RV Road Trip to Dollywood and Smoky Mountain National Park

written by Nancy Carter, Making My Own Lane

RV Road Trip to Dollywood and Smoky Mountain National Park

Dollywood has been on my bucket list for a long time.

I was supposed to go last year, but I had to change my plans, and sadly, my Tennessee plans were put on hold, including Dollywood.

After leaving Florida and making my way through Georgia, I honestly wasn’t sure if I would make it this year either.

When you travel in an RV, you have to expect the unexpected, including engine troubles and flat tires.

Click here if you want to see why I almost didn’t make it this year either!

Driving through Smoky Mountain National Park in an RV

If you can add this to your travel plans, I highly recommend it.

It was a big surprise to me when I saw the sign for Smoky Mountain National Park!

While I wanted to do this, I was hesitant to bring my Class C RV with a tow dolly through the park.

Climbing up the winding roads to 6,600 feet, and then back down, proved to be no problem, and was probably the most fun drive I have done in over 9,000 miles of driving Daisy, my RV.

On the morning of my drive, I programmed my RV-Friendly GPS for Dollywood and took off. Trusting my GPS and not paying attention to the route I would be taking.

It felt like I was driving a BMW. Crazy, I know. But the roads were in beautiful condition, winding but not too narrow, with lots of turn offs to either let other drivers go by, to pull over and admire the view, or park to enjoy some hiking.

The speed limit throughout my drive was 35 mph or less, so I had no trouble keeping up, even on the steep climb up.

While in the park, I passed a sign for Clingman’s Dome, another bucket list item for me. So I turned and drove the seven miles up more steep, twisty road to the parking lot.

Hint - the parking lot is not set up for RVs, let alone those with a vehicle in tow. Don’t even try it.

On the day I was there, even if I had found parking, the clouds were completely covering the view.

Except for Clingman’s Dome, the park was surprisingly nowhere near as crowded as my research had led me to believe it would be, and I was there in June!

I did get some amazing views both on the way up and on the way back down.

I enjoyed the ride so much that I went back and did it again another day, without doing the turnoff to Clingman’s Dome.

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge KOA

I loved this campground! It's very family-oriented, with lots of fun things to keep the kids busy, including a train ride through the campground where the train cars or towed by a golf cart, a huge playground, and a really nice pool.

It's also a great place to explore Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg from without kids.

There were three dog parks, if you looked closely, and my dog Willie was so happy to have a place where he could play off leash for a while.

The staff was amazingly friendly and helpful, the bathrooms and individual showers were well-maintained, and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay.

Bonus, it is right next door to the Mass Transit Trolley and less than 10 minutes from Dollywood. There is a stop right in front of the campground, but I’ll tell you more about that in a minute.

I could see the Dollywood fireworks right from my RV door.

There are many other campgrounds to choose from. I chose the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge KOA because of its proximity to Dollywood.

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Mass Transit Trolley

Where else can you buy a one way ticket for $1, or a day pass for $3 and stop at many of the attractions that Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have to offer, without dealing with the traffic and parking?

When I got to the campground, I still had an entire afternoon, so I decided to check out one of the attractions I had on my list to do, Goats on the Roof.

I walked over the Mass Transit Center, bought a ticket, asked a few questions, and waited for the Wears Valley trolley.

Riding the trolley was also a great way to see the layout of the land, and learn about other places where you may want to visit during your stay.

Goats of the Roof also had an alpine Goat Coaster, and a dinosaur-themed mini golf. The dinosaurs were animated and impressive.

There was a large 2-story general store/gift shop as well. Most of the goats had figured out that they were more likely to get fed on the ground level, but there were a couple of rogue goats on the roof.

My Day at Dollywood

I started by walking the short walk back over to the Mass Transit Station. I thought that getting on there instead of getting on in front of the KOA would give me a better chance of getting a seat, and I was right.

I recommend getting to Dollywood at 9 am, even though it doesn’t officially open until 10 am.

Once I got off the trolley, I was directed to the security area, where we waited until they opened it up, around 9:10.

After clearing security, we were directed to the ticket booth or the front gate.

Hint - buy your tickets online the night before. I think I saved $10 by doing this and I avoided the ticket line.

Hint - if you are going to Dollywood for 2 or more days, buy the season’s pass and save even more money.

We reached the front gate around 9:20, where I watched them raise the flag to the Star Spangled Banner.

They opened the front gates at 9:30, and we were allowed to enter the park and look at some of the shops and attractions.

I went to the right. Having researched the things I wanted to do the night before along with the layout of the park, I knew that most of the things that I wanted to do, like the Dollywood Experience and some other shows, were on the right hand side.

Hint - If you are looking to start your day on the roller coasters, head to the left. Turn right for the shows and left for the coasters.

We were only allowed in up to a certain point, but at 10 am they officially opened the park and we were free to go where we wanted.

I had a list of what I wanted to do and the times they were available.

The first thing on my list was the Dollywood Express, a real coal steam engine. It takes you on a five-mile journey that goes all the way around the park.

Hint - as they tell you in the park, you have to climb the mountain both ways. And they weren’t kidding. The mountain is steep. And I didn’t feel like doing any climbing on a hot day, so I took the train up the mountain and got to see the park, without climbing the mountain.

If you go to the right for the shows, the climbing isn’t bad. But it’s all uphill after Owen’s Farm.

What shows and attractions did I see at Dollywood?

I was able to walk through Dolly’s home on wheels, the 1994 Class A motorhome that Dolly traveled in until 2009. It was so cool to walk through and see all the personal touches that Dolly added to her home-away-from-home.

I toured the recreation of the home where Dolly grew up, Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home. You can see a lot of memorabilia from the original home, like furniture, dishes and clothing, and get a real sense of how Dolly and her family lived.

All through the park, there are stories about Dolly’s life, but the new Dolly Parton Experience that just opened this year, is the best way to experience this.

You can learn how she got started, who helped her and watch her grow along the way. In my opinion, she is one sweet, tough lady who has always known exactly who she is and where she wanted to go.

She is very appreciative of those who helped her, and her family.

You can see her talented niece, Heidi, perform at the Heidi Parton Kin and Friends show at the Dreamsong Theater located in the Dolly Parton Experience, as they talk about and celebrate their family gift of music.

The finale is so touching, with a special “appearance” from Dolly Parton.

Other Things I Did and Saw at Dollywood

Everything at Dollywood has a story. Because Dolly is a master storyteller.

You can see some of her wardrobe costumes and wigs, shoes, and jewelry in the Dolly Parton Experience area. Learn about Dolly Parton’s love of reading and how she gifts books to children through the Imagination Library.

Or watch Heartsong, the movie, at the Heartsong Theater, and learn about the story of Dolly’s coat of many colors, which Dolly wrote a song about.

Look for all of the roadside attraction stops, and the bronze statues depicting some of the things that are important to Dolly.

Hint - After all the picture taking, is your phone in need of a charge? Head on over to the recharge and refresh phone charging stations near Red’s Drive In at Jukebox Junction. I don’t think anyone ever realized what they were!

Stay for the fireworks and drone show at the end of the day. I was able to see them from the door of my RV at the KOA.

Can You Bring Food Into Dollywood?

Hint - You can bring in an unopened bottle of water, which you can refill for free at any drink station; however, outside food is not allowed.

I had a bacon, cheeseburger with fries for lunch that was pretty good. It did set me back another $18, but I had decided in advance that I was going to eat at the park.

Is Dollywood Worth Going To?

YES! 100% YES!

This is the only theme park I plan on going to on my trip from Florida to Minnesota this year.

And it is definitely a destination that you don’t want to miss.

I didn’t even do the rides, but I really enjoyed the whole Dollywood experience, and I highly recommend it. There’s something for everyone, even if you don’t want to walk up the hills.

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about Dollywood or driving through the Great Smoky Mountains, or if you would like to know when I publish a new article, you can message me here.

Thanks for joining me as I move into Year 2 of this full-time RV life.

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Hi there!  I'm Nancy.

In 2023, I ditched my heels for hiking boots, sold my house, and decided to travel the US full time in my 2005 Lazy Daze Class C RV.

I love to share the places I travel to and what it's like to live in an RV full-time.

If you have ever thought about hitting the road and traveling in an RV, either in your free time or full time, you are in the right place!

Follow along for weekly blog posts about my adventures as I travel the US with my two dogs, Rufus and Willie, and my cat, Katie.