About this Location

Facility Overview

LC Pullout Parking @ MP 5.136 is a designated roadside pullout situated along scenic Laurel Creek Road at mile marker 5.136 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just south of Townsend, Tennessee. This open-air asphalt parking turnout provides direct, ground-level access off the roadway, bordered by lush forested ridges and mountain streams. With open-sky clearance and no overhead structures, the turnout accommodates standard passenger cars, minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks, as well as moderate-sized camper vans. Long recreational vehicles (RVs) and vehicles towing large trailers should exercise discretion due to the turnout depth and curvature along the two-lane mountain corridor.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned along the primary vehicular route connecting Townsend with Cades Cove, this pullout serves as a convenient gateway to some of the national park’s most cherished natural landmarks and outdoor recreation destinations:

Cades Cove: Located approximately 2.5 miles west down Laurel Creek Road, Cades Cove features an 11-mile one-way scenic loop, historic 19th-century cabins, churches, working gristmills, and premier wildlife viewing opportunities.
Townsend Wye: Situated approximately 5 miles northeast at the intersection of Laurel Creek Road, Little River Gorge Road, and Lamar Alexander Parkway, this popular spot offers mountain river swimming, tubing, and picnicking along the Little River.
Bote Mountain & Lead Cove Trailheads: Nearby trail access points link hikers into the expansive backcountry network reaching Spence Field, Rocky Top, and the Appalachian Trail.
Townsend (\"The Peaceful Side of the Smokies\"): Located roughly 6 miles north, featuring local craft shops, riverside dining, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, and the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the pullout is straightforward via Laurel Creek Road, which branches off Tennessee State Route 73 (US-321 / Lamar Alexander Parkway) at the Townsend Wye. The roadway features gentle turns and paved shoulders, though motorists should travel at reduced speeds and watch for wildlife, cyclists, and oncoming traffic pulling into or out of scenic turnouts. There is no public mass transit or shuttle service along Laurel Creek Road; private vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles are the standard modes of transit. Cell service along this corridor is extremely limited or non-existent, making downloaded offline GPS maps essential.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Paved Pullout Surface: Level asphalt turnout nestled directly against the natural roadside shoulder.
Unrestricted Overhead Headroom: Fully open-air setting with no vertical barriers or height restrictions.
Scenic Surroundings: Immediate immersion into old-growth forest, mountain flora, and birdwatching habitats.
National Park Parking Tag Area: Requires a valid Great Smoky Mountains National Park \'Park It Forward\' parking permit displayed on the dashboard for stays over 15 minutes.

Ideal For

National Park Explorers: Travelers journeying toward or returning from the Cades Cove scenic loop.
Hikers & Outdoor Enthusiasts: Day hikers staging near mid-corridor trails and quiet nature pathways.
Photographers & Wildlife Watchers: Visitors capturing scenic mountain views, fall foliage, and native fauna along the Laurel Creek corridor.
Short-Stay Rest Stops: Motorists needing a brief rest, vehicle check, or peaceful picnic break along the drive.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Under the Great Smoky Mountains National Park \'Park It Forward\' initiative, all vehicles parked for more than 15 minutes anywhere within park boundaries must display a valid parking tag. Daily parking tags are $5.00 and weekly tags are $15.00; because there are no automated kiosks at this specific pullout, visitors should purchase their parking tag online via Recreation.gov or in person at the Townsend Visitor Center or Cades Cove orientation facilities prior to arrival. Parking spaces are unassigned and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak autumn leaf-peeping season and summer weekends, vehicle traffic toward Cades Cove can be heavy, so early morning or late afternoon visits are strongly recommended.