Directions to Tremont

*Interstate 40 Closure: Beginning at 12:01 a.m. May 1, 2008, I-40 through Downtown Knoxville will be closed fourteen months for reconstruction. These directions do account for that construction.Click the image for the most recent updates on Tennesee's road construction projects.

FROM THE NORTH: I-75 southbound toward Knoxville. At the I-640 interchange, follow I-275 south. Continue for 2.5 miles, take I-40 west, and follow exit 386B to Alcoa Highway/US 129. Follow US 129 approximately 40 miles to Townsend entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.. Once in the park . . .

FROM THE SOUTH: I-75 northbound toward Knoxville at exit 84, follow I-40 east /75 north to Knoxville. At the I-640 interchange (exit 385), follow signs "Lexington, Downtown, and University of Tennessee." (Continue into downtown. Do not take the I-40 east detour around I-640). Take exit 386B (Alcoa Highway/US 129). Follow US 129 approximately 40 miles to Townsend entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Once in the park . . .

Alternate route from the south: Come into the southern entrance of the park at Cherokee, NC. The route is scenic but winding. Follow 441N over Newfound Gap through the park. (This road is sometimes closed in winter.) Once over the mountain at Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn left toward Townsend and Cades Cove. After about 20 miles, go past the Townsend entrance on your right and watch for signs for a left turn to Great Smoky Mountains Institute. Come two miles up the road and turn left.

FROM THE WEST: Follow I-40 E to the Lenoir City exit, #364. Follow route 321 N through Lenoir City into Maryville and on into Townsend (do not turn on 321 toward Pigeon Forge) Hwy. 73 leads you straight into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Once in the park . . .

FROM THE EAST: I-40 westbound toward Knoxville. Take I-640 (exit 393) on the east side of Knoxville. Continue for 7.0 miles, exit I-275 south (exit 3A). Continue for 2.7 miles, take I-40 west, and follow exit 386B to Alcoa Highway/US 129 and follow to Townsend entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Once in the park . . .

Alternate route from the east: I-40 westbound toward Knoxville. Take Strawberry Plains Pike (398) on the east side of Knoxville. Turn left on Strawberry Plains Pike and continue to John Sevier Highway (SR 168) and turn left. Follow John Sevier Highway until it intersects with Alcoa Highway (US 129) and turn left. Follow US 129 approximately 40 miles to Townsend entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

ONCE IN THE PARK: When coming in from Townsend, follow the road to the Y-intersection with signs to Gatlinburg or Cades Cove. Turn right towards Cades Cove, then immediately you will see a sign indicating the road to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute. Turn left across the bridge and follow the Tremont road 2 miles (you will cross two, two-lane bridges) to the Institute turning left across the 1-lane bridge. Office is on the left. Please check in.

page last updated 6-19-08