The short answer
Gatlinburg is a bit more than an hour and a half from Tennessee National, and Pigeon Forge is a few miles closer. Both are on the far side of Knoxville. Tennessee National is a gated lake and golf community on Watts Bar Lake in Loudon, Tennessee. The trip works as a day trip if you leave early. The near side of the Great Smoky Mountains is about an hour away.
Key facts
- Pigeon Forge: about an hour and a half from Tennessee National. Gatlinburg is a few miles farther.
- Both towns are in Sevier County, on the north side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- The near side of the Great Smoky Mountains is about an hour from Tennessee National.
- Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg sits at an entrance to the national park.
- Tennessee National is on Watts Bar Lake in Loudon, Tennessee, about 30 minutes from Knoxville.
Sooner or later every lake house hosts the same visit. Family arrives, spends two days on the water, and then someone asks about Dollywood. Good news: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains are a day trip from Tennessee National.
Tennessee National is a private, gated lake and golf community on Watts Bar Lake in Loudon, Tennessee. Here is how to plan the day.
How far are Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge from Tennessee National?
About an hour and a half to Pigeon Forge, and a little longer to Gatlinburg. Both towns sit on the far side of Knoxville, at the north edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The usual route is interstate most of the way. Take I-75 to I-40, go east past Knoxville, then turn south through Sevierville on the road everyone calls the Parkway. The interstate part is predictable. The Parkway is not. On a busy day the last stretch can crawl.
One note on the numbers. The Great Smoky Mountains are about an hour from Tennessee National. That is the near side of the park, toward Townsend. Gatlinburg is the best-known entrance, farther east.
| Place | About how far | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains, near side | An hour | The quieter way into the park |
| Pigeon Forge | An hour and a half | Dollywood and the family attractions |
| Gatlinburg | A little longer | A walkable mountain town at a park entrance |
What is there to do in Pigeon Forge?
Pigeon Forge is the family stop. It is built for kids and the adults who bring them.
- Dollywood. The theme park is the anchor, with rides, shows, crafts and music. It is a full day by itself. Buy tickets ahead and check the park's operating calendar, because it is not open every day of the year.
- The Parkway. Go-karts, mini golf, dinner shows and pancake houses, one after another. It is loud and bright, and it is exactly what a ten-year-old wants. Pick two stops and let the rest go.
What is there to do in Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg is the mountain gateway. The town sits right at an entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- The town. A walkable main street with candy shops, an aquarium and rides up the mountainside. It is crowded on weekends and in October. Weekdays are calmer.
- The park. This is the reason to go. From the edge of town, scenic roads and short trails lead into the forest and up to high overlooks. Stop at the park visitor center for a map and current conditions.
The park sets its own rules for parking, fees and pets, and they can change. Check the National Park Service site before you go. Roads in the park close for weather, so check that too.
How should you plan the day?
Pick one of three plans. Do not try to do all of it.
| Plan | The day | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| The family day | Dollywood or the Parkway in Pigeon Forge | Kids are along |
| The mountain day | Straight through both towns and into the park, for a scenic drive, a short hike and a picnic | You came for the mountains |
| The overnight | A night in a cabin or hotel, the park at sunrise, home by lunch | October, or any busy weekend |
Whichever plan you pick:
- Leave early. Be there when things open and start home by mid-afternoon.
- Go midweek if you can. A Tuesday is easier than a Saturday.
- Pack layers and a rain shell. The high country is cooler than the lake, and mountain showers come and go.
- Fill the tank and pack lunch. A picnic by a creek beats a line on the Parkway.
- Split the group. One car to Pigeon Forge, one to the park. Meet back at the lake.
Is there a quieter way to see the Smokies?
Yes. Go in through Townsend. It is the near side of the park from Tennessee National, about an hour away, and it leads to Cades Cove. You skip the Parkway altogether.
Our Townsend and Cades Cove day trip covers that route. Both sides have their day. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge when kids are along. Townsend when you want the mountains without the crowd.
Why is the lake a good base for a mountain trip?
Because you get the mountains for a day and the water for the rest. Stay in the tourist towns and the traffic can be part of every day. Stay at the lake and it is part of one. Then it is back to pontoon cruises, kayaks and sunset runs on Watts Bar Lake.
Tennessee National is 1,492 gated acres with a full-service marina and 140+ boat slips, a Greg Norman Signature golf course, a pool, pickleball and tennis. See marina and lake life.
The Smokies are also one direction among several:
- Knoxville is about 30 minutes away.
- Chattanooga is about an hour and a quarter. See the Chattanooga day trip.
- Asheville is the long one. See the Asheville day trip.
The area guide maps what is close to home.
The honest trade-off
It is a long day. About three hours of driving, round trip, before any traffic. With small kids, that is a lot. In October and on holiday weekends the crowds are part of the deal, and no trick avoids them completely.
If that sounds like too much, stay overnight or take the Townsend side. And if your visitors have only one free day, ask what they would rather have: a theme park or another day on the boat. The answer may surprise you.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Gatlinburg from Tennessee National?
Gatlinburg is a bit more than an hour and a half from Tennessee National, on the far side of Knoxville. Pigeon Forge is a few miles closer. Tennessee National is on Watts Bar Lake in Loudon, Tennessee, and the route is mostly interstate until Sevierville.
How far is Dollywood from Tennessee National?
Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge, about an hour and a half from Tennessee National. Allow extra time for traffic on the Parkway. Buy tickets ahead and check Dollywood's operating calendar, because the park is not open every day of the year.
How far are the Smoky Mountains from Tennessee National?
The Great Smoky Mountains are about an hour from Tennessee National. That is the near side of the park, toward Townsend. Gatlinburg, the best-known entrance, is farther, a bit more than an hour and a half from the community in Loudon, Tennessee.
When is the best time to visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge?
Weekdays outside the peak seasons are the easiest time to visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge from Tennessee National. Summer, October and holiday weekends are the busiest. In fall, leave early, reserve ahead and expect slow traffic on the Parkway.
Facts about Tennessee National come from the community. Lake facts come from TVA. Rules, taxes, loans and insurance change, so confirm anything that affects a purchase with the right office or professional before you buy.