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Scenic Smoky Mountains Road Trip: Gatlinburg to Asheville 

Scenic Smoky Mountains Road Trip: Gatlinburg to Asheville 

Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg Great Smoky Mountains National Park Asheville
Trip length3-5 days
Route distance113 mi
Stops4
Customize this tripFree account · edit dates, stops & pace

Trip overview

Imagine entertainment, amusement parks, a national park and a hip-funky small town all set in the dramatic Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Expect family fun and beauty on this trip starting in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, then continuing to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and ending in hip-artsy Asheville, Tennessee. While the stops on this trip can be reached in around two hours, those wanting a dramatic scenic drive to enjoy the rugged and lush Smokies can easily spend a wonderful long weekend or even a week. You'll start in Pigeon Forge, a lively town with a fun family activities, or in nearby Gatlinburg, which is only a 15-minute drive. There are plenty of family-friendly activities and live entertainment in both towns, and visitors will want to enjoy both. From there, you'll travel to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for its dramatic scenery and recreational opportunities before finishing the trip in nearby hip and artsy Asheville, North Carolina.

Routing Information

The route that will be displayed in our Trip Planner (when you select "Take This Trip") does not take you through Great Smoky Mountains National Park on your way to Asheville, Tennessee. Most RVs are permitted to drive through the park, which is a more scenic (and perhaps slower) route to Asheville. However, we have erred on the most RV-safe route option (safe for semis) and will route you around this National Park. Since AdventureGenie does NOT provide turn-by-turn directions, we expect all users to use an RV-safe GPS/Navigation application/system for daily turn-by-turn routing. This likely will allow you to take an RV-safe route through Great Smoky Mountains National Park to get to Asheville, if you wish.

Who will love this trip
Everyone – since the array of activities can appeal to solo travelers, adults, seniors, and families. You can decide how much walking you do during this trip since there is such a variety of activities. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has scenic drives and plenty of activities for both very active and less active travelers.

Trip tips

  • Track the Traffic- Traffic surges in the Summer, October, and during Christmas time. It is best to use an app that shows real-time traffic, like Waze, and to leave with lots of time to spare.

  • Ride the Rocky Top- There are many mountain coasters in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area, but the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster has the longest track. There are coupons for these rides online or in the local grocery stores.

  • Don’t Forget Double D’s- An iconic downtown Asheville experience, which serves coffee and desserts out of a bright red double-decker bus. Note: they only accept cash.

  • Purchase your Parking- You must now pay for parking at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Passes can be purchased up to six months in advance at daily, weekly, or annual rates.

Your route

Route map: Scenic Smoky Mountains Road Trip: Gatlinburg to Asheville 
1Pigeon Forge2Gatlinburg3Great Smoky Mountains National Park4Asheville
1
Stop 1 1-2 day stay

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge and its nearby sister city of Gatlinburg are family-friendly towns with fun activities, entertainment, hiking, museums and entertainment. And they are surrounded by the gorgeous Smoky Mountains. They also happen to be the gateway to the western entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. While they are only a few miles apart from each other and essentially part of the same metropolitan area, we are treating them as separate stops to avoid confusion. We recommend picking one to camp in and visit both by car.

Pigeon Forge lies in the Smoky Mountains' foothills, providing activities ranging from heart-pumping rides at Dollywood to family-friendly live shows.

Top things to do

Pigeon Forge is packed with family-friendly attractions. Here are a few of the top things to do in the Pigeon Forge area:

1
ShowsThere are dozens of shows to pick from – including musicals, music, variety shows, and comedy. The Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show and Dolly Parton’s Stampede are two of the most popular.
2
Distilleries & WineriesThere are dozens of distilleries, cideries and wineries in and around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The most popular is the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery. It is the most visited distillery in the U.S. and offers free moonshine tastings.
3
DollywoodThis amusement park is one of the most popular in America. The park extends over 160 acres and is owned by the famous country singer, Dolly Parton. Dollywood offers rides for those of all ages, including younger children. Festivals, shows and events occur throughout the year, so it’s a great stop in any season. This park helped establish Pigeon Forge as a family-friendly destination.
4
Old MillThis National Register of Historic Places landmark is a center point for visitors to Pigeon Forge. Shops, restaurants and history combine to make this a fun destination.
5
The Island in Pigeon ForgeThis affordable and family-friendly amusement park is packed with rides, museums, shops, and more. Some of the attractions include a high ropes course, a large Ferris Wheel and a carousel.
6
Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment CenterLearn about Hollywood’s biggest stars through history and enjoy the Castle of Chaos 5D laser shooting ride, Hannah’s House of Mirrors, and Outbreak – Dread the Undead zombie experience.

Pigeon Forge, TN activities

HikingBikingHorseback RidingGolfingZipliningWhite Water RaftingAmusement ParksMuseumsAdventure ParksAlpine Coasters

RV campgrounds near Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge and nearby Gatlinburg both have many great camping options – public and private. Pick one campground and use a car to see both towns since they are so near to each other. Let AdventureGenie help you find the perfect RV campground for your road trip in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area!

Next stop: Gatlinburg
2
Stop 2 1-2 day stay

Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg, TN

Just like nearby Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg has miles of mountain hiking trails, picturesque nature scenes, great museums, fun amusement parks, great dining, and year-round fun. It’s an idyllic mountain town that is a great stop on your Smoky Mountain road trip.

Top things to do

Here are some of the top attractions and activities to enjoy in the Gatlinburg area:

1
Ripley’s Aquarium of the SmokeysThis Gatlinburg attraction is great for all ages. You can learn about marine life through shows, presentations, self-guided tours, and interactive exhibits.
2
Gatlinburg Mountain CoasterThis alpine coaster is an exciting ride down the side of a mountain. It offers a unique experience for families and allows grown-ups and kids to ride together. The speed of your ride can be adjusted, allowing those preferring a calmer ride to enjoy views at a slower pace. This coaster is open day and night for visitors.
3
Titanic Pigeon ForgeThis is the “world’s largest Titanic museum attraction.” With its replica ship and in-character staff, you can learn about the Titanic via interactive exhibits and artifacts.
4
MuseumsCheck out these fun museums: Hollywood Star Cars Museum and the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum.
5
Roaring Fork Motor Nature TrailThis scenic drive takes you through the Smoky Mountains on a 5.5-mile road. It's a great option for those who don't want to hike or during rainy days. This route is closed in the winter.
6
The Gatlinburg Trail and Middle Prong TrailThese hiking trails are worth exploring and offer a variety of lengths and difficulty levels. The Gatlinburg Trail is an easy 1.9-mile route that allows bicycles and pets. The Middle Prong Trail is a strenuous, 8.3-mile trail, perfect for more avid hikers.
7
Gatlinburg Space NeedleAscend 400 feet in a glass elevator for spectacular views of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Right next door Is Arcadia, a 25,000 square foot arcade and entertainment center.
8
Ole Smoky Candy KitchenOne of the top family-friendly activities in Gatlinburg. This candy shop has been creating taffy and other confections since 1950. You can watch the shop workers make candy; get ready for a tasty and educational stop.

Gatlinburg, TN activities

HikingBikingHorseback RidingGolfingZipliningWhite Water RaftingAmusement ParksMuseumsAdventure ParksAlpine Coasters

RV campgrounds near Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge both have many great camping options – public and private. Pick one campground and use a car to see both towns since they are so near to each other. Let AdventureGenie help you find the perfect RV campground for your road trip in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area!

Next stop: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
3
Stop 3 1-2 day stay

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

Great, indeed! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park with over 500,000 acres, runs along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina (about half the park is in each state). This park is famous for its dramatic and varied landscape and wildlife. Historic sites, dramatic scenery, and hiking trails await you in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since the park is large, you will want at least two days to explore it. The park has three main entrances (and many smaller ones), with the Sugarlands entrance being nearest to Gatlinburg. Let AdventureGenie help you plan a road trip to the incredible Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Top things to do

Here are some of the most popular things to do and see in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

1
Visitor CentersThere are four visitors centers in the park: Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome. Each has friendly staff available to answer questions and help you plan your trip.
2
Cades CoveThis lush valley set between mountains offers excellent opportunities to see wildlife. Explore the cove on the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road. On Wednesdays, the road is closed to vehicles to allow hikers and bikers access. The Cades Cove area has the highest concentration of historic buildings in the park, including churches and barns.
3
FishingOne of the park's most popular activities, with 2,900 miles of streams and many types of fish, makes the park a great place for anglers to practice their skills. You can fish year-round in the park.
4
Charlie’s Bunion TrailThis picturesque and moderately challenging 8-mile roundtrip hike (for the more fit hikers) leads to the breathtaking stone outcrop, Charlie’s Bunion.
5
Porters Creek TrailOne of the kid-friendly hikes available in the park. It's a moderately challenging two-mile hike leading to Porters Flat, and a barn, cabin, and springhouse. This area was once a community with multiple shops, corn mills, and small farms. The remnants of these buildings allow you and your kids to get a picture of what life was like in the 1800s.
6
Historic BuildingsDiscover interesting, preserved cabins, churches, and ghost towns from the 1800’s around the park.
7
Oconoluftee Indian VillageOn your drive to Asheville near the southern border of the park in Cherokee, North Carolina, is a wonderful living history museum showcasing what life was like for the 18th Century Cherokee Indians of the mountains of North Carolina.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN activities

HikingBikingFishingHorseback RidingPicnickingWildlife ViewingPhotography

RV campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

While there are many different types of camping spots – "frontcountry," backcountry, group, and even horse campgrounds within the park – only the ten "frontcountry" campgrounds are RV-friendly – but have no hookups or shower facilities. Camping in the park is available year-round, though freezing temperatures and snow are common. Private RV campgrounds are available in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, about 6-8 miles away from the park. Let AdventureGenie help you find the perfect RV campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area!

Next stop: Asheville
4
Stop 4 1-2 day stay

Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC, is a city that has a little bit of everything, making it the perfect place to end the trip. It has an excellent art scene, great live music, delicious locally-made food and beer, and incredible mountain views. It's known as one of the happiest cities in the U.S. and has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. While it's a beautiful destination year-round, it also offers exceptional fall colors. Let AdventureGenie help you plan a fun road trip to the lively city of Asheville!

Top things to do

Here are our top picks for things to do in Asheville:

1
Biltmore HouseWith more than 150,000 square feet of living space, this Chateau- style grand mansion is the largest privately owned house in the U.S. Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in 1895 as his “little mountain escape” – his descendants still occupy and use parts of the home. Vanderbilt furnished it with priceless furniture and art. The self-guided tours take you back in time and help visitors understand the astounding way the estate was built over six years. The Estate has fabulous gardens, hiking trails, shops, restaurants, a winery and much more. Plan to spend 4-6 hours to take it all in.
2
Downtown AshevilleDowntown Asheville is vibrant with its thriving art, music, craft beer, dining, and cultural scenes. Check out the Asheville Art Museum, Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Lexington Glassworks, South Slope Brewing District, Asheville Urban Trail, minor league baseball (the Asheville Tourists), Drum Circle (Fridays at 6pm), and the Mast General Store. There are more than 100 restaurants, 200 shops, and 30 galleries downtown.
3
River Arts DistrictNext to the Broad River, this arts district features nearly 200 working artist studios and galleries. There are also places to eat and drink.
4
North Carolina ArboretumJust south of Asheville, this arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails with some of the most beautiful botanically diverse plants in the area. It has indoor and outdoor exhibits and many special events.
5
Western North Carolina Nature CenterThis 42-acre zoo is operated by the City of Asheville’s Parks and Recreation Department. It has more than 60 species common to the region – all have either been injured or are unable to survive in the wild.
6
Adventure Center of AshevilleThis privately owned park allows the young or young at heart to zip, swing, rappel, jump, climb and walk above the treetops, all safely suspended by 30 towering trees.
7
Pisgah National ForestThis USDA operated forest, located a stone’s throw from Asheville, has 500,000 stunning acres of waterfalls, forests, and mountains. Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway actually go through Pisgah. Consider hiking, driving or mountain biking here.
8
Outdoor PursuitsAsheville is rich in opportunities for so many ways to enjoy the outdoors – hiking, climbing, kayaking, biking, fishing, golfing, and on and on!
9
Asheville Urban TrailThis outdoor trail uniquely explains the history of Asheville. A scavenger hunt takes you along the 1.7-mile trail to 30 stations. Each station explains an important event in Asheville's history. This is a great way for kids and adults to learn about Asheville in a fun, interactive way.
10
Sliding RockOne of the most unique natural attractions in Asheville. Sliding rock is a natural waterslide that takes riders 60 feet into an eight-foot pool at the bottom. Lifeguards are only on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when riding down the waterfall is safest.
11
Grandfather Mountain Nature ParkThis park offers an array of activities, from hiking trails to unique rock formations, animal experiences, gift shops, restaurants, and more. It’s the location of the famed Forest Gump Curve, featured in the movie. This nature park is excellent for people of all ages.
12
Mile High Swinging BridgeFound in the Grandfather Mountain Nature Park, this 1952 bridge is the highest suspension footbridge in the U.S., with an elevation of over a mile. You’ll need to drive along a two-mile scenic route to reach the access point for this bridge.

Asheville, NC activities

HikingBikingScenic DrivesSwimmingZipliningJeep ToursHorseback RidingHistoric HomesMuseumsArt GalleriesTheaterBreweriesLive Music

RV campgrounds near Asheville, NC

Asheville has dozens of public and private campgrounds in and around it. State Park options include Lake James State Park, Mount Mitchell State Park, and South Mountains State Park. In addition to nearby Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds (Crabtree Falls, Mt. Pisgah, and Linville Falls Campgrounds), the nearby Pisgah National Forest (which surrounds Asheville), has multiple campgrounds (Lake Powatan and North Mills River Campgrounds being the closest). Let AdventureGenie help you find the perfect campground!

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