Foothills Parkway

The Foothills Parkway is a national parkway which traverses the foothills of the northern Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. The 72.1-mile parkway connects the Little Tennessee River in the west with Interstate 40 (I-40) along the Pigeon River in the east. Large sections cross a series of high ridges running roughly parallel to the Tennessee boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and offer unobstructed views of the Great Smokies to the south and the Tennessee Valley to the north. The oldest unfinished highway project in Tennessee, the Foothills Parkway project has been continuously stalled by funding difficulties since Congress authorized its construction in 1944. As of 2018, just over one-half of the parkway has been completed and opened to vehicular traffic; however, completion of the full parkway is not expected until 2027 at the earliest. Despite its long history of delays, the Foothills Parkway remains one of the most scenic drives in Tennessee, and is well worth a visit for anyone looking to enjoy unparalleled views of the Great Smoky Mountains.