Early morning is not worth getting up for unless it is a Smoky Mountain sunrise that you can get up to see, and this one doesn’t require an hour or more of driving in the dark to get to. Guests at Cove Creek RV Resort in Wears Valley have easy access to elevated vantage points, mountain roads, and peaceful areas to catch the first light on the ridges.
The Foothills Parkway is very convenient because of the resort’s location at 3293 Wears Valley Road. Early risers who want to avoid the busier tourist areas around Gatlinburg can head west toward scenic locations on the quieter side of the Smokies. Here are a couple of the best places to catch a sunrise near Wears Valley:
Foothills Parkway Overlooks Near Wears Valley
The nearest and easiest is the Wears Valley section of the Foothills Parkway. The parkway begins only a few miles west of Cove Creek RV Resort, and ascends above the valley with several pull-outs for expansive views of the surrounding mountains.
If you’re looking for an even more special kick-off to the day, but don’t wish to get up early to do a Smoky Mountain dawn hike. The Walland-to-Wears Valley stretch is about 14.75 miles long with an elevation rise of almost 2,500 feet near Caylor Gap. Avoid choosing one view in particular, arriving early, and being in a safe vantage point that overlooks the sky as it brightens.
Look Rock Observation Tower
Look Rock Observation Tower gives you a view from above and is one of the best sunrise spots on the west side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The view is panoramic across the mountains, but, unlike a roadside overlook, getting to the tower involves more planning.
The National Park Service lists the paved Look Rock Tower Trail as 0.8 miles round trip. Although short, the route includes uphill sections. You will be walking before the sun comes up, so take a headlamp or flashlight and wear appropriate footwear. In exchange, this is a high point from which to see the mountains and Blount County.
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area
You don’t have to go high in elevation to see a sunrise. The Little River is not the only way to enjoy an early morning experience at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. The entrance to this section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is easy by car from Cove Creek RV Resort, through the Wears Valley.
The nearby trees and river will make it impossible to see the same long-distance view as the Foothills Parkway, although the early morning light can make for a quiet scene along the river. It is perfect for people who want a quiet Smoky Mountain morning, instead of a high elevation vantage point.
Scenic Views Around Wears Valley
It’s not always necessary to come into the national park and have a beautiful start to the day. Ridges surround Wears Valley, and the upper portions of the area’s local roads have great views when the sun appears in the mountains.
It’s best to park at approved public pull-offs or parking lots, not along single carriageways or private land. There is often fog in the morning, and this can make all the difference in Smokies viewings. Sometimes fog obscures distant peaks; on other mornings, it settles into the valleys below and creates layered mountain views.
If you are interested in Spring Wildfire viewing here is a guide for you. Spring Wildfire Viewing Guide
Plan Your Sunrise from Cove Creek RV Resort
Depending on the type of morning you desire, the best sunrise place will vary. Foothills Parkway is perfect for a roadside overlook, Look Rock is a short hike with a “high vantage point”, and Metcalf Bottoms is a quieter riverside location.
It is much simpler to make these early excursions from Cove Creek RV Resort, which is located on the far side of the Smokies, rather than a drive from the other side of the mountains. See a sunrise over the Smoky Mountains and come back to your RV to make breakfast and get everything done that you want to see during the day in the national park, Townsend, Pigeon Forge, or the Wears Valley area.
Check road conditions, review weather forecast, and find out the sunrise time before departing. Take a light source and a warm layer if you plan to arrive before daylight. There are a number of scenic routes near the resort that can make the trip a memorable part of your Smoky Mountains vacation.