Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge
and Great Smoky Mountain Cabins
Those planning a Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountain vacation usually have similar questions in mind when making
their plans. Below are a number of frequently asked questions.
Cabins, Chalets and Condos
How many cabins does American Patriot Getaways rent?
We manage between 350 and 400 cabins in the Smoky Mountains.
How big are your Gatlinburg cabins?
We have any size cabin you could need, from a one-bedroom
romantic hideaway to lodges that can house up to 25 people.
Can I get a private cabin in the Smoky Mountains, or will I have neighbors?
A: We have a wide variety of cabins available. You can
choose a completely private cabin, a semi-private cabin or a cabin with
neighbors, depending on your specific desires.
Are all your cabins in Gatlinburg?
American Patriot Getaways manages cabins in and
around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Just ask us for the Smoky Mountain area you prefer.
What kinds of amenities do your Gatlinburg and Pigeon
Forge cabins come with?
Our cabins feature just about any comfort you could want.
Most have porches or decks providing beautiful mountain views, and many have
outdoor hot tubs to let you fully appreciate those views. About three-fourths
of our cabins feature pool tables, while all of them include fireplaces to let
you enjoy a cozy fire during a cool mountain evening. Gatlinburg cabins also
have gas or charcoal grills, full kitchens and TVs. Some cabins even feature flat
screen plasma televisions, and several carry NFL Sunday Ticket during football
season.
Do you have any Gatlinburg cabins by the water?
Yes, we have many cabins with water or mountain
views and many cabins with swimming pools for the summertime.
Can we get directions to our cabin from MapQuest?
No. Most cabins are located on mountain roads with no physical addresses.
American Patriot Getaways will e-mail, fax or mail you directions to your cabin
in the Smoky Mountains.
How do we get into our Smoky Mountain cabin?
Check in time is after 4 p.m. You can stop by the American Patriot Getaways office in Gatlinburg or you may call us when you reach the
cabin. We will give you a four-digit pass code that will open up a lockbox at
the cabin door. The lockbox will contain the key to your cabin. When you leave
(checkout time is by 11 a.m.), put the key back in the lockbox and we will set
a new code.
Are Gatlinburg cabin rates always the same?
No. Rates vary according to the time of year. We
price cabin rentals with low rates, mid rates and high rates, depending on the
season and if your stay is over a holiday weekend. Call American Patriot Getaways’ professional staff at (800) 204-5169 for details about the best time
to rent a Gatlinburg cabin for the ideal mountain getaway.
Timing Your Trip
When is the best time to
visit the Smoky Mountains?
Basically, anytime is a good time to visit the Smokies. The
determining factor for deciding when to visit is: What are your likes and
dislikes? For example, the color extravaganza of fall appeals to nearly
everyone--evidenced by the crowding at that time. The floral show of spring
attracts lots of people too. But consider the relative non-crowding of the
wintertime. Winters are very mild in the Smoky Mountains. Mountain vistas are
enhanced by the lack of foliage on the trees. And hiking is easier in some
ways. For example, in the winter, one can dress in layers and remove layers as
the need arises.
When is the best time--and where is the best place--to
view wildlife?
Without question, the best place and time to see deer, wild
turkey, and other small wildlife is Cades Cove. In years past, wildlife were
very shy and you had to time your searches for the feeding times at dawn and
dusk. However, through the years the wildlife have become more tame as Park
visitors have grown in number and you can now even see the deer feeding at
midday in Cades Cove.
Bear can be found out on some trails and near
campgrounds--looking for food. A word of caution, however: Don't feed the
bears. It shortens their lives and creates dangerous circumstances for other
travelers. Remember--don't feed the bears. Also, avoid the mother bear with her
cubs. She might sense a threat to her cub and become unpredictable.
Does everything close in the winter?
No, not nearly as much as in years past, visitors to the
Smokies number approximately 11 million--and visitation continues to grow
yearly. Businesses are remaining open all year to accommodate travelers. The
National Park remains open all year, with only a few unimproved roads closed
due to storm damage or harsh weather. Parson's Branch and Rich Mountain Roads
(off the Cades Cove loop road) and the road to Clingman's Dome are two
examples.
Weather Conditions
What is the weather like
in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?
Winter, Spring, Summer and
Fall: you're guaranteed to like them all. Tennessee enjoys mild winters and
summers. Spring arrives to stay in mid-April, although warm weather begins to
appear in mid-March. Temperatures are in the upper nineties during the hottest
part of the summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are not rare during the summer so
it is a good idea to be mindful of the potential for storms as the day heats
up. The summer heat lasts until late September, when cooler weather begins to
settle in, bringing with it the color spectacular of changing leaves in the
Smokies, which peak in mid to late October, depending on weather conditions
such as the amount of rain as well as duration and frequency of cool nights.
Snow is possible in the Pigeon Forge Area from late November through late
March, but accumulation is not always guaranteed when snow begins to fall. Bear
in mind that higher elevations in the mountains will have different weather.
The Smoky Mountains are a temperate rainforest because when warm moist air from
the valley ascends into the cooler air of the mountains, the water vapor in the
air condenses and rain falls. The highest elevations in the Great Smoky
Mountains are comparable to Canada in terms of weather and even wildlife.
Fishing
Do I need a special license
to fish in the Park? Where can I purchase a fishing license?
A regular fishing license that is good all year in both the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the Park can be purchased in any town adjacent to the
Park. Local gas stations and Wal-Mart sell fishing licenses.
Hiking
What's the best hike in the
Smokies?
The answer to this
question will vary depending on who you talk to. However, our favorites include
Abrams Falls, Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls and of course Mt. Le Conte.
Lodging
Are lodging accommodations
available in the Park?
The only true lodging in
the Park itself is LeConte Lodge, which can only be reached by hiking trail.
There are 5 major trails to Mt. LeConte. The most popular route is the Alum
Cave Bluff trail.
American Patriot Getaways specializes in
Gatlinburg
cabins and Pigeon Forge cabins. We have
a variety of log cabins and chalets in locations near both Gatlinburg and
Pigeon Forge. If you're planning an exciting family weekend at Dollywood or
hiking some of the wonderful trails in the Smoky Mountain National Park, why
not consider the convenience of our Gatlinburg cabins to complete the experience?
Are there any special
places for honeymooners?
American Patriot Getaways offers several packages for romantic
getaways. Packages are designed with a variety of options and prices for
people seeking truly unique romantic vacations. Imagine your romantic
getaway that includes your own private log cabin with a hot tub, pool table,
king bed and a cozy fireplace. Perhaps you'd think romantic getaways are
difficult to plan. One call to our vacation specialists and they can help you
arrange all the details. They help guests customize their
romantic
vacations to include such options as a
private catered dinner at their cabin. Or, maybe you'd choose to have a dozen
roses or a gift basket delivered to let that special someone know how much they
mean to you. American Patriot Getaways specialized in helping our guests
create romantic getaways that make memories they will always cherish. Whether
you are planning a honeymoon or one of those romantic weekend
getaways with someone special, we can help.
Restaurants
Where are the best places to
eat?
We don't generally like
to recommend particular restaurants as opposed to others (questions of bias
involving advertisers); however, we've never had a bad steak at the Peddlar in
Gatlinburg, and you will always have an amazing meal at the Park Grill in Gatlinburg. We have a list
of Gatlinburg Restaurants and Pigeon Forge Restaurants to help
you pick your favorite.
Grocery Stores/Pharmacies
Where can we find
a grocery store?
There are
several groceries stores in the area to choose from.
Below is a list by city:
Pigeon Forge
Food City
Phone: 865-543-4977
3625 Parkway
Kroger
Phone: 865-429-0874
220 Wears Valley Road
Gatlinburg
Food City
Phone: 865-430-3116
1219 E Parkway
Sevierville
Food City
Phone: 865-908-3710
741 Dolly Parton Parkway
Kroger
Phone: 865-429-0874
702 S.R. 66
Wal-Mart Super Center
Phone: 865-429-0029
1414 Parkway
Where is there a 24 hour
pharmacy?
Walgreen’s Pharmacy
3071 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863-3311
(865) 429-8801
What stores are open 24 hours?
Walgreen’s
Wal-Mart
Kroger
Post Office
Where is the nearest U.S. Post Office?
U.S. Post Offices in Pigeon Forge
3235 Rena St
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-4043
U.S. Post Offices in Gatlinburg
1216 E Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-5464
U.S. Post Offices in Sevierville
711 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
1-800-275-8777
Airports
Where is the closest airport?
Knoxville's McGhee-Tyson Airport is only 40 miles away and is
served by eleven airlines with connecting services from cities including Memphis, Houston, New York/Newark, St. Louis and Philadelphia. The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
Airport, seven miles from Pigeon Forge and has complete airport facilities for
small private aircrafts.
Movie Theater
Where is there a movie theater?
There is one movie theater
in Sevier County located in Sevierville on the Highway 66 portion of the Great Smoky Mountains Parkway.
Work Out
Where can I work out?
Visitors can purchase a day
pass from the Pigeon Forge Community center for six dollars; a weekly pass is
20 dollars; a monthly pass is 50 dollars. The Pigeon Forge Community Center, a recent addition to recreation opportunities in Pigeon Forge, is 86,000
square feet with a 5,000 square foot fitness center with free weights,
machines, and a cardio studio. The community center features three basketball
courts, two racquetball courts, an indoor jogging circuit, plus indoor and
outdoor pools. For more information, contact the center with inquiries:
Pigeon Forge Community Center
170 Community Center Drive
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: 865-429-7373
Flora
When do the leaves reach peak
color?
Peak color varies
slightly each year, but you can pretty much count on great color at the higher
elevations during the first two weeks of October and in the valleys in the
second half of October to early November. For more information visit our
Fall Color in Gatlinburg
page.
When do Rhododendron, Flame Azalea, and Mountain Laurel
bloom?
Rhododendrons bloom in June and early July, and mountain
laurel in May-June.
Where are the largest trees in the Park?
Some of the largest are found in the Greenbrier section
of the Park. From Gatlinburg, drive east along US 321 (stop-light #3 in Gatlinburg)
for approximately 6 miles, turn right on Greenbrier Road and travel 3.1 miles
along the Little Pigeon River to Greenbrier Cove. Turn left at Ramsay Prong Road and travel 1.5 miles to the parking area. An eight-mile roundtrip hike
will take you through virgin stands of chestnut oaks, poplars, and black
cherry.
Weddings
Can we get married in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Yes--if you can hike or
drive to it, there are ministers who will accompany the wedding party to
conduct the ceremony. American Patriot Getaways offers several packages for Gatlinburg weddings.
Helpful Hints
Just how do you say Pigeon Forge? Sevierville?
Pigeon Forge is the site of
an historic iron forge, or blacksmith's shop, on the banks of the Little Pigeon
River that served residents of the area. The pigeon in Pigeon Forge comes from
the passenger pigeon, an extinct bird native to the area that once darkened the
skies when flocks took flight. The last passenger pigeon died at the Cincinnati
Zoo in 1914.
The pronunciation of
Sevierville is a source of frustration for many visitors. Sevierville is the county
seat of Sevier County. Sevier County is named for the Revolutionary War Hero
John Sevier of the celebrated "Over mountain Men" who fought the
pivotal Battle of King's Mountain in South Carolina. Sevier's name is
pronounced the same as "severe." Sevierville was named in the same
tradition of naming communities after famous individuals that found names for
the Tennessee communities of Knoxville, Nashville, and Greeneville.
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