Built in 1959 as part of the "Mission 66" project, the 45 foot high tower generated a great deal of controversy for its use of concrete instead of stone or wood for its surfaces. The circular viewing platform is reached by a helical ramp. With a grade of over 10%, the ½ mile trail to the tower is much too steep for any wheeled devices. In fact a sign at the beginning of the trail states:
Trail Advisory
Use of wheelchairs, other power-
driven devices, or strollers
on this trail is dangerous and
is not recommended.
This trail is not ADA accessible
A visitor center is located a few steps up the trail. It houses an information desk and bookstore. Vault toilets are located in the parking area. There is no running water available.
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| Topographic map with GPS route |
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| Elevation profile |
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| Beginning of the paved trail to the observation tower |
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| Looking west from the trail |
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| Visitor Center |
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| American Mountain-Ash (Sorbus americana) |
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| Forney Creek basin with Fontana Lake and Cheoah Bald in the distance |
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| Another view of the mountains to the west |
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| Approaching the tower |
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| Observation deck from the ramp |
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| Looking southwest at Fontana Lake and Cheoah Bald |
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| Looking south at Andrews Bald |
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| Looking east with Love Mountain in the foreground; Mount Guyot and Big Cataloochee Mountain on the horizon |
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| Looking northeast at Mount LeConte |
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| Looking north at Cove Mountain, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge |
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| Looking west with Mt Buckley in the foreground; Shuckstack, Gregory Bald and Thunderhead Mountain on the horizon; and sunlit Blanket Mountain on the right |
Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.
The park website is https://www.nps.gov/grsm.
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