Greenbrier Area

Greenbrier Cove is a trailhead for numerous popular trails within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and also home to some of the park's most accessible opportunities for water play. The road to the Greenbrier Cove, its ranger station and picnic area turns off of U.S. 321 midway between Gatlinburg and the Cosby campground. The partially paved road runs alongside the Little Pigeon River, that stretch of which is essentially a natural water park layered with small rapids and swimming holes.

The road and informal trails alongside it provide multiple access points to the river. The best strategy is to stake out a stretch of river as a home base, but take a tube and enjoy the stretches of rapids. It's easty to float down a section, paddle back to shore, then use the trail or road to quickly walk back up and ride the stretch again.

The park provides a ranger station and picnic area with additional amenities and a more formal place to enjoy a meal. Numerous trails branch from the road as well, including routes to the Appalachian Trail. Greenbrier also is the trailhead for the very popular Ramsay Cascades Trail, which ascends four miles past especially big trees to the highest waterfall that's accessible by trail in the park.