Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, has long been a popular tourist destination for many, many reasons. But you may not realize that the area is full of fun Gatlinburg facts.
All About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. This park is located just a few minutes from Gatlinburg and doesn’t charge an entrance fee. Another fun fact: The park is free due to an agreement between the federal government and the state of Tennessee, made when the park was enacted, that stipulated that the Newfound Gap Road remain toll free.
It was very important to the state government that the road be toll free, because they wanted to promote interstate travel between Tennessee and North Carolina. More than 80 years later, it is still free to enjoy all of the beautiful trails and scenery in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Dollywood — Not to Be Missed!
Dolly Parton opened Dollywood in 1986. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is Tennessee’s most visited ticketed tourist attraction. In fact, many visitors to the area come for the very reason to visit this iconic attraction! Some even say it’s the Disneyland of the South!
Artificial Ski Slopes in Tennessee
The Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort is the world’s biggest artificial ski surface. The cool thing about this is that the five-acre artificial surface allows people to ski all year round.
Run Out of Town
Before it was known as Gatlinburg, the town was known as White Oaks Flats. While many prominent families settled in the area, Radford Gatlin received the naming credits for his settlement efforts. However, Mr. Gatlin frequently feuded with his neighbors, and became despised for his Confederate sympathies in this pro-Union area. Subsequently, Gatlin was run out of town in 1859; however, the name “Gatlinburg” remained.
You Can Get There from Here
The Smoky Mountains are within a day’s drive of one-third of the United States. That’s probably why the Great Smoky Mountains National Park here is the most visited in the country!
At the Cabin Rental Store we are pleased to offer the very best in local vacation rentals. Additionally, we want to help visitors feel welcome to our area, so if you have any questions at all or would like to learn more about Gatlinburg facts, please contact us!