Great Smoky Mountain RV Stay near the attractions of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Quiet, wooded RV park with swimming pool, laundry, dog park and full hookups.

Key Takeaways:

  • Close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Close to the attractions at Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
  • Wooded spacious sites with full hookups
  • Swimming pool, bathhouse, laundry, cable & wi-fi
  • Enclosed dog park

Our Stay:

If you are looking for a great Smoky Mountain RV stay close to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg attractions, the Gateway to the Smokies RV Park and Campground is a great choice. The wooded, spacious sites include a concrete pad and full hookups. With 79 sites, it’s a smaller RV park that offers a quiet stay but just minutes away from Dollywood and all the attractions of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  

What to do:

Take a road trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From the Gatlinburg entrance, stop by the Sugarland Visitor’s Center for maps and souvenirs. Follow Clingmans Dome Road through the park and stop at several scenic pullouts for expansive views of the Smokies. The seven-mile route ends at a large parking area. From there it’s a half mile walk to Clingmans Dome. Dogs are not allowed on the path to the dome. It’s a strenuous walk but well worth it. At 6,643 feet, it’s the highest point in the park. The observation tower at the summit offers stunning 360-degree views of the Smokies.  

Hike the dog-friendly Gatlinburg Trail that runs along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. The 1.9 mile trail runs from the Sugarland Visitor’s Center to the outskirts of the city of Gatlinburg. It’s a flat, easy hike with spots for the dogs to access the river for a quick swim.

For family fun, check out the attractions in Pigeon Forge to include Dollywood, Splash Country, Soaky Mountain Waterpark, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Titanic Museum and numerous theaters, action rides, restaurants, shopping, distilleries and more. The city of Gatlinburg is hustling tourist draw with many more activities and attractions.  

Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.5 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)

We liked the Gateway to the Mountains RV Park. The dog park was nice but on the small side. We enjoyed our walks around the campground. We also liked our car ride through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There were only two dog-friendly hiking trails but we really liked the Gatlinburg Trail and yes, we jumped into the river along the way!  After hiking, we visited the dog-friendly Gatlinburg Brewing Company in Sevierville – nice!

Next Up: Douglas Lake, Tennessee/Anchor Down RV Resort