Tourist and locals alike can experience all the region has to offer on the newest driving tour in the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development's Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways program known as "Rocky Top: Smoky Peaks to Crafts and Creeks Trail".
/Rocky-Top-Smoky-Peaks-to-Crafts-and-Creeks-Trail/rt.jpg.aspx)
A brochure guide and map for the Rocky Top Trail and the 13 other completed trails can be found online at http://www.tntrailsandbyways.com. The complete program will have 16 separate driving tours that provide access to the entire state. The 282-mile Rocky Top Trail includes 130 points of interest — historic sites, restaurants and music and art attractions. The journey begins in Gatlinburg and does a counterclockwise loop through seven counties — through Sevierville, Knoxville, Lenoir City and Maryville before finishing in Wears Valley, close to where it all began in Pigeon Forge.
"Our goal with the Rocky Top Trail is to encourage travelers to get off the beaten path and explore some of Tennessee's hidden gems," said Susan Whitaker, the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
The Wilderness at the Smokies new attraction will open next month! A 66-foot near vertical waterslide that will take visitors only seven seconds to make their way down. It's called the Wild Vortex! It will be a translucent circular tube that sends riders down through a trap door and will be visible from Hwy 66 and from the resorts lazy river.
This new addition is one of seven the Wilderness has has since it opened in 2008. Of those include, Adventure Forest, a 30,000-square-foot dry entertainment area that includes a three-story rope course, more than 100 arcade games, mini bowling, a rock climbing wall, black light mini golf and laser tag, which opened in March this year. Then last December they opened three private birthday party rooms and another restaurant and bar, Surfer's Oasis. Along with these recent additions the resort has also added the five story Runaway Canyon waterside, the outdoor water park, Lake Wilderness featuring the Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool, an 18-hole miniature golf course, and poolside restaurant and cabanas. In
this recent article Steve Cruz the Wilderness general manager said, "We will continue to grow. We're always looking at other opportunities to do different additions."
Looks like Wilderness at the Smokies could be the next Dollywood! Look out Dolly!