Tremont Institute is situated about four miles from the Townsend, Tennessee, entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is surrounded by miles of trails, a rushing river, and a half million acres of mountains and forest.

Our address is 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, Tennessee 37882. View a map.

Residential Programs

We can house up to 135 people onsite and have a full kitchen staff serving three hot meals a day. Living and learning inside a national park certainly has its rewards. Feel your worries melt away as you cross the bridge over the Middle Prong to this quiet place tucked into the mountains. Step out of bed each morning and walk outdoors to a breathtaking view of Fodderstack Mountain—a perfect way to begin a day in the national park.

Just visiting for a day?

We’ve compiled information you might find helpful about hiking trails and things to do in our special spot of the national park!

Take a virtual tour of our campus!

Visitor Center

Administrative and education offices, a meeting room and a visitor center/bookstore are located in this building along with our library and maintenance area.

Dorm (Caylor Lodge)

The dormitory provides air-conditioned and heated living quarters for up to 125 people. Each of the two stories is divided into two sections with bathroom/shower facilities in each section. The handicapped-accessible bathroom is downstairs. The dormitory’s second story is accessible by two outside stairways. Participants in most programs provide their own linens, pillow, and blankets.

Council House and Friendship Circle

Modeled on a Cherokee pattern, this covered, open-air shelter is great for outdoor gatherings and campfires with up to 100 participants. This is one of our outdoor classroom meeting spaces.

Dorsey Field

This area provides plenty of open space for large group activities. It adjoins a blacktop area for basketball, four-square and other activities. We have frisbees and balls that participants can use while here, and we have cooperative challenges in this field.

Elsie Burrell Activity Center (Cove Room)

This is the center of activity. The lower level contains a full-service kitchen, dining hall, classrooms, first aid room and restrooms. It also contains a meeting room for up to 200 people. The second floor contains a meeting room for up to 40 people and other teaching areas.

Walker Grove Tent Village

Located in an old growth forest, our cabin-style tents are equipped with bunk beds, easy access to the dorm, and have separate shower facilities. Tenting is available during most workshops and for use by school groups.

Science Lab

This classroom has scientific equipment including a projection microscope donated by the Heinrich Foundation where students have the opportunity to see some of the water insects they’ve found during stream ecology class. Thanks to a generous grant from Alcoa Foundation, the room incorporates recycled materials in its construction and energy-efficient elements.

Beech Gap

This is an indoor classroom space and also a great informal area to gather an relax. It is a great storytelling area for summer camps. A grant from one of our donors allowed us to furnish this area.

Mountain Room

During school groups, this is our “Teachers Lounge” for teachers to prepare for classes. Also used as a classroom space for small group activities.

Smoky Pavilion

This open-air shelter has a cement floor, electrical outlets, lights and picnic tables for meals or outside activities. It is another outdoor classroom meeting space, a great place for gathering with its rocking chairs, and also where groups folk dance or square dance.

Tremont Gift Shop

While you’re here, be sure to pick up your souvenirs at the gift store, located in the office building by the parking lot near the campus entrance. Proceeds from purchases in the gift store support our work to provide experiential outdoor education for learners of all ages. Hours vary, so check our Contact Us page or call ahead.

We look forward to exploring with you soon!