In Gatlinburg, you can enjoy the exquisite beauty of nature at just about every turn. From quiet forests and peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to babbling streams and rushing rivers like Little Pigeon River, there are a multitude of stunning places to visit in the area.
One of the best ways to enjoy the serene setting and warm weather of Gatlinburg is to go for a swim in one of the local swimming holes in Gatlinburg TN! Read on to learn more about these gorgeous spots where you can go for a swim in the middle of nature.
Townsend Wye/Y Swimming Area
Pronounced Townsend “Y,” this Gatlinburg swimming hole is located a little outside of town, around forty-five minutes away. You’ll find that Townsend Y is one of the most popular and accessible swimming holes in Gatlinburg TN, easily found at the point where Little River and the Middle Prong of Little River meet (just past the Townsend entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park). Here, the pool is wide and everyone in the family can enjoy a nice swim. There’s also a hill above the pools that’s ideal for picnicking or sunbathing.
Metcalf Bottoms Swimming Area
Situated about half an hour outside of town within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Metcalf Bottoms is an excellent place for a daytrip with scenic swimming, pleasant picnicking, and a little bit of history on the side if you want. The wide, shallow swimming holes near Gatlinburg, TN are ideal for laying in an innertube and letting your cares drift away.
Pack a picnic lunch and eat at the picnic area nearby, then follow the trail to the historic Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse, last used in the 1930s, or the Walker Sisters’ home site, where the last residents living on what became the Great Smoky Mountains National Park once dwelled. If you don’t feel like hiking to the Gatlinburg swimming holes, you can also park at the schoolhouse and access Metcalf Bottoms from there.
Little Pigeon River Banks
If you’re hankering for a swim after spending time at Dollywood, this pleasant and popular spot is located just outside of the park on the banks of the Little Pigeon River. Containing a total of seven Gatlinburg swimming holes, the Little Pigeon River Banks have some truly beautiful scenery.
Greenbrier Swimming Holes on Little Pigeon River
If you’re looking for a quiet place with far less tourists, Greenbrier Swimming Hole in Gatlinburg, TN is a fantastic choice. Tucked away along the deeper part of one of the cleanest rivers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this swimming hole is easily accessible from Route 321 and has giant rocks on which you can sunbathe.
Abrams Falls Swimming Hole
If you happen to be visiting Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Abrams Falls is a gorgeous and popular place for a swim. Nestled at the end of a two-and-a-half-mile hike, the swimming hole features a picturesque twenty-foot waterfall that empties into a one hundred-foot natural pool.
Restaurants Nearby
Once you are done with all that swimming, you are likely to be pretty hungry. Fortunately, Gatlinburg offers some fabulous food.
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
1103 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
7:00 am to 1:00 pm every day
This popular restaurant is famous for its big and delicious skillets. All of the egg dishes are served with a sweet corn pone that you won’t want to miss. If you like to start off the day with a little something sweet, be sure to try the griddle cakes with chocolate chips and strawberries.
Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria in Elks Plaza
968 Parkway Suite #9, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm daily
The name may sound like their bragging, but this eatery really does offer some mouthwatering Italian food. The restaurant is famous for its garlic knots and it is pretty hard not to fill up on them when you wait for your meal. The restaurant marinara sauce tastes great on everything from the fried ravioli appetizer to the stuffed shells or eggplant parmigiana.
Donut Friar
634 Parkway #15, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
5:00 am to 9:00 pm daily
This spot located in the charming Village Shops is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Gatlinburg and one of the best smelling. They sell a wide variety of fresh donuts and the cinnamon bread that the town is famous for. Get there early and you can taste these marvelous cakes while they are still hot.
Things to Do in Town
Once you have gone for a dip and eaten it will be time to take in a little culture. Everyone knows Gatlinburg has many art galleries and souvenir shops and people flock to the beautiful natural areas, but did you know the town has some great theater as well?
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have plenty of dinner theaters. The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud is the longest running of them. It is a light-hearted look at the famous battle between two Civil War veterans and the families who stood by them. The theater is located at 119 Music Rd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, and the shows are at 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede is located at 3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. Dolly’s show features singing dancing and comedy and friendly competition between North and South. They serve a fantastic four-course meal and you even get dessert. The shows are at 8:30 pm. The venue has hot tubs and a game room for the kids.
Plan an Unforgettable Vacation with The Cabin Rental Store
Contact our team of reservation specialists to find out more about swimming and other fun activities that you can enjoy in Gatlinburg when you reserve your stay in one of our fabulous vacation rental properties today!
