Sugarlands Visitor Center — Attraction in Gatlinburg

I thoroughly enjoyed the park as a whole besides one very rude and upsetting cashier at the sugar-lands visitor center just trying to crush dreams and hopes of getting a national parks card, because it was a lifetime experience to get a card to enter all the parks for free being I am a veteran. When I asked at the front of the information center, this nice older gentleman pointed me directly where to go to get a card at the ranger station. Simply stating “only a ranger can give you a card, sir” then showed me exactly where to find one on the map and circled it and gave me the map right after. The smile on my face was ear to ear. But at the checkout after I had bought my “collectors edition passport to your national parks” book. I asked for a ink stamp and didn’t receive one, then was told “don’t expect to catch a ranger, they won’t be there and you should just not expect to get one.” And when I asked when and where would I get one. It was simply shot down with another negative comment.

I remarked in sarcastic tone “oh well thanks for your help in chasing my dreams”

If your not fit to understand people are here chasing dreams and seeing some of the absolutely beautiful scenes your surrounded by in your work and sharing that excitement or even trying to help someone achieve the dreams of the place you work at, I suggest to find other employment. Go chase your dreams and maybe you won’t be so negative.

But as for the park !!!! So amazing ! The views and the smells of the fresh air mixed with the rain and the woods. Chefs kiss ! I do not recommend Cades cove if you don’t like traffic or have a car that doesn’t like traffic. Or simply be there in front of the LINE when it opens. We seen amazing views and seen two baby bears and some deer! One playing in a tree and the other roaming across a field playing hide and seek with everyone haha.

Hiked Ramsey cascades. Now this hike was BEAUTIFUL. It’s feels like 6 miles up the mountain but it’s only 4. It’s lined with cascading waterfalls all the way to the top with soothing sounds of the wildlife and water crashing down rocks. So many species of mushrooms and they are improving the trail with some very crafty steppes made from the mountains themselves. Totally worth the grueling hike.

I would go back but can’t promise I’d be so calm towards the cashier...

This a MUST stop for me every trip to Gatlinburg and/or The Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

(FYI: Beginning in 2023 there is a parking fee of $5 daily or $40 annually for a stay of greater than 15 minutes. All charges help to support the GSMNP, so it's well worth the cost. So, if you plan to be parked anywhere inside the park buy the sticker before your trip or purchase a day pass in the gift shop.)

The Sugarlands Visitor Center has something for everyone. Just inside the door is the main lobby that contains all sorts of park information. There are brochures on one wall for hikes within the park, waterfalls, Cades Cove tour, etc. I think the asking donation for each is $1. There is also a park ranger ready to answer any of your park questions. There are maps, too.

My favorite part is the "museum" in the back on the left. It contains examples of animals, birds, insects, trees, and flowers that can be found while hiking the trails or driving along some of the roads. It's fun to watch the kids check out the wild boar and get close to the black bear. I took a picture of poison ivy because I never remember what it looks like to avoid it.

The museum winds around to the entrance of the gift shop, which is full of quality items. I purchased a couple books this trip to help identify trees and to help me prepare for a future trip up The Blue Ridge Parkway (I'd been there many years ago and plan to return in the next year or so). Can't pass up the Foods of the Smokies shelf while there. The apple butter is some of the best I have ever tasted. There's also hiking accessories (water bottles, water bottle holders, walking sticks...), traditional souvenir T-shirts and hats (but all Smoky Mountain themed and many have a portion of the cost going to support the Park). Games, puzzles, postcard, ornaments, stuffed animals, magnets, key-chains, parkas, ponchos, CD's of mountain sounds and music, videos, etc. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!!! And, if you're a member of the Great Smoky Mountain Association, you receive a discount on your purchases.

Just outside the visitor center, to the left are the restrooms and lots of seating for families or groups to gather as they plan their hikes or drives for the day. There is also a short trail behind the visitor center, for a "sampling" of hiking for the family.

It's a...

We visited on a Sunday afternoon in early November 2024. Parking lot was full and we had to circle at least 1 time. This was the most crowded visitor center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the time of our visit. This may also have been due to Hurricane Helene which closed off many of the roads coming in from the NC side. There are police at both visitor centers watching for commercial vehicles trying to pass through the park and turning them around.

There are parking kiosks located outside the visitor center to purchase your parking ticket if you're planning park longer than 15 mins. The bathrooms are also located outside in a separate building adjacent to the visitor center.

Upon entering you're first greeted with large open atrium with small exhibits on each side. The information desk which was staffed by multiple folks is straight ahead. If you continue straight there is one entrance to the exhibits. The exhibits here are more focus on nature and honestly not as interesting as the ones in the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. To the right rear, is the entrance to the NPS store. It was setup as a one-way traffic scenario. This is also how you get to the movie/film they play. At the time of our visit the film was not available. If you see something you like in the store, I suggest getting it. While all the visitor center sold merch we did notice that not everything was the same. The NPS Passport Cancellation Stamp is located on a folding table to the right as you enter through the main doors. It was also kind of a mess compared to the other visitor centers. There were papers everywhere.

We stayed for maybe 30 mins total walking through the exhibits and browsing the gift shop. We probably would not visit again unless we were looking for some information or maybe to see if the short film...