Douglas Lake is an ideal spot for fishing, camping and recreation. This 30,400 acre lake has 555 miles of shoreline and is nestled in the foothills of the Great Anglers in The Great Smoky Mountains Smoky Mountains. Over 2,000,000 visitors per year visit to enjoy Douglas Lake’s activities including: boating, picnicking, fishing, camping, swimming, bird watching and more. Douglas Lake has excellent bass and crappie fishing, in fact, the 2001 B.A.S.S. Masters MegaBucks Tournament was held there. The lake also maintains a population of a variety of bass, sauger, crappie, walleye, blue cat, flat head catfish, channel catfish and bluegill.

One of many tranquil creeks throughout Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains.

For more information on Douglas Lake, visit
http://www.tva.gov/sites/douglas.htm

Fishing License Requirements- Tennessee residents and non-residents over the age of 13 must have a valid Tennessee fishing license. A fishing license can be obtained online at https://www.tn.wildlifelicense.com/index.php or at local stores such as Wal-Mart. You cannot purchase a fishing license in the national park.

Besides Douglas Lake, there are numerous streams and creeks to dip your line in throughout the Great Smoky Mountains. Most lie just outside towns like Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Townsend. Here is a list of a few of the closer creeks and streams:

• Abrams Creek located at the western end of the National Park along the Abrams Falls trail in Cades Cove. Here is a good spot for trout and small-mouth bass fishing

• Big Creek near I-40 at the northeastern end of the National Park. Also a great place for trout and small-mouth bass.

• Douglas Lake bordering Sevierville, is great for fishing and boating, bass and crappie fishing.

• Hazel Creek, located at the southern end of the National Park, is good for trout and small-mouth bass fishing.

• Little River near I-40 at the northeastern end of the National Park – trout and small-mouth bass fishing.

If it’s flyfishing in the Great Smoky Mountains that’s more of your flavor, here is a link for anglers coming to the area. Gatlinburg also sponsors a trout tournament in the Smokies every year in the Spring featuring over $10,000 in cash and prizes. Townsend, just west of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, holds its annual Troutfest at the Townsend Visitors Center each spring featuring everything from flyfishing seminars to fly tying workshops.

If your looking for a place to stay in Sevierville, check out this list of Smoky Mountain cabins located just outside town and in close proximity to numerous streams and tributaries.

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Fishing In Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains

So you’re wanting to try your hand at the big time? Well, the Smoky Mountains Speedway is it. This quarter-mile D-oval shaped course is where the pros go to race at NASCAR SpeedPark. You’ll get the chance to drive a 3/8 scale version of an actual NASCAR Sprint Cup car. The only stipulation – drivers must be at least 5 feet tall and have a valid driver’s license.

The Competitor is the next track down from the Smoky Mountains Speedway, but don’t let it fool you. This oval short track’s high banks and side by side racing don’t leave much to the imagination as you try to fend drivers off around every turn. These Eagle cars require a minimum height of 54” to drive while double karts require persons at least 5 feet to drive and 40″ to ride as a passenger. Drivers also must be 18 years of age.

The Intimidator track is  a monster in itself. Hence, it’s name. Drivers must be at least 54” tall, no exceptions. This one’s a “must race” for anyone coming to the Speedpark and one that many will come back to, thinking this time I’ll get the best of The Intimidator.

A 750-foot slick track, Slidewayz features hard, tight turns. It’s highly polished surface provides for a teeth-grinding, white-knuckle race every time out. Come test your mettle at Slidewayz, you won’t be sorry. To drive Slidewayz, you must be at least 54” tall. Drivers must be at least 60” tall and 18 years of age and passengers must be at least 40” tall on the two-seaters.

Singer Miley Cyrus at the Speedpark.

Family and Kids rides:

Family 500 – An hourglass shaped road course for rookies and pros, this track features single and double seat cars. On the two-seaters, drivers must be at least 60” tall and 18 years of age and passengers must be at least 40” tall. On the single-seaters, drivers must be at least 48” tall. This track is definitely built for fun for the entire family.

Young Champions – This 1,100-foot track is a fan favorite for all visitors. Drivers must be at least 54” tall. On the two-seaters, drivers must be at least 60” tall and 18 years of age and passengers must be at least 40” tall.

The Qualifier – At this beginner’s track drivers must be at least 48” tall.

Baby Bristol – Kids love NASCAR too – and they’ll love the chance to drive their very own car around this 200-foot starter track. Children must be at least 40” tall to drive.

For hours and additional information visit nascarspeedpark.com/tn_hours.aspx. To order tickets, visit nascarspeedpark.com/tn_tickets.aspx.

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NASCAR Speedpark in Sevierville

1. Try to avoid arriving in town between 3 pm and 7 pm on Friday. This is when the east coast travelers arrive in the area. If possible, arrive at your destination earlier rather than later.
2. Leaving town between 10 am and 1 pm on Sunday should also be avoided. Stay for lunch if you can. The southbound side restaurants (if you’re traveling toward Gatlinburg from Sevierville and Pigeon Forge) will be less busy. Around 1 pm the traffic really starts to thin out.
3. Of all the things to keep up with, keep up with the Pigeon Forge calendar of events for car shows. It can be quite a task to enjoy everything Sevierville and Pigeon Forge have to offer if you’re in town during a car show… unless of course that’s what you’re here for. During the Spring Rod Run, Shades of the Past, and the Fall Rod Run, the Parkway is packed with antiques hot rods, and basically any other car you can think of.
4. Try taking the trolley when you’re in town, or walking. Sevierville and Gatlinburg are taken in a lot easier if you’re on foot and there are ample places to park throughout town.
5. Plan things that are close together and easy to reach. There are places that have shopping, restaurants, and shows and entertainment all within walking distance. Plan accordingly to keep from having to actually get on the Parkway.

And these are just a few tips. Take a look at the links to the right and you might just find some secret, insider info! Samples: Alternate route to Dollywood and Shortcut to the Park From Pigeon Forge.

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Avoiding Traffic In, and Around, Sevierville

There are many wedding packages and wedding receptions choose from, depending on your budget of course, as well as a wide range of honeymoon cabins to choose from. It’s really no wonder that Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains are widely known as the “Wedding Capital of the South”.

The majority of people looking to get married in the Smokies are looking for a wedding chapel. Depending on the chapel, sometimes  an ordained minister is even included. Customize your own wedding to include such necessities as a bridal bouquet, wedding photography and flowers for the entire wedding group. Other options includewedding and reception music, a wedding cake, and even a limousine if that’s on your list. The Smokies have most any kind of wedding chapel you could think of from in town to behind a mountain stream. If you want a recommendation, try the newest Smoky Mountain wedding chapel at The Preserve Resort.

Tennessee Marriage License

Tennessee Residents: A Tennessee marriage license costs $45.00 upon completion of a 4-hour counseling session given by a qualified counselor or minister. Just present your certificate of completion when you apply for your license. It’s $105.00 if you don’t choose to go the counseling route. Same goes for out-of-state residents.

Sevier County License Locations:

Sevier County Courthouse
125 Court Avenue, Sevierville, TN – (865) 453-5502
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and
Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Sevierville TN is home to more than a dozen wedding chapels. From log chapels and traditional southern chapels to a Victorian chapel and a handful of mountaintop chapels, there’s a little something to make anyone’s big day unique. Or, just say to heck with it and get married in the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Whatever it is you prefer, there are plenty of Sevierville lodging options that can accommodate both families and wedding parties alike. Consider a luxury cabin such as that at The Preserve Resort, which offers cabin rentals anywhere from 2 to 12 bedrooms for wedding groups and 1-bedroom luxury log cabins for honeymooners.

THE PRESERVE RESORT
Website: www.thepreserveresort.com
Phone: (866) 361-8439
The Preserve’s wedding facilities are simply the best in the Smoky Mountains area! Enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains without having to travel from your mountain retreat. Cap off your wedding with a relaxing massage treatment right in the privacy and seclusion of your mountain home. Or try the swimming pool. The magnificent, outdoor pool provides a setting unlike any other, as you gaze out at a vista of blue-shaded mountain ranges. The Preserve’s wedding chapel is the newest and most exciting in the area. The chapel is a place the two of you, and your guests, will always remember. Plan your reception at our indoor or outdoor gathering place. All this . . . and the privacy and serenity of an exclusive mountain retreat. Located just 8 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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A Smoky Mountain Wedding in Sevierville

On June 14-16, Parkers’ knife show will be at the Sevierville Events Center at Bridgemont. This new, state-of-the-art events center is located right off Highway 66 in Sevierville, TN. You can even see it from the road, just look for the Music Outlet and then pull across the bridge into the events center. This astounding facility only makes the knife show that much better. Countless knife and hunting-related vendors and knives as far as the eye can see. There will be knife collectors from around the region and across the country to trade with, converse, and talk shop with all day.

The knife collecting community is one of the greatest set of hobbyists around. The information obtained over many years from shows to personal research about their collectibles makes any collector you’re sure to run in to a veritable scholar on knife history. Whether you’re searching for pocket knives or fixed blades, WR Case or Boker you’ll find some amazing blades and learn a lot about the history of the particular knife itself. The vendors that will be on hand have been in the knife collecting business since they were children. It’s not uncommon for many to relay stories about getting their first knife handed down to them from a parent or grandparent. There are sure to be a number of one-of-kind pieces or knives that were limited production runs available for purchase as well.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the late Jim Parker, part of the original Parker Knife family, and the work he did to make this such a successful show. Parker’s Greatest Knife show has now been around for 20 years and has grown considerably. In the knife world, the Parker name is held up with the likes of Case. From owning their own knife company to selling and trading the biggest brands in the knife world, this is the show to experience. Even if you are not a knife collector you will enjoy the greatest knife show on earth! If you are in the Pigeon Forge area in June, set aside some time for this special event.

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Parker’s Greatest Knife Show

Around here, when you’re talking muscle cars Floyd Garrett‘s name is synonymous with anything big block and V8.  In his museum, 60′s and 70′s high performance automobiles are on display in their finest form. And when it comes to “Muscle Cars” Floyd’s 40 years of hands-on experience is rivaled by no one. Originally from Fernandina Beach Florida, a hobby turned into a love affair for Floyd. It all started with a black 1970 Chevelle he purchased in 1975 and the rest is history as each visitor can attest. It’s a collection that’s ever-growing.

The collection of American muscle found at the museum has attracted the likes of Spike TV, the Speed Channel, My Classic Car, The History Chanel, Super Chevy Magazine, Mopar Muscle, and Muscle Car Review just to name a few. Countless stories have been written and the museum has been featured on television so many times that Floyd’s probably lost count.

You’ll never see a more impressive collection of American muscle than at Floyd Garrett’s! This collection has been valued at over $8 million! The 90 cars on display represent the best of Detroit during the 50s, 60s, and 70s – a time when muscle didn’t mean biceps, but the number of horses under each hood.

If you grew up during the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s you know it was the high water mark for the American automobile industry. New technology around every corner and car makers were literally racing to improve on their designs. It was the golden era of the American “muscle car”. Since opening on April 26, 1996, Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum has become a destination for car lovers traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding towns of Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Come and see the cars, but don’t leave without checking out the different engines and other muscle car memorabilia – over 5,000 items related to the classic American automobile. Stop by the gift shop on your way out as well. There are plenty of  T-shirts, die casts, posters, and much more to choose from. There’s something for every Ford, Chevy, and Pontiac enthusiast. As Floyd said, “If it has “muscle” we have it waiting for you!”

Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum
320 Winfield Dunn Parkway
Sevierville, TN
37876
865-908-0882

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Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum

The Diner’s popularity also stems from their all-day breakfast menu. Patrons can stop by any time for a fresh stack of pancakes and a side of eggs, or have an omelet fried up, order some biscuits & gravy, waffles, or enjoy one of the Diner’s  finest breakfast steaks.

Known by some to serve Sevier County’s best burgers, guests can choose from Angus, bison, elk, veggie, or char-grilled burgers made to order.  Sides include onion rings, skin-on fries, or low carb vegetables.  If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, there are BBQ, chicken, BLT, prime rib, Reuben, tuna salad, bologna, club, Philly cheese, as well as hot dogs.  Hand-dipped shakes and scrumptious banana splits, homemade banana  pudding, sundaes, cheesecake and cakes all round out the desert menu.

If you’re in the mood for Italian, The Diner also offers a taste of Italy including spaghetti & meatballs, eggplant and chicken parmesano, as well as lasagna.

Traditional and southern fare include steaks, grilled or fried chicken, mama’s meat loaf, chicken & dumplin’s, baked chicken pie, open-face roast beef or turkey, country-fried steaks, grilled or fried fish, shrimp, and chicken liver.

Check out their weekly calendar of events and be sure to stop by when you’re in town and choose your favorite song on the jukebox!

The Diner
550 Winfield Dunn Parkway
Sevierville, TN
37876
865-908-1904

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The Diner in Sevierville

The team’s ballpark, Smokies Park, is located between Knoxville and Sevierville, Tennessee in the small town of Kodak, just off Interstate 40. The park officially opened in 2000, and seats up to 8,000 fans.

The team’s nickname, “Smokies”, refers to the mountain range for which the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is aptly named. The Great Smoky Mountains are known and often seen clouded in a hazy mist that gives the appearance of smoke rising from the forest. The Cherokee Indians long ago gave the mountain range the name “Shaconage” for the blue-gray haze.

As for area’s minor league team, the Smokies were the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals prior to 2005 and before that the Toronto Blue Jays. However, when the Cardinals purchased the El Paso Diablos, which had been the Arizona Diamondbacks’ AA affiliate, the Diamondbacks retained the Smokies as their new AA affiliate. On September 21, 2006, the Chicago Cubs reached a two-year player development contract with the Smokies through the 2008 season. The contract was renewed before the 2009 season and will run through the 2012 season.

Prior to 2000, the team was based in Knoxville, Tennessee and called the Knoxville Smokies for many years before moving and changing its name.

For scores, schedules and other information about the Smokies, visit their website here.

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Tennessee Smokies Baseball

Of course, there are lots of new food vendors and plenty of great new entertainment. Hear Just Us and Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier Friday. Then check out the Saturday night headliner The Travelin’ McCourys in a free concert. They’ve recently jammed with the Allman Brothers at Wanee Fest and were captured in a phenomenal performance at Warren Haynes’ Annual Christmas Jam – an invitation only Southern Rock homecoming.

Speaking of new food vendors, Carolina BBQ Company, Carolina Rib King, Smoky Mountain Smokers, Evelyn’s Ice Cream, The Diner and Tony’s Kettle Korn are just a few of the vendors that will be on hand offering some of their best recipes over the weekend.

On Saturday, take time to browse through all the unique handcrafted items before seeing the bands on the main stage. Saturday performances include Mountain Ruckus, Ken Mellons, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Rockin’ Acoustic Circus , as well as the aforementioned The Travelin’ McCourys.

For those who love to Que, come to Sevierville early and enlist in our BBQ Boot Camp. May 15, 16 & 17, pick up tips and tricks for backyard BBQing, advanced BBQ smoking and even learn some new summertime dessert recipes! BBQ Boot Camp classes will be taught at the Rel Maples Institute for Culinary Arts at Walters State Community College in Sevierville, TN. This new facility offers state-of-the-art kitchen facilities rivaling major cooking schools nationwide.

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Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass

Hiking the Smoky Mountains is one of the best reasons to visit Sevierville, TN. Just look up from any spot, and you will see picturesque views of the Great Smoky Mountains enveloping you. Downtown Sevierville itself is just a few short miles away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home to more than 800 miles of hiking trails, and plenty of opportunities for you and your family to get closer with nature.

A quick hiking tip: Pick up a hiking guide for the Great Smoky Mountains when you enter town at the Sevierville Visitor Center located at 3099 Winfield Dunn Parkway (1.5 miles from I-40 Exit 407). Best of all, all purchases at this gift shop, which is operated by Great Smoky Mountains Association, benefit the national park.

Most Popular Hiking Trails
Abrams Falls – 5 miles; 340′ climb; moderate: a relatively flat trail leading to the 20′ falls
Arch Rock  – 2.5 miles; 400′ climb; easy; trail leads to an erosion-created tunnel
Chimney Tops – 4 miles; 1,335′ climb; strenuous; winds through a virgin forest to the Chimney Top pinnacles
Hen Wallow Falls – 4 miles; 520′ climb; moderate; good, short day hike to 95′ falls
Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail – 3,000′ loop, paved trail with educational exhibits and communications media

Self-Guided Nature Trails
Alum Cave Bluffs 5 miles; passes through a bald of mountain laurel and rhododendrons
Cades Cove 0.5 miles; see how settlers used native plants
Cosby 1 mile; introduction to the Smokies’ natural history
Cove Hardwoods 0.75 miles; grove of old-growth deciduous trees
Laurel Falls 2.5 miles; paved trail leads through a pine-oak forest to the falls

Map out your trail by downloading the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s online map. Just Click Here.

Anyone can hike the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from those simply in the mood for a leisurely day hike to backpackers looking for a physical backcountry challenge. No matter the hike, soaring vistas, colorful wildflowers, and abundant wildlife await you. It’s also a great way to experience the mountains for the first time, and to introduce the great outdoors to the kids. Or, simply enjoy revisiting the wild, rugged terrain of the Smokies.

Hiking trails are open all year round in the park and each season brings a new view, and experience. A hike any time of the year can be both a healthy and educational experience for anyone coming to the park. Springtime offers an abundance of blossoming flowers and trees. Summertime’s cool mountain streams are the perfect respite from a day on the trail. The fall welcomes amazing colors, but don’t blink or you may miss it. And winter’s crisp white snowfalls and exquisite views reveal the true scope of the Great Smoky Mountains.

When you decide to take a hike, make sure you pack your boots, but don’t forget your other supplies! The easiest way is to bring a good backpack. This will allow you to carry what you need, but with the weight evenly distributed on your shoulders, thus maximizing comfort on the trail!

For short hiking trips that will last one day or less, consider packing your backpack with the following items:

• Clothing. This time of year, you might need extra layers, especially up in the higher elevations. A lightweight jacket with a hood will help combat winds and chilly air. A hat (waterproof is ideal), gloves, and lightweight scarf can also come in handy, and they can be easily stored away in your pack without adding much extra weight.
• Weather protection. Sunscreen is very important, especially if you are hiking at high elevations! Chapstick is also a good thing to pack.
• Hiking Safety. A first aid kit is an absolute must! You can create a small, portable first aid kit comprised of essential items including band aids, blister pads, anti itch cream, tweezers, and antibacterial. Don’t forget bug repellant, either! This will ward off pesky insects on the trail, especially in the summer. And if you are on any medications, bring an extra dose or two, just in case you need to take them during the hike. Another important tool that you should bring is a pocket knife. Another essential: a compass (along with a trail map). It is vital that you stay on the marked trails, but if you should happen to get lost, a compass will help you get your bearings and hopefully find your way back to the hiking trail. As for hiking trail maps for Gatlinburg, TN you can pick some up at the Sugarlands Visitors Center just inside the National Park as you leave the north end of Gatlinburg. Be sure to put the map in a plastic bag in case you encounter wet weather…or terrain.
• Snacks. Even if you are going on a shorter hike, you should always bring snacks and water with you. Hydration is extremely important. You might not feel like you are losing fluid, but you are, especially if you are hiking in the mountains! Bring a refillable water bottle that you can store in a side pocket of your backpack (one filled bottle per person). And pack lightweight snacks like granola bars or snack bags of GORP (raisins and peanuts), which will help you and your group refuel after a mile or two.
• Fun stuff. The Smoky Mountains offer breathtaking vistas, so don’t forget your camera! You will want to photograph the views, flowers, wildlife, and document the fun times you are having on the trail! Another fun thing to take along is a small notebook and pen. Writing in a journal can be a great way to remember your hike, the things you see, and even the conversations you have with your hiking party.

A day hike in the mountains and forests around Gatlinburg, TN is a fun and invigorating way to explore the area! You will see many beautiful and amazing sights! And if you plan ahead by packing your backpack with a few lightweight essentials, you can relax and enjoy your hike, no matter where the trail leads you!

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Hiking the Smoky Mountains