THE STORE AT TREMONT

By Dick Byrd

Between March 1st and late May the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road in The Great Smoky Mountains National park will be closed to cars, bicycles and hikers for reconstruction.   During that time the campground store, campground, picnic area and horseback riding stable will remain open.  The popular store at the Cable Mill area will also be closed during this reconstruction period.

But a similar store at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont will be open.  The Tremont store and visitors center are open seven days a week (weekdays 8 to 5, weekends 9 to 5).  GSMIT is located two miles from the “Tremont Y” where the Little River Road and the Cades Cove approach road split just inside the park from Townsend.  To get to the GSMIT store and visitors center simply turn at the Tremont “Y” toward Cades Cove and turn left a few hundred feet toward the Cove.  Follow the signs to Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont….located about two miles into Walker Valley from the Cove approach road….traveling along a beautiful drive next to the Middle Prong of the Little River.

GSMIT store manager Gary Carpenter says he is stocked with most of the popular items found in the other retail outlets in the national park, as well as items specific to Tremont.  Items for sale include apparel, books, maps, and convenience items such as postcards, stamps, cameras and film. 

GSMIT and The Walker Valley have many hiking trails available, and fishing along the stream is popular (national park regulations apply). The GSMIT store and visitors center make a good starting or ending point to your outing in the area.  And at the visitors center or on-line you can check out the on-going list of classes and learning experiences, both indoors and out, available at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (www.gsmit.org).

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since 1969, Tremont has provided in-depth experiences to over half a million people of all ages through residential educational programs designed to nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, celebrate diversity, and foster stewardship.