Guest Guidebook: Things to Do Near the Smoky Dens | Zara's Getaways
Gateway towns
Two famous towns, one easy base. The Dens sit about 15 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and 20 minutes from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.
Gatlinburg
- Downtown Gatlinburg & the Parkway — mountain shops, candy kitchens, arcades and the park entrance at the end of the strip.
- Gatlinburg Trolley — inexpensive trolley routes connecting downtown, the Arts & Crafts Community and the national park entrance.
Pigeon Forge & Sevierville
- Pigeon Forge Parkway — dinner theaters, attractions and outlet shopping along the main strip.
- The Island in Pigeon Forge — the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, shops, restaurants and the dancing fountains.
- Sevierville — the quieter hometown of Dolly Parton, with the courthouse statue, local shops and waterparks.
National park icons
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is minutes from the Dens — America’s most-visited national park, and it charges no entrance fee.
Start here
-
- Sugarlands Visitor Center — exhibits, maps and rangers at the park entrance near Gatlinburg.
- Gatlinburg Trail — an easy, mostly-flat riverside walk from town; one of the park’s two dog-friendly trails.
- Newfound Gap — the 5,046-foot pass on the 33-mile trans-mountain road, straddling the Tennessee–North Carolina line.
Waterfall hikes
The Smokies hold dozens of waterfalls. These are the best easy-to-moderate picks near the Dens — carry water, wear sturdy shoes and go early for parking.
Easy wins
- Grotto Falls — 2.6 miles round trip via Trillium Gap; the only park waterfall you can walk behind.
- Cataract Falls — a short, easy stroll behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Worth the climb
- Alum Cave Bluffs — 4.4 miles round trip to dramatic bluffs (and onward to Mt. LeConte for the ambitious).
- Rainbow Falls — 5.4 miles round trip to an 80-foot cascade, strongest in spring.
- Abrams Falls — 5 miles round trip from Cades Cove to a wide, powerful falls.
Gatlinburg mountain attractions
Sky-high
Pigeon Forge favorites
Big attractions
- Dollywood — Dolly Parton’s beloved theme park: rides, craftspeople, music and seasonal festivals.
- Titanic Museum Attraction — the half-scale ship you can’t miss on the Parkway, with immersive exhibits inside.
Hands-on fun
- Beyond the Lens! — interactive tech-meets-pop-culture exhibits, great for kids.
- WonderWorks — the upside-down house full of science exhibits and indoor rides.
Dinner shows & entertainment
Pigeon Forge practically invented the dinner show. Book ahead — popular nights sell out.
Dinner shows
-
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede — horses, stunts and a four-course feast.
Family fun
Animals & aquariums
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies — the acclaimed Gatlinburg aquarium with its underwater tunnel.
- Parrot Mountain & Gardens — tropical birds and landscaped gardens on the hillside.
- Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo — hand-feed deer, goats, camels and more in Sevierville.
Water & wheels
- Wilderness at the Smokies — a huge indoor waterpark in Sevierville, open year-round.
- Soaky Mountain Waterpark — Sevierville’s big outdoor waterpark, open summers.
- NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains — go-karts and thrill rides in Sevierville.
- Pigeon Forge Snow — climate-controlled indoor snow tubing, open year-round.
Arts & crafts
Make & browse
- Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community — an 8-mile loop of working artisan studios and shops.
- Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts — the historic Gatlinburg craft school with galleries and classes.
- Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair — 200+ artisans at the Convention Center, Oct 8–28, 2026.
Breweries & distilleries
The Smokies are moonshine country. Downtown Gatlinburg’s distilleries offer free tastings; Pigeon Forge pours craft beer.
Distilleries
-
- Ole Smoky Distillery — The Barrelhouse in downtown Gatlinburg, East Tennessee’s first legal moonshine distillery.
Park & practical tips
Before you go
- The park charges no entrance fee — but you’ll need a parking pass if you park longer than 15 minutes. Buy one online or at visitor centers.
- Fall weekends and summer afternoons are the busiest — start hikes early for the best parking and thinnest crowds.
- Higher-elevation roads (Newfound Gap, Kuwohi) can close temporarily in winter weather — check the park’s road status before heading up.
Good to know
More Smoky Dens guides.
The Smoky Dens showcaseMeet Ember Den, Obsidian Den & Smoky Opal Den. Seasonal activities in the SmokiesFall color, winter lights, spring waterfalls & summer nights. Where to eat near the Smoky DensPancake houses, steakhouses, BBQ, seafood & sweets. What’s on this fallFestivals, fairs & seasonal events near Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge.
Zara’s Getaways · The Smoky Dens · Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee