Inside: A real parent review of a visit to AnaVista Tower in Anakeesta, Gatlinburg, TN
Anakeesta in Gatlinburg is one of the area’s most popular attractions – and for very good reasons! The mountaintop village in downtown Gatlinburg, TN has so many things to do, places to eat, and places to play, including the crown jewel – the AnaVista tower – Gatlinburg’s highest point.
Quick Look: Why Families Love AnaVista Tower Area at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, TN
360° mountain views from Gatlinburg’s highest point at AnaVista Tower
Wander through mountaintop gardens
Play like a kid at the 3-level TreeVenture course
Unlimited rides on the Chondola or Ridge Rambler
Steps away from downtown—stay close, play all day!
Flying High at Anakeesta
If you happen to look at Anakeesta, the gorgeous mountaintop village in downtown Gatlinburg, from one of the overlooks coming into the town, you cannot miss the AnaVista Tower. It stands as the highest point in Gatlinburg and offers guests 360 views of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Blue Ridge Mountains, and downtown Gatlinburg. I was totally blown away when I got up there. The views are just incredible.
Designed by one of the founders of Anakeesta, Bob Bentz, it is meant to resemble the Lily flower opening its petals to the sun.
The tower stands 50 feet high and has helpful plaques on every side about what you’re looking at, from Clingman’s Dome to Stone Mountain to Pigeon Forge. You can see for miles. There are also chairs set up on every level if you need to take a break on the way up to the top. It’s the highest point in Gatlinburg and is part of Anakeesta’s $6.5 million expansion plans.
Places to stay in Anakeesta
Use the map below to discover great places to stay in Anakeesta for your family.
The map below uses links from Stay 22. Kidding Around earns when you book through these links, through an affiliate relationship with Stay 22.
Surrounded by gardens
The tower is in the middle of the stunning gardens atop the mountain, artfully strewn with lilies, colorful little flowers, roses, lilac, and all kinds of other beauties that I love but have no idea what they are called. The views from the garden are amazing. You get up there and look out over the Great Smoky Mountains and just want to take it all in, to breathe freely, and to never leave. It’s peaceful and serene. The founders of Anakeesta are both landscape architects and it shows.
By the way, Anakeesta is less than 10 years old. Millions of people have made their way up to the mountain and already the mountaintop adventure park has earned an impressive number of travel awards.
Read our full review of Anakeesta and all its attractions, including the mountain coaster, the zip lines, the restaurants, and the treetop walk.
TreeVenture
The AnaVista Tower isn’t the only thing gracing the top of the mountain. The TreeVenture adventure course is something you have to see! It easily fits into the landscape of the mountain with natural wood, nets, and fun obstacles for both kids and adults.
That’s right, adults can have just as much fun as the kids! I tried it out and enjoyed the swinging bridges and wobbly structures, and the huge slide. TreeVenture is creatively designed so it’s a challenge for everyone, but also lots of fun.
There are three levels of play on the course, six netted bridges, three treehouses, plus a slide. There’s no extra cost for all this fun!
In the last couple years, Anakeesta has just kept expanding. They have added an outdoor splash pad for the summer, new restaurants in the Firefly Village, and the wildly popular Astra Lumina, which is a night walk that makes it seem like you’re walking among stars. Most recently, they added an over-the-top birdhouse-themed playground that you have to see to believe! We have not done this yet but we do know that it has gotten rave reviews.
Admission
Admission is good for all-day access and unlimited Chondala or Ridge Rambler rides up and down the mountain. Also included in the admission ticket is the AnaVista Tower, TreeVenture, Treetop Skywalk, Treehouse Village Adventure, Overlook Event Area, Vista Gardens Walk, Memorial Forest Walk with interpretive signs, shopping and dining opportunities at Firefly Village, and the most stunning scenic views in all of Gatlinburg.
Be sure to check out their seasonal events as they have a ton going on every season and you don’t want to miss anything when you go.
An adult ticket is $3.499 and children ages 4-11 are $22.99. Kids three and under are free.
The all-day access, I think, is one of the best perks of admission to Anakeesta. We stayed at the beautiful Greystone Lodge, right across the street from Anakeesta, maybe a five-minute walk, and the ability to head down the mountain and take a break there and then come back in the evening is a great way to spend the day. The Greystone has a fun pool, perfect for kids, and a nice way to relax for parents.
Anakeesta also offers seasonal passes, which are good for an entire year from the date of purchase. This is a great option for families if they know they are coming to Gatlinburg at least twice a year and want to make Anakeesta a part of their visit.
Season passes are $69.99 for adults and $57.99 for kids, plus you get extra perks like unlimited access to the Chondola express lane, an extra guest pass, and discounts on food and beverages and entertainment.
Inside: Local mom, Kristina, takes a tour around the Smoky Mountains in a pink Jeep tour with Smoky Mountain PINK® Jeep® tours.
It’s hard to miss the bright pink Jeeps around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, guests clearly loving the experience seeing all the Smoky Mountains have to offer. We sent Kidding Around contributor Kristina to the Smokies to check out the Smoky Mountain PINK® Jeep® tours and try the off-roading experience. Here’s why it should go on your itinerary the next time you’re in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
Media tickets were given for this review but the opinion is solely that of the author.
I looked across the back of the PINK® Jeep® to see both my kids with wide smiles on their faces, bumping around on the seat as we navigated a forty-degree drop in the off-roading obstacle course in Pigeon Forge. Some of our fellow guests may have whelped a bit, too. Having never been off-roading, this was quite the experience – and one we were thrilled to try out.
I had known about PINK® Jeeps® for years, ever since my
family vacationed at the Grand Canyon and Sedona in Arizona. The brightly
colored Jeeps are hard to miss and I distinctly remember how cool they looked.
So when I had the opportunity to give the brand new Smoky Mountain PINK Jeep
tour in Pigeon Forge a try, it was a no-brainer. I had waited 15 years for
this! It didn’t disappoint.
What is a PINK® Jeep®?
PINK® Jeep® has been around since 1960, founded in Arizona for the purpose of taking
tourists and guests around the backroads and giving them a chance to truly
enjoy the scenery without any of the stress of driving or navigating unfamiliar
roads. They opened up shop in Pigeon Forge, just 15 minutes from Gatlinburg, in
April 2019 and have been giving visitors an awesome experience in the mountains
ever since.
The Smoky Mountain PINK® Jeeps® have both seven and nine-seater Jeeps and certainly can accommodate children. They have car seats available as well. Children must be at least 18 months old to ride.
The Roaring Fork Tour
There are plenty of tours to choose from for your adventure.
We did the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, a 2.5 hour tour that wound through the
back roads of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and into the Great Smoky Mountain
National Park. The motor trail is paved and winds through the forest. Our apt
guide told us all about the park’s history and stopped along the trail to check
out the deer and turkey we saw. Some cars ahead saw a bear but we couldn’t see
it! Our guide did say there are often bear encounters along the way, which is
super cool.
There are also a handful of cabins from the 1800s and the settlers who first lived there. We got out to explore the old buildings and take short trails to the creek. We passed a small waterfall and then went to the off-roading course. It was a lot of fun, and I can totally understand why people love doing this. There are bumps and steep drop,s and hills. And the course overlooks Pigeon Forge, which is a beautiful view.
Each Jeep has about $100,000 poured into them, which makes the vehicles perfect and safe for these adventures.
Having never been on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, I had no idea it was the location of a trail I’ve been eying for several months, Grotto Falls, a waterfall that you can walk behind. Not one to pass up an opportunity for waterfall chasing and knocking off a bucket list hike, I took my kids later that same afternoon to the trail for the hike. I wouldn’t have known where the trailhead was, or rather that it was so close to Gatlinburg and easily accessible if it weren’t for the PINK® Jeep® tour.
PINK Jeep Tours
Besides the Roaring Fork Tour, Smoky Mountain PINK® Jeep® Tours also offers the Gatlinburg Loop Smoky Mountain Tour, the Newfound Gap Smoky Mountain Tour, and the Foothills Parkway Smoky Mountains Tour. Ticket prices start at $99, depending on the tour. Tours range from two to three hours in length.
It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and layers are always a good idea. We did a morning tour in October, when temperatures were in the 80s during the day but cooler in the morning and my kids forget their light jackets in the car – so they borrowed mine, and a gentleman on our tour offered his, which was so kind. So be prepared.
Gatlinburg SkyBridge as viewed from the PINK Jeep
You don’t do much walking, but if you want to explore, wear closed-toed shoes. Watch the weather and bring rain gear,r it looks like rain. The Jeeps are enclosed and heated or cooled, but it’s way more fun to have everything open.
An important note about pregnant moms – they aren’t allowed on the 4×4 trail, only the paved ones. They can do the paved part and wait at a scenic overlook while the Jeep does the off-roading.
I found the Smoky Mountain PINK Jeep tour to be a fantastic way to make those memories with your family that will last for decades to come.
Looking for a fun place to stay in the Gatlinburg area for your family, a girls’ trip, or even a romantic getaway? Kristina took her kids to Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort and tells us all about it and why it’s sure to be a destination choice for your next vacation to the Smokies. A complimentary stay was given to us for this review.
If you like the outdoors and would love to stay overnight in the woods but camping just isn’t up your alley, maybe you have heard of “glamping” – it’s where you get the experience of camping but without having to set up a tent, sleep on the ground, and deal with no air conditioning.
I’ve done all kinds of awesome glamping, as well as regular camping, and if I have the choice, it’s going to be one of comfort! And I stayed at an unforgettable glamping resort in Gatlinburg that may just seal the deal on your family’s next trip.
Glamping at Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort
Staying in a European Safari Tent
Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort is only two-and-a-half hours from Greenville yet feels a world away. It’s a luxury camping resort that has safari tents, campers, and treehouses for rent, plus spaces for RVs and regular tents. I had seen signs for the resort on my previous trips to the Smoky Mountains and was intrigued, so when I had the opportunity to stay in a safari tent there, you bet I took it.
Our safari tent, which was imported from Europe, was basically a huge tent with walls of strong fabric stretched over wooden poles. It had two areas, one for sleeping, and a deck for sitting and eating. The back sleeping part was closed off with a zippered door and you could also close off a second part with a counter and storage area, leaving the deck open. We did that just for privacy and saw most of the other occupied safari tents doing the same.
While there are no lions or tigers outside this safari tent, there may be bears, so you need to be sure to store your food sealed in your car or in a bear-proof canister. No bears showed up for our stay though (I really wanted to see one – maybe next time).
There is also an outdoor charcoal ring with a grill top for use, plus a table and chairs, and a wooden chair swing. Fire pits with chairs are nearby as well as potable water spouts.
Comfortable Beds and AC
The most uncomfortable part of regular camping for me is the hard ground and lack of air conditioning. It’s hard to get a good night’s sleep when you’re sweating on top of a thin mat. That’s no issue at Camp LeConte. Our tent had a large, comfortable bed with a set of bunk beds and an air conditioning unit. It was super clean, and the tent even had windows (you could roll them closed at night for privacy) and a closet to store your bags. There’s also electricity, so charging your phone is no problem.
It was very comfortable, and my kids loved the outdoor swing and deck.
Amenities & Location
One thing I’ve learned about taking kids on vacation is that a pool on location is key. Camp LeConte has a small heated pool, perfect for lounging after a long day of hiking and where the kids somehow still have the energy to go for a swim.
The resort also has a playground, ping pong, and laundry on-site if you need it. The bathhouse is within walking distance of the tents and campers and was very clean. Towels, linens, and shampoo/conditioner/soap are all provided.
There’s a general store also so if you forgot anything essential, you should be able to get it. They also sell firewood and ice, which is convenient.
Check-in was a breeze. A welcome packet is placed outside the bathrooms and laundry area, and you just grab it and go to your tent, treehouse, or camper.
Camp LeConte is located only 4 miles from downtown Gatlinburg and about 25 minutes to Pigeon Forge. The trolley stops right outside the resort so you can easily make use of that service if you don’t want to drive and park in town. There is a grocery store right down the street from the resort as well as nearby restaurants, gas stations, and a CVS. The entrance to the Smoky Mountains is maybe 10 minutes away without traffic.
I loved that the resort was close enough to Gatlinburg to be convenient but far enough to be away from the noise and traffic. The resort was pretty full when we went but it was quiet and peaceful and best of all, restful.
The resort is open from March through December.
Family, Friends, or Couple Options
Camp LeConte caters to everyone and I love the variety of options they have. Our safari tent easily slept a family of four but they have others that are better suited for couples or even a girls weekend. Safari tents sleep two, four, or six people and range in price from $198-$233 a night. There was a group of four girlfriends next to us who looked like they were having an awesome time!
If you have always wanted to stay in a luxury tree house, this is the place. I’m totally eyeing one for my next trip, they look amazing. There are three of them at the resort and perched in the trees (obviously). They start at $223 a night. There are also two 1960s retro campers at the resort that look adorable. They are $161 a night.
If you plan to bring an RV, they offer full hook up with water, sewer, cable tv hookups, and free wifi.
One important item to note is that pets are not allowed in the safari tents, the campers, or the luxury treehouses. Pets are allowed if you reserve one of the RV sites.
Here’s a video tour of our safari tent:
Make Some Memories in the Gatlinburg Area
All of these options at Camp LeConte are just perfect for that getaway you’ve been wanting to take but maybe aren’t sure where to go or what to do. We have a huge guide to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge if you’re looking for options on things to do in the area. This is by far personally one of my favorite places to take my kids because of all the unique things to do and the endless adventures to have at the National Park.
My kids were sad to leave Camp LeConte – they loved the bunk beds and the whole experience of glamping, plus the pool was endless entertainment. We explored Gatlinburg and the park during our trip, heading to Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, and the SkyBridge. It was nice to know we had a quiet, comfortable place to come back to each night after our adventures!
If you have visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you have probably walked by with curiosity about what may be inside the Ripley’s Moving Theater. Reviews of this 5D theater, including our own mom review, find that the ride is a great experience for big kids and tweens looking to have fun while exploring downtown Gatlinburg.
What is the Ripley’s Moving Theater anyway?
Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater is exactly what you think it is – one of those moving roller coaster-esque experiences where you are seated in one chair the entire time, but through the magic of 3D and moving chairs and giant screens, you feel exactly as if you have been on a roller coaster or a jet plane or a parachute or a log flume or a helicopter or a sinking ship or all of the above.
Find a place to stay in Gatlinburg, TN. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Our Ripley’s attendee was rather enthusiastic and very kind and quite chatty as we prepped ourselves for the “ride”. For my kids, this was their first moving theatre experience to their recollection. (Seems to me I have vague memories of riding one at some museum with them, but as not one of them said they could remember that and my memory is rather hazy on it, we’re calling it the first.) The theatre was small, but more than adequate for a large number of guests. During our ride, there was only our family and two other couples.
London and Mosely decided rapidly and emphatically that they were not interested in the seats that moved a lot and anxiously sat together in the first row – a row of seats that were completely stationary. Provided for those guests who were pregnant, suffering from heart conditions, suffering from back pain, prone to motion sickness, or otherwise unable to actually enjoy the experience for which they had just forked over some cash.
I knew the girls would be missing the real gist of the ride, but I wasn’t willing to force the motion on them if they truly were not interested. They still both received their 3D glasses and they seemed content with their choice.
What Happens During the Ride?
During our ride – where we faced landslides and avalanches and swept through both the jungle and the tundra, also the Arctic and the ocean (we were really time and space traveling) – we were jolted and raised and shaken in our seats. The kids (the ones in moving seats with me) laughed and sighed and screamed at all the appropriate places. I felt a lot like I was just in a car accident and suffering through some serious whiplash, but I wanted to be a team player and not an old person prone to motion sickness (which is what I actually am, in fact) so I endured the shifting and the shaking and the jolting and the jarring. I endured. They enjoyed. (That seems par for the parenting course sometimes, does it not?)
We never did count all the “Ds” but there was the movement of the chairs of course and the 3D glasses and screen and another was also water that sprayed on us as we went down the waterfall and snow that fell from the “sky” as we hung out with the penguins.
London and Mosely, as one might expect, did not report their enjoyment levels to be as high as say, Otto and Piper, and Bergen did. However, Mosely also did not suffer from an upset stomach, to which she is prone, so – that’s a win.
It was fun to see the younger kids, especially Otto and Piper, really get a kick out of the moving seats and the snow coming down (I actually really liked the snow effect too). I can’t say the movies are high quality – they are definitely more about falling coasters and moving fast than any semblance of a plot or characters. But – hey, that’s not why we were there. We were there for 3D glasses, falling snow inside a building, and jumping off virtual waterfalls in a virtual boat!
Did you know you can walk across the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the country at Gatlinburg SkyPark? Gatlinburg SkyPark is just a few hours away from Greenville. We sent Kristina to do it because she won the coin toss. Here’s what you need to know if you want to go on your Gatlinburg vacation.
Media tickets were given so we could review this incredible experience.
I think my mouth may have hung open the first time I saw a video of the SkyPark (formerly called the Sky Bridge) in Gatlinburg when it was completed in May of 2019. It was gorgeous. And so, so high up in the air. I knew I had to go, no matter how scary getting up there may be. Sometimes you need to take those risks, right?
The bridge is part of Gatlinburg SkyPark, which was founded in 1954, way before the town became the destination it is today. The park is the longest-running attraction in Gatlinburg, which borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The national park is the most visited in the entire country. Last year, more than 12 million people stepped foot in the Smokies.
But the views are still the same as they were in the late 1950s – sweeping and majestic and unforgettable. You have to take a gondola up to the SkyPark, five hundred vertical feet to be exact. Just don’t look backwards and you’ll be fine.
The Sky Bridge
The bridge was completed in May of 2019 and holds the record of being the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. It’s 680 feet in length and sways 150 feet off the ground. There are glass panels in the middle of the bridge, which honestly I didn’t even think about until I had to walk across 30 feet of it. You look straight down. It’s terrifying but also awesome with an amazing view.
The people who run the SkyPark social media pages are geniuses. You may have seen the videos of the bridge all lit up in Christmas lights around December or when snow was falling in the mountains or when the leaves were bright reds and oranges in the fall. They do such an amazing job of bringing viewers onto the bridge who have never been and entice them to go. At least that was my opinion and one of the reasons why I really, really wanted to walk the bridge.
If you’re wondering if you can feel the bridge sway, the answer is yes. If you’re wondering if it’s worth the five-hundred-foot vertical ride in the yellow gondola with nothing but a bar separating you from a long drop, then yes, it’s worth it.
The views going up and down the mountain are incredible. You can see all of Downtown Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. We got lucky and the clouds were moving between the peaks of the mountains, creating a surreal view. I could never get tired of that view.
This is such a unique attraction that is just amazing and I certainly recommend it when you visit Gatlinburg. And don’t you want bragging rights for walking the longest pedestrian bridge in North America? I did.
Walk the SkyTrail and Hiking Trails
The SkyPark has been adding new attractions pretty much every year for the past several years. They added the SkyTrail, a trail that lines the ridge around the mountain, and in late 2024, they opened up 1.5 miles of hiking trails.
Part of the SkyTrail is a boardwalk and the other part is natural dirt. The hiking trails are natural dirty and probably one of the coolest things is running into the enormous Mountain Man. The Mountain Man is supposedly protects the area now after the fires.
The views are just spectacular and you can go across the mountain without actually walking the bridge. Just don’t run into a bear!
I had no idea that the wildfires of 2016 totally destroyed Crockett Mountain, where the SkyPark is located. There are plaques around the trail that talk about the devastating fires and what happened in the rebuilding process plus how the bridge was engineered. If you’re a homeschooling family, this totally counts as an awesome field trip.
They trails are really cool and a fun activity while you’re already up on the mountain. They aren’t really hilly except if you decide to go up or down the mountain on a trail instead of use the gondola ride. Most of the trails are only open during the daytime hours for now.
Climb the Tulip Tower
The steel Tulip Tower at the SkyPark rises 70 feet in the back of the ravine behind the Sky Bridge. It has four floors and is accessed by two rope bridges.
SkyBridge and Tulip Tower
The tower has educational plaques inside the middle of each floor that talk about the wildfires, local wildlife, and native plants and trees. The tower is so named because the Tulip Tree was one of the last remaining trees when the wildfire swept through the mountain and wiped out the park. So the tower is named for the resilience of the tree and all those people who rebuilt the park and those who lost their homes (five SkyPark employees lost their homes because of the fire).
Again, the views are unreal. I legitimately took 100 photos of the bridge from all along the SkyTrail, the hiking trails, and the Tulip Tower. The tower is open for daytime use.
Eating and Drinking at the SkyPark
What makes a great view even better? Food and drink! The gift shop at the park is awesome. It has all kinds of cool bridge-related items plus the warmest winter hats I think I’ve ever felt. They also have a basic menu of pizza, pretzels, and snacks plus coffee.
Head upstairs and grab a craft beer and an outside table and take a deep breath while you gaze at the scenery. It’s breathtaking. These views are incredibly unique. If you’re going to Smokies, why not see the sweeping views they offer right there at the park? Just do it.
There are rocking chairs and tables outside on the deck also. We saw plenty of people just rocking away their worries up there. I would have swiped one to do the same but they were all full.
Brand new in 2025 is Clayton’s Landing, a huge space with fire pits, rocking chairs, decks, and a restaurant atop the SkyPark. I absolutely loved this place for it’s views and cozy seating. We got burgers, fries, and chicken tenders and everything we had was delicious. This is a great expansion for the SkyPark and really adds to the overall time you can spend there enjoying the incredible views.
Part of Clayton’s Landing
Admission Costs
If you have heard and seen the Sky Bridge in Gatlinburg you may be wondering, “Is the Gatlinburg SkyPark free?” No. Find ticket information for SkyPark below.
Single Visit Tickets to the SkyPark, which include access to the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, SkyTrail, Tulip Tower, and Sky Deck are $34.95/ages 12-64, $20.95/ages 6-11, $27.95/seniors, and kids 5 and under are free. This ticket is only good for one visit. You can’t leave and come back with this ticket.
Unlimited SkyPass Ticket to the SkyPark: this ticket includes unlimited visits on the same day you purchase and you get to skip the line. This ticket gives access to the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, SkyTrail, Tulip Tower, and Sky Deck are $41.95/ages 12-64, $27.95/ages 6-11, $34.95/seniors, and kids 5 and under are free.
The SkyBridge opens at 9 am and closes at 10 pm during the summer and 9 pm other times of the year. We were planning to head back up there during sunset but my kids were tired from a long day of fun. But I Imagine those views would be spectacular during dusk and for the seasonal lights that adorn the bridge. They are open all year round, seven days a week except for Christmas Day and Maintenance Week (January 22-26 2025) and (May 1-2 2025). See full SkyBridge hours here.
I recommend parking at the garage next to Ripley’s Aquarium, which is about a five-minute walk to the SkyPark.
Follow the Gatlinburg SkyPark on Facebook and Instagram for beautiful photos and videos, which will probably entice you to go there on your next visit!
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping where hobbits or wizards would lay their heads, it can happen at Mountain Shire in Sevierville, TN. We stayed in this incredible village and have all the details you need to plan your trip!
Thank you to Mountain Shire for letting us escape reality for a few days and stay in the magical village to write this review.
Watch! Our Visit to Mountain Shire
I’ve read the Lord of the Rings trilogy at least three times and have nicknamed my kids hobbits because they love second breakfast and think about food all day like the short creatures in the famed J.R.R. Tolkien books. Getting to stay in a Middle Earth-themed village was a dream that came true at Mountain Shire in Sevierville, Tennessee, minutes from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
My daughters and I had such a blast here and thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful details around every turn. It was one adventure after another and we were determined to make the most of our time there, even taking on the dress of Gandalf, hobbits, elves, and an elven princess because why not. When else were we going to be in the Shire?
“There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.” ~ The Hobbit
Gotta play the part
About Mountain Shire
Mountain Shire is an adorable village of tiny homes only a couple miles from the main strip in Pigeon Forge but it feels miles away. Tucked away off Wears Valley Road, there are several tiny homes in the village behind a hobbit wall with entrances for humans, elves, wizards, and pups. Yes, the village is dog-friendly. In fact, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to enjoy the company of Westie pups Luna or Lily while you’re there.
There are communal fire pits, a gas grill, covered decks with games, comfortable swings, and a chair straight from a palace somewhere in Middle Earth.
There are gardens that surround the village with all kinds of flowers, plants, lily ponds, and fountains. You’ll easily forget your worries staying at Mountain Shire.
Mountain Shire village
The House of Dragons
We stayed in the Hobbit House of Dragons tiny home, which had a big, yet hobbit-inspired, round door that led into one of the most intricately decorated homes I’ve probably ever been in. There’s a big map of Middle Earth along with dragons in the nooks and crannies – think a dragon night lamp, a dragon door handle, dragon-inspired hoard of gold above the sink. So thoughtful.
The House of Dragons has a loft with a king bed and a tree with roses coming out of the top. The bathroom feels like you are underground in a hobbit house cave of sorts. The day bed is downstairs so the entire house sleeps three people (don’t worry, the other tiny homes can sleep more people so you can bring your family!).
Inside of the House of Dragons
There’s a raised pub desk table with two bar stools that you can spin to get your desired height. There’s a kitchen with fridge, microwave, sink, coffee pot, tea kettle, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, and a two-burner cooking appliance. We made use of all of this to save a little money on eating out while visiting Pigeon Forge.
Each tiny home has WiFi and televisions.
The Other Hobbit Homes and the Harry Potter House
There are other hobbit-themed homes you can rent at Mountain Shire that are all unique and comfortable. Most are on the lower level property but there’s also a second level above the gardens, which contains more hobbit houses. The owners are currently adding more tiny homes to the village so this place is about to get even better.
The Harry Potter tiny home is incredible. The woman staying there when we were visiting was gracious enough to let me check it out and I was blown away. Let me say that I have not read any of the Harry Potter books yet I was completely enthralled at the level of detail in this home and the really cool accommodations.
They have floating candle lights all over the ceiling, two beds in different nooks of the house (one literally inside a cupboard), a loft bedroom, a wall of potions, and so many other things I can barely even remember because my mind was just overwhelmed checking everything out. That house can fit the most people at six with two queen beds and two singles.
Happy Potter-themed tiny house
Whichever house you choose, know that you’ll have the opportunity to relax, enjoy the property, and forget about life for awhile as you enter into a whimsical fantasy land.
At Mountain Shire, you are four minutes from Goats on the Roof, where you can ride a mountain coaster, play mini-golf amongst dinosaurs, and feed goats. There’s also a zip-lining course a couple of minutes away and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is about a 15-minute drive into Metcalf Bottoms (a great swimming hole and picnic area by the way).
To get to more popular trailheads, expect to drive around 30-45 minutes. It took us about 45 minutes to drive to the Chimney Tops Trailhead, where we hiked one day. Laurel Falls is a few minutes less and Alum Cave is about the same distance. Cades Cove is just under an hour’s drive.
Dollywood is about 20 minutes away, which we totally recommend! We really enjoy both the theme park and Dollywood Splash Country.
You can literally walk to Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteak, which serves us cheesesteaks and ice cream. We did check out the inside but didn’t eat there. We saw one of our tiny home neighbors get pizza delivered so you don’t even need to leave the hobbit village to get food.
Honest Mom Review: Mountain Shire
My daughters and I had so much fun at Mountain Shire. We made use of the common spaces, got to relax outdoors, had way too much fun taking photos dressed up as residents of the Shire and Lord of Rings landmarks. It was an absolute blast.
At night, we made s’mores in the outdoor fire pit (they have firewood and lighters available for guests….and lighter fluid for those of us who are fire-challenged) and waited for the lights to sparkle in the dark. Mountain Shire was absolutely designed for fun and relaxation and we tried to enjoy all of it while visiting.
One of the best things about Mountain Shire besides actually feeling like you’re in the Shire, was the location. It was far enough removed from the main strip at Pigeon Forget to be away from the traffic but close enough to get where we wanted to go. We visited during Jeep Invasion and the area was absolutely packed but we never sat in traffic because we mostly were able to use back roads to get where we wanted to go or every place we wanted to go was close by.
Mountain Shire
If you’re looking for a pretty unique place to stay for a family adventure, this is it, especially if you love The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter. You’ll be blown away by Mountain Shire and will want to book your next visit before you leave.
“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
Booking Your Stay at Mountain Shire
While Mountain Shire has their listings on AirBnB, it’s less expensive to book direct right at the Mountain Shite website. Pricing depends on the time of year and days of the week.
Do you have goals to hike up to Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about three hours from Greenville, SC? Read on to plan your epic hike!
Hiking to Mt. LeConte Lodge, the third highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was a goal of mine for awhile and it was during the middle of June, when I took my daughters to see the incredible synchronous fireflies, that we made it happen the first time. We’ve gone back again but it did take some bribery, which I’ll tell you about shortly.
Long story short: totally worth the effort to hike!
Mt. LeConte is the only place that we know of in the country where you can hike up over 6,000 feet, buy a commemorative hat or t-shirt, and purchase a sack lunch. My daughters, ages 13 and 9, will tell you that’s exactly the reason they agreed to the difficult hike. It’s amazing what bribery will get you.
Mt. LeConte sits at 6,593 feet above sea level. Mt. LeConte Lodge has several cabins and a dining room for guests who are lucky enough to score a reservation and make the hard trek up to check-in.
The Lodge itself is rustic but really cool. I have not stayed there but know many people who have and they all say what an amazing experience it is. There are trails to hike around at the top if you somehow have any energy left after making it up there. Hiking to Mt. LeConte is easily one of those bucket list hikes in the Smoky Mountains for its beauty, views, and overall coolness.
Hiking to Mt. LeConte
There are several ways to get up to Mt. LeConte but both times we hiked it, we did Alum Cave to Mt. LeConte, about 5.5 miles one way. I like this trail because it’s shaded so it’s not hot in the summer and it’s the shortest route up. The views are also pretty awesome and you get to go past Alum Cave, which is such a neat place to visit and rest awhile with its high, arched rock and sandy bottom. It took us three hours to get up there but this timetable very much depends on your own abilities. It’s a hard hike with more than 2,700 feet of elevation gain. Definitely know your limits and the limits of those you are hiking with before tackling this trail. Rescues happen here not infrequently.
Scenes from the hike
There are six trails to reach the summit, including Alum Cave:
Rainbow Falls – 6.7 miles one way
Bullhead- 6.9 miles one way
The Boulevard – 8.1 miles one way
Brushy Mountain – 9.1 miles one way
Trillium Gap – 6.7 miles one way
All of these are not easy trails and be prepared for snow and ice into early May and starting in September. Follow LeConte Lodge on social media to see current conditions and plan your trip accordingly.
About Mt. LeConte Lodge
Mt. LeConte Lodge was actually built and conceived before the Great Smoky Mountains became a national park. Construction began on the lodge, which sits at 6,593 feet high, in 1925 and was run by Gatlinburg mountaineer Jack Huff and his family until 1960. In fact, many of the buildings that he constructed still stand today at the lodge.
From 1960-1975, horses were commonly used at the lodge to get provisions up and down the mountain. Horses are no longer used. Instead, llamas make the trek three times a week!
The famous llamas weren’t used until after 1976 and to this day, if you’re lucky, you can catch the llama train heading up to Mt. LeConte with food, bedding, and other provisions Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the season when the lodge is open. I got to see them one time when we were hiking to Grotto Falls and they are super cool and chill. I’m certain I annoyed the llama wranglers with all my questions but now I have a goal to be one of those wranglers when my kids grow up and I can move to the Smokies for a season and hike with llamas! The llamas use the Trillium trail to get up to Mt. LeConte Lodge and back down.
Today, ownership of the lodge is through a limited partnership with Tim Line, the longest serving steward of the Lodge, and Stokely Hospitality Enterprises, which operates several restaurants in Sevier and Knox counties in Tennessee.
Made it!
I have not stayed at the lodge because 1) it is very hard to get reservations, and 2) it’s not an inexpensive endeavor. 2024 rates start at $100 for kids ages 4-12 and $184 per night for adults, which include lodging, dinner, and breakfast. Perhaps one day I can cross it off my list but for now, I’ll be content to be a day hiker and buy t-shirts and refill my water bottle there.
Reservations for the 2025 season, which is usually late March through November depending on weather, open up in the fall of 2024. If you follow the Lodge on X, you may be able to snag a last minute booking because someone canceled.
The Sack Lunch & T-Shirt
Every year, there is a new t-shirt design for hikers to purchase that says “I hiked it.” My daughters and I each have two of these and we have now decided to start a collection. It’s a challenging collection but that’s the fun of it!
Day hikers can also purchase a Sack Lunch, which my daughters and I have deemed a “Snack Lunch” due to the array of snacks that are in the lunch and that my kids are hobbits and will do anything for snacks. Sack Lunches are $14 each and contain a bagel, cream cheese packet, beef and pork stick, fruit leather or fruit snack, trail mix, Oreos, and a Gatorade drink packet.
The 2024 LeConte Lodge t-shirt
There’s a water pump at the lodge, which is very useful since you’ll probably need a refill. And while there are pit toilets there, they are probably the smelliest toilets I have ever encountered in my entire life.
The Lodge gift shop is open 9-10 am and Noon-4:30 pm on the dot. I know this because we got up to the Lodge at 10:02 am and it was closed. We hung out and hiked to Cliff Tops to pass the time, which was totally fine because it was a beautiful day!
Tips on Hiking to Mt. LeConte
No pets allowed: pets are only allowed on two trails within the boundaries of the national park. This isn’t one of them so don’t bring your pet.
Get to the Alum Cave parking lot early: the lot will fill up by 7 am most days and then you’ll have to park further down the street or nowhere at all. Have a backup plan to hike another trail if you can’t find parking.
Know your limitations: this trail is hard. We’ve hiked with our kids but they are great hikers and have done harder trails. There are hundreds of other trails in the park that are easier if you need to build up endurance.
Plan your day: the Alum Cave trail took us around 8.5 hours both times (that was with stopping for lunch and waiting for the gift shop to open). The other trails will probably take even longer so plan accordingly if you’ll be coming down, or going up, in the dark and use headlamps.
Bring enough water, food, and a first aid kit: this is standard for any hike. Be prepared.
Be sure to have your parking sticker: the Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires cars parked longer than 15 minutes to have a parking sticker. They are $5/day, $15/week, or $40/year and can be purchased at Visitor Centers and kiosks around the park.
Directions to the trail from the National Park Service: Drive 8.6 miles on Newfound Gap Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center or 20 miles from Oconaluftee Visitor Center. There is a sign and two large parking areas marking the trailhead.
Planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains this summer? Kidding Around’s Kristina Hernandez spent a few summer days in the Smoky Mountains and visited the Townsend Wye swimming hole. This swimming hole is FREE and perfect for families. You’ll want to add this one to your vacation things to do if you’re headed up to the Smoky Mountains!
Imagine a super hot summer day in the mountains. The heat is blistering. The humidity has made your clothes stick to your body. There is nothing you’d like better than a dip in cool, mountain water – and maybe a chance to chill out in a tube down small rapids.
We’ve got just the place. If you’re headed out to the Great Smoky Mountains or just want an awesome day trip, the Townsend Wye swimming hole is the most perfect place to enjoy a hot day. And it’s free!
Stay Near Townsend Wye
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Townsend Wye
The Townsend Wye, locally known as just the Y, is a huge swimming hole with a jump-off rock, small rapids, a few large pools, and enough space to spread out a picnic blanket and make summer memories with your family.
We brought along tubes and my oldest floated down the easy rapids several times, enjoying the thrill of a natural waterpark, perfect for her level of comfort (and mine). Several people were jumping off a big rock into the refreshing water and I swam out into one of the deeper holes to cool off. It felt divine.
There is a small parking lot and when that is full, you can easily park your car in the pull-offs nearby. There is a sidewalk to get to the little paths to walk down to the swimming hole as well as a huge grassy hill that overlooks the water where you can sunbathe.
The swimming hole landscape is just stunning. The mountains hug the curves of the river and even though there were a lot of people the day we went, it was peaceful. Visitors were also respectful of nature and thankfully cleaned up after their time spent at the swimming hole, making it enjoyable for everyone.
What to Bring to Townsend Wye
Plan like you are going to the beach so bring a lot of sunscreen, snacks, water, and a blanket or two. Camp chairs are great as well. We saw some people with portable grills, which seemed like an awesome idea.
If you want to use a tube, bring a few. Life jackets are a good idea for non-swimmers or weak swimmers as there are several deep spots, currents, and some rapids.
Alcohol is not allowed in the park.
Getting To Townsend Wye Swimming Hole
The swimming hole is located right at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains in Townsend, Tennessee, and is between Cades Cove and Gatlinburg. It’s about 45 minutes from Gatlinburg and a little over three hours from Greenville.
We went there the same day we explored Cades Cove, an 11-mile one-way loop in the Great Smoky Mountains that was initially a settlement in the 1800s and is known for the high concentration of wildlife, especially black bears (we saw a mama bear and her two cubs on a recent trip!). Visiting these two places on the same day made for an exceptionally perfect time in the Smokies.
Swimming Caution
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited in the country, with over 11 million visitors last year alone. The official policy of the Great Smoky Mountains National park website is that they never encourage visitors to participate in water activities as drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the park.
There are numerous waterfalls and swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains and people swim and go tubing regularly throughout the summer months but it’s important to take note of the caution recommended by the National Park Service. They note that flash flooding can cause serious injuries if people don’t pay attention and give specific tips on how to avoid injuries, like closely supervising children, not diving into the water, and not climbing on or near waterfalls.
While both my children can swim, I did put a life jacket on my youngest and closely watched her older sister as she had fun tubing the rapids. And I made sure I was in the water with both of them when we went swimming as well as watching the weather since spotty thunderstorms had been predicted that day. It’s awesome to visit these swimming holes but proper precautions should always be taken for safety.
Townsend Wye Laurel Creek Road & Little River Road, Townsend, TN 37882
Have you visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or maybe looking for things to do in the Smokies? The park straddles Tennessee and North Carolina, and it is the most visited national park in the entire nation. And the best part? It’s less than three hours from Greenville.
This park has been on my bucket list of places to visit for a while and the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to take a trip there with my kids. When I finally got the chance, it blew me away. The scenery is overwhelmingly beautiful. The mountains stretch for miles, green upon green upon green. The fall colors are unreal. The park has the highest concentration of black bears in this part of the country, two per square mile, along with other abundant wildlife like elk, deer, turkeys, and coyote.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the country, with 13.3 million people setting foot there in 2023. While the park is majestic and beautiful, it is also highly accessible to a big part of the nation and there is no entrance fee but there are parking fees.
You must have a parking pass on your car if you park for more than 15 minutes inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. A daily pass is $5, a weekly pass is $15, and a yearly pass is $40. You can purchase them at any visitors center or online.
I’ll tell you all about places to visit in the park plus where to stay, eat, and play.
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GSMNP Visitors Centers
Sugarland Visitors Center & Nature Trail
If you are visiting the Tennessee side of the park, start your visit at the Sugarland Visitors Center, only a ten-minute drive from nearby Gatlinburg. You can pick up maps and booklets and explore a small nature center that has stuffed snakes, turtles, boar, and other wildlife native to the park. You can also attend a short presentation by a Park Ranger and learn about different aspects of the park. We listened to a fascinating presentation on elk, where the ranger showed us an elk skin, rack, hoof, and cast skull. It was really cool.
There is a one-mile round trip easy nature trail you can take along a creek that goes to the small but pretty Cataract Falls. It’s perfect for families with small kids. We saw parents even pushing strollers along the flat path.
If your kids want to become Junior Rangers, they can fill out a book ($2.50) that has several activities divided by age and then have a ranger sign off on the book and get the pin. My oldest did this with her scout pack and we had a blast. We learned about different vegetation, trees, and wildlife in the park. It’s fun and educational and I highly recommend it as a great introduction to the park.
Oconaluftee Visitors Center
On the North Carolina side of the park, the Oconaluftee Visitors Center is super cool. You can also do the Junior Ranger program there but one of the big draws is the elk that roam the grassy area outside of the building. I’ve seen elk almost every time I’ve visited there. The best time of year to see the elk there is in mating season, which is September mostly, because the bull elk make a bugle call and it’s just incredible to hear.
The Visitors Center there also has an amazing bookstore, topographical map of the park, clean bathrooms, and plenty of Park Rangers to answer your questions. There is also an old village you can tour as part of the Junior Ranger program on that side of the park. My kids and I really enjoyed doing this as part of our homeschooling field trip there.
This is the question I see on every major social media page about the Smokies. This isn’t a zoo so you can’t just go and see animals whenever you want. While there are places you are more likely to encounter wildlife, the most important part of visiting the Smokies and seeing wildlife is to be respectful of the animals and keeping your distance. In fact, you can be fined thousands of dollars if you are too close to the wildlife. And do not, under any circumstances, leave trash or food outdoors in an unsecured area because as you’ll see on signs all over the park, a fed bear is a dead bear.
Now that you know to keep your distance and take out your trash, here are a few places to possibly see wildlife in the Smokies.
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is about an hour drive from the Sugarlands Visitors Center through a winding road. It’s beautiful and goes by quickly since there is so much to view along the way. The Cove is a one-way 11-mile road that snakes through a valley amongst the mountains. It is rich in history and wildlife. Be sure to stop at the information center on your way in and grab the Cades Cove guidebook for a $1. It helps to explain what you’ll see along the way.
Cades Cove was one of the earliest settlements in the area dotted with log cabins and primitive churches. The coolest part is that you can explore them all. My kids absolutely loved checking out these buildings that dated in the 1800s. They look like something out of an old movie and are a unique part of the experience.
My favorite stop is always at the Primitive Baptist Church, which dates back to the mid-1800s and set off the main road. We love to explore the old building and twice have stumbled upon people singing or making music – once was a youth group and their leader with a guitar singing worship songs and the other was an older gentleman playing a harp. The setting, the music, all of it made it easy to picture what this place may have been like when people lived there all those years ago.
As we traveled through the Cove, we pulled over many times, as signs instruct you to do if you want to stop, and jumped out to take photos of the mountains and log cabins. We have seen bears and other wildlife every time we have visited Cades Cove.
There are multiple signs along the route that urge visitors to stay 50 yards away from wildlife because they can be dangerous and result in injury or death. Nevertheless, we saw many people getting way too close to these bears, including a mama and her cubs. Remember you are in their home and you have to be careful. Basically, use common sense.
There is no charge to enter Cades Cove but you must have a parking pass. With the weather changing quickly at times and icy winters, always check with the Visitors Center or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Twitter account to make sure the road to Cades Cove is open.
Biking Cades Cove
Cades Cove is closed to vehicles every Wednesday during the summer months (it starts on May 1, 2024) and in my opinion, this is the absolute best way to see Cades Cove. It is so peaceful without the noise from the cars and motorcycles. I’ve done this twice with my kids and both times were amazing. We camped there one of the times, which made it easy to get an early start on the bike loop and the other time, we stayed about 45 minutes away and just got there early, around 8:30am. Both times I’ve biked the loop, it took us about four hours just because we stopped so many times at the cabins to check them out.
We brought our bikes but you can rent them from the Cades Cove campground store. They don’t take reservations so you need to get there early. They start renting bikes at 7 am and are usually sold out by 8:30 am. They rent by the hour so if you decide to go later in the day, there’s a decent chance they will have some bikes back from those who went out in the morning. Prices are $10/hour for age 15 and under and $15/adult.
Roaring Fork Motor Trail
Accessed from traffic light #8 off the main strip in Gatlinburg, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail is a 5.5 mile one-way loop that includes access to popular hiking trails like Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls. You can also stop at the Noah Bud Ogle cabin and take the short hike to the creek and back, which is just beautiful. There are other historical spots to stop at along the way.
Since the road is very narrow, if a bear is spotted, you’ll likely be caught in a bear jam for awhile as tourists will want to stop and take photos. Keep your distance from those cuddly creatures. I’ve seen bears and turkeys during my travels through Roaring Fork. The first time I drove through the trail was with the Pink Jeep tour – it was fascinating because I learned so much about the history of the area. I highly recommend that tour!
Oconaluftee Visitors Center
As mentioned above, there is an elk herd at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center. They are usually out in the open field next to the Visitors Center or down the road a bit. If you don’t see them, they are probably just in the woods. I have been at this place at all hours during the day and have usually seen elk there. I’ve also seen elk on the way over to Cherokee, NC just outside the borders of the park.
There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and tourists always go to just a few of the trails, notably Laurel Falls, Alum Cave, and Grotto Falls. The only one I have not been to of those is Laurel Falls because I don’t want to deal with the crowds. My best piece of advice is to get to wherever you want to go early, like at sunrise or before, if you want to find parking and avoid the mass of tourists. While there is no admission fee to enter the Smokies (they cannot charge one by law) but they have instituted parking fees.
Need to know: Dogs are not allowed (except on two trails)
One important point to note about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is that dogs are not allowed on any trails except two (and they must be leashed): the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconoluftee River Trail. This is for the safety of both the dogs and wildlife. If you are caught with your dog on a trail by a Ranger, you will be asked to leave and likely fined.
Alum Cave
This trail is so cool and it’s not hard to figure out why it’s beloved by tourists and locals alike. The pinnacle of the hike is to a cave-like rock outcrop that is more like a bluff than a cave. The views are beautiful and you can walk through stunning scenery the whole way. It’s about a five-mile round trip hike to Alum Cave and back. If you want to keep going to Mt. LeConte, another popular place, then you’ll be hiking about 10 miles in total. You can stay at Mt. LeConte at the lodge there but reservations are hard to come by!
Mt. LeConte
I’ve hiked Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave with my daughters (they were 8 and 12 at the time) and it was fantastic. The steepest part was right after Alum Cave and near the top of the mountain. The views were spectacular and hanging out at the lodge was fun. We hiked to the Cliff Tops viewpoint, which added about another .75 miles to the hike. It was worth it. We felt like we were on top of the world.
We bought the sack lunch – my kids called it a “snack lunch” because it consisted of all their favorite snacks and a bagel – for $14 and we each got a commemorative t-shirt that said we hiked Mt. LeConte. The gift shop opens at Noon so we had to wait a bit until it opened since apparently we got up there faster than I expected. Are we doing this again? Absolutely yes. Total mileage was around 11 miles.
We made it!
Grotto Falls
This is a beautiful waterfall you can walk behind and the route that the llamas take up to Mt. LeConte (we got to see them when we went, which was super neat!). Grotto Falls is only 2.6 miles roundtrip and it’s not a difficult hike. But you need to get there early as there is not a lot of parking at the trailhead off Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Roaring Fork is closed during the winter but you can still walk on the road to get to the trailhead, although it adds many miles to your hike.
Abrams Falls
Abrams Falls is a moderate 5.2 mile round trip hike that you have to access through Cades Cove. It’s about halfway through the 11-mile loop and you can park in a gravel lot. I loved this trail. It winds through a beautiful forest and comes out at an incredible waterfall. We went over the summer and lots of people were swimming. We even saw a family of otters!
Midnight Hole
On the North Carolina side of the park is a super popular trail to Midnight Hole, a crystal clear swimming hole that is freezing – but gorgeous! It’s only a three-mile hike and not hard. We even got to see some horseback riders on the trail. If you go only about a quarter mile further past Midnight Hole, you’ll get to see Mouse Creek Falls.
Deep Creek
Deep Creek is also on the North Carolina side of the national park and consists of three waterfalls and a great spot for river tubing. It’s not a hard hike but again, it’s a popular place so if you want to hike there, go early as the parking lot fills up, especially during the summer. We saw some dogs on this trail – they are not allowed – and a Ranger was about to go fine them and ask them to take their dogs out. So be aware of that rule and leave your pups at home.
Mt. Cammerer
Mt. Cammerer is an awesome trail because it ends at a spectacular lookout/fire tower. To get there is a beast though. My daughters and I tracked about 12 miles total and it was really hard. We started at the Cosby campground and it took us about seven hours total. As cool as the fire tower was, especially when we went in the fall, I’m not sure I’d do this one again!
Other Trails
There are a lot of amazing trails throughout the park and it doesn’t take much time to find some of the less traveled ones – Google is helpful, as is this popular Facebook group. We have also hiked the short trail to the Elijah Oliver homestead in Cades Cove – it’s just a mile but is off the beaten path and totally worth the walk. I have a long list of other hikes I want to do in the Smokies. Do your own research and find your next adventure on the trails there!
We took a whitewater rafting trip on the Lower Pigeon River with Smoky Mountain Outdoors and had a blast. They have several different trips but the one we did was best for smaller kids – they allow kids ages 3 and up, which is great for families. The Upper Pigeon River has more rapids and kids need to be at least 8 years old for that trip. Make sure you check their website when making a reservation since they often have great deals online.
Other places to go whitewater rafting are Smoky Mountain River Rat and Rafting in the Smokies.
The Townsend Wye swimming hole is a lot of fun in the summer. We brought our own tubes and towels and hung out there for a couple hours. You can chill in the water or take your tube down the small rapids or swim as it is deep enough. It’s right at the Townsend, TN entrance to the park and not too far from Cades Cove.
You can also swim at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and Greenbrier swimming hole outside Gatlinburg. You may see that The Sinks is a popular swimming hole but we do not recommend this place as several drownings have happened there. Always use caution wherever you choose to swim.
I’ve tubed in Deep Creek a few times and while the water is really cold, it’s also a lot of fun! You have to walk the trail back to the starting point every time but it’s totally worth it and pretty cheap, especially if you bring your own tubes. A new rule that the national park has instituted is that every child ages 13 and under must wear a life jacket while tubing. Here are some places to go tubing in the Smoky Mountains:
They have two tubing locations in East Tennessee near the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area: 205 Wears Valley Road, Townsend (Ages 3+) 8435 State Highway 73, Townsend (Ages 6+)
Tubing passes for both outposts are $16.99 (6-12 years old) and $21.99 (13+ years) in advance online. Day of tickets online are $26.99/adult and $21.99/kids. Walk-in ticket purchases are $30+. Dog passes start at $14.99.
Every time we’ve got to the Smokies, we have seen fisherman in the creeks and rivers that run through the park. As long as you have a fishing license, you can fish the 2,900 miles of streams and creeks within the park. Take a look at the Smokies website to get all the best information and rules on trout fishing within the park.
I think the park harbors many secrets just given its history (read about it before you go!) but there are some pretty incredible things to see here that you’ll find hardly anywhere else.
Synchronous Fireflies
These fireflies are very unique because unlike other fireflies, they will light up all at the same time, which is quite the show. Because they are so cool, the Park severely limits visitors during May and June to the areas where the fireflies light up because humans have done so much damage to the environment over the years. To see the fireflies, you have to enter the lottery, which costs a dollar. If you manage to win, you’ll pay a parking fee at Elkmont -around $25 – to take a shuttle into the park to see the fireflies. The lottery opens in late April just for a few days and you will be notified by mid-May if you won.
My daughters and I have seen the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont and it’s hard to describe just how special that experience was. It felt like you were walking in space with an otherworldly light show happening everywhere you looked. You’re in complete darkness and are so mesmerized by what you’re seeing that you don’t want to go anywhere. You just want to watch the magic happen.
Walker Sisters Cabin
Pick up this trail to the Walkers Sisters Cabin at Metcalf Bottoms picnic area. The cabin was built in 1859 where John and Margaret Walker lived with their 11 children. Only one of the girls married, another died a decade later, and the last five Walker sisters ended up living at the cabin together as their homestead. They stayed after the park was acquired by the U.S. Government and sold handmade items to visitors who happened upon their cabin. The trail isn’t hard and goes past an old schoolhouse and cemetery as well.
I have never gotten tired of the views of the Smokies no matter how many times I see the majestic peaks and clouds weaving through the tree tops. Here are a few places to see some incredible views.
Newfound Gap
In the other direction from Cades Cove is Newfound Gap, which is on the way to Clingmans Dome. There is a large parking lot at the pull off for the site, with plenty of viewing points and photo opportunities.
Newfound Gap sits at just over 5,000 feet above sea level and is the lowest possible pass through the park. Since it’s so high up, it gets a hefty amount of snow a year, average is 69 inches, and is about 10 degrees cooler than Gatlinburg.
The Appalachian Trail crosses here so you can take a stroll to enjoy the view and stretch your legs.
Clingmans Dome
At 6,643 feet above sea level, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies, in Tennessee, and on the Appalachian Trail as well as the third highest point east of the Mississippi River.
Clingmans Dome is about 40 minutes from the Sugarlands Visitors Center and just seven miles from Newfound Gap. The road to Clingmans Dome is closed from December 1 through March 31st, although the observation tower is open year round, but can also close at other times for weather to be sure to check to make sure its open before you go.
The drive up there is stunning. You feel like you’re one top of the world and can see into Tennessee and North Carolina on clear days. The parking lot for Clingmans Dome sits a half mile from the observation deck and it’s a steep hike up there. It’s straight up and not suitable for people with health problems, strollers, or wheelchairs. Don’t worry too much if you can’t make it to the top because the views from the parking lot are amazing.
The storied Appalachian Trail runs through the Great Smoky Mountains and up to Clingmans Dome and you can take a short part of it on the way up or down to the observation tower if you like. It connects to the Clingmans Dome Trail for a total length of almost a mile to the parking lot or back, one way. The vegetation is so vastly different from that of the parks and trails near Greenville that is feels like you’re in another world. It’s beautiful.
Once you huff and puff your way to the top of the observation tower, you’ll be rewarded with a 360 degree view of the park. I’ve seen so many stunning photos of both the sunrise and sunset from this point and while I’m not hiking up there in the dark, the views during the day are breathtaking. It is absolutely worth it to hike up there (maybe bribe the kids with a snack when you get to the top).
The history of the area surrounding Clingmans Dome goes back to the Cherokee tribe as they were pushed out of their lands and walked through what is known as the “Trail of Tears.” Even with the crowds up there, I found the area to be peaceful, especially as we took the trail from the observation tower back down to the parking lot where we only saw a handful of people. Perhaps those spirits of the Cherokee still linger.
Foothills Parkway
Don’t miss the less traveled Foothills Parkway, where you’ll be rewarded with less traffic and beautiful views of the Smokies. This was the first place I stopped on my maiden visit to the national park and it did not disappoint.
I’ve done a lot of things in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and it’s really hard to choose my favorites but I’ll try. You can see more things to do and reviews in our larger guide to the Gatlinburg area.
Anakeesta
I think this mountaintop village is amazing. You can either take an open air chondala or ride up to Anakeesta in a huge truck to the top. Once there, you can run through the treetops on swinging bridges, eat lunch or dinner while enjoying beautiful views, climb the highest tower on a mountain, go zip lining and ride the mountain coaster, play on the forest-themed play areas, and cool off in the splash pad.
Sky Bridge
You can see the Sky Bridge from downtown Gatlinburg and it’s no wonder you can: it’s the longest pedestrian bridge in North America. They have two glass floor partitions on the swinging bridge which will probably test your courage. There are short trails at the top and a new Tulip Tower to climb plus a cool gift shop and snack bar.
Dollywood
The iconic theme park is a lot of fun for families as it has areas for little and big kids plus a locomotive train and awesome shows. Dollywood at Christmas is especially fun with the unique shows and massive display of Christmas lights.
Take a boat ride in an underground lake at the Lost Sea Adventure. This is absolutely as cool as it sounds.
Smoky Mountain Llama Treks
This is on my bucket list and one of the things I really, really want to do in the Smokies. You can hike with llamas with Smoky Mountain Llama Treks and I am sure this is super cool.
Where to Stay Near Great Smoky Mountain National Park
There are lovely campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I’ve stayed at Elkmont, the Cosby one (quiet and spacious) and the Cades Cove one, which is beautiful and also pretty spacious, plus right next to the Cove. Greenbrier and Smokemont are other popular campgrounds.
There are so many great spots to stay: theMargaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge, Greystone Lodge in Gatlinburg, the Go Lodge, Westgate Smokies, Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort, Camp LeConte, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge, The Ridge Outdoor Resort, and Wilderness at the Smokies. This Gatlinburg area guide has several options and reviews.
Where to Eat Near Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Your best bet is to bring food with you for a day at the park. We enjoyed probably the best pancakes I’ve ever had at the Little House of Pancakes in Gatlinburg one of the mornings and brought lunch and snacks the rest of the time. The nearest Walmart Supercenter is 25 minutes north in Sevierville.
Townsend is the nearest town to Cades Cove and there are a few places on the way back to Pigeon Forge if you drive through there. We ate at Paw Paw’s Catfish Kitchen, which had a great selection of catfish, crawfish, and gumbo.
With one of our national treasures being so close to Greenville – and nearly free! – it is absolutely worth the time to make a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Have you been to Ripley’s Mirror Maze? Gatlinburg in the winter is a different sort of town than Gatlinburg in the summer, and one of the things you don’t want to miss is Ripley’s Mirror Maze.
Thank you to Ripley’s for providing tickets for this review.
Purchasing via this link allows a small amount of the proceeds to go to Kidding Around Greenville.
When we took our recent adventure to the mountain town, we found it sleepy and quiet and that’s exactly the way we liked it. Traffic was minimal (except for the weekend) and the streets were not overcrowded and the restaurants had no wait time. Again – that’s exactly what we love – especially when we are always a party of six (at least) and generally tables for six are not as readily available at peak times.
We had some great laughs and funny moments at several other stopping points along the Gatlinburg streets.
Find a place to stay in Gatlinburg, TN. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
The first choice for us, after visiting the aquarium, was to walk down the street to Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze. The Mirror Maze is right on Gatlinburg’s main street and it’s very easy to walk from anywhere you park in town. (Lucky for us, we just left our car in the aquarium parking lot, which was convenient.)
The lobby of the mirror maze features two gigantic walls of candy so – you know – parents beware. Your kids will definitely ask for candy. You can say no, naturally. I didn’t want to purchase pounds of sugar and food dye and banana-flavored everything, but I also remember what it was like as a kid to be looking at a WALL of dreamy candy so I offered a quick compromise to my band of kids. “Everyone can pick two pieces of candy,” I told them. Oddly enough, they were thrilled and quite satisfied. So they each chose literally two single pieces of candy – and we were all content. A little sugar versus begging and copious amounts of sugar. Or, again – you can just say no. Isn’t it funny, parents? You really do get the choice.
We were kind of extra excited about the concept of a mirror maze because most of us have been reading the book series of The Mysterious Benedict Society and the kids in the novel series are always facing challenges and puzzles and this mirror maze felt like our own challenge and puzzle.
The employees told us to put on plastic gloves that they provided – gigantic, ill-fitting plastic gloves – so that we would be more hygienic as we touched the mirrors that every other guest has most assuredly been touching as well. I tried to avert my thoughts from the finger touched mirrors and just tried to think of the fun of conquering a maze with my children.
We decided to all hold hands to add to our experience and because we genuinely thought we might face the possibility of getting lost from one another inside the maze.
That probably wouldn’t have happened.
The mirrors were everywhere – as they should be in a maze – and they certainly played tricks on your mind as to which direction to turn and which door to take and where to go next.
There was an “infinity” room that made me laugh a lot – mostly because of the song blaring – was it Journey? – and the lights flashing and the disco ball. All those quirky details, you know.
Our technique of making it through the maze was rather effective as we found the ending in record time. But, because we liked the mirrors and we wanted more of a challenge, we decided to pretend we didn’t find the exit and kept trucking through the corners and the twists and the turns all over again just for fun.
Also, we discovered a fundamental truth concerning mirror mazes. Fundamental, I tell you. It is this: You should choose your outfit wisely and fix your hair carefully before entering said mirror maze. Because you are going to be seeing yourself from every angle. Every. Angle. And you’re going to want to leave this mirror maze with some self-respect intact. Every. Angle.
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There you go. I’ve covered the walls of candy and the dress yourself correctly bits. They were important.
As far as the maze itself goes, it really was lots of fun. It was speedy, though. And that’s a little hard to swallow to spend money to be in and out of an attraction in ten minutes or less. When you buy the Mirror Maze as part of the an add-on ticket, it hurts a little less.
In Review
I’d say the key to all Gatlinburg attractions is the same, keep your expectations in line. Recognize that this is not Disney. This is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. These are mirror mazes and world record museums and 5D moving theaters on a street in a mountain town. A town that sells footlong corn dogs at place called Fannie Farkle’s for the same price that you can buy two kids’ meals at Chick-fil-A.
Be reasonable, guys.
If you are visiting Gatlinburg for the second (or thirtieth) time, you already know this.
And you’re okay with it.
You’re making these return trips to Pigeon Forge and to Gatlinburg, to the cabins and to the go cart rides, to the outlets and to the pancake houses, because it’s nostalgic, because you first came to Gatlinburg as a kid with your Memaw and your Pepaw, because you brought your toddlers here and you remember how big their eyes grew when they first ordered their silver dollar pancakes at the Pancake Pantry and rode their first roller coaster at Dollywood.
You like the idea of returning to the same quirky streets that seem like they never change, old time photo shops on every corner and a gem store and wooden guns and beanie babies. That’s why you come to Gatlinburg.
So you stroll through the mirror maze and you let the kids buy a couple of pieces of candy and you stop in for the free fudge samples (always take the free fudge, people) and you admire the hand-crafted wooden knives and you buy the funnel cake and you stack up those memories and that nostalgia for all its worth.
Expectations, friends. Most adventures fare better when you can manage your expectations.
