A recommended day trip: Dollywood or Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Both are good day-trip options from Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park. Dollywood (in Pigeon Forge) is a 10–15 minute drive and works well for rides and family entertainment; Great Smoky Mountains National Park is even closer to the resort and is best for short hikes, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing.
In this guide
At-a-glance: which to pick?
Dollywood is a theme park in Pigeon Forge with rides, shows, and family attractions; it’s a short drive from the resort and suits visitors who want rides and entertainment for the day.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is ideal if you prefer hiking, scenic overlooks, picnics, or short nature drives. Both fit into a single day from Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park depending on how you plan your time.
- Dollywood: organized rides, shows, family-focused attractions.
- Great Smoky Mountains NP: trails, scenic drives, nature and wildlife viewing.
- Choose Dollywood for amusement-park-style entertainment; choose the park for outdoor recreation and scenery.
| Destination | Typical drive time from resort | Distance noted |
|---|---|---|
| Dollywood (Pigeon Forge) | About 13 minutes | 8.4–9 miles |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park (nearest access) | About 9 minutes | 3–4.6 miles |
Getting there from Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park sits on a Gatlinburg hillside at 915 Westgate Resort Road; both Dollywood and the national park are reachable by car in under 20 minutes depending on traffic.
If you don’t want to drive into downtown Gatlinburg, the Gatlinburg Trolley system stops at the resort and provides free service around the Parkway; confirm current trolley stop details and schedules before you go.
- Drive times depend on time of day—expect longer travel during peak summer and holiday periods.
- Renting a car is a common option; the resort offers free self-parking.
- Trolley: free to ride, check current routes and times.
| Transport | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rental car / personal vehicle | Commonly used; free self-parking at the resort |
| Gatlinburg Trolley | Free service—useful for Parkway stops; check schedules |
Dollywood: what to expect
Dollywood is a full-scale theme park offering rides, shows, and seasonal events geared toward families. It’s located in Pigeon Forge and is accessible from the resort by a short drive.
If you plan to visit, check Dollywood’s own site for current hours, ticketing, and season or event details before you leave the resort.
- Good for: thrill rides, family rides, live shows, seasonal festivals.
- Plan a full day if you want to experience multiple rides and shows.
- Confirm parking and ticket options directly with Dollywood prior to travel.
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Buy tickets in advance | Avoid ticket-line delays and confirm operating hours |
| Arrive early | Beat peak crowds for popular rides |
| Check show schedules | Plan your day around performance times |
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: what to expect
The national park offers short hikes, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and wildlife viewing. The park entrance and many trailheads are only a short drive from Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park, so you can be on a trail within minutes.
Popular public areas like Cades Cove involve longer drives (roughly 1 to 1.5 hours from downtown Gatlinburg), so pick destinations in the park based on how much driving you want during a day trip.
- Good for: short hikes, nature photography, picnic stops, and quick scenic drives.
- Bring water, layered clothing, and a map or downloaded route—cell coverage can be limited in spots.
- Check park alerts and trail conditions on the official National Park Service website before heading out.
| Quick hike options | Time commitment |
|---|---|
| Short trails and overlooks near Gatlinburg | Minutes to a couple of hours depending on route |
| Cades Cove loop | About 1–1.5 hours drive from downtown Gatlinburg (longer round-trip) |
| Longer backcountry hikes | Allow a full day or overnight planning |
Practical planning from your room at Westgate
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park provides villa-style and guest-room options that can suit a family day trip base. Room types you can book at the property include Villa, 1 Bedroom; Villa, 2 Bedrooms; Deluxe Villa, 1 Bedroom (2 Full beds); Deluxe Villa, 1 Bedroom (King); Room (Resort Select); and Studio (Villa).
Use the resort’s Marketplace for grab-and-go sandwiches or pack a picnic from there before heading to the park. If you plan to spend the day at Dollywood, consider using Mountain Pizza or the Roaring Fork Snack Bar for quicker meals near Wild Bear Falls on return.
- Packable food options: The Marketplace offers sandwiches, Starbucks beverages, and groceries.
- If you return wet from Wild Bear Falls, Mountain Pizza and Roaring Fork can serve quick dinners.
- Check Wild Bear Falls ticket policy—water-park admission is usually sold separately from room reservations.
| On-site dining | When it’s helpful |
|---|---|
| The Marketplace | Grab breakfast, sandwiches, or picnic supplies |
| Southern Comfort | Sit-down lunch or dinner (reservations accepted) |
| Mountain Pizza / Roaring Fork | Quick family-friendly meals near the water park |
Timing, crowds and best months
Peak crowds are typically in summer and during holiday periods; travel and park times can be longer then. If you prefer fewer crowds and milder temperatures, spring (late April–mid-May) and fall (mid-September–mid-October) are commonly recommended visiting windows.
For national-park trips plan for variable mountain weather—layered clothing helps. For Dollywood, check calendar dates for special events that may increase attendance.
- Summer: hotter, busier; expect longer lines at Dollywood and busier trailheads.
- Spring/fall: milder temps and thinner crowds—good for either destination.
- Winter/early-year: quietest period for the area, but some attractions may have limited hours.
| Season | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spring (late Apr–mid May) | Mild weather and fewer crowds |
| Summer | Warm/humid and peak crowds |
| Fall (mid-Sep–mid-Oct) | Pleasant temps and fall foliage; popular time |
