About this Location

Facility Overview

Mile Post 0.517 Parking is a designated scenic turnout and trailhead parking area nestled along the majestic mountain corridor near Townsend, Tennessee. Set against the serene backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, this open-air, ground-level paved turnout offers travelers and outdoor enthusiasts a convenient and well-positioned stopping point to take in panoramic vistas, rest between drives, or access nearby national park trails. Because it is an open-surface road pull-off with no overhead structures, the area has unlimited vertical clearance, comfortably accommodating standard passenger vehicles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and campervans. While larger recreation vehicles (RVs) and vehicles with small utility trailers can access the turnout when space allows, operators of oversized rigs should use caution during peak visitation hours due to limited turning radius and parallel slot depth.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically situated just south of Townsend—affectionately known as the \'Peaceful Side of the Smokies\'—this location serves as an ideal staging ground for visitors exploring Blount County\'s prime natural wonders:

Cades Cove Scenic Valley & Loop: Located just a short drive past the Townsend Wye, offering historic cabin homesteads, churches, wildlife viewing (black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys), and scenic hiking paths.
Townsend Wye (Little River Confluence): A famous natural swimming, tubing, and picnic destination located less than 10 to 15 minutes away where Laurel Creek and Little River meet.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trailheads: Direct proximity to regional trail networks including the Leadbetter Sink, Crib Gap, and Anthony Creek trail networks for day hiking and photography.
Downtown Townsend Heritage & Dining: A 15-minute drive brings visitors to local mountain craft shops, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, and popular riverside eateries such as the Riverstone Restaurant and Peaceful Side Social.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the parking area is straightforward via Tennessee State Route 73 / US Route 321 into Townsend, connecting onto Laurel Creek Road and surrounding park corridors. The turnout features direct, low-angle ingress and egress directly from the scenic roadway with clear line-of-sight visibility. Drivers should note that mountain roads often experience variable speeds and heavy seasonal traffic, especially during autumn leaf-peeping season (October) and midsummer weekends. Public mass transit or rail services do not operate in this rugged mountain corridor; private automobile, motorcycle, or bicycle transport is required. Exiting onto the main roadway is simple, but motorists should always yield to oncoming through-traffic before re-entering travel lanes.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Pull-Off Design: Surface-level asphalt turnout allowing rapid pull-in and pull-out maneuvers.
Unlimited Vertical Clearance: No height barriers or overhead clearances, accommodating roof racks, cargo boxes, and elevated vehicles.
Park It Forward Compliance: Located within Great Smoky Mountains National Park jurisdiction where valid National Park Service (NPS) parking tags are required for vehicles stopped longer than 15 minutes.
Scenic Photographic Overlooks: Direct access to sweeping mountain and forested landscape photography points.
Pet-Friendly Access: Leashed domestic pets are welcome within the paved parking perimeter and pull-off perimeter.

Ideal For

Sightseers & Photographers: Visitors looking for immediate access to breathtaking mountain backdrops and seasonal foliage.
Hikers & Outdoor Enthusiasts: Day hikers seeking trailhead and trail connector access without navigating deep into congested valley hubs.
Motorcyclists & Touring Drivers: Cruisers enjoying scenic mountain drives between Townsend, Cades Cove, and the Foothills corridors.
Smokies Day-Trippers: Families pausing for a quiet rest stop, hydration break, or wildlife spotting session.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking Permit Requirements: Any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes within the national park boundary must clearly display an NPS \'Park It Forward\' daily, weekly, or annual parking tag on the front windshield. Tags must be purchased in advance online or at regional visitor centers.
Cellular Connectivity: Cellular data signals can be weak or intermittent in this mountain valley; download offline GPS navigation maps and download or print digital parking passes prior to your journey.
Seasonal Closures & Early Arrival: During peak summer months and fall color peaks, parking areas along this corridor fill up quickly between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Arrive early in the morning to secure a spot and enjoy tranquil mountain scenery before high traffic sets in.
Leave No Trace: Ensure all trash and food scraps are packed out or disposed of in bear-proof dumpsters found at nearby official picnic areas to protect local wildlife.