-
Where is Cosby located?
- The small town of Cosby is nestled along the northeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore this part of the Smokies.
-
What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Cosby?
- Outdoor activities abound all around Cosby – visitors can go hiking along a network of at least 20 scenic trails, including the challenging 11-mile Mount Cammerer Fire Tower trail.
-
What activities are available inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
- There are many activities available inside the national park, including wildlife viewing, fishing, and mountain biking.
-
Are there any scenic drives in the area?
- If you would like a break from all the action, you can enjoy a scenic drive along the Foothills Parkway.
This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.
1. Great Smokey Mountains National Park
Hike scenic trails and admire panoramic views on a summer trip.
© Nate Hovee/stock.adobe.com
-
What makes Cosby a great gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains?
-
Why are the Great Smoky Mountains special?
- Believed to be among the oldest mountains on the planet, the Smoky Mountains boast a remarkably rich biodiversity.
-
What does the Great Smoky Mountains National Park include?
- The National Park covers over half a million acres of sensationally beautiful landscape, encompassing old-growth forest, streams, and waterfalls.
-
What wildlife can be found in the park?
- The park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including elk and black bear.
-
What activities can visitors enjoy in the park?
- Park activities include scenic drives, mountain biking, birding, fishing, hiking, and camping.
-
Are there activities for children?
- Children can join organized ranger-led activities, go horseback riding, or learn how to fish.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Phone: 865-436-1200
2. Our Place
Visit this cozy spot and enjoy local flavors on a weekend escape.
© Our Place
-
What is a must-visit shop in Cosby?
- Your visit to Cosby and the Smokies would be incomplete without taking the time to drop by Our Place for a unique shopping experience.
-
What makes Our Place special?
- This quaint family-owned store stocks a bit of everything, but the main draw is their wonderful collection of new and used books.
-
What types of books can visitors find at Our Place?
- The collection includes non-fiction (which makes up the core of the collection), kiddies’ books, cookery books, paperback murder mysteries, Civil War history books, and much more.
-
Does Our Place offer anything besides books?
- While you browse, you can enjoy a cup of delicious organic coffee.
-
Can I trade in old books?
- Remember to bring along all your previously loved books – Our Place is happy to find them a new home.
Our Place, 115 Cricket Hollow Rd, Cosby, TN 37722, Phone: 423-487-4565
3. Mount Cammerer Fire Tower
Climb to the tower and look at breathtaking fall mountain vistas.
© kellyvandellen/stock.adobe.com
-
What is a challenging hiking trail in Cosby?
- Visitors to Cosby who are ready to take on a challenging trail should find that the hike to the Mount Cammerer Fire Tower perfectly fits the bill.
-
How long is the Mount Cammerer Fire Tower hike?
- This trail to the summit of the mountain and the historic fire tower is an 11-mile round-trip hike.
-
How difficult is the hike?
- The first half of the hike is uphill all the way as you gradually gain over 3,000 feet in altitude.
-
What scenery can hikers expect?
- You will make your way through scenic hardwood forests covered in seasonal wildflowers.
-
What is special about the fire tower at the summit?
- Once you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with amazing 360-degree views from the deck of the stone fire tower, which was painstakingly constructed from on-site quarried stone in the 1930s.
Mount Cammerer Fire Tower, Cosby, TN 37722
4. Foothills Parkway
Drive along winding roads and see stunning sights on an easy scenic trip.
© bettys4240/stock.adobe.com
-
What is the Foothills Parkway?
- The Foothills Parkway is a controversial 71-mile scenic road that will eventually run from US 120 at Chilhowie Lake to US 321 near Cosby.
-
Where does the parkway run?
- Much of the parkway will run along the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most-visited national parks in the US.
-
What section of the parkway is currently open?
- Visitors to Cosby can currently take a scenic drive along the completed 5.1-mile eastern section from Cosby to I-40.
-
Why is the parkway controversial?
- The missing middle section of the parkway comprises over 33 miles, and its future is uncertain due to budget restraints and controversy about how completion of the parkway will impact traffic congestion.
Foothills Parkway, Cosby, TN 37722
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents: