Jettix2 wrote:
am I going to have issues pulling a 40ft trailer through that area, and/or is there even a way to safely get through the area with my rig?
YOU CAN NOT PULL A 40 FT TRAILER THROUGH GATLINBURG!!!!
(Yes, I know they are all caps and I am screaming).
You won't really want to drive your pickup through Gatlinburg. You MUST take the back way in to Smoky Bear. On their website, they give you great directions to get in there.
Again, do NOT plan to pull your trailer through Gatlinburg.
We have stayed at Smoky Bear and the owners are on-site and very friendly. They have music most weekend nights in their clubhouse. It has a nice pool, but it is NOT big on kid-friendly like the Jellystone is. Our kids had fun and the playground was utilized by all the kids that were with our group (about 10 of them). I'm not trying to talk you out of staying there because it is nice, but just want you to know.
It is about a 30 to 40 minute drive into Gatlinburg, depending on how heavy traffic is. If you want to use the trolley, the station is right before you get into town beside another campground, which I can't think of the name at present.
When we go, we usually stay at Pine Mountain in Pigeon Forge. It is also not as kid-friendly as some. It has no playground, but great pools. One at the campground and an indoor at the hotel right beside of it as well as a lazy river outdoor pool, which the kids love. (We also travel in on a back road and don't hit the "parkway") Rt 66/421
