Great Smoky Mountains National Park Things to Do

Today, the parking lot at Jakes Creek is at the crossroads of the three different club areas, collectively known as the Elkmont Historic District. This area preserves 18 structures, two cemeteries, and over 100 years of stories, memories, and dreams that represent the last evidence of the tourism history of the Smokies. This area was first settled in the mid-1800s by descendants of Gatlinburg families. By the early 1900s, most of the land was bought by the second largest lumber company in the area and eventually became the first piece of property purchased to create Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most of the cabin owners in Elkmont Historic District not only supported the national park movement, but also donated money to help buy land to create the park. The important stories of this area were almost lost, but considerable time, research, and back-breaking work preserved this piece of park history. Please help us preserve and protect this and other historic areas of the park by respecting the memories of the people who lived here and the work of the park’s preservation staff. If you want to learn more, we invite you to talk to one of our Elkmont Volunteers, visit our bookstore, or go to our website. Thank you for visiting!

You are now at a historic bridge built from 1939-40 by the Civilian Conservation Corp or CCC. This bridge is the only four-arch bridge in the park. The CCC was created by President Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s to help the economy and infrastructure of the country. The park had over 4,000 men living and working in 22 camps from 1933-1941. Their work included developing hiking trails, planting trees, and building roads and campgrounds. Some speculate that what the CCC accomplished in eight years would have taken today’s park staff over fifty years to complete. “If you want to see their work, look around you.” Before the current bridge was built, trains traveled over a wooden bridge. Facing north, look 50 yards across the bridge on the right and imagine a train parked next to a depot/platform. There, Daisy Town residents unloaded their belongings to stay for the summer. They then walked up a boardwalk to the Appalachian Clubhouse to their summer cottage. Follow the road up to the second parking area at the top of the hill. While walking or driving, imagine arriving by train with plans to spend the entire summer in this area.

Downhill from the clubhouse is “Daisy Town,” which consists of 16 restored structures. The cabins were built from 1910-1915 by well-known families from Knoxville. Uphill from here is “Society Hill”— these cabins were built between 1912-1922. The David Chapman House, built by one of the leaders of the national park movement, is the only cabin preserved. Back down the road you just walked up, the Spence Cabin (1928) is preserved in an area known as “Millionaires Row.” Other cabins in this area were built mid-1920s to mid-1930s. “There was a boardwalk to the last cottage. People who arrived by train up the river from Townsend had their luggage hauled by cart from the [train] station [platform]. Each Saturday night there would be an orchestra with dancing at the clubhouse.” The wooden boardwalk mentioned in the quote extended from the clubhouse up to Society Hill and on to Chapman’s cabin. It was replaced in 1928 with the gravel walkway you see today. The clubhouse served three meals a day. Listen closely and try to imagine hearing bells ringing as the clubhouse staff “called” folks to dinner. The community always dressed in their best clothes as they walked the path towards the Appalachian Club. Daily activities included hunting, fishing, horse riding, swimming, and socializing.

Located next to the Cades Cove Visitor Center, the Cable Mill area contains many of the buildings typical of remote Appalachian communities.

Human history in Cades Cove started long before the 1800s. Humans have been using the land in this area for thousands of years. The earliest artifact collected in the park is a lithic dated to 7000 BCE. Though they may not have built structures in Cades Cove that are present today, the impact of the Cherokee is felt throughout the cove. Many trails created by the Cherokee are still traveled by visitors hiking or driving today. One of these trails is now Rich Mountain Road which connected the cove to the Tuckaleechee area. Many settlers followed in the Cherokees’ footsteps and used this route and others to reach Cades Cove. The Cherokee, like settlers after them, cut logs for structures and fires. They cleared land for agriculture, and they hunted, foraged, and traded or bought what they didn’t grow themselves. In the early 1810-1820s, Sequoyah developed the Cherokee syllabary, a written version of the Cherokee language. The Cherokee name for Cades Cove is Tsiyahi, “Otter Place.” Otters were found throughout the many creeks and streams in the cove, but they were extirpated from this area in the 1920s, after being hunted and trapped for their valuable pelts. The park reintroduced them in the 1980s and they have made a remarkable comeback. Today they are often seen near Abrams Falls. The name “Abrams” stems from Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham, known as Ooskuah to the Cherokee. The origin of the name “Cade” also likely came from Cherokee Chief Cade (or Kade) from this area. A “cove” is a flat valley between mountains or ridges. Most of the Cherokee living in the Southeastern United States were forcibly removed starting with the Indian Removal Act in 1830 which offered territory in Oklahoma in exchange for land in this region. In 1835 the Treaty of New Echota ceded most of the Cherokee lands east of the Mississippi to the federal government. These actions resulted in the “Trail of Tears” in 1938, where 16,000 Cherokee were forced to walk 1,200 miles west. Thousands died in the process. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee who live on the Qualla Boundary adjacent to the park today are the descendants of the few who remained, escaped, or those who returned. A visit to Cherokee, North Carolina offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about Cherokee history and culture. Typically, when a national park or protected area is created, many spaces that people lived in and used are returned to nature. In Cades Cove, this idea is blended with historic preservation. Cades Cove has far fewer buildings than it did at peak settlement around 1900 with over 700 residents. Instead of agricultural fields, today there are grasses and native plants. The cove is actively managed using mowing and prescribed fire to keep trees and woody shrubs at bay. If the cove wasn’t managed this way, it would revert to forest in most areas and look very similar to the woods found throughout the park.

Welcome to Daisy Town, home to the historic Appalachian Club that was chartered in the early 1900s by prominent men mainly from the Knoxville, Tennessee area. These included industrialists, politicians, lawyers, artists, professors, and businessmen, among others. W.B. Townsend, owner of the Little River Lumber Company, became a member and leased logging land to the club to create a hunting and fishing camp. Soon after, Knoxville families began building vacation homes along Jakes Creek. Between 1910 and 1935, almost 80 cabins were built. Before 1925, families arrived by trains (a 3-hour trip) operated by the lumber company. When the logging operations in the area ended in 1925, the railroad tracks were removed, and families began driving their cars to their vacation cabins. The tourist season typically stretched from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Cabin owners brought trunks of clothes and supplies to stay the entire summer. Many would also bring their servants to care for the children. “Some brought a servant with them, usually Black women who developed their own social life in the mountains. Often, they had a separate house behind the main cabin.”

Dan Lawson Place is a group of historic structures about 7 miles into the 11-mile Cades Cove driving loop just past the intersection with Hyatt Lane.

A shady 58-site daytime recreational area with tables, charcoal grills, and a pavilion along Deep Creek.

A great spot to be above the clouds. Possibly see an inversion where the clouds sink into the valleys in the early mornings.

The Elijah Oliver place is a farmstead made up of multiple nineteenth century buildings in the west end of the loop. It is a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) walk from Cades Cove Loop Road.

A large hydroelectric dam completed in 1945 with a visitor center operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Congress authorized the Foothills Parkway as a scenic parkway on February 22, 1944. Though funding and engineering challenges have delayed the completion of the project, the open sections of the Foothills Parkway provide a beautiful driving experience for visitors.

A shady daytime recreational area with tables and charcoal grills along the Little Pigeon River.

A grassy mountaintop meadow with panoramic views known for its azalea blooms in midsummer.

A unique 25-foot (7.6 m) waterfall that you can walk behind on Trillium Gap Trail.

A 41-site daytime recreational area with tables, charcoal grills, and nearby trails at high elevation.

A 90-foot (27 m) waterfall that begins as a small stream but fans out to a width of 30 feet (9 m) at its base.

A 25-foot (7.6 m) cascade that tumbles down sloping sandstone into a large plunge pool.

The John Oliver cabin is the first historic structure visitors come across on the 11-mile Cades Cove driving loop.

A historic log cabin built in the 1860s by John Ownby.

Clingmans Domer Tower provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding Smoky Mountains National Park. The Tower also has a story to tell - it was architecturally significant within the history of the National Park Service and a model for other towers that were built across the NPS.

A 1,200-foot (366 m) tunnel at the end of Lakeview Drive that is permanently closed to motorized traffic but serves as a gateway to hiking trails, remote campsites, and more just north of Fontana Lake.

Olmsted Brothers were hired by the National Park Service in 1938 to create a memorial to John D. Rockefeller’s wife Laura. With only a budget of $20,000, and working in harsh winter conditions, Olmsted Brothers tasked partner Henry Hubbard with the design. Hubbard was tasked with transforming the “nose of a little hill” into a spiral of two terraces climbing up the hill’s slope. When it came to construction for the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, the Civilian Conservation Corps were commissioned, working until 1940. When development began, Hubbard created a clay model of two semicircular stone block terraces hugging the face of the hill, connected by steps leading to a lookout. Models were created at the request of a client and were almost immediately taken apart after completion of the design. After Hubbard created his model for the Spelman Memorial, he took a light and tracked the path of sunlight, to ensure that light shined on the memorial. This extra attention to detail is what helped make the Olmsted firm so prolific. Source: "Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial," The Cultural Landscape Foundation For more information and primary resources, please visit: Olmsted Research Guide Online Olmsted Archives on Flickr

A 25-foot (7.6 m) waterfall where Abrams Creek plunges over a rock ledge into a deep, picturesque pool.

A historic mountaintop lodge offering rustic overnight lodging and meals for hikers.

A historic one-room schoolhouse built in 1881 for the Little Greenbrier community.

A 51-site daytime recreational area with tables and charcoal grills near the scenic Foothills Parkway.

A series of rushing cascades and plunge pools along Middle Prong Trail.

Admire a gorgeous waterfall from the comfort of your vehicle. Located along Little River Road, Meigs Falls features a spacious pull-out area for easy viewing. This makes it one of the most accessible waterfalls in the park.

A 122-site daytime recreational area with tables and charcoal grills on the banks of the Little River.

Cades Cove Methodist Church is the 5th stop on the scenic loop drive. The church is on the right side of the road and is past the turn off for the Primitive Baptist Church.

A historic 19th-century gristmill with a functioning water-powered turbine and regular historical demonstrations.

The Missionary Baptist Church is on the entrance side of the loop past Hyatt Lane and across from Rich Mountain Road.

The Mountain Farm Museum is a unique collection of historic farm buildings that showcases what life was like in a typical rural Appalachian community over a century ago.

A scenic 41-foot (12.5 m) waterfall that cascades into Big Creek.

A scenic high-elevation overlook with panoramic mountain views and a large parking area.

Despite popular belief, the story of Daisy Town does not begin at the historic cabins, rather, it starts here. Welcome to Elkmont Campground. Before it became the largest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont was the second largest town in Sevier County. By 1918, the town had over 1,500 residents and was considered a “company town” built by the Little River Lumber Company and Railroad in 1908. The company owned almost 80,000 acres of what is now the national park. Elkmont’s strategic location (halfway between Clingmans Dome and the town of Townsend) made it economical to transport cut trees by railroad to the sawmill in Townsend, then off to markets around the world. Standing at the present-day yield sign on your left, look down the road to your right where the walk-in tent sites are located. Using the photograph circa 1917/18, try to imagine Elkmont’s former Main Street or Rail Street where a single railroad track ran 18 miles from Townsend. The track was divided into three tracks for the short length of the town of Elkmont. (You are standing at the bottom right corner of the photo. The flat straight drive was built directly on the old railroad bed.) The town consisted of a commissary (company store), church, school, hotel, tavern, machine shop, and employee houses. Not long after the town opened, Little River Lumber Company leased the land east of Elkmont town to the Appalachian Club of Knoxville, and west of town to the Wonderland Club. By 1925, the lumber company finished logging the area, pulled up all the rails, closed the town, and started logging the area known as Tremont. It is hard to believe that just over 100 years ago this area was a bustling town of over 1,500 residents. As you travel between stops, look for signs of the people who came before us, watch for distinct gaps in the forest which could indicate the route of an old railroad bed, or consider the size and type of trees around you. Learning to read the landscape can reveal clues about a time gone by…

During times of heavy rain, numerous little cascades make up this waterfall located along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Primitive Baptist Church built in 1887 is the second stop along the Cades Cove Loop after the John Oliver cabin.

This large cottage was built in 1928 as a vacation home for Alice Townsend, wife of Colonel Townsend, who owned both the Little River Lumber Company and the Little River Railroad.

A short but rushing cascade, the Sinks is a gushing waterfall located along Little River Road with an interesting history.

Have you ever wondered how a train makes a “U” turn? A historic logging train consisted of a locomotive, coal car, and up to eight logging cars, making it almost 600 feet long (about 183 meters; roughly two football fields). With a single track and mountain terrains, it was not easy to turn one of these trains around. To address this, the logging companies developed the “turning Y” to allow trains to return easily and safely to Townsend. Today, we consider this a “three-point turn.” From a birds-eye view of this spot 100 years ago, you would see an upside-down “Y". The parking lot at the beginning of the nature trail is one “leg” of the “Y". You can see the other leg on the nature trail to the right after you cross the wooden bridge. The train maneuvered past the “Y", backed up one leg which extended over a mile, then returned via the other leg, thus turning the train in the opposite direction. A “Y” is sometimes spelled “wye," and many were located throughout the logging areas of the Smokies. That is how the Townsend Wye got its name.

Tipton Place is located on the exit side of the loop between Dan Lawson Place and Carter Shields Cabin.

A 22-foot (6.7-m) cascade down a long series of mossy sandstone ledges.

Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion is the largest in the park, surrounded by scenic forest. Located in a secluded section of the Smokies near Gatlinburg, this pavilion is a popular place for group trips.

The Henry Whitehead place is located 0.75 miles down Forge Creek Road. The entrance for Forge Creek Road is just past the exit of the Cades Cove Visitor Center/Cable Mill Historic Area parking lot.

A leafy 81-site daytime recreational area with tables, charcoal grills, restrooms, and a nearby camp store.

A concession stable offering horseback-riding trips and rides through forests and meadows of Cades Cove.

A historic barn, springhouse, and two-story framehouse completed by Hiram Caldwell in 1906.

A scenic overlook with rolling mountain views and visible regrowth after the 2016 wildfires.

The Carter Shields cabin is the last historic structure visitors come across on the 11-mile Cades Cove driving loop.

A narrow 40-foot (12.2 m) cascade where Cataract Branch meets Fighting Creek.

A unique rocky outcrop surrounded by steep cliffs along the Appalachian Trail.

A peaceful cascade that slides 15 feet (4.6 m) down smoothly worn sandstone.

Chimneys Picnic Area is one of ten designated picnic areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the northern part of the park along Newfound Gap Road, this picnic area is heavily forested and near water.

Collins Creek Picnic Area is one of ten picnic areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located along Newfound Gap Road, it offers 182 shaded sites and a pavilion available by reservaiton.

A shady 35-site daytime recreational area with tables and charcoal grills near Cosby Creek.

A row of preserved vacation homes built between 1910 and 1935 on the former site of a logging camp.

An 80-foot (24.4 m) cascade of small streams that converge as they flow under a log footbridge.

A 25-foot (7.6 m) waterfall where Abrams Creek plunges over a rock ledge into a deep, picturesque pool.

A short loop trail that winds through a quiet grove of old-growth forest

A dramatic rocky overhang along Alum Cave Trail.

A grassy mountaintop meadow known for its scenic views and unique ecology.

A large restored clubhouse rebuilt in 1934 and now available for daytime rental.

A natural rock formation that stretches over a set of winding stone steps along Alum Cave Trail.

A historic two-room schoolhouse built in 1901.

Big Creek Picnic Area is one of ten designated picnic areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the northeast section of the park, it offers ten sites in a secluded area.

The Bradley Fork Trail offers a scenic and diverse outdoor experience, featuring picturesque creeks, seasonal wildflowers, fishing access, horseback riding opportunities, and backcountry camping.

Once a railroad bed, the Little River Trail now offers a peaceful hike through the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As you follow the river’s gentle flow, you’ll pass remnants of the old Elkmont community—stone chimneys and foundations quietly tucked into the forest.

Enjoy a riverside stroll approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip through a cove hardwood forest along one of the only dog- and bike-friendly trails in the park. This trail includes sections of sidewalks and roadsides as well as graded dirt path.

Drive 16.6 miles (26.7 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Chilhowee to Walland.

Drive 14.75 miles (23.74 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Walland to Wears Valley.

Drive 5.6 miles (9.01 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Cosby to I-40.

Hike 3.4 miles (5.5 km) roundtrip from Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area through hardwood forest to see remnants of stonework, the historic one-room Little Greenbrier School, and the preserved homesite of the Walker family. This trail includes sections of well-packed dirt path and wide gravel roadbed.

Visit the Cable Mill area for a glimpse into a traditional Appalachian farming community.

Hike a popular section of the Appalachian Trail for 8 miles (12.9 km) roundtrip through spruce-fir forest to enjoy panoramic views and a unique rocky outcrop surrounded by exposed cliffs.

Hike 10.9 miles (17.5 km) one-way on Cooper Road Trail.

Hike 0.62-mile (1 km) roundtrip on Smokemont Nature Trail which provides a peaceful escape and views of the surrounding peaks.

Hike 0.75 miles (1.2 km) roundtrip on Cove Hardwood Trail to explore a forest of giants and wind through a lush mountainside.

The longest of the five routes to Mount Le Conte, this strenuous hike—16.2 miles (26.1 km) roundtrip—offers a variety of views and includes part of the Appalachian Trail. Charlies Bunion, a rocky outcrop, is a short but rewarding detour.

Explore the scenery of Cades Cove and the historic John Oliver Cabin and homesite with a short path—0.3 miles (0.5 km) roundtrip—suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The trail gives way to level, packed gravel once it reaches the complex of log structures.

Walk 2 miles (3.2 km) roundtrip through a hardwood forest on a wide, well-graded path following a mountain stream to reach the historic Steve Woody Place, which was once the center of a sprawling homestead with several outbuildings.

Wander through a cove hardwood forest with streamside views, rock walls, and historic stone chimneys on this half-mile (0.8 km) loop along a paved, flat trail. The trailhead is adjacent to a small parking area with several accessible spaces along Newfound Gap Rd (US 441) near Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Hike 5.4 miles (8.7 km) roundtrip on West Prong Trail

Hike 13 miles (21 km) roundtrip on one of five routes to Mount Le Conte that includes a waterfall, rocky ascents, and forest views. Lush forests line the trail and hikers will intersect the Bullhead Trail, Alum Cave Trail, and Trillium Gap Trail before reaching the summit.

One of five routes to Mount Le Conte, the Bullhead Trail offers consistent views. The strenuous hike is 13.6 miles (21.9 km) roundtrip. Near the beginning, visitors will see rocky cliffs and climb the Bullhead, a heath-covered bald that may resemble a bull's head from a distance.

Walk along a short, paved trail 0.8 miles (1.3 km) through the forest to an observation tower with panoramic views of the Smokies and Blount County, Tennessee. This trail includes some mild to moderate inclines.

Hike 3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip descending through high-elevation, spruce-fir forest to a popular grassy bald known for its flowering azaleas in summer and views of the surrounding mountains. The return hike to the trailhead involves a relatively strenuous climb.

Enjoy a riverside stroll approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip on one of the only pet- and bike-friendly trails in the park. This popular trail is relatively flat, wide, and graveled and follows the Oconaluftee River through elk habitat and hardwood forest.

Hike 5.4 miles (8.7 km) on a pleasant and shady loop connecting three trails with streamside views, historic structures, and prolific spring wildflower displays. Trail conditions vary from paved road and graveled path to narrower and rockier sections with minor stream crossings.

Hike 4.4 miles (7.1 km) roundtrip on Schoolhouse Gap Trail which offers a peaceful walk with a touch of history and a chance to spot seasonal blooms and wildlife.

Hike 1.6 miles (2.6 km) roundtrip along Deep Creek, which features views of two waterfalls, Tom Branch Falls and Indian Creek Falls.

Walk 5 miles (8 km) roundtrip through rhododendron, hemlock, and pine-oak forest to a 25-foot (7.6-m) waterfall and scenic pool. Swimming in the pool is not recommended due to slippery rocks and a dangerous undertow.

Drive 11.4 miles (18.3 km) roundtrip on Lakeview Drive.

Hike 3.5 miles (5.6 km) roundtrip on this popular but challenging trail to enjoy views of surrounding mountains and the Chimney Tops pinnacles. This trail is steep and rocky at times, and includes bridges, stairs, and some lingering signs of 2016 wildfires.

Hike 4.6 miles (7.4 km) roundtrip to see the Alum Cave Bluffs and stroll through Arch Rock on this popular hike on Alum Cave Trail. The trail crosses two mountain streams via footbridges before it climbs through sections of old-growth forest.

Hike 2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip through a mixed hardwood forest to an 80-foot (24-m) waterfall. Enjoy a few views of the mountain landscape before arriving at the waterfall. PLEASE NOTE: Laurel Falls Trail is expected to close starting in mid-December for 18 months.

See three waterfalls on a loop around the Deep Creek area. Hike 2.4 miles (3.9 km) on several short trail segments to reach Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls, and Tom Branch Falls.

Hike 5.6 miles (9 km) roundtrip through varied forest to a popular waterfall named for the misty rainbow that often appears at its base. This trail is well-traveled and maintained, but the climb to the falls is relatively steep.

Go on a woodland stroll following an old railroad bed along a mountain stream, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) roundtrip, to a dramatic cascade. The trail is mostly wide and flat and gently ascends through rhododendron and some cliff-like rock outcroppings.

Porters Creek is a peaceful trail that is filled with history and natural wonders, hike as far as you'd like to explore. If you are up for about a 4-mile roundtrip hike you can visit the beautiful Fern Branch Falls.

Hike 8 miles (12.9 km) roundtrip on this popular but relatively challenging trail through cove hardwood forest to see the tallest waterfall in the park. The trail begins on an old roadbed but becomes narrower and rockier crossing multiple footlog bridges and streams as it ascends.

Hike 1.2 miles (1.9 km) roundtrip along a wide gravel roadbed that follows a mountain stream to a cascade surrounded by moss-covered rocks and mixed hardwood forest.

Hike 4 miles (6.4 km) on Lakeshore and Goldmine Loop trails through a hardwood forest filled with signs of old homesites and farms. This trail is moderate but includes some rocky areas and shallow stream crossings.

Hike 4.3 miles (6.9 km) roundtrip through a hardwood forest with hemlock and rhododendron to a popular 90-foot (27-m) waterfall. This trail includes some steep sections and switchbacks.

One of five routes to Mount Le Conte, Trillium Gap Trail to Mount Le Conte is 13 miles (20.9 km) roundtrip and rewards hikers with mountain views, diverse forest, and a waterfall. Near the summit, the best views are at Cliff Top and Myrtle Point, both marked with signs.

Hike 10 miles (16.1 km) roundtrip on Alum Cave Trail as it climbs steadily through dense forest to Alum Cave Bluffs and on to the summit of Mount LeConte. This popular but strenuous hike includes stairs, bridges, and some steep and rocky sections of trail.

Hike 2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip on Trillium Gap Trail as it crosses multiple streams and sections of old-growth forest to reach a unique waterfall you can walk behind. This trail is well-traveled but prone to muddy and slippery conditions.

Walk one mile (1.6 km) roundtrip from the Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) parking area along a steep paved path to an iconic and popular observation tower with panoramic views from the highest peak in the Smokies.

Hike 5.6 miles (9 km) roundtrip on a trail that climbs steadily through mixed hardwood forest to a ridgetop where American chestnut trees were once abundant. Fall leaf color and plentiful spring wildflowers remain a draw on this trail.

Follow the flow of mountain streams 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip through hardwood forest and across several log footbridges to the remains of a CCC camp and the Kephart Shelter.

Hike 3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip through hardwood forest following the path of mountain streams to a peaceful cascade. This trail is wide, well-graded, and regularly used by both hikers and horse riders.