Glamping in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a small town situated on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, just 39 miles southeast of Knoxville. The town is known for its rich history, wildlife, outdoor recreation options, great restaurants, and family-friendly attractions. It’s the perfect place to come for an outdoor getaway with your loved ones. So pack your bags, get your family in the car, and come breathe in the fresh mountain air in Gatlinburg.

Glamping is the ultimate way to experience the charm of this small mountain town. Choose from a variety of glampsites and glamping options around the area. Glamp near the mountains with an accommodation that comes with a fireplace to stay cozy and warm in the colder months. Stay close to downtown Gatlinburg with a variety of glamping options available just a short walk away from shops, restaurants, cafés, and other attractions. The best part about glamping is that you can enjoy staying close to nature without sacrificing any modern comforts. The vast majority of glamping options are equipped with televisions, comfortable furnishings, high-speed internet, and even air conditioning. Whether you’ll be coming with your family, significant other, or a furry friend, you’re sure to find the perfect glamping option in Gatlinburg suited to your travel preferences!

Gatlinburg is truly a hiker’s paradise with a seemingly endless amount of hiking trails on offer. Choose from trails with scenic mountain views, waterfalls, and natural pools that you can swim in. For a moderate hike to see some of the best waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, head to Abrams Falls Trail. It’s only 2.7 miles round trip, and at the end of the hike you’re rewarded with stunning waterfalls! For a memorable and unique hiking experience, try Clingman’s Dove, which at its highest point you can see into seven different states (Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky)!

Gatlinburg is bursting with family-friendly attractions. Head to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. This mesmerizing aquarium features a moving “ocean floor” which glides you through a glass tunnel filled with marine life. Families should also visit the Gatlinburg Space Needle, which looks over Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smoky Mountains from a 407-foot observation tower. The views are incredible!

The aerial tram at Ober Gatlinburg is a fantastic way to see the natural beauty of the area, and it’s open year-round. Ride above the mountains, over top leafy green forests, and enjoy a scenic tour of the entire town. Fall and winter offer particularly beautiful scenery, especially when the leaves are changing or if snow has just fallen.

Downtown Gatlinburg is packed with fun things to do, delicious foods to try, and great shops to browse. Head to the Village Shoppes, a quaint shopping district in the downtown area with a classic European-style of architecture. Here you’ll find over 30 shops, eateries, cafés, and restaurants. Shop home decor products, boutique clothing shops, shoes, and more!

Set inside of Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is SkyBridge, which is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. Walk across the incredible bridge and test how well you cope with heights as you cross the glass floor panels in the middle of the bridge. This is an excellent activity to enjoy with the whole family.

The mountains and forests surrounding Gatlinburg are filled with waterfalls. Just a short three-mile (round-trip) hike outside of Gatlinburg is Laurel Falls. It’s a relatively easy hike suitable for all skill levels, and the views of the 80-foot-high waterfall at the end make it all worth it. Cataract Falls and Baskins Creek Falls require a short drive outside of Gatlinburg to be reached, but these two popular waterfalls are well-worth the visit.

The rolling green mountains surrounding Gatlinburg lend to the small town’s abundance of natural beauty and charm. Take a scenic drive to enjoy the scenery to the fullest. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a popular scenic drive consisting of a 5.5-mile one-way loop full of beautiful nature scenes. If you like this one, try Newfound Gap Road scenic drive too, it’s even longer at 32-miles and includes several stunning overlook points.

This cabin-themed mountain restaurant offers some serious charm as well as a classic Southern breakfast menu. Dining here for breakfast during your time in Gatlinburg is an absolute must. Choose from Southern-style biscuits, corned beef hash, eggs Benedict, massive cinnamon buns, hotcakes, fresh juices, pot roast, and more! They’ve also got delicious fresh juices and big menu of various coffee drinks.

It’s not a quintessential Tennessee experience without a little bit of moonshine. Head to Sugarlands Distilling Company to try some of the best moonshine in the state. Here you can do a moonshine tasting in their ambient tasting room and try wonderful flavors of moonshine like apple pie, chocolate cream, and more!