Because of its proximity to Cades Cove and the easy access to the scenic Little River portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend is a major portal for visitors to the national park. The other main park portals such as Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Cherokee have seen the development of entertainment and "tourist" centers, many totally unrelated to the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains, which draw crowds of tourists - and the corresponding traffic jams. Unlike these more commercialized portals, the Townsend area has remained primarily an uncluttered, pleasant, scenic destination for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the Smokies without undue artificial distractions.

In the Townsend area you can enjoy birds and wildlife such as whitetail deer and wild turkeys, trout fishing in the mountain streams, hiking, canoeing, tubing, horseback riding, golf, and many other outdoor recreational activities in this ideal setting. Yet, this remarkable quiet refuge with its spectacular mountain views, secluded coves, and sparkling mountain streams is only a short drive from the resort and shopping centers of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, as well as the commercial, medical, and educational institutions of Maryville and Blount County.