Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN are kinda odd places

[Exterous]

I'm not quite sure how to describe it. National park experience for those who don't actually like national parks? There were very few people at the trailheads for longer hikes (compared to what we are used to) and boy there sure were a lot of King Ranch editions, Tahoes, Suburbans and pristine jeeps that had never seen anything other than pavement around. Those just seemed to zip through the park without really stopping on their way to\back to their hotel. Lots of those from much farther away states like Texas so I'm sure those were fun to fill up on their road trip.

A tourist trap area that just happens to be close to a national park? Even with it being a tad cool (temps in the low 50s most of the time) Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge were packed. Strip mall after mini golf place after cheap made in china trinket shop. Tons of restaurants but I'll admit some hesitation about many given their name. There was a place called "Mexican restaurant" - thats it. And what I suspect is an 'Asian' food place based on the description on the building "Chinese Japanese food super buffet!" I could see how it might be some fun for families given the water parks, mini gold places etc but everything was so spread out and crowded I would think that would be somewhat stressful to deal with. And there seemed to be a general aversion to walking. So many golf carts, scooters, and powered bikes (heaven forbid we use our legs to power a bike)

Surrounding areas are gorgeous though so I have no doubt that is a draw but I'm glad we got a nice cabin outside those towns a bit and mostly kept to the park and the cabin (mostly cooking in).

Just cell phone pictures this time around since we knew the weather wouldn't be great - cool in NC and TN and too early for much foliage and two storms ran through TN while we were there. Fortunately we had gotten a nice cabin with a pool table and air hockey. My wife and I used to play pool a lot but haven't in ~18 years and it showed. That first game might have been the longest game of pool I've ever played...





Some pictures from the storm. The lighting was tough for my cell phone but I'm not sure I would have gotten out the DSLR if we'd even brought it given the unpredictable and very heavy rain that kept blowing onto the covered deck area



Common mode of transportation in the area:




I will say the rolled icecream was quite good. I'm not a fan of icecream that turns into a milkshake before you're done eating it and these stayed really cold the entire time.

 

[Captante]

Very nice pics but based on your description of the people combined with the ... erm ... political environment in TN I wouldn't spend one dime there.

 

[IronWing]

Gatlinburg and then Pigeon Forge have been the butt of tourist trap jokes for over a century. Back in the pre-internet days, one fun trick was to call the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce and tell them I was planning a church trip to their town and please send any literature they could. Then give them a friend's address. The friend got buried in junk mail for years.

 

[allisolm]

We're driving there Tuesday to be with son, DIL and 2 granddaughters. We accept that it is a tourist area and just go with it. Where else can I ride Alpine coasters or play minigolf on the side of a mountain or shop in a giant store that has bears living in it?

Love the pics. The view from the cabins is so breathtaking and calming. I could just sit in a rocker on the porch and look at it all day.

 

[brianmanahan]

i really only enjoyed gatlinburg/pigeon forge when i was out in the woods. cade's cove scenic loop was nice driving, as well as rt 441 from gatlinburg to cherokee. there were a number of nice hiking trails along that state route which weren't busy and made for some nice pics.

 

[MtnMan]

We live about 1.5 hours from that area, in the mountains of NC. Haven't been to that area in decades, as it is just a trash heap surrounded by some nice scenery. We have acquaintances that go several times a year, just to go. They are tightwads to the extreme. They don't want to eat anywhere with table service because they are expected to tip, type of tightwads.

In the midst of all that is Dolly Wood, and I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Dolly as a person. She is generous, and one of the nicest people around. She had done a great deal for the people of the area, especially after the devastating wildfires several years ago. I have no interest in Dolly Wood itself, with no plans to ever visit.

Now the right wingnuts are saying ditch Disney for Dolly Wood because Disney is "woke". Wonder if they are aware that Dolly Wood and Dolly Parton are very LGBQT supportive, and she has even received death threats from right wingnuts because of her support.

 

[ponyo]

Lovely pics! I haven't visited that area but I love the mountain scenery in Tennessee. Very beautiful state IMO and one of the states I'm considering possibly moving to in the future since there's no state income tax on capital gains.

 

[IronWing]

I prefer hiking on the south side of the Smokies. The Appalachian Trail through the Nantahala is spectacular.

 

[Brainonska511]

View attachment 59829
View attachment 59830View attachment 59832


View attachment 59833

These homes and the general view remind me of the view and homes on Mount Lemmon outside of Tucson, AZ (which I visited within the last month).

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Ummm, wasn't there a huge wildfire there just recently, threatening the Dolly Park?

 

[dingster1]

Ummm, wasn't there a huge wildfire there just recently, threatening the Dolly Park?

Yes there was. I like the area, but given the current political climate, I’m staying out of the Deep South for the foreseeable future.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Like many places in the SE, it's all just a façade to prop up a tourist industry. If you even squint at the whole mess it falls apart.

 

[Captante]

Dollywood has some cool coasters.

 

[MadScientist]

Nice cabin, that must of cost ya.
We live ~25 miles in north eastern TN from the Townsend, TN park entrance. Unless we have visitors that want to go to the park and Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Seversville we stay clear of it. It's a zoo most of the year and traffic is terrible, especially in Gatlinburg and the park. We have been to several national parks and I can not see why this one is the most visited, 14M visitors last year. There are much more scenic parks in the US. Probably because it's close to large urban population areas and there's the cabins, the tourist crap, and Dollywood. A 1 day pass will cost you $84. and parking is $25 for all standard length vehicles, $30 for oversize length vehicles such as RVs and trailers. And she has her cabin rentals, resort (currently building another), and the Stampede Dinner attraction.

The national park is going to start charging parking fees. Parking Fees They were/are charging a $14./2 hour parking fee at Laurel Falls to try and reduce the crowds.
Laurel Falls trail:

 

[JimKiler]

Nice cabin, that must of cost ya.
We live ~25 miles in north eastern TN from the Townsend, TN park entrance. Unless we have visitors that want to go to the park and Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Seversville we stay clear of it. It's a zoo most of the year and traffic is terrible, especially in Gatlinburg and the park. We have been to several national parks and I can not see why this one is the most visited, 14M visitors last year. There are much more scenic parks in the US. Probably because it's close to large urban population areas and there's the cabins, the tourist crap, and Dollywood. A 1 day pass will cost you $84. and parking is $25 for all standard length vehicles, $30 for oversize length vehicles such as RVs and trailers. And she has her cabin rentals, resort (currently building another), and the Stampede Dinner attraction.

The national park is going to start charging parking fees. Parking Fees They were/are charging a $14./2 hour parking fee at Laurel Falls to try and reduce the crowds.
Laurel Falls trail:
View attachment 59864

Wow, i went to the Smokies and Gatlinburg in the late aught's and it was not like photo at all but we also went this time of year, spring. I am going again now that we have kids but not until July. I am not sure what to expect.

I do remember counting 14 Old Time Photos stores in Gatlinburg, and had a hard time believe the local economy could support that many shops that are identical. I remember on the way to Mount Le Conte someone telling me how tourists come for Gatlinburg and never go into the Smokies, which is crazy to me.

I also hear most people like long hikes anymore. They want 15 minute hikes to get the instagram landscape photo and then go back to the car. I remember doing a lot of short hikes and long hikes in the smokies. We have kids so shorter hikes are their preference until we can take them to Yosemite and do those wonderful 8 hour hikes.

As much as you guys can trash Gatlinburg i look forward to getting a second plate of corn meal pancakes finally at the Pancake Pantry. Best pancakes I have ever had.

 

[MtnMan]

i really only enjoyed gatlinburg/pigeon forge when i was out in the woods. cade's cove scenic loop was nice driving, as well as rt 441 from gatlinburg to cherokee. there were a number of nice hiking trails along that state route which weren't busy and made for some nice pics.

Article in the Asheville, NC paper about how the crowds are destroying the park and the experience. The Cade's Cove loop, which is 11 miles, can take up to 5 hours at peak times.

Will visitors have to pay to park at Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Comment sought

Visitation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park keeps climbing, but funding for the country's most popular national park has not followed suit.

www.citizen-times.com

 

[JimKiler]

Article in the Asheville, NC paper about how the crowds are destroying the park and the experience. The Cade's Cove loop, which is 11 miles, can take up to 5 hours at peak times.

Will visitors have to pay to park at Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Comment sought

Visitation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park keeps climbing, but funding for the country's most popular national park has not followed suit.

www.citizen-times.com

I agree they should charge a parking fee. With that said you and I know that a lot of of idiots will park anyway without a tag when implemented and frustrate those of us paying but left without a spot to park.

 

[MadScientist]

@JimKiler Expect it to be very busy in July. Hopefully you are not going the week of the 4th.
Here's a few tips:
It's almost impossible to find on the street parking in Gatlinburg. Instead of paying $10./hour in a lot, park in the multi-level municipal parking lot hidden behind the Ripley Aquarium. The hourly rates are cheap and I have never seen it full.

Our favorite place to eat is the Old Mill restaurant in Pigeon Forge. Good generous portions of home style cooking at a good price, but get there before 4PM when the prices go UP. Almost always crowded but they move people thru like cattle. Large no fee parking lot next to it. https://www.old-mill.com/the-old-mill-restaurant

Most attractions will give you senior or military discounts, but ya gotta ask.

If you are going without kids and tired of the Made in China shops along main street, do the 8 mile Arts and Crafts stores loop. https://greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com/

The Ripley Aquarium is just ok for kids around 8 or younger. We took our grandkids, 5 &7, there last summer. Their military discount was almost half off.

 

[nakedfrog]

Article in the Asheville, NC paper about how the crowds are destroying the park and the experience. The Cade's Cove loop, which is 11 miles, can take up to 5 hours at peak times.

Will visitors have to pay to park at Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Comment sought

Visitation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park keeps climbing, but funding for the country's most popular national park has not followed suit.

www.citizen-times.com

Well, that sounds just terrible.
Also:

Demand at campsites is up, and a lot of trash is being left over with not enough people around to help clean up, Wise said.

Grrr.

 

[NuclearNed]

I live within a couple of hours from there. Many years ago when I was a kid, it was a fun place to go. Not so anymore with all the crowds. Now I'll visit once every few years, which is all I need to remind myself to stay away at all costs.

Strangely, Dollywood is one of the few reasons to go to the area... it's become an amazing roller coaster park. Its not quite at the same level as Kings Island, but it's moving in that direction.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I don't travel to just travel any more. If I don't have a functional reason to go somewhere more than 100 miles away, I don't go.

One of my last trips was the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive, one end to the other. About the only place I remember walking a trail to was Devil's Courtyard. There were a few other people, but not many. That was in the mid 90's sometime.

 

[JimKiler]

@JimKiler Expect it to be very busy in July. Hopefully you are not going the week of the 4th.
Here's a few tips:
It's almost impossible to find on the street parking in Gatlinburg. Instead of paying $10./hour in a lot, park in the multi-level municipal parking lot hidden behind the Ripley Aquarium. The hourly rates are cheap and I have never seen it full.

Our favorite place to eat is the Old Mill restaurant in Pigeon Forge. Good generous portions of home style cooking at a good price, but get there before 4PM when the prices go UP. Almost always crowded but they move people thru like cattle. Large no fee parking lot next to it. https://www.old-mill.com/the-old-mill-restaurant

Most attractions will give you senior or military discounts, but ya gotta ask.

If you are going without kids and tired of the Made in China shops along main street, do the 8 mile Arts and Crafts stores loop. https://greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com/

The Ripley Aquarium is just ok for kids around 8 or younger. We took our grandkids, 5 &7, there last summer. Their military discount was almost half off.

Definitely not going over the fourth, being an accountant i never go on vacation the first week of the month. But I hope to do a day trip to Cayuna MN for some mountain biking. It is becoming a serious industry in this state although it will not replace CO mtn bike trails anytime soon.

Also we only go to Gatlinburg for food and gifts. I have yet to take an old time photo

 

[brianmanahan]

Article in the Asheville, NC paper about how the crowds are destroying the park and the experience. The Cade's Cove loop, which is 11 miles, can take up to 5 hours at peak times.

holy cow - i went there after labor day was over a few years ago (pre COVID) and it wasn't busy at all, so i figured it wasn't that popular. guess i just avoided the crowds.

 

[Stiff Clamp]

I spent a few days in Pigeon Forge at a rental house. But it was a family reunion situation for grandparents' anniversary, so I didn't explore the area much. I mean I did visit a creek and climb a hillside - but no gift shops or restaurants or any attractions were visited. Kind of hoping for another family reunion there.

 

[JimKiler]

I spent a few days in Pigeon Forge at a rental house. But it was a family reunion situation for grandparents' anniversary, so I didn't explore the area much. I mean I did visit a creek and climb a hillside - but no gift shops or restaurants or any attractions were visited. Kind of hoping for another family reunion there.

To clarify, how many old time photos did you go to when you were there?