Panoramic View On Foothills Parkway From Look Rock Tower
A well kept secret in the Great Smokies is the panoramic view on Foothills Parkway from Look Rock Tower. A ride along Foothills Parkway in Blount County, TN has some spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. But do you know about Look Rock Tower located on Foothills Parkway?
Look Rock Tower
Foothills Parkway
The concrete observation tower sits on Look Rock. It is the highest point on the western section of Chilhowee Mountain, at an elevation of 2,652 feet. The trailhead is located on the south side of the parkway, between mile markers 14 and 15. The area is 8 miles southwest of Townsend, Tennessee, on the Foothills Parkway West. From the parking lot it is a short, half-mile trail that leads from the parking area to Look Rock Tower. The observation deck is open to the public, but visitors cannot access the very top of the tower.
Look Rock Trail and Tower
Cross the Parkway on the designated crosswalk to reach the trailhead. The short trail is paved the whole way. The path gains a little elevation (less than 200 feet). Most people will find this a pretty easy walk. During the winter months, the trail can be slippery due to icy conditions, so be careful.
The tower is a popular observation point that offers 360-degree views of the surrounding area, including Blount County, Chilhowee Mountain, and the Great Smoky Mountains. From the tower, on a clear day, you can see Maryville and the edge of Knoxville to the northwest. Looking east, you can see beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains. At an elevation of 2,657 feet, the tower sits on top of the 35-mile-long Chilhowee Mountain. The observation tower is open year-round unless the parkway is closed because of weather. The nearby campground and picnic area are open from late April through late October.
Look Rock Tower Location
Location: Foothills Parkway, near Walland, Tennessee
Park: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Directions: The trailhead is across from a pull-out on the south side of the parkway between mile markers 14 and 15. It can also be accessed from the nearby Look Rock Campground. The parking area for the Look Rock Trail along the Foothills Parkway has its own impressive views, just in case you don’t feel like a short hike.
