Smoky Mountains

From the wilderness of the hills to the modern day hustle and bustle of downtown Gatlinburg, the Smokies have a never ending story of history, beauty and discovery. Here are just 8 of the moments throughout time that have played a significant part in the journey of the Great Smoky Mountains!

While Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the few national parks in the country that has no entry fee, the park instituted a “Park it Forward” program in 2023 that requires parking tags for vehicles staying longer than 15 minutes. The revenue generated from this program is used to improve the park's visitor experience, including maintaining trails, roads, and facilities. While the parking tag is just a nominal fee ($5 daily, $15 weekly, and $40 annually), here are 4 easy ways to avoid the Smoky Mountain National Park parking pass fee:

When it comes to a vacation in the Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of exciting lodging options! In addition to our beautiful riverside hotel in downtown Gatlinburg, you’ll find all kinds of wonderful accommodations throughout the Smokies! Whether you prefer the comforts and amenities of a cozy hotel room or the experience of camping under the stars, there is truly something for everyone! Here are a few other great places to stay in the Smoky Mountains:

The most festive celebration of the season has arrived with Dollywood’s beloved Smoky Mountain Christmas event! During this delightful holiday festival, the theme park transforms into a winter wonderland with more than 6 million twinkling lights, heartwarming shows, delicious festive flavors, and unique seasonal shopping opportunities! Here are the top 5 reasons why you’ll love the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood:

If you’re considering making Gatlinburg your vacation destination this year then you should know that you’re truly in for an experience of a lifetime if you do choose to visit us. Our downtown Gatlinburg hotel is steps away from all of the best dining, shopping, and area attractions that the area has to offer. If that’s not enough to secure a good time then the fact that we’re also just a short walk from the most visited national park in America should certainly do the job. With 150 trails to pick from in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park it can be tricky to find the perfect trail for your trip and so we’ve put together 4 hiking trails near Gatlinburg to get you started. Read over each, find the trails you want to explore and then book your trip to the Smokies.

When the Smokies begin to transform in the fall, the beauty at times defies description. Some visitors plan to arrive in the Gatlinburg area at this time each year specifically to see the leaves as they are changing color. If you live in an area where most of the trees are evergreen and keep their green leaves year-round, you may not realize just what a treat you are in for! Here is everything you need to know about the Smoky Mountains fall colors:

The Smoky Mountains are not just one of the most scenic and beautiful natural sites in the world. They also have some of the richest history of America’s “growing up” years. There are so many ways to experience the Smoky Mountains, but one particular favorite is to take scenic drives through different areas. There are some great places to drive in the Smoky Mountains National Park! These allow you to learn more about the history, see as much of the Smoky Mountain area as possible and experience the incredible biodiversity this natural wonderland has to offer. These are the 8 best scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains:

One of the fantastic things about staying at our Gatlinburg hotel is that we are located right on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! If you want to visit the park during your vacation, there is no better place to start your day than the Sugarlands Visitor Center! This excellent facility is situated just over 2 miles from our hotel and has everything you need to plan a successful day in the nation’s most popular park! Here are the top 4 reasons to start your National Park visit at the Sugarlands Visitor Center:

A highlight of the spring season in the Smokies is the gorgeous wildflowers that bloom throughout the region! The best way to celebrate these magnificent flowering plants is with the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, an annual event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that features professionally-guided walks, exhibits, and other learning opportunities to explore the region’s rich natural and cultural resources! Here are the top 4 things to know about the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage:

The fall season in the Smoky Mountains welcomes some of the most exciting special events of the year, including the Dollywood Harvest Festival! This popular event features thousands of glowing pumpkins, seasonal treats, live music and unique craft demonstrations, as well as the theme park’s incredible lineup of thrill rides and attractions! Here are the top 4 things to know about attending the Dollywood Harvest Festival:

One of the most popular walking paths in the Smoky Mountains is the Gatlinburg Trail, which travels for 1.9 miles one-way from the outskirts of Gatlinburg to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. You’ll be thrilled to know that the trailhead is located within an easy 5 minute walk from our hotel, so don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy some exercise among the gorgeous backdrop of the Little Pigeon River! Here are the top 5 reasons why you’ll love exploring the Gatlinburg Trail:

The Smoky Mountains are one of the top vacation destinations in America. Every year millions of travelers visit both the Tennessee and the North Carolina side of the mountains, explore the surrounding cities, and spend many of their days in the park. It’s easy to be captivated by the beauty on the surface of the Smoky Mountains but if you take a bit of time to learn about the park, you’ll find yourself even more intrigued and left with a desire to learn more. Here are 7 facts about the Smoky Mountains that you probably didn’t know.

Are you planning to visit the Smoky Mountains in the springtime? This is a gorgeous time to be in the area; the weather is starting to warm up, flowers are blooming, wildlife is coming out, and the trees are starting to bud! You’re probably itching to get outside in the great outdoors, and we don’t blame you! So if you want to spend most of your trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but you aren’t sure what you should do, we are here to help! Check out some of the best things to do in the Smoky Mountains in spring:

While winter is considered the slow season in the Smokies, it’s still a popular place to be! People want to possibly see snow and enjoy less crowds in the area. If you’ve never been here before during this time, you may be wondering what you can expect. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect during winter in the Smoky Mountains.

Spring is a beautiful time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Buds are forming on trees, flowers have started to bloom, and wildlife activity is picking back up. Also, the weather is warming up from the winter months, so people visiting the area will want to spend time outside! But where are the best places to go in the park during this time of year? Here are the top 4 places to visit in the Smoky Mountains in spring: