Gatlinburg and Smoky Mountains area guide
Our recommendations for your vacation in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains.
Topics
Near the lodge
Big Bear Ridge Lodge is on the quiet East Parkway side of Gatlinburg, away from the busy downtown Parkway and about 10 minutes from the Greenbrier entrance to the national park. These are our favorite places close by, with approximate drive times from the lodge:
| Drive | Place | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Trish’s Mountain Diner | Breakfast and lunch |
| 10 min | Greens Market | Local products |
| 10 min | Bent Creek Golf Course | Golf |
| 10 min | CLIMB Works | Zip lines |
| 10 min | Greenbrier entrance | The quiet side of the national park |
| 10 min | Arts and Crafts Community | Craft shops, potters and galleries |
| 15 min | Greenbrier Grocery and Food City | Groceries |
| 15 min | Wild Plum Tea Room and Buckhorn Inn | Lunch, and a special dinner |
| 20 min | Greenbrier Picnic Area | Picnic tables, grills and a pavilion you can book |
| 20 min | Gabes Mountain Trail | Hen Wallow Falls, in Cosby |
| 20 min | Carver’s Orchard | Country cooking, apples and cider |
| 20 min | Downtown Gatlinburg | Shops, attractions and the trolley |
| 30 min | Porters Creek and Ramsey Cascades | Waterfall hikes at Greenbrier |
| 30 min | Pigeon Forge and Dollywood | Theme parks and shows |
Before you hike or picnic in the park, buy a parking tag – you need one for any stop over 15 minutes.
Everything on the map
All the places in our area guide, by topic. Tap a dot to see what it is and how far it is from the lodge.
The map loads when you scroll to it.
When to come
Every season in the Smokies has something special:
- Spring (April and May): wildflower season in the park, with the five-day Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in April.
- Late May and early June: the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont, one of nature’s strangest light shows. Viewing is by lottery on recreation.gov, with applications open for a few days in late April.
- Summer: the busiest time, with swimming holes, Dollywood’s Splash Country and long days for hiking. Start early to beat the crowds and the afternoon thunderstorms.
- Fall (October and early November): fall color, starting on the high peaks in early October and usually reaching the valleys by late October. As popular as summer, so book early.
- Thanksgiving and early December: the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community’s Thanksgiving and Christmas craft shows, the best time for handmade gifts.
- Winter (November to January): Winterfest, with more than 12 million lights in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, skiing at Ober Gatlinburg and quiet trails. Kuwohi Road and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close for the winter.