Excursions

To complement your agenda while in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains, you may wish to include one or more of the following day trips. Approximate drive times from Gatlinburg are provided below.

Pigeon Forge

Located just 5 miles from Gatlinburg on U.S. Highway 441. A visit to Pigeon Forge could include Dollywood, outlet shopping, music theaters, or the Dixie Stampede.
Drive time: 10 minutes.*

Sevierville

Our county seat, located 8 miles from Gatlinburg on U.S. Highway 441. A visit here could include the statue of Dolly Parton on the courthouse lawn, the Applewood Restaurant and orchard, outlet shopping, and music theaters.
Drive time: 20 minutes.*

Cherokee/Asheville, N.C.

Located on the North Carolina side of the Smokies, Cherokee is just 32 miles from Gatlinburg on U.S. 441. Visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village, Harrah's Cherokee Casino and the outdoor drama, “Unto These Hills,” the moving story of the Cherokee “Trail of Tears.” In nearby Asheville , 82 miles from Gatlinburg, explore the elegant Biltmore Estate, the 19th century mansion built by George Vanderbilt, the largest private residence in America.
Drive time: 60 to 90 minutes.*

*all drive times from Gatlinburg

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the largest deciduous forest wilderness area in the eastern United States. Containing over 800 square miles of land, the Park provides a sanctuary for more species of plants than any other area on our continent and is home to more than 50 species of mammals, including the ever-popular black bear. An all-extensive diversity study now underway estimates that over 100,000 different species of flora and fauna inhabit the park. The Park also has preserved more than 70 pioneer structures and homesteads representing lifestyles from the 1840s to the 1930s.

The highest mountain range in the eastern United States , the Smokies boast 16 mountain peaks over 6,000 feet high and 53 that reach over 5,000 feet. This panorama of “mile-high” splendor draws more than 9 million people a year to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Sugarlands Visitor Center: 2 miles from downtown Gatlinburg. Allow 1 hour to view park film and browse the gift shop and natural history exhibits.

Newfound Gap

A favorite photo spot with incredible views straddling the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Approximate driving time 30 minutes.*

Oconaluftee Visitor Center
& Mountain Farm Museum

Settled around 1800, Oconaluftee replicates a mid-19th century farm. Located 2 miles north of Cherokee. Plan to spend at least half a day. Approximate drive time 1 hour.*

Cades Cove

A must see in the Great Smokies. This 11-mile loop is popular with cyclists and motorists. See the true side of pioneer life in the remote mountains. Plan to spend at least half a day. Approximate drive time 45 minutes.*

*all drive times from Gatlinburg