Where To Stay In Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

are the most popular options for where to stay when visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The towns are located near the park and also offer a lot of activities for days off the park.

Can you stay inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The national park itself is a major destination for visitors, but

there are limited lodging and camping options inside the Smokies' boundary

. As a result, most vacationers stay in “gateway cities” located a short drive away from national park entrances.

Is it better to stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg?

Overall,

Gatlinburg is more compact than Pigeon Forge

, which creates a more pedestrian friendly area. There are some downsides to being in a smaller valley. Since there's not much open space or alternative routes, this mountain town tends to get more crowded than Pigeon Forge.

How many days do you need in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

If you are a first time visitor to the park and want to experience the best of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we suggest

3 to 4 full days of sightseeing plus a day or two for doing some of the longer hikes, river tubing, or horseback riding

and still have time to explore Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.

What town is closest to Great Smoky Mountains?

• Gatlinburg, TN. 7.6 mi / 19 mins.
• Pigeon Forge, TN. 14.4 mi / 33 mins.
• Sevierville, TN. 21.0 mi / 44 mins.
• Townsend, TN. 24.5 mi / 46 mins.
• Cherokee, NC. 27.9 mi / 48 mins.
• Bryson City, NC. 38.1 mi / 1 hour 6 mins.

What is best time to visit Smoky Mountains?

The best times to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park are

the summer (June, July and August) and the fall

. July is the busiest month of the summer season while October weekends draw those in search of autumn foliage.

How many waterfalls are in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The Great Smoky Mountains boast over 2,000 miles of streams and rivers and precipitation levels that match that of a temperate rainforest. The result?

Over 100

waterfalls and cascades to discover within the park borders! And autumn is one of the best times to explore these natural treasures of the Smokies.

Does Smoky Mountains have cabins?

An Elevated Getaway In The Heart Of The Smokies

Rentals through

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Cabins

allow you to choose what best suits your family from amenities such as stunning mountain views, outdoor hot tubs, game rooms, state-of-the-art electronics and more.

Does the Smoky Mountain national park have cabins?

Lodging, Cabins & Chalet Rentals in the Smokies

The region surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides a variety of accommodations to outfit your next hiking vacation, from spacious chalets to cozy cabins

.

What should you avoid in Gatlinburg?

• Do Not Eat Out Every Night. …
• Do Not go Taste Moonshine on an Empty Stomach. …
• Do Not Wear 5 Inch Heels. …
• Do Not Expect Your Cell Phone to Get Great Service. …
• Do Not Leave Trash Outside your Cabin.

How much does it cost to walk across the bridge in Gatlinburg?

It's open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. after Memorial Day. Admission prices are

$14.95 for children ages 4-11, $17.95 for adults over 65 and $19.95 for adults ages 12-64

. Find more information at Gatlinburgskylift.com.

Is Pigeon Forge worth visiting?

This town is comprised of lifelong residents, nature enthusiasts, and, of course, tourists from near and afar.

Pigeon Forge is a great place to visit no matter the season

, offering a gorgeous getaway for a weekend, week, or even longer.

How do you get around the Smoky Mountain National Park?

The best way to get around Great Smoky Mountains National Park is

by car

. The park does not offer any guided tours and there is no public transportation to the park from the major cities in the area, so plan to bring your own vehicle.

How do you spend 3 days in the Great Smoky Mountains?

• Start Your Day at Crockett's Breakfast Camp. …
• Visit Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. …
• Get Lunch at Big Daddy's Pizzeria. …
• Go Ziplining at Legacy Mountain. …
• Enjoy the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show. …
• Have Breakfast at Sawyer's Farmhouse. …
• Make the Most of Dollywood. …
• Have Dinner at The Old Mill Restaurant.

How can I spend a day in the Smoky Mountains?

1. Wake up in Cades Cove. Sunrise at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. …
2. Get Oriented. Sugarlands Visitor CenterGloria Wadzinski. …
3. Take a Hike. …
4. Head for the Hills. …
5. Touch the Past.

What is the most beautiful part of the Smoky Mountains?

• Clingmans Dome. …
• Newfound Gap. …
• Laurel Falls. …
• Mount LeConte. …
• Cades Cove. …
• Rainbow Falls. …
• Roaring Fork Motor Trail. …
• Chimney Tops. This hike is short (3.3-miles) but steep and is one for those seeking out the prettiest spots in the national park.

Do I need a reservation for Smoky mountain National Park?

Reservations are required at Campgrounds, Group Campgrounds, Horse Campgrounds, Pavilions and the Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence Cabin

. Facilities that remain open in the off-peak season November-April have some first come, first serve sites available.

What city is Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

What is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park known for?

World renowned for

its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture

, this is America's most visited national park.

How busy is Great Smoky Mountain national park?

The park receives

approximately nine million visits per year

. However, even in the Smokies it is possible to find solitude. Here are some practical tips for avoiding the crowds. Visit during the “off season.” There are two peak seasons in the Smokies, mid-summer (June 15-August 15) and the entire month of October.

How crowded is Smoky Mountain National Park?

June and August are some of the busiest months in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. According to the park service, summer is one of the peak times for visitation. With

about 9 million visitors visiting the park every year

, it goes without saying that the Smokies can become crowded at times.

What is the most popular waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains?

Laurel Falls

By some measures the most popular trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this 2.3-mile round-trip hike introduces you to maybe the single best-known waterfall in the Smokies.

How long is the walk up Clingmans Dome?

The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep

half-mile

walk to the tower at the top. On clear days views expand over a 100 miles. Unfortunately, air pollution often limits viewing distances to under 20 miles.

What is the biggest waterfall in the Smoky Mountains?

It's no wonder

Ramsey Cascades

is one of the park's most popular destinations: At 100 feet in height, it's the Smokies' tallest waterfall, and the hike to it passes through a remarkable old-growth forest.

How much is it to rent a cabin in the Smoky Mountains?

The average nightly rate of a cabin in Gatlinburg is

$229 per night

. This average nightly rate includes use of the entire cabin, its amenities and all of the linens including sheets and towels. A typical family spends 4 nights vacationing in a Gatlinburg cabin, making the total for a 4-night cabin stay $916.

What is a chalet cabin?

A chalet, on the other hand, is

a wooden dwelling with a sloping roof and widely overhanging eaves

. The chalet has its origins in Switzerland and other Alpine regions. Originally the term was used to describe the hut of a sheep or goat herder. Many chalets in Europe were used as seasonal dairy farms.

How far apart are Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg actually sit right next to one another, with a road that links the two towns together. The distance between the two towns is only

about five miles

, so the drive back and forth isn't difficult or lengthy.