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4 Facts About Wears Valley TN That Will Blow Your Mind

Wears Valley TN is known as one of the quieter sides of the Smoky Mountains. Unlike Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, this is where families and guests come when they are looking for a peaceful and relaxing place to stay. However, just because it doesn’t seem as if there is as much excitement found there, Wears Valley is not without its own surprises.

That being said, here are a few mind-blowing facts about Wears Valley TN that may shock you.

(See Related: What’s So Great About Wears Valley Cabin Rentals?)

Larger Population Than Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

Believe it or not, Wears Valley is actually one of the most populated towns in the Smoky Mountains. Sure, this area may not see quite as many visitors as places like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. However, it is the second largest community in the area in terms of the number of people who live there.

According to the 2010 Census, Wears Valley is home to nearly 7,000 locals. That is over 1,000 more than the number of people who live in Pigeon Forge and nearly 3,000 more than in Gatlinburg.

Those are pretty impressive numbers when you think about the fact that Wears Valley is also one of the smallest areas in the Smoky Mountains in terms of square-miles.

Smoky Mountain View nears Wears ValleyThe Cherokees Buried Treasure in Wears Valley

A little-known fact about the Wears Valley community is that there is quite a bit of gold buried in the soil there. The gold came from the Cherokee Indians who once lived in the valley at the onset of the infamous Trail of Tears.

Though rumors are that the gold remains buried in Wears Valley still today, we at Visit My Smokies do not encourage guests to go in search of it. If you do find yourself wanting to search for buried treasure during your next Smoky Mountain vacation, why not check out one of the many gem mining attractions located in Wears Valley.

Visitors have their choice between the gem mine at Friendly Falls Food & Stuff and the one located at Goats on a Roof.

  • Friendly Falls Gem Mine in Wears Valley
    • Address: 2135 Wears Valley Rd.
    • Phone number: (865) 429-2139
    • Website: https://friendlyfalls.com/norberts-gem-mine/
  • Goats on a Roof Gem Mine in Wears Valley

Easiest Way to Travel From Pigeon Forge to Townsend

For those of you who many not know, Wears Valley lies mainly along Wears Valley Road, a scenic highway that connects the Pigeon Forge Parkway to Townsend. A winding road, Wears Valley Road is perfect for families and guests who are looking for a peaceful route to explore the scenic Smoky Mountains and avoid much of the traffic at the same time.

To get from Pigeon Forge to Townsend, turn at Traffic Light #3 on the Pigeon Forge Parkway. This pull put you on Wears Valley Road, also known as Highway 321.

For help with the directions, feel free to use the map below!

Wears Valley entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSecret Entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Speaking of ways that Wears Valley can help you avoid traffic, visitors to this area will also benefit from the ability to use the secret entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park found here.

Instead of having to drive through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to gain access into the national park, you and your family can bypass the long lines of traffic and crowds by cutting through the Wears Valley community.

Click here to learn more about Wears Valley’s secret entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Share Your Shocking Facts About Wears Valley TN

Do you know a few shocking facts about Wears Valley TN that we may have missed? Let us know in the comments below!