Choose what type of accommodations suit you best, narrowing down your top picks according to the type of vacation you are looking to take. If you are the adventurous type, you may want to spend your time in the mountains of Tennessee hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail. In that case, begin planning your vacation by visiting the National Park Services' Great Smoky Mountains Web page. You will find information on locations and amenities for the 10 developed campgrounds and various back country camping areas available in the park. National forest "frontcountry" campgrounds are accessible for both tent and RV campers.
If you need a vacation closer to civilization, consider a hotel or log cabin in the area around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. You will find elaborate RV parks, comfortable hotels and spacious cabins to rent in the towns. Use the official travel guides of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism and the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau to track down the accommodations that best suit you.
Make reservations for your accommodations. If you are going to camp in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, keep in mind that some campgrounds are first-come, first-serve. During the busy spring and summer months, it may be a good idea to choose a site that is reservable, to make sure you have somewhere to stay.
Make arrangements for your transportation. Drivers coming from the east, around Asheville, North Carolina, often take Interstate 40 to Highway 32/321 into Pigeon Forge. From the west, travelers get to the area by following Highway 441 southeast from Knoxville. Use a GPS system or an online mapping tool to get detailed directions from your starting point to the place you'll be staying. It's a good idea to print out a map and take a paper copy with you. Cell phone and GPS service can be spotty in the mountains, so it's good to have a backup.
An alternative to driving is to fly into the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge airport. Charter flights are available from Stratos Jet Charter Services or Private Jets Charter. The trolley system in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is the fifth-largest in the state, making it easy to get around once you've flown in.
Plan how you'll spend your time while in the mountains. If you're going to be hiking the Appalachian Trail, you may need to purchase backpacking gear and food for the hike. You will not need to purchase a park pass to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but if you're backpacking, you may need to register yourself for safety reasons.
If you're staying in a cabin or RV, you may need to plan meals ahead of time and pack groceries that you may need. You should also pack more provisions than you think you need, since the drives in and out of town might be rough on mountain roads. If you're planning to visit the massive amusement park of Dollywood, you may want to purchase your tickets in advance.
