GatlinburgOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From White Oak Flats to Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg's history begins with the Cherokee people, who used the Indian Gap Trail through the Smoky Mountains for hunting. The town traces its founding to around 1807, when Martha Jane Huskey Ogle, a widow, led her family to what her late husband, William Ogle, had called "The Land of Paradise" in East Tennessee. The area was initially known as White Oak Flats, named for the white oak trees that covered the landscape.

The name changed in 1856 with the arrival of Radford C. Gatlin, who opened the town's second general store. When a post office was established in his store, the community became known as Gatlinburg. Gatlin was a controversial figure, a Democrat in a Republican community, and frequently argued with his neighbors, particularly the Ogle family, likely over attempts to redirect the town's main road. By 1859, a feud escalated, and Gatlin was forced out of town after his barn was burned and livestock killed. His name, however, remained.

The Rise of Tourism and the National Park

For its first hundred years, Gatlinburg remained a small, rural community focused on farming, logging, and handmade crafts. The Civil War brought division, with some locals joining the Union and others the Confederacy, though mountain residents generally tried to remain neutral. Only one Civil War skirmish was fought in Gatlinburg.

A significant shift occurred with the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934. This transformed Gatlinburg into the "Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains," attracting visitors to the park's natural features. The influx of tourists led to growth in the local economy, with hotels, restaurants, and attractions developing. The town was incorporated in 1945 and has since developed into a year-round resort and convention destination.

• —Great Smoky Mountains National Park — This park offers hiking trails, scenic drives like Newfound Gap Road, and opportunities to see wildlife and wildflowers. The Sugarlands Visitor Center provides information, maps, and exhibits about the park's natural and cultural history.
• —Gatlinburg Parkway — The main road of downtown, with shops, restaurants, and attractions. It is an area for walking and experiencing the town's activity.
• —Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — This facility houses over 10,000 sea creatures, including sharks, penguins, and fish. It features interactive exhibits and underwater tunnels.
• —Ober Mountain — Accessible by an aerial tramway from the Parkway, this resort offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in winter, and a wildlife habitat, ice skating, and amusement rides year-round.
• —Arts & Crafts Community — Established in 1937, this 8-mile loop shows the work of local artisans and craftsmen, offering handmade items.
• —Ogle Cabin — The first cabin built in Gatlinburg, dating to around 1807. It is preserved and offers a view into the lives of the earliest settlers.
• —Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery — The first legal moonshine distillery in Tennessee, offering tours, tastings, and information on the region's moonshine heritage. Moonshine was legalized in Gatlinburg in 2009.

The best time to visit Gatlinburg depends on your priorities. Fall, particularly September and October, is popular for its mild temperatures (highs between 65 and 80°F) and fall foliage, which peaks in October. This is also a crowded period, especially in October.

Spring, from March to May, offers wildflowers and pleasant weather, with fewer crowds than peak fall and summer. Late April and May have average highs in the 70s. Summer (June to August) is peak season for families, with warm weather and many outdoor activities, but also the largest crowds and highest prices. Winter (December to February) is quieter and has holiday lights, suitable for those who prefer a peaceful atmosphere and winter sports at Ober Mountain.

Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is the closest major airport to Gatlinburg, about 39 miles northwest. Once in Gatlinburg, moving around without a car is possible, especially in the downtown area. The town is walkable, allowing access to many attractions along the Parkway on foot.

The Gatlinburg Trolley system is a free option, operating 365 days a year with multiple color-coded routes connecting attractions, hotels, and shopping areas. You can park your car at the Park-n-Ride lot at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center and use the trolley to explore downtown. For destinations further afield, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available, as are local taxi services. The Aerial Tramway provides transport to Ober Mountain.