Hidden In The Smokies Is A Charming Tennessee Town With Orchards, No Crowds, And Unmatched Beauty
There is one town that the crowds forgot! Adventure seekers and nature lovers, I’m talking to you!
Cosby is the place where air is fresher, the skies are wider, and the only traffic you’ll encounter is the occasional deer crossing the road.
It has a way of wrapping itself around your heart. I can’t exactly pinpoint what it is. Maybe it is the locals who greet you like an old friend or the sweet simplicity of life.
If you’re ready to trade the noise for nature’s quiet beauty, here we go!
1. Carver’s Orchard & Applehouse Restaurant
There’s something magical about a hillside orchard, and Carver’s has been perfecting that magic for over 75 years. Rows of apple trees roll out like a green-and-gold patchwork quilt, heavy with fruit in the fall and blossoms in the spring.
Step inside the Applehouse Restaurant, and you’re in for a true Tennessee feast. Every meal starts with a basket of apple fritters. Golden, crispy, and drizzled with local honey. Pure Smoky Mountain perfection.
Pro tip: Bring a cooler, because you won’t leave empty-handed. Whether it’s Granny Smiths for baking or a gallon of fresh cider, you’ll want to bring a taste of Carver’s home with you.
2. Hike to Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower
If you’re looking for a trail that rewards effort with pure magic, Mt. Cammerer hike is your Smoky Mountain must-do.
The climb is no joke. It will be a big test for your legs. But when you finally reach the historic fire tower, you’ll understand why hikers call it one of the best views in the Smokies. The stone lookout offers stunning jaw-dropping, 360-degree panoramas of peaks and deep valleys.
Unlike more popular spots in the park, Mt. Cammerer stays blissfully quiet, so you can enjoy the view in peace. Pack a lunch, perch on the tower’s ledge, and watch as the Smokies stretch endlessly beneath you.
3. Cosby Campground & Nature Trails
Forget the chaos of Gatlinburg! Cosby Campground is where you go to experience the Smokies the way they were meant to be.
Not a camper? No worries. The area is packed with easygoing trails perfect for stretching your legs without an all-day commitment.
The Cosby Nature Trail is a lovely, short loop with footbridges and wildflowers, while the Gabes Mountain Trail leads to Hen Wallow Falls. A 90-foot cascade hidden in the woods like a hidden gem. Bring your camera and maybe a picnic. This is the Smokies at their most serene!
4. Drive The Foothills Parkway
Some drives are just… drives. This one feels like poetry in motion.
The Foothills Parkway, one of the most scenic roads in Tennessee, runs through Cosby, delivering breathtaking overlooks, mountain roads, and stretches of untouched beauty that look straight out of a painting.
No need to rush. This is a drive meant for windows-down, music-up cruising. Stop at pull-offs for sweeping panoramas, take a deep breath of mountain air, and just let the Smokies work their magic.
5. Fish Or Tube In Cosby Creek
Cosby Creek isn’t just a pretty little stream. It’s a prime spot for fly fishing and lazy summer tubing. Flowing straight from the mountains, its waters stay cool and clear, perfect for casting a line in search of wild rainbow and brook trout.
Even if you’re not an angler, wading through the creek, skipping stones, or simply listening to the water tumble over rocks is the kind of simple pleasure that makes you feel like a kid again.
For a little more adventure, grab an inner tube and float down the gentler sections and soak in the sights of rhododendron-covered banks. Maybe you even spot a deer or two along the way.
6. Our Place Antiques & Museum
Cosby’s charm lies not only in its mountains, but in its quirky little spots, as well. Our Place Antiques & Museum is one of those places you might drive past, until you realize you’re missing out on a treasure trove of Appalachian history.
Part antique shop, part museum, this spot feels like stepping into an old-time general store, with shelves lined with vintage signs, quilts, and Smoky Mountain relics.
The real gems? The moonshine-era memorabilia, including old stills and stories from a time when bootlegging was a way of life. The charm you feel while reading this, can’t be compared to the one you feel inside!
7. Adventure Distilling Co. Moonshine Tour
Speaking of moonshine, Cosby has deep roots in Tennessee’s bootlegging past, and you can taste that history at Adventure Distilling Co. This isn’t just any distillery; it’s built on land where actual bootleggers ran their stills, turning corn mash into smooth moonshine long before it was legal.
Today, they craft their spirits using those same old-school methods and offer tastings of classic white lightning, apple pie moonshine, and other flavors that pack a punch.
If you’ve never sipped real Tennessee shine, brace yourself! It’s smooth but not for the faint of heart. And if you hear a few outlaw stories along the way? Well, that’s just part of the experience.
8. Camp At Cosby Campground
There’s camping, and then there’s sleeping under a sky so clear, you feel like you’re floating in the Milky Way. With no city lights for miles, Cosby Campground offers some of the best stargazing in the Smokies.
After a day of hiking or exploring, settle into your campsite, listen to the crackle of a fire, and let the night sky put on a show.
It’s peaceful, quiet, and close to nature. Perfect place to wake up to the smell of pine trees, the sound of a creek, and the promise of another adventure-filled day.
9. Hike To Hen Wallow Falls
If you love a good hidden waterfall, Hen Wallow Falls is a must-see. Hidden in the forest, this 90-foot cascade spills down a rock face covered in moss, creating a misty, magical atmosphere.
Getting there takes a bit of effort but the reward is a quiet, uncrowded slice of Smoky Mountain beauty.Spring brings wildflowers, summer means greenery, and autumn? Pure gold. Plus, in the winter, the falls sometimes freeze into an icy spectacle, proving that no matter the season, this hike is worth it.
10. Enjoy A Farm-to-Table Meal
One thing is for sure! Nothing beats good Southern cooking!
And Cosby delivers in the most authentic, homey way possible. From smoky barbecue joints to cozy cafes serving up biscuits and gravy, this is where you eat like a local.
Restaurants in the area pride themselves on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, so whether it’s farm-raised trout, just-picked veggies, or a slab of homemade pie, you know it’s made with heart.