Wilderness at the Smokies: A One of a Kind Tennessee Adventure

This past weekend, Mike and I arrived in Sevierville for the annual Santa Hustle – a holiday themed half marathon. It was a really long drive from the Providence metro, but a race I’ve been looking at for a long time. The hotel partner for the race was Wilderness at the Smokies, which was conveniently located right next to the marathon start line.

Conveniently, I was able to walk directly outside approximately 30 minutes prior to start time – no need to drive anywhere or find parking! This is one of the only times I’ve ever not driven to a race which was really nice. I would say it helped a lot as I received my first half age group award!

The many on-site conveniences made this resort the ideal place to stay before the race. I could eat dinner on site without diving anywhere which was nice as I wanted to rest up before my big run. There were also a lot of fun activities we could enjoy after the race including: an indoor water park, mini golf, and an arcade. They also offered free attraction tickets. I recommend choosing the 2 for 1 Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies pass.

This half was my best yet – a really fun experience. I managed a 1 hour and 52 min finishing time despite the hills and colder than expected temperatures. This was my first winter trip to the area and I wasn’t expected it to be this cold – I learned that it gets quite cold in the Smokies! Soaking in the large hot tub the night prior to the race was the perfect way to relax. It gave me an opportunity to relax my muscles and recover from the long drive from the Providence metro.

Lots of amenities: a convenient stay

There are several restaurants on site, several snacks shops, and a deli/convenience store. We had the opportunity to try out the Thirsty Miner, a family/buffet restaurant. It was decent enough and more important, convenient. I ordered marinara pasta to carbo load before the race the next morning.

Update: Thirsty Miner is now closed. However, a Starbucks, a candy shop, shake shack, taco bar, and frozen yogurt shop have recently opened. There are 2 bar and grills (including one inside the waterpark) and a deli serving light breakfast and lunch fare. Overall, a nice assortment of options, especially if you are looking to indulge in comfort food.

Family-friendly lodging options

Lodging is available in either the River or Stone Lodge buildings. We did not have a choice as we booked our room at the last minute. The Stone Lodge room was pretty basic, but adequate as we didn’t spend much time in the room. The entire hotel is decorated in an attractive woodsy theme. We had a decent view of the mountains, although we could see the other hotel building. Not bad considering we were only in the room to sleep.

There is a complimentary 5 minute shuttle ride over to the River Lodge resort, which houses the indoor water-park. If you plan on spending most of your time at the water park, The River Lodge would be your best bet.

Update: There are now a range of cabins which you can book including 3 and 4 bedrooms as well as 3 level treehouse cabins which can sleep up to 22 people.

Holiday cheer: a fun way to get into the spirit

The hotel was decorated nicely for the holidays which was a nice perk as I am a Christmas buff. Since I was in town for the holiday half, the over-the-top decor complimented our weekend plans perfectly. Various holiday activities such as Yuletide carolers, Christmas craft workshops, and swimming with Santa are offered each day throughout the season.

We didn’t have much extra time to check out any activities as we only booked a night before heading to our cabin rental (after our night here, we enjoyed 2 nights in a gorgeous mountain cabin). Obviously, if you are not a fan of Christmas, you probably will not want to book a hotel room this time of year as they go all out.

Update: New for 2025, ice skating is included with admission if you stay in the Stone Hill Lodge, Wilderness Villas, or Mountainside cabins. As a skater, I wish this rink was available during my stay!

Wild WaterDome Waterpark: Where it’s 80 degrees all year!

Use of the indoor water park is the major perk of staying here. Admission is included with your stay which is a nice perk. Another perk is being able to use the water park after check out (until closing that day). I have never been to an indoor water park, but I have to say I was impressed. The park was much bigger than I expected. There were 4 different water slides, a wave pool, a surfing area, a bar, snack shops, and a large hot tub. Obviously, not as grand as outdoor water parks I’ve visited, but pretty nice for an indoor getaway.

The room temperature is heated like it would be outside, only you don’t have to worry about sunblock or stepping on the hot cement! As someone who slaters on sunblock repeatedly, this was such a big bonus for me to not worry about it at all. I would guess the air temp was around 80 degrees. It was absolutely freezing on my race day, so I really enjoyed the tropical air and soaking in the hot tub afterwards.

Update: New attractions include a 3 story water roller coaster, an indoor/outdoor hot tub, and an expanded lazy river experience featuring a kaleidoscope themed tunnel. The outdoor waterpark also has some new features which you can explore more on their website.

A convenient stay

Overall, this was the perfect place to stay for our event. We wanted something casual in order to relax for the race and this resort fits the bill. We enjoyed a convenient, hassle free stay thanks to the many great amenities. Fortunately, we didn’t have to waste any time driving around town when we had the option between numerous on-site dining options.

The on-site activities will give you more than enough opportunities for entertainment during your stay. And if you feel like venturing out, Sevierville is located just a short drive from both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Also, the beautiful Smoky Mountains National Park is just a short drive away. You can check out my Gatlinburg vacation guide for some recommended area activities.

Who should stay here?

This is the perfect lodging choice for families, as well as young at heart couples who are seeking convenience and fun. There are lots of family-friendly amenities on-site. It’s also a great affordable choice for anyone seeking to keep lodging costs down a bit.

A lot of hotels and resorts in this area are really pricey and you do not get much. You get a lot for your money here as waterpark passes are included, not to mention the driving time you save by having numerous restaurants on-site.

Address

The resort is located is at: 1424 Old Knoxville Hwy in Sevierville. Visit the resort’s website to check out monthly specials and stay updated on new attractions.