
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Best for families and groups who want villa space plus an on-site water park and kid-focused activities.
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Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park is a family-focused villa resort in Gatlinburg with an on-site indoor/outdoor water park and multiple casual restaurants—best for families who want apartment-style rooms and water attractions. Black Fox Lodge Pigeon Forge, Tapestry Collection is an upscale, Hilton-affiliated lodge-style hotel in downtown Pigeon Forge—best for travelers who prefer branded, full-service hotel rooms close to Pigeon Forge attractions.
Updated · about 13 km (8 miles) apart

Best for families and groups who want villa space plus an on-site water park and kid-focused activities.

Best for travelers who want a polished, branded hotel stay within walking distance of Pigeon Forge attractions and restaurants.
When Westgate wins: Choose Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park if you need larger, multi-bedroom villa layouts, on-site kid activities (mini golf, playground, game room) and access to Wild Bear Falls Water Park (tickets usually sold separately).
When Black Fox Lodge wins: Choose Black Fox Lodge Pigeon Forge, Tapestry Collection if you prefer a downtown Pigeon Forge location, Hilton-style service and straightforward hotel rooms with river-view options and meeting space for business or events.
Bottom line: Pick Westgate for a family-oriented resort experience and on-site water attractions; pick Black Fox Lodge for a higher-end branded hotel stay close to Island at Pigeon Forge and other Parkway sights.
| Category | Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park | Black Fox Lodge Pigeon Forge, Tapestry Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Family-focused resort with villa accommodations and lots of kid-friendly activities | Upscale, lodge-style Hilton-affiliated hotel with polished service |
| Location | Gatlinburg hillside minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and park trailheads | Downtown Pigeon Forge on the Parkway near Island at Pigeon Forge and theaters |
| Size (rooms) | Not published | 178 rooms |
| Best for ages | All ages (family-oriented; children’s playground and water park) | |
| Pools & water attraction | Wild Bear Falls indoor/outdoor water park (ticketed) plus two outdoor pools and two hot tubs | Outdoor seasonal pool and waterslide (seasonal) |
| Restaurants & bars on-site | Multiple casual venues (Southern Comfort, Roaring Fork, Marketplace, Mountain Pizza, pool bar) | One main restaurant (Fox Den) and a bar/lounge plus grab-and-go options |
| Spa & wellness | Serenity Spa by Westgate with >50 treatments and two treatment rooms | Not published |
| Meeting / event space | Small event/meeting space (The Glass Room, ~1,008 sq ft) | Three meeting rooms available |
| Parking | Free self-parking and off-street parking | |
| Pet policy | Dogs allowed in certain rooms for a fee (restrictions apply) | Pet fee per accommodation (pet policy applies) |
Westgate sits on a Gatlinburg hillside minutes from the park entrance and downtown Parkway attractions.
Good if you want quick access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg sights while staying on a resort hilltop.
Black Fox Lodge is on Parkway in downtown Pigeon Forge within walking or short driving distance of major Pigeon Forge venues.
Better if you want to be in the middle of Pigeon Forge entertainment and dining without long drives.
Westgate offers villa-style accommodations ranging from studios to multi-bedroom villas designed for families.
Choose Westgate when you want apartment-style space for families or multi-night stays.
Black Fox Lodge offers traditional hotel rooms and suites, including river-view and balcony options.
Choose Black Fox Lodge for straightforward hotel rooms with Hilton-affiliated standards and river-view choices.
Westgate has several on-site casual and full-service dining outlets aimed at families and resort guests.
Westgate suits families who want varied, casual dining without leaving the property.
Black Fox Lodge’s on-site dining centers around Fox Den with a bar/lounge for evening drinks.
Black Fox Lodge is a good base for dining out along the Pigeon Forge Parkway or for a single on-site restaurant option.
Westgate’s signature amenity is Wild Bear Falls Water Park plus multiple outdoor pools and hot tubs.
Ideal for families who want on-site water slides and a resort-style pool program, but budget for water-park tickets if not included.
Black Fox Lodge offers a seasonal outdoor pool and a waterslide for guest recreation.
Good for travelers who expect a hotel pool for cooling off but not a full indoor water-park experience.
Westgate provides a full spa and scheduled fitness options plus family entertainment on-site.
Pick Westgate if you want spa services and family-friendly evening activities without leaving the resort.
Black Fox Lodge lists fitness facilities and on-site dining with nearby Pigeon Forge nightlife and theaters.
Choose Black Fox Lodge if you want easy access to Pigeon Forge evening entertainment and a quieter hotel nightlife.

Westgate — villa layouts, playground, mini golf and Wild Bear Falls water park (ticketed) make it the family pick.

Black Fox Lodge — located on the Pigeon Forge Parkway near Island and theaters for walkable entertainment.

Westgate — multi-bedroom Villa and Deluxe Villa options accommodate families and groups needing separate sleeping areas.

Black Fox Lodge — Hilton-affiliated Tapestry Collection standards, meeting rooms and a refined lodge feel.
Usually no; Wild Bear Falls Water Park admission is sold separately for most guests—confirm your booking to see if access is included.
Westgate is in Gatlinburg and about 8–9 miles from Dollywood; Black Fox Lodge is in Pigeon Forge and closer by drive time—choose Black Fox for shorter access to Dollywood.
Black Fox Lodge has three meeting rooms; Westgate has one meeting room (The Glass Room, ~1,008 sq ft).
Yes. Both properties list free self-parking for guests.
Explore how Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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