So Much To Do & So Little Time

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.”

John Muir

Here’s the short version: There’s plenty to do near Moon Shadow Lodge.

Townsend, Tennessee

Your Smoky Mountains vacation begins in Townsend, Tennessee. A mere ten minutes from the lodge, Townsend is on your way to the park. It’s the perfect place to stock up on groceries, fishing gear, or beef jerky. What trip to the mountains is complete without beef jerky?

For more information about Townsend, click here.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Each year, GSMNP draws more visitors than any other national park. You’ve got to experience this hiker’s paradise for yourself. Over 800 miles of maintained trails cater to casual day hikers to serious backcountry aficionados. The park also offers car camping, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and auto touring.

Visit http://www.nps.gov/grsm/ for more information about this incredibly lush ecosystem. Scientists have identified over 17,000 species in the park’s 800 square miles and estimate that as many as 80,000 other species may live there. No other area of comparable size in a temperate climate even comes close to that biodiversity! Check out smokymountains.org to learn more about the region surrounding the park.

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Dollywood

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Dollywood are all within 30-40 minutes from the lodge. You can either drive through the park and hang a right at Sugarlands Visitor Center or you can take Wears Valley Road.

Tanger Outlets in Sevierville are very popular. Pottery Barn, J. Crew, and Nike are some of the favorites. My personal opinion is that the mountains are prettier than the parking lots!

Fishing in the Smoky Mountains

Moon Shadow Lodge is minutes away from Little River Outfitters, one of the best fly shops in the Southeast. The folks at LRO can tell you what the browns, ‘bows, and brookies have been hitting and where you can find them. They offer lessons and “schools” several times a month, March through October, and can recommend a good fishing guide.

You don’t need a trout stamp to fish inside the park, but you do need a valid Tennessee Hunting/Fishing combination or North Carolina license. You can purchase a resident or non-resident license at LRO. You can also buy just about anything related to fly fishing through their website and pay no shipping.

Gatlinburg Weather

The weather in the Smokies can change quickly the same as any other mountains. Check the forecast before you leave, and always pack a light rain jacket just in case. Click here to see The Weather Channel forecast for Gatlinburg, which has the same weather as Townsend.

Touring Cades Cove

The 11 miles of Cades Cove Loop are a must-see in the Smokies. The blue and purple mountains provide a backdrop for meadows, streams, and wildlife. You can drive, bike, or walk the loop, and stop to look at landmarks along the way, such as Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church, Elijah Oliver Place, and several barns. Bring a camera and lunch and have a picnic.

Riding on the Townsend Bike Trail

Townsend Bicycle Trail runs parallel to Hwy U.S. 321 for approximately nine miles. It's an easy paved trail with short hills, so it's great for beginners. You can stop along the way to take pictures, eat a meal, or shop. The Townsend Visitor Center has bikes if you need to get off and walk around. Download a well-designed PDF map by clicking here.

For more biking routes in the area, click here.

Horseback Riding

A number of outfitters offer guided horseback tours in the mountains. They range from 45 minutes to two hours, and typically cost from $20-25 an hour. Cades Cove Stables and Davy Crockett Stables get good reviews.

The park also allows you to bring your own horse. For more details, click here. Bring you own horse and keep it at our neighbors’ stables: http://OrchardCoveStables.com/.

Swimming and Tubing in Little River

Two of the most popular pastimes in Townsend and in the park are swimming and tubing. Check out TripAdvisor for customers’ reviews and the . Tube Junction (www.tubejunction.com) is our favorite. It's a smaller business, but provides a really great service

Tuckaleechee Caverns

If you get tired of the mountains, you can always check out the bizarre formations in Tuckaleechee Caverns, “the best site under the Smokies.” The formations only grow a cubic inch every century!

Zipline Tours

The latest craze in the Smokies, zipline tours can put you as high above the ground as the caverns put you below it. Jayell Ranch is relatively close on Wears Valley Road and gets positive reviews.

If you have any questions about other things to do in the Smokies, don’t hesitate to call 865-567-2871 or email ssuggs@salesmanage.com, or click here to fill out the contact form and check availability.