Smoky Mountain National Park

[Deb from NC]

Hi all,
We love visiting National Parks but have avoided the one we live closest to (Smoky Mountains) because we've heard horror stories of the traffic, wall to wall tourist traps, etc.
But..we really feel like we need to go. Is there a resort that you can recommend that is closest to the Park where we can get the National Park experience? (and avoid most of the traffic and tourist traps?)
Doesn't have to be gold crown or fancy. Just clean and comfortable!
(I've looked at the reviews, but the choices are too many. Information overload!)
Thanks, Deb

 

[retire06]

We just returned from Smoky Mtns and had delightful two nights in Wyndham Smoky Mtn resort. It is in Sevierville, but we found getting around between Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville was easy, and the Park is short drive. Cades Cove is worth the time, and we enjoyed Dollywood more than we expected to. Plenty of beautiful scenery and good food everywhere. You can avoid the tourist traps.

 

[Deb from NC]

Thanks! That was actually the resort I was thinking about since I have Wyndham points... (I see you are a fellow Alexandria owner!).
Deb

 

[Greg G]

Deb

Gatlinburg Town Square is very close to a park entrance in Gatlinburg

Greg

 

[Icc5]

Last June we were there

Hi all,
We love visiting National Parks but have avoided the one we live closest to (Smoky Mountains) because we've heard horror stories of the traffic, wall to wall tourist traps, etc.
But..we really feel like we need to go. Is there a resort that you can recommend that is closest to the Park where we can get the National Park experience? (and avoid most of the traffic and tourist traps?)
Doesn't have to be gold crown or fancy. Just clean and comfortable!
(I've looked at the reviews, but the choices are too many. Information overload!)
Thanks, Deb

In the park itself was hardly any traffic. We stayed at The Tree Top Resort right next to the park and really enjoyed it. To avoid the traffic in Gatlingburg and or Pigeon Forge you might check out the other end of the park (North Carolina) side and the timeshares there.
Bart

 

[dougp26364]

Trafiic is likely to depend on the season. We were at Gatlinburg Town Square the last week of May and barely into June. While there we overheard a conversation of someone who apparently went to Gatlinburg every year. There were saying this was a perfect time because the weather was good and there was no traffic. I'd imagine that, if you went at the height of family summer vacation season, Gatlinburg and the national park traffic could be pretty bad.

Gatlinburg reminded me a lot of Branson with the T-shirt and candy shops and all the shows. I'm pretty sure that's the tourist trap part and is easy enough to avoid. We found none of that inside the national park.

We enjoyed the park and would like to eventually return but, when we do, it will likely be either the end of May of perhaps Sept. after labor day and after the kids are back in school.

 

[geekette]

Bluegreen's Mountain Loft is near an entrance and off the strip. I enjoy coffee on the balcony watching the park become more visible as fog burns off.

I can't remember which bldg's, exactly, but the newer lodge units were very nice last I was there a few years ago.

 

[fishingguy]

Sunrise Ridge

Amber has Sunrise Ridge, it is in Pigeon Forge. Decent units with excellent view of the mountains from the balcony. It's about a mile from Dolly wood.

It is off the beaten path so there are ways to skirt most of the traffic. [You can get to Walmart and some decent restaurants without much difficulty at all; going the back way out of the resort, turning left at Wyndham Resort, and going through the stop light over the river.] Traffic on the main road running from Seiverville to Gatlinburg can be horrific on Friday going toward the park, and Sunday going away from the park. The resort is about 5 miles from the park entrance, far enough away to avoid the tourist traps and traffic jams.

It's our favorite resort for GSMNP.

 

[shagnut]

Deb, leaving for the area on Sun. Staying at Wyndham Smokey Mtns in Seiverville. Don't get on the main drag or you'll never get anywhere. There is a back road to take. I wish I was in Gatlinburg which is closest to the park. Will report back when I get home.

Think of Myrtle Beach without the beach. Thank gosh you can get away from all the junk stores and get into the park area rather quickly. Don't forget Roaring Forks Nature Trail.

shaggy

 

[Debbyd57]

We just left the Wyndham Smoky Mtn resort and it was only a few minutes via the back roads to Dollywood. It is a beautiful resort. We requested a refurbished unit backing up to the woods and it was very very nice with granite counter tops and flat screen tvs.

 

[Talent312]

Traffic in Gatilinburg proper can be horrid on weekends.
But weekdays and late afternoon not so much. We plan outings accordingly.

The funishings at Gatlinburg Town Square are a bit datedl, but its very convenient.
Also, one can drive there thru a loop around the main drag.