Tennessee Part 2: Smokey Mountains, Gatlinburg & Chattanooga

We stayed at Douglass Dam Headwater Campground in Sevierville TN, just outside of Pigeon Forge.  We stayed for 7 nights (a week) with 30 AMP and water for $179, plus dump station access.

Mike and I were selective on our site seeing as there is so much to do in Pigeon Forge, like Dollywood, the Titanic, Hatfield and McCoy dinner theater, museums, and a ton of tourist attractions.  So we went with FREE, which was a drive through the Smokey Mountains National Park.  In our 3 hour round trip, we drove the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I suggest visiting in October – November to see the autumn colors line the mountain sides.

Gatlinburg is not far, as well.  So we decided to take the ski-lift chair to Anakeesta.  We did the express pass and reserve time, so we didn’t have to stand in line to long.  It was about $20 + per person and that included the lift up and down, walk on the plank suspension bridges, and climb up the tower.  We enjoyed a huge brownie sundae for $7 at Pearl’s Pie in the Sky; worth every delicious bite.

Then we traveled to Jasper, TN, just outside of Chattanooga, where we stayed at Marion County Park for 50 AMP and water for 6 nights for a total of $124.51, plus access to the dump station.  This campsite is right on the Tennessee River but close to highway 24, so some road noise. 

Look at that view.

Mike and I took a ride to Lookout Mountain and went on the Incline Railroad that was $10 each (a $5 discount for their 125^th Anniversary weekend celebration).  At the top on the ride, about 3 blocks to the right, is Point Park, a National Park and a Civil War marker for the “Battle Above the Clouds”.  It cost to get into the park, $10 per person, so we decided not to waste our time and money.  We are going to save Rock City and Ruby Falls for our next visit.  That was a hint that we will be back some day.

Thank you and God bless.