Communities

About Townsend TN

Townsend TN has the closest entrance to Cades Cove of any town near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Serene and beautiful, Townsend is referred to as the peaceful side of the Smokies, and has much to offer the Smokies visitor who is looking to get away from their busy life.

What many people don’t know is that Townsend is continuing to grow year after year.

Though it is still a quiet area of the Great Smoky Mountains, Townsend TN has a growing number of businesses catering to visitors. Townsend features local restaurants, great attractions and perfect places to view wildlife. The Little River runs right through town, so Townsend is a great place to find white water rafting, too. There are also stores and rental companies that cater to those going tubing, kayaking and fishing.

Townsend TN Cabin Rentals

There’s so many great places to stay when you visit Townsend! There are hundreds of Townsend TN cabin rentals, cottages and chalets. Staying in a cabin is the best way to experience the Smoky Mountain area because you get the chance to truly be a part of the area for your stay. When you stay in a cabin, you can wake up and sit on the porch to enjoy the scenery and the fresh mountain air.

Townsend TN Horseback Riding

Townsend TN horseback riding is a popular attraction because you’re able to see the Smoky Mountains from a different point of view. You’ll ride through the mountains and, especially in the fall season, you’ll be able to see the beautiful red, yellow and orange leaves through the trees.

Several stables provide horseback riding near Townsend. Among those stables are the Cades Cove Riding Stables.

History of Townsend TN

Near the beginning of the last century, Townsend TN was a logging town named Tuckaleechee Cove. Later, it was renamed for Col. W B. Townsend, the president of the Little River Lumber Company and the Little River Railroad. At that time, the logging industry was the principal industry not only in Tuckaleechee Cove, but in all the Great Smoky Mountains. Thankfully, much of the land that was logged and scarred is now one of the healthiest forested ecosystems on the planet, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

The Little River Railroad Lumber Company Museum

When in Townsend, you might notice an old railroad engine. That is the engine that took loggers and logs up and down the steep Smoky Mountains around Townsend. Near the train engine there is the Little River Railroad Lumber Company Museum which tells about the early days in Townsend.

Are you ready to start planning your vacation to Townsend? Take a look at all of the cabin rentals near Townsend TN for your getaway!