Vacation rentals in Wears Valley

Nestled at the foot of the Smoky Mountains, Wears Valley is a beautiful, scenic getaway known as the quieter side of the Smokies even though it’s only a short drive from tourist hubs like Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg. The valley’s modest footprint lends it a small-town feel, though it’s technically unincorporated. Wears Valley offers panoramic mountain views, painted by foliage that changes colors as the seasons turn. With easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a handful of charming, rural detours on the way, Wears Valley makes a cozy and convenient home base for a Smoky Mountains vacation.

Largely independent of weather systems affecting the Smoky Mountains, Wears Valley has its own subclimate. Summers in the valley are typically hot and humid, with temperatures in the high 80s Fahrenheit. Hazy days are common, but begin to clear in the fall as temperatures become cooler. By November, when the first snow is dusting the Smokies, the valley remains mild: daytime highs are in the 50s, with temperatures dipping just below freezing at night, making it a cozy time to stay in one of the area’s cabins for rent. Dressing in layers is helpful, especially during spring and fall in case of inclement rain showers, or even snow. But for the most part, weather in Wears Valley is fairly predictable, unlike the extremities up on the mountain.

Headrick Chapel

Though it looks unassuming, this modest white chapel on Highway 321 is a significant marker of Wears Valley’s civic history. For more than 70 years prior to its construction, locals had gathered for funerals under a large oak tree shading the adjacent cemetery. When lightning struck the tree after a crowded outdoor service in 1902, construction on a chapel went full-steam ahead. It was completed that summer, with a deed specifically stating that it be shared among the valley’s various denominations; it is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Metcalf Bottoms Trail

Spanning more than 522,000 acres, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is, hands-down, the region’s biggest draw, which can result in crowded entrances during peak season. Locals know to skip the park’s main east and west entrances, and instead take Line Springs Road to Metcalf Bottoms. The 1.2-mile dirt trail is well worn for easy navigation and takes visitors past the Little Greenbrier School, a well-preserved log-cabin school from 1882.

Covered Bridges

One of the best ways to explore the backroads of Wears Valley is with a driving tour to Sevier County’s pair of covered bridges. The Harrisburg was built in 1875 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, while Emerts Cove was built in 2000 as an homage to the local style. Both provide lovely photo opportunities of the Little Pigeon River and the region’s flora and fauna.