Wilderness at the Smokies {Review}

Wilderness at the Smokies {Review}

Recently, my family took a trip to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, Tennessee, and we had the pleasure of staying at the Wilderness at the Smokies! This is a huge property/resort spread out over several buildings and locations and has everything a family would need for a vacation, almost all of it located right on the premises.

Rustic Mountain-Modern Charm WITH WORLD-CLASS AMENITIES
Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort and Family Adventure Center is a luxurious vacation and meeting destination. Wilderness is a whole new concept of FUN for your Smoky Mountain vacation! Our Guest Exclusive Waterparks are only for resort guests andIncluded With Your Stay!

Wilderness is home to the Wild WaterDome, Tennessee’s Largest Indoor Waterpark, which features a see-through roof that will weather-proof your vacation and give you the opportunity to tan inside all year long. Along with year-round indoor waterpark fun, you will find two outdoor waterparks right outside your guest room door! And remember to check out the Adventure Forest dry, family adventure center. Featuring a 3 story ropes course, multi-level laser tag, black light mini-golf, mega arcade and much more!

As we pulled up to the property, the kids were already chattering with excitement, pointing out the water parks and slides you can see as you drive up. Plus they were already decorated for Christmas, so that was an added bonus while we checked in at the front desk. We were given a map, all of our water park passes, room keys and all of our questions were answered right there at the desk and we were on our way to park in what seemed like no time at all.

The family loved our room on the third floor, with 2 queen size beds plus a queen sleeper sofa. I loved the fact that we had an area to cook on the stovetop as well as a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker! The vanity area was also separate from the bathroom area, which helped when you have several people trying to get ready to go! The balcony had several chairs to use (had it been warmer of course) and a privacy wall on either side for the other guests. And the table and chairs was perfect for meals or when I had to use my computer for work.

Wilderness at the Smokies is one of those resort properties that you truly don’t need to leave for anything. They have several dining options, stores, indoor and outdoor water parks, a golf course, and a huge arcade/game/playground area, all right there! Not to mention conference rooms, laundry facilities, and a paint your own pottery store! We had no shortage of options, depending on the weather and what the group wanted to do for the day.

I’ll admit, we spent a great deal of time between the Wilderness Adventure Forest and the Wild Waterdome Indoor Waterpark. The Wilderness Adventure Forest had activities such as:

• Laser tag
• 3 story rope course
• Rock wall climbing
• Laser maze
• Mini-golf (indoors and outside)
• Bowling alley
• Climbing den (indoor playland all the way to the ceiling)
• Arcade

Both our younger and older kids went from activity to activity, breaking up into pairs depending on their age and skill set and ran themselves ragged. Even the adults got in on the action, playing right along side of them! Each of us had a little “swipe” card so we could get into the various attractions and get started playing without needing to wait to show ID or put tokens into the machines.

Competing for everyone’s time and attention was the Waterdome for sure! Not to be outdone, it also had a large selection of things to do:

• Storm Chaser Thrill ride (up to 4 ride together)
• 10,000 sq. ft wave pool
• Indoor water slides
• Hot spa that also leads outdoors, even in winter
• Surf rider (body boarding or surfing)
• Washout Mountain (multi leveled play area for the kids)

Again the family played together most of the time, with some of the more adventurous heading to the thrilling water slides while some of us stayed in the hot tub or wave pool. Lifeguards are everywhere so we definitely felt safe and I love that we didn’t have to carry our towels around; you pick them up pool side, and exchange them for dry ones when you need to! I will say the entire crew slept like logs after playing at the waterpark for hours.

During the summer months, there are also attractions available to guests such as the Lake Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark, Salamander Springs Outdoor Waterpark, plus you can make reservations for white water rafting and jetboat adventures on site!

There is also a 36 hole golf course, a complete fitness center, as well as conference rooms, banquet rooms, executive suites and more!

Needless to say, the whole family was a little sad when it was time to leave. Only the promise of returning next year, along with the loads of pictures and videos, is what kept the family upbeat on our trip home. I would definitely recommend the Wilderness at the Smokies to anyone looking for a great time in Sevierville, TN, whether on business or on vacation, with a family or alone. I’m not kidding when I say you could park your car on arrival and never have to leave until it was time to go home.

You can find out more information or book your stay at the Wilderness of the Smokies website or connect with them on Facebook and Twitter for the latest specials and events!