Gatlinburg Vacation Guide
The Mountains are Calling and Gatlinburg is perfectly suited for big adventures in the great outdoors. Surrounded by the Smokies, Gatlinburg is known for its scenic views and walkable strip full of attractions, restaurants, and shopping.
About Gatlinburg
The Mountains are Calling and Gatlinburg is perfectly suited for big adventures in the great outdoors. Surrounded by the Smokies, the small community of Gatlinburg is only two miles long by five miles wide. Gatlinburg is known for its scenic views and walkable strip that is full of attractions, restaurants, and shopping.
Things to Do
Surrounded by the Smokies
The small community of Gatlinburg is only two miles long by five miles wide, wrapped on all sides by the Great Smoky Mountains.
The walkable strip
Gatlinburg is known for its scenic views and walkable strip that is full of attractions, restaurants, and shopping.
Anakeesta
Gatlinburg's mountaintop attraction, with live cameras you can check before you ride up.
Gatlinburg Space Needle
An observation tower on the Gatlinburg strip, with its own live webcam.
Ober Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg's mountaintop ski and amusement area, reached by aerial tramway from the strip, with live webcams.
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Park It Forward parking tags
If you are in one location for more than 15 minutes anywhere inside the boundaries of the Smokies, you will need a parking tag. Each tag is valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed. Physical display is required — digital representations will not be accepted. Tags are not required for motorists who pass through or who park for less than 15 minutes.
Free attraction tickets
Bear Tootin guests receive 1 free ticket per day for each participating Smoky Mountain attraction, including Dollywood, Pirates Voyage, Comedy Barn, Country Tonite, Soaky Mountain, WonderWorks, Skyland Ranch, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster, Big Creek Expeditions, Mama's Farmhouse and more.
Know the bear safety rules
Black bears live throughout the Smokies. Review the area bear safety guidance before you head out, and never leave food or trash outside your cabin.
Check weather and park closures before you go
Great Smoky Mountains National Park posts temporary road and trail closures, and mountain weather changes quickly — check both the 10-day forecast and the closure list before you set out.
Use the Smoky Planner
Bear Tootin's Smoky Planner sorts area attractions into Most Popular, Heart Racing Adventures, Voted by Kids, Best Viewing Spots, Hiking, Dinner Shows, Driving Trails, Shows, Winter Vibes, Animals, Water Fun and Museums, plus hiking lists for waterfalls, easy hikes, best views, kid hikes, stroller-friendly and dog-friendly trails.
Getting Around
Gatlinburg is only two miles long by five miles wide, and its strip of attractions, restaurants and shopping is walkable end to end. A Gatlinburg attractions map and area trolley route maps are linked from Bear Tootin's Smoky Planner Maps page.
Local Insider Tips
Live webcams at Anakeesta, the Gatlinburg Space Needle and Ober Gatlinburg are linked from Bear Tootin's Smoky Planner, so you can check mountaintop conditions before you drive up. The Gatlinburg Visitors Center is also one of four in-person locations selling Great Smoky Mountains parking tags.
Featured Properties
Our guests' favorite stays
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