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Knoxville
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The Great Smoky Mountains Region is located in Tennessee and covers various cities, including Knoxville, Jefferson City, White Pine, and Pigeon Forge. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the destination's greatest draws to the area. The territory is known for being the hometown of Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton still has family in the area and visits the area annually. There is a statue of Parton that was made by a local artist, Jim Gray. The statue was unveiled in 1987. Dolly Parton opened her own amusement park in 1986. Dollywood is a popular attraction in the area and frequently has performances from Dolly Parton's brother, Randy.[13]

What Knoxville is known for

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular spot to visit in the area. The park is located in parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. The park offers hiking trails, wildflowers, fishing streams, and an observation tower.[1] The national park has some of the highest mountains in North America. The park has more visitors annually than any other national park.[1] The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for the diversity of species seen in the area.[7] The Island in Pigeon Forge is an amusement park with an arcade, laser tag, and various rides, including a Ferris wheel and carousel. The Island in Pigeon Forge serves multiple treats, including different flavors of pretzels, homemade sweets from scratch, Byrd's Famous Cookies, and fresh lemonade. Shops around the island include a boutique with apparel and accessories, a beef jerky, candy, and winery shop.[2] 

Dollywood is an amusement park in the area named after and owned by Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton was raised in the area and opened Dollywood in 1986. The amusement park has rides, water slides, and shows.[3] The Gatlinburg Space Needle takes visitors up in a glass elevator to a 407 feet observation tower and offers views over the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg. Tickets range from $10 to $16.[4] The Apple Barn is a popular store to visit that is located next to an apple orchard and offers various apple-based treats, including apple pies and apple cinnamon donuts.[5] The Great Smoky Mountains is one of the biggest draws to the region and averages around 12,000,000 visitors a year. Visiting the national park is free, and the park is the most visited national park in America.[10] 

There are two peak seasons for visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, that being the summer months, June through August, as well as weekends in October.[11] 53% of visitors that visit the park are ages 46-70 years old, 11% are 15 years old and younger. Most visitors are in family groups and come from different areas in the United States. One of the primary reasons reported for coming to the area is because of the mountain scenery.[12]

Geography

The Great Smoky Mountains Region covers various cities in Tennessee, including Knoxville, Jefferson City, and Pigeon Forge. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the parks that draws the most visitors into the destination. The most famous species of animal in the area is the black bear. More than 1,500 bears are in the area, and they are most active in the late spring and summer months. Other animals frequent to the area include white-tailed deer, elk, groundhogs, chipmunks, and squirrels. Over 200 species of birds are frequently cited and are in the area. The streams are full of fish, including the brook trout. The park has over 50 native fish species. Douglass Lake is a popular spot for fishing in the territory and offers bass and crappie fishing. The national park provides trout and smallmouth bass fishing.[13] The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been called the "Salamander Capital of the World." There are 30 different species of salamander species.[7] 

Local goods that the area is known for include apples from the surplus of apple orchards in the area, knives from the Smoky Mountain Knife Works, and distilleries. The Smoky Mountain Knife Works prides itself on the vast amount of knives that can be found at the shop, from antique knives to hunting knives.[8] 

The hottest month of the year in the region is during the month of July. In July, the high tends to be around 80 degrees (Fahrenheit) and the low being around 57 degrees. The other summer months reach the mid to high 70s. These summer months are the peak season for tourists. The coldest months of the year in the area are December, January, and February, reaching a low of around 43 degrees. July is the month that gets the most amount of rain, typically raining for 12 days out of the month. March, May, and June are also generally high when it comes to rainfall.[9]

History

Native Americans from the Cherokee tribe were some of the first to settle in the Great Smoky Mountains Region. The Cherokee tribe set up settlements mostly along the Little Tennessee River. During the mid-18th century, Europeans arrived in the area. Isaac Thomas was one of the Europeans who arrived in the area. The Cherokee tribe well respected him. As settlers continued to come into the area, the Cherokee tribe became much more aggressive. This eventually led to the defeat of the Cherokee tribe. The county was established in 1794 and was named after the first governor of the town of Tennessee, John Sevier.[10] 

The county grew, and eventually, many different farms were established in the area. In the early 19th century, distilleries brought in an income for the city, and by the year 1850, 6,000 gallons of whiskey were produced each year. Slavery wasn't particularly common in the area. A large portion of residents supported the freedom of African Americans. In the 1880s, the population of Sevierville grew exponentially. The first railroad was finished in 1910 and offered service from Knoxville to Sevierville. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened in 1934 and was one of the first significant attractions to bring many visitors from around the country to the area. Dolly Parton is a singer and songwriter who was born in the territory in 1946. There is now a statue of Dolly Parton, as well as a theme park that is owned by Dolly Parton called Dollywood.[6] 

Around 15,000 people are living in the area. The majority are white citizens, about 1.5% are African Americans, .6% are Native Americans, 1.3% are Asian, 6.1% are from other races, 1.7% are mixed races, and 10.3% are Hispanic or Latino.

#1
4.97 (527 Reviews)

The Solitude Pointe Cabins rest in the middle of three state parks in South Carolina: Caesars Head, Jones Gap, and Table Rock. The area is known for being a refuge from the outside world, offering a place of solitude.

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#2

Cherokee Mountain cabins are located in North Carolina in the Nantahala National Forest. There are 16 cabins throughout the property. The cabins on the property come in multiple sizes. They can be one to three stories. Each unit has up to three bedrooms and bathrooms as well. Cabins include kitchens and have TV common areas and billiard tables. All lodging options have a deck with a hot tub and a small space with a fire pit outside the cabin. The property is on 75 acres and has several trails guests may use and explore. Running through the property is a creek where guests can fish and relax by the water's edge. The property is family-friendly, and often holds family gatherings and weddings near the creek and at a large pavilion. Cherokee Mountian Cabins was established in 2002 and originally started with 15 cabins. The owners and staff strive to improve the property and hope to help guests make memorable experiences during their stay.  

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#3
4.8 (997 Reviews)

The Ridge Outdoor Resort is located in Sevierville, Tennessee. The campground is located in the Great Smoky Mountains, three miles out from tourist stops such as Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. The property offers various unique features and amenities that visitors say they haven't seen in other places. One of these features is tiny homes on the premises that guests can rent out. Another is a golf simulator, available to any guests who bring their own clubs. The property has a pool, pickleball courts, a basketball court, a fitness center, and more. The RV park is pet-friendly and welcoming to all who desire to stay at The Ridge.

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#4
4.5 (203 Reviews)

Fox Fire Riverside Campground

Cosby, Tennessee

Fox Fire Riverside Campground

Located in Hartford, Tennessee, Fox Fire Riverside Campground is open year-round for visitors to reserve a unit. The property is positioned among a few notable outdoor recreational sites that tend to draw tourists to the area, including Cherokee National Forest, Great Smoky Mountain National Forest, and Pigeon River. Fishing and white water rafting are two particularly popular pastimes that people typically engage in on the river. The owners and manager have the goal of providing an enjoyable stay to everyone, with the safety of all visitors in mind. As such, the camp hosts encourage guests to be cautious of bears by concealing food and keeping their site clean. In parallel to this, those who bring their pets with them must keep them leashed while they're on the acreage.

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#5

Flaming Arrow Campground has been owned and operated by Joni Ashton since she purchased the property in 2000. The establishment is situated in North Carolina's western region and currently offers 85 campsites for visitors to occupy. Outdoor recreational activities can be found on-site, and within the vicinity of Flaming Arrow Campground, as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest encompass the campground. Additionally, several rivers course through the area, producing opportunities for white water rafting and kayaking. Joni encourages her patrons to explore these outdoor attractions by providing information on specific nearby sites that may pique the interest of her guests. 

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#6
4.85 (125 Reviews)

Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping

Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping

The Ash Grove Mountain Cabins and Camping is located in Brevard, North Carolina, and is currently owned by Esther and Mark, and their two kids, Chloe and Leo. This family has been running the property since 2019 when it was purchased from the previous owners. Esther and Mark have focused on keeping the spirit of Ash Grove growing and strive to make their business a place where guests can come and relax while enjoying the nature surrounding them. The property has cabins, campsites, and RV sites. The premises is heavily wooded and has multiple activities on the property, from hiking to horseshoes. The Ash Grove is located just a fifteen-minute drive to a variety of other activities available as well.

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#7
4.6 (181 Reviews)

The Hitching Post Campground has been operating as a campground since 1988, currently offering 82 sites to patrons. Characterized by several natural land features, the grounds of the property have many forested areas, as well as a pond where guests can fish during their stay. Another on-site activity is the playground, which supplies games such as horseshoe and cornhole. The owners of the establishment want their patrons to feel excited about their experience at Hitching Post Campground, as visitors can explore the various things to do on the premises or outside the borders of the campground. One of the biggest draws for tourism in the surrounding area is said to be Lake Lure, an attraction that offers a fair amount of outdoor recreation. The downtown area near Chimney Rock State Park additionally receives a number of visitors annually. 

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#8

The Franklin RV Park & Campground is a family-owned campground located in Franklin, North Carolina. A total of 22 RV spaces are offered at the campground, all with full hookups, fire pits, and picnic tables. Other features of the park include a gathering pavilion, bathhouses, and a laundry facility. The owners strive to make guests feel like family and offer assistance with local recommendations and activities. Policies of the campground emphasize respectful behavior, keeping control of pets, and quiet hours between 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. The park’s busiest months are July and October, and the area offers many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and gem mining. Through the years, the owners have made improvements to the premises, including expanding the sites and adding a laundry room and playing field. They also plan to add RV storage and a dog park in the future.

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