Just noticed that JAWS is staying in a motel in Gatlinburg waiting out the storm. I’ve read about many hikers hitching from Newfound Gap to Gatlinburg but not about where they go when they get to Gatlinburg other than the outfitters. Is Gatlinburg hiker friendly? Is there somewhere that hikers like to stay while there? Hotel rates areen’t exactly hiker friendly, particularly during march/april when thru hiker wannabes are making it there. Any ideas/suggestions?
bgone
The only one I know of that caters to hikers is the Grand Prix Hotel. It’s an average hotel nothing great, nothing horrible. Although, after hiking for several days its much like a paradise. When I stayed there last year it was about $35 for two of us. The hotel is located on Ski Mountain Road, which is the first road on the left as you enter Gatlinburg from the Park.
guru
Gatlinburg is a trap. I would suggest that no hikers stay there. It is not a bad place but is a major tourist town. i stayed at the grand prix and the microtel and neither had great rates nor were they that friendly. the outfitters were nice people and hitching to and from there wasnt to bad because there are always tourists going up to Clingmans.
Cory
G’burg accommodations
What would be the nearest Hostel to Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg area? Anybody know?
bgone
G’burg accommodations
What would be the nearest Hostel to Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg area? Anybody know?:rolleyes
bgone
I’ll bet you could crash behind the Pizza Hut without anybody finding out.
Cheers
P.S Nearest hostel to Newfound Gap would be at Davenport Gap, it’s only 28 miles. :cheers
Cheers
There are cheaper places going the other way–Cherokee. There are some independent non-chain motels and cabins there, though I can’t recall any names.
Cherokee is about 6 miles further from Newfound than Gatlinburg, but a hitch is a hitch (if they’re going that direction chances are they’re going to Cherokee) and I like it better. For one, it’s not as much of a tacky tourist trap. And you can’t get better AYCE than at the Harrah’s Casino. Stay away from the slots–go for the food. Tip: Get there about 15 minutes before the price changes from the lunch price to the dinner price, and pay the cheaper lunch price, but get the more upscale dinner entrees. When I was there the changeover time was 4pm. Cherokee also has a big Food Lion for resupply.
Skyline
I normally don’t like Gatlinburg, but I had a blast there in the middle of the Winter without all the tourists. The Grand Prix Motel is a good place to stay for cheap. There real nice there as well. Gatlinburg has 2 great things, bars and Shoney’s buffet. What else does a hiker need?
Good luck!
Pickle
In 2000 I paid $15 for a room at the Grand Prix in March(off season) room had a refrigorator. In 2001 I stayed at a hotel that cost $55 but had a balcony, room service indoor pool and all that. This hotel was normally 100 a night in season. Not sure what you think a great rate is, but I thought both of these were awesome for what I was getting. OH yeah, I love Gatlinburg. Great Smoky Brewery, fill up a gallon and take it back to your room.
Chef
When a few trail ripe thru-hikers stroll into town, YOU become a bit of a tourist attraction hauling trekking poles and a pack. That town gets busy, and I’ve never had so many stares in my life.
Cap’n
bgone- I believe most thru hikers stay at the Grand Prix. The location of the hotel is very close to the Park itself. It appears to be one of the closest hotels to the park. But, in Gatlinburg there are hundreds of hotels to choose from. I’ve heard of others staying at the Microtel as well. Both have been mentioned in Wingfoot’s thru-hiking book.
As to Cory’s comments about Gatlinburg being a trap… well, I wouldn’t exactly agree with that. A hotel that is $35 a night is pretty cheap these days. I recently read somewhere where that average hotel in America was around $99/night. You have to look at Gatlinburg is what it is: a tourist town that is opposite of everything the AT is. It’s not focused on exercise or nature, but rather a synthetic environment of bad taste. This doesn’t make it a trap. You choose to spend however much money you want to on lodging to entertainment to food. I would imagine it’s quite easy to overspend in a town like Gatlinburg, but that’s not that fault of the town. In Gatlinburg there’s the nice little places like: No Way Jose’s, Great Smoky Brewery, Cherokee Grill, Happy Hiker, Day Hiker, and the Aquarium was surprisingly of quality… even if it’s owned by Ripley’s. I find going to Gatlinburg kind of like going into a mall… there’s plenty of crap, but there’s definitely a few things worth going for. It’s all in what you make of it.
guru
I would say try and avoid it…I stayed at the Best Western when I had to make an emergency trip in to see a doctor when my spider bite swelled to the size of a golfball. The folks there were nice enough to give me a discount when I played the thru-hiker card, but the city is a bit of a shock after hiking for a while. The only tempting part is DollyWorld right down the road. 
And the only health service is a small private clinic. I had to shell out big bucks for something that I know was much cheaper in other trail towns along the way.
She-ra
In no city was I more glad to be the strange one than in Gatlinburg. What an acid circus. At least since you get there in the off-season bartering a better motel rate is easy. Just lie and tell them you were offered $30 next door. And the trolley is nice, since everything you need is on the opposite side of town.
0101
One last note, then I promie to let this topic die. You can make money in Gatlinburg while you’re there. My brother did this 3 weeks ago. Walk up and down the “strip” and look for these booths that sell timeshares. If you listen to their song and dance which is about 2 hours long presentation they will give you a “free gift” for you time, as this is their marketing technique. You can select from numerous free passes to the local attractions. You can also choose a check for $135. You can only tour the premesis once every 24 months. But, there are plenty of timeshare companies up there that all use a similar program.
guru
Hikers,
Jaws had a lot of good info in his 1/28 and 1/29 journals.
The Grand Prix Motel (1-800-732-2802) cost him $31 and tax:
adequate room, free coffee and donuts, HIGH SPEED INTERNET, and close to the Happy Hiker. G-Burg should not be missed, but it can be a bit much after days on the trail. I used to go there to start my treks on the AT when I lived in Tenn and there are several great adult beverage institutions that require hiker taste testing!! Food can be purchased at Battle Food Center and Food City, but prices can be high, so don’t expect a major re-supply.
Big Daddy D