Things to Do in Gatlinburg Tennessee that Cost You Nothing!

1. People Watch on the Gatlinburg Parkway

With millions of visitors each year, it is hard to find a reason why you and your family shouldn’t go people watching on the Gatlinburg Parkway. Not to mention, downtown Gatlinburg is a great city to park your car and just walk around and explore.

There are several benches and resting spots if you want to take a break, or you can duck into The Village and sit by the water fountain on a pleasant sunny day.

2. Take a walk along the Little Pigeon River

We have already told you how walking on the sidewalk along the Gatlinburg Parkway is one of our favorite free things to do in Gatlinburg. However, for guests looking to enjoy a more scenic view as they stroll around the city, we suggest walking along the city’s riverwalk path that take you by the Little Pigeon River.

Not only is this a great way to catch a glimpse of some of the natural beauty of the area, but it also a great way to cool down on a warm day. There are also benches and gazebos along the path if you want to sit down and take in the sights for a moment or two.

3. Visit a Gatlinburg Moonshine Distillery

Moonshining has been a long standing tradition in the Smoky Mountains, and today guests to the area can witness this tradition by visiting one of the many new exciting Gatlinburg moonshine distilleries. The best part is that tours are free! There is a small charge for moonshine sampling, but you can explore the distillery at no charge!
Ole Smoky Moonshine
Hours: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m., daily. Moonshine sales on Sundays from 12-7 p.m.
Phone: (865) 436-6995
Website: https://olesmoky.com/about/distillery
Sugarlands Shine Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sundays Noon-7 p.m.
Phone: (865) 325-1355
Website: http://www.sugarlandsdistilling.com/
Doc Collier Moonshine Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Phone: 1-800-398-5132
Website: http://doccollier.co/

4. Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Do you want to explore the area, but you don’t feel like waking? You and your family can enjoy a relaxing drive along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail from the comfort of your own vehicle.

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 6-mile, one-way, loop road. Along the trail, guests will pass several historic home sites including the Noah ‘Bud’ Ogle cabin, the Roaring Fork Cemetery, and the remains of one of the early settler’s villages that was home to nearly two dozen families over 150 years ago.

There are stops along the way where guests can pull over and snap a picture or two, or just enjoy the scenery for a little while.

If you do decide you want to walk around for a little bit, there are also several Smoky Mountain hiking trail heads that are located near the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. These trails include:
Baskins Creek Falls
3 miles round trip
Easy difficulty rating
Features waterfalls
Brushy Mountain (Trillium Gap) 6.8 miles round trip
Easy-moderate difficulty rating
Features wildflowers and scenic views
Bullhead Trail 5.9 miles round trip
Easy-moderate difficulty rating
Features interesting geology
Grotto Falls 2.6 miles round trip
Easy difficulty rating
Features waterfalls
Rainbow Falls 5.4 miles round trip
Easy-Moderate difficulty rating
Features waterfalls
Trillium Gap 13.9 miles round trip
Hard difficulty rating
Features panoramic views

For driving directions to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, feel free to use THIS MAP!.

The Track in Pigeon Forge, TN

2575 Parkway • Pigeon Forge, TN 37863   

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The Track is your Family Fun and Recreation Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 

Featuring Go-Karts/ Gator Miniature Golf / The Wild Woody/ Kids Country/ Bumper Karts/ Bungee Jumping and Arcade. 
New rides for this year are the Blaster Boats and the Sky Flyer.

Are there any restrictions at The Track? 
For the Blaster Boats, Bumper Cars & Rookie Karts, drivers must be 4’. 
For the regular track, drivers must be 4’ 6” and for the Wild Woody track drivers must be 4’ 8”. 
For the Kiddie Track, riders must be 36" tall.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail - is an 8-mile, one-way loop off of Cherokee Orchard Road in Gatlinburg. Turn left at Traffic Light No. 8 (Historic Nature Trail Road/Airport Road) and drive straight through til you see the entrance on the right. Even though the one-way road is narrow, there are places along the way where you can pull over or park. Several historic homesteads dating from the late 18th Century are located just off the trail and are easy to get to. Plus, colorful leaves and flowers are abundant in the spring and autumn. It takes about an hour to drive the loop, and is well worth the time.

Grotto Falls 

Alfred Reagan Cabin on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park 

Alfred Reagan Cabin on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Natural Swimming Holes in Gatlinburg

Natural Swimming Holes in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The Sinks   Directions: Powdermill Rd toward Elk Spring Way, turn right to stay on Powdermill Rd, take a right onto Glades Rd for about 1.7 miles then turn right onto East Pkwy. Take a left onto US-441 S/Parkway until you reach Little River Road where you will turn right onto it.    >>USE CAUTION<< 

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Abrams Falls Swimming Hole Directions: Located past stop #10 on the Cades Cove Loop Road. To get to Cades Creek Loop Road from Gatlinburg head north on US 441 for 8.4 miles. Take a left on Wears Valley Road and follow for 12 miles. Turn left on TN-73 and follow into the park. When you reach the intersection of Little River and Laurel Creek Road turn right onto Laurel Creek Road and follow until it dead ends into Cades Cove Loop Road. Bears have been known to inhabit the area.   >>CAUTION<<

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Metcalf Bottoms Swimming Area   Directions: Take US-441 into the park. At the Sugarlands Visitor Center turn right onto Little River Rd. toward Elkmont. Travel about six miles to the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area on the right.

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The Chimney Top Trail  Directions: Head southeast on Powdermill Rd toward Elk Spring Way, Turn right to stay on Powdermill Rd, Turn right onto Glades Rd, Turn right onto East Pkwy, Turn left onto US-441 S/Parkway, Continue to follow US-441 S into the park and past the visitor center. Continue on the 441 S until you reach the entrance to the Chimneys picnic area and trailhead.

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 Midnight Hole Directions: From Sevierville take I-40 East to Waterville Exit; Turn R then veer L onto Waterville Rd. Follow straight to Big Creek entrance. Pass ranger station and park in lot just beyond Big Creek trailhead. Follow Big Creek Trailhead 1.4 miles and you will see Midnight hole on your left.

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The Townsend Wye Swimming AreaDirections: From Gatlinburg head North on US 441 for 8.4 miles. Take a left on Wears Valley Road and follow for 12 miles. Turn left on TN-73 until you reach the intersection of Little River and Laurel Creek Road. CAUTION

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Greenbrier Swimming Holes on the Little Pigeon River

Directions: From Gatlinburg at light #3, head east on Hwy 321. Travel for approximately 7 miles and turn right on Greenbrier Road. Swimming pools are located on your left along the road before you reach the ranger station.

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Water recreation is not recommended in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the park. **See Warnings Here**

View Swimming Holes in a larger map Link from source: Elks Springs Resort
View Best Swimming Holes in a larger map