be completed. The entire 72-mile corridor is administered by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, however, only three segments totaling 22.5 miles are completed and open to the public. The parkway is the oldest unfinished highway project in Tennessee. Challenging terrain and funding starts and stops have challenged the completion of the parkway.
Check road closure information before your trip.