
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Best for families who want in-resort entertainment — water park access, mini golf, multiple pools and a kids’ playground.
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Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park is a large, family-focused Gatlinburg resort with villa-style rooms, an indoor/outdoor water park (Wild Bear Falls), on-site dining and a full spa — good for families who want activities without leaving the property. The Inn On The River is a smaller, riverfront Pigeon Forge hotel with well-rated rooms and central access to Parkway attractions — good for travelers who want easy walking access to Pigeon Forge entertainment and a straightforward hotel stay.
Updated · about 11 km (7 miles) apart

Best for families who want in-resort entertainment — water park access, mini golf, multiple pools and a kids’ playground.

Best for visitors who prioritize a central Pigeon Forge location with river views and easy walking access to Parkway attractions.
When Westgate wins: choose Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park if you want lots of on-site activities for kids and adults (Wild Bear Falls water park, multiple pools, mini golf, a full spa) and need villa-style accommodations for families or groups.
When The Inn wins: choose The Inn On The River if you want a highly rated, compact hotel in the heart of Pigeon Forge with riverfront rooms, easy walking access to the Island and Parkway attractions, and a complimentary buffet breakfast.
Bottom line: Westgate is the fuller-resort option for families who plan to spend time on property; The Inn On The River is the simpler, centrally located Pigeon Forge pick for sightseeing and short walks to attractions.
| Category | Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park | The Inn On The River |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort built into a Gatlinburg hillside focused on family activities and villa-style lodging | Popular, family-friendly riverfront hotel in central Pigeon Forge |
| Location | Gatlinburg hillside near Great Smoky Mountains NP and resort attractions | On Pigeon Forge Parkway, short walk to Island at Pigeon Forge and many shows |
| Size | Large resort with many villa unit types and multiple on-site venues | Smaller hotel with 128 rooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages; resort facilities and water park oriented to families (reservation holder must be 21+ to check in) | All ages; family-friendly hotel (minimum check-in age 18 at property) |
| Pools & water feature | Wild Bear Falls indoor/outdoor water park (tickets usually sold separately), plus two outdoor pools and two hot tubs | Indoor pool, outdoor pool and a hot tub; riverfront setting but no ocean/beach |
| Dining & bars | Multiple on-site venues: Southern Comfort (full-service), Roaring Fork snack bar, The Marketplace, Mountain Pizza, Mountain Top Pool Bar | On-site dining limited; property offers complimentary buffet breakfast and common-area coffee/tea |
| Spa & wellness | Serenity Spa by Westgate with more than 50 treatments and 2 treatment rooms; fitness center and classes | Free use of nearby fitness center noted; on-site spa not listed in supplier facts |
| Known for | On-site Wild Bear Falls water park and villa accommodations | Riverfront rooms and central Parkway location with strong guest ratings |
| Meeting / event space | Meeting/event space including 'The Glass Room' (about 1,008 sq ft) and wedding packages | Conference space ~482 sq ft (meeting room available) |
| Parking & transport | Free self-parking; served by free Gatlinburg Trolley nearby (Purple Route) | Free self-parking and free RV, bus, truck parking; centrally walkable to attractions |
Westgate sits on a Gatlinburg hillside a short drive from downtown and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Choose Westgate for easy access to Gatlinburg attractions and mountain access from a larger resort site.
The Inn On The River sits on Pigeon Forge Parkway within easy walking distance of major attractions like the Island and The Track.
Choose The Inn On The River for a stay that keeps you in the heart of Pigeon Forge with short walks to entertainment.
Westgate’s accommodations are villa-style with multiple bedroom configurations suited to families and groups.
Best choice when you need space and separate sleeping/living areas for families or groups.
The Inn On The River offers standard and river-view rooms suitable for couples and families looking to stay in town.
Pick The Inn for straightforward, comfortable hotel rooms and river-view options right on the Parkway.
Westgate provides multiple on-site dining outlets covering full-service meals, grab-and-go and poolside options.
Choose Westgate when you want varied on-site dining without leaving the property.
The Inn On The River provides essential on-site services and a daily complimentary buffet breakfast.
If a free morning meal and immediate access to Parkway restaurants matter, The Inn is convenient and economical.
Westgate’s signature amenity is Wild Bear Falls Water Park plus multiple resort pools and hot tubs.
The in-resort water park makes Westgate the stronger pick for guests prioritizing on-site aquatic fun.
The Inn On The River offers standard hotel pools and hot tub facilities without an on-site water park.
Choose The Inn for simple pool facilities plus a riverfront location rather than a resort water-park experience.
Westgate pairs a full spa and fitness program with family activities on site.
Westgate is better if you want a dedicated spa and on-site evening options without leaving the property.
The Inn On The River’s nightlife advantage is immediate access to Pigeon Forge shows, dinner theaters and entertainment on the Parkway.
Pick The Inn when your evenings will focus on Parkway shows and you want to walk to venues.

Westgate — Wild Bear Falls plus multiple pools, mini golf and a playground keep kids busy on-site.

The Inn On The River — steps from Island at Pigeon Forge, theaters and Parkway dining.

Westgate — villa-style 1‑ and 2‑bedroom units provide separate living spaces and extra beds.

The Inn On The River — highly rated (guest rating 9.6) with river-view rooms and complimentary buffet breakfast.
No — for most stays admission to Wild Bear Falls Water Park must be purchased separately; owners may receive free passes per unit occupancy.
The Inn On The River is on Parkway within short walking distance of the Island, theaters and family attractions; Westgate is in Gatlinburg and typically requires driving or trolley rides to reach Pigeon Forge.
Westgate has an on-site Serenity Spa by Westgate offering many treatments; The Inn On The River’s supplier listing notes nearby spa or health/beauty services but not an on-site full-service spa.
Yes. Westgate is explicitly a family resort with water-park rules and child facilities; The Inn On The River is family-friendly and allows up to four children to stay free in a parent’s room per supplier notes.
Explore how Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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