Page 19 - TRC Website Guidebook 2022

Handicapped Accessible Picnic Spot in Townsend

Most of the picnic areas around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are not handicapped accessible. They feature
standard picnic tables, which can be very difficult to access for someone who is differently abled. Most of the picnic areas
are also located down small dirt or gravel paths. These hard to maneuver trails can make getting to the picnic areas
difficult as well. There is one place where this is not the case - Special People’s Park in Townsend.

Overlooking the Little River in Townsend, this handicapped accessible picnic area is right along the main road in
Townsend, and is well worth visiting if you have someone in your group that requires a little assistance to enjoy the family
picnic. If you are coming to Townsend from Wears Valley, you will take a right when you get to the junction of Wears
Valley Road and Hwy 321. Follow Lamar Alexander Parkway through town. When you see The Dancing Bean/Apple
Valley Café on your left, begin to look on the right-hand side of the road for the small blue signs showing where the
handicapped accessible picnic area is located.

These handicapped accessible picnic tables are right beside the water. If the kids want to go splash in the cool mountain
water of the Little River, it is right there. If someone wants to fish in one of the best brown trout fishing rivers in the area, it
is right there. These picnic areas have all of the amenities of any of the other picnic areas in the park with one beautiful
exception; they are designed with the handicapped individual in mind. This is yet another reason why Townsend is the
Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Making sure that everyone in your party can enjoy the activities is always on the mind of
the people on this side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

More Picnic Ideas

Chimney Tops — 68 picnic spots along the West Prong of the Little
Pigeon River. Includes a short 0.8 hike, charcoal grills, and

restrooms.

Cades Cove — Open year round with 81 picnic spots. Tables,
charcoal grills, and sits along a creek.

Greenbrier — Open year round with 12 picnic spots. Adjacent to an
easy hike on Porter’s Creek Trail.

Look Rock — 51 picnic tables placed along the ridge of the
Foothills Parkway. Restrooms are available.

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