Here In Alcoa, we benefit from being near the Little River as it meanders through Tennessee for 60 miles. From golfing to tubing to viewing a beautiful waterfall, we have several fun things to try on the Little River that are within a reasonable drive.
Egwani Farms Golf Course
If you’re an avid golfer, you’ll want to try the family-owned-and-operated Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford, which is right on Little River. In fact, “Egwani” is derived from a Cherokee word meaning “little river.” You’ll enjoy spectacular views of the river, which meanders through parts of the course.
Egwani Farms Golf Course was built in 1991, fulfilling a dream for Ernest Koella Jr., who wanted to bring a top-notch golf course and a top-notch golf experience to the Knoxville area. Today, he is joined by his daughter Lisa, who grew up on the former farm. The presence of the river means lots of sights of wildlife and birds, including beautiful herons.
For its 25th anniversary in 2016, the 18-hole course was renovated to include championship Bermuda greens, new cart paths, Billy-style bunkers, new carts equipped with GPS, and 15 acres of natural fescue grass.
Egwani Farms Golf Course is at 3920 S. Singleton Station Road in Rockford.
Meigs Falls
Eighteen miles of the Little River are in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you’ll find the beautiful Meigs Falls along the scenic Little River Road between Gatlinburg and Townsend. You can see the falls from the road, where you can stop to take a look. If you take photos, it’s best to use a tripod to properly capture the motion. Don’t try to get closer to the falls here. Instead, drive a mile farther to the Meigs Creek Trail for a pleasant and lovely short walk to the falls. This trip is ideal for families with young children.
Tubing
Spend a lazy afternoon tubing on the Little River, starting in Townsend. You can find a number of companies that supply tubes, such as Apple Tree Tube Rentals, Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center, River Rage Tubing Company, and Cowboy Tubin’. These companies, which may also rent kayaks and lead river expeditions, offer amenities such as showers, food, and shuttle rides to drop-off spots. You’ll hit some rapids while you’re tubing, and it’s a good idea to lift yourself up a bit so you don’t get scraped on rocks.
Townsend is a laid-back little town, with tubing as its biggest tourist attraction. Nearby, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer other attractions if you want something fun to do after your float down the river.
Fishing
Smallmouth bass and rock bass are plentiful in the Little River. The Middle Prong of the Little River offers excellent fishing near Tremont. At the Tremont Institute and Event Center, you can fish along the road for smallmouth bass and rainbow trout. A hike on the Middle Prong Trail will bring you to native brook trout and some smaller rainbows.
The Little River offers myriad opportunities for fun, adventure, and stunning scenic views. Try some of these adventures and then work on creating your own.
Image via Flickr by N Vision Photos. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
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