Why Choose Gatlinburg, Tennessee
for your Reunion or Retreat?

Gatlinburg, TN has been considered a favorite family vacation spot in the Southeast Region of the United States for many years.  As the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Gatlinburg provides an excellent backdrop for retreats, reunions and large group get-togethers of all kinds in the peace and beauty of the Smokies.

Gatlinburg Festivals and Special Events are a great opportunity for planning your retreat or reunion fun!

Consider these upcoming dates that are excellent times for reunions and retreats.

Mountain Laurel Chalets Large Group Cabins are located in an area where Team Rafting for your retreat or reunion is an excellent consideration.   Below we have provided some basic information about rafting in our area.  Contact our reservations office here for recommendations.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee Whitewater Adventure!

Just as sweeping and heart stopping as the rapids themselves is the extraordinary scenery surrounding the Big Pigeon River. Skirted by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Pisgah National Forest, the Big Pigeon has carved its rocky riverbed through some of the most dramatic country in East Tennessee.

The Nantahala River
Cherokee for "land of the noonday sun," the Nantahala is nestled among the scenic mountains of Western North Carolina. A nationally known river of recreation and sport, the Nantahala River is floated by as many as 160,000 paddlers annually. A Class II-III river, the Nantahala is considered ideal for both the first-timer and experienced rafter. With a wealth of rapids running the length of river, there's plenty of fun for rafters and boaters alike.

The Ocoee River
Chosen as the site for the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Competition, now hosts more than 300,000 paddlers every year! Surrounded by the captivating beauty of East Tennessee. Feel the rushing power of East Tennessee's most popular Ocoee River.

Your participants are very important to us.  Please consider these safety rules and make them available to every Gatlinburg reunion or retreat attendee.

• Be prepared to get wet!  Wear shorts and a T-shirt or a bathing suite, tennis shoes, deck shoes, river shoes, or sandals with velcro straps. NO FLIP FLOPS OR BARE FEET.  If you must wear socks, wear wool. Bring a towel and a change of clothes and shoes.
   

• NEVER wear jeans or sweat pants, especially if it is rainy and cool. They absorb water and keep you wet the entire trip.
   

• If you wear glasses, we suggest you use an eyeglass retainer. If you wear contact lenses and are used to playing in the water with them, wear them, if not we suggest wearing your eyeglasses with a retainer.
   

• Cold water makes even snug jewelry loose. Don't wear any jewelry (earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets) that you are not prepared to lose at the river. Don't bring a camera, it will just get soaked.

Smoky Mountain Group Hiking Adventures!

Hiking is a perfect sport for any group, nearly any time of year. Because Mountain Laurel Chalet large group cabins are located so near to the entrance of the park, there are hiking trails within minutes drive to the trail head.  Other selected hikes will vary throughout the National Park.

Seventy miles of the trail pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Twelve self-guiding nature trails, ranging in length from 1/4 mile to a mile roundtrip, were selected and developed by Park naturalists for their interesting natural history, beauty, and accessibility. The new All -Access Nature Trail, 0.5 miles south of Sugarlands on Newfound Gap Road, was specially designed for the handicapped, parents with young children, and older couples.

A good place to start your journey is the Sugarlands Visitors Center on Route 441 at the Gatlinburg entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Mountain Laurel Chalet office is happy to direct you to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, we are located very near this most interesting stop on your Smoky Mountain Adventure.   There are nature exhibits, a short film, guidebooks, maps, and park rangers who give lectures guided strolls, and answer questions. This is where you will pick up camping, hiking & fishing permits.

Please take care when setting out into our National Park for a hike.
Here is a list of trails and a few things you will need to know before you go!

Courtesy of Gatlinburg.com

The most spectacular stop is Clingman's Dome, accessible by a 7-mile sideroad. At 6,643 feet above sea level, Clingman's Dome is the highest point in the Smokies, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Visitors can drive almost all the way to the top and then hike the last half mile to the lookout tower. Take it slow because the high altitude means the air is thinner, but the fantastic, panoramic view is worth the effort.

Other motor trails exist for the "armchair" visitor. The most famous is the Cades Cove Loop, which is also a historical tour of those who settled in the valley. Northeast of Gatlinburg off Rte. 321 is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Loop which takes you up the western flank of Mt. LeConte. This paved, narrow, winding jewel of a road fords streams and cuts across a deep gorge. It is closed during the winter and at all times to buses, trailers, and RV's. At the visitor centers you can also find out how to get to the various dirt roads that will take you further back into the mountains and off the beaten path.

Fishing is an All Time Gatlinburg Fun Activity

One of the great outdoor activities to do in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is trout fishing. The City of Gatlinburg has several streams that are easily accessible and sure to have that fish you'll be talking about for years. You can fish inside the city limits or in the National Park and can purchase your license by stopping by our Gatlinburg Welcome Center located on the right as you come into town on 441 South.

Visit Our Local City Parks

Picnicking is an American tradition and no family trip to the Smokies is complete without one. Please remember to dispose of all garbage properly & NEVER feed the bears!

All three City Parks have covered pavilions available for use by reservation. Reservations may be made by calling the Gatlinburg Recreation Department at (865) 436-4990.  The Gatlinburg City Commission provides free usage of the covered pavilions to Gatlinburg residents; the rates for anyone not living in Gatlinburg are below.  Fees for pavilion reservations must be paid prior to usage.

Gatlinburg's Community Center

A great Retreat and Reunion Hot Spot for fun and competition!

The Gatlinburg Community Center is located on Mills Park Road, just off Highway 321 near Gatlinburg Pittman High School. The phone number is 865.436.4990, the fax number is 865.430.1390, and you can e-mail gatrec@ci.gatlinburg.tn.us

Don't Forget Gatlinburg Winter Sports!  Ober Gatlinburg Skiing and More!

Courtesy of skiobergatlinburg.com

Ober Gatlinburg offers 8 ski trails serviced by two quad and one double chairlift which keeps you out of lift lines and on the slopes. When temperatures drop, our snowmaking equipment blankets 100% of our slopes. Slopes are maintained with the latest in snow-grooming equipment to provide a smoother, more consistent surface creating enjoyable skiing conditions.

Skate year-round on Ober's huge indoor ice arena. The 140' X 75' indoor ice arena is the centerpiece of Ober Gatlinburg's massive enclosed mall. With over 400 pairs of rental skates available for men, women, and children, you can skate-away an hour or an afternoon.

The Scenic Chairlift offers one of the most awe-inspiring views of the Great Smokies. The relaxing ride on the South's longest chairlift affords many spectacular photo opportunities. On top, your photo is taken and available to you at a charge of $5.00 per person.

One of America's Largest Aerial Tramway departs regularly from downtown Gatlinburg, going directly to the Ski Resort and Amusement Park. The two 120 passenger counter balanced cars provide an experience for all ages, from the young to the young at heart. The convenience of parking your car downtown and taking the Tram ride (free of charge with a Combo, Day or Twilight session slope area/lift ticket) is just one of the things we do at Ober Gatlinburg to make your experience a pleasant one.

Adults:  $9.50
Children 7-11:  $6.50
Children 6-under:  FREE

Other Great Gatlinburg Attractions

Visit these all time favorites among the visitors of the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN including Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and so many more absolutely fantastic choices for group activities.

Gatlinburg Attractions Association - 24 Attractions Members & links to their sites.
Smoky Mountain Fun - Great downtown location for mini-golf, motion theater, arcade games, bumper cars, gem mining, and laser tag!

Gatlinburg Golf Courses

The Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course
Open year-round with modern facilities, fully equipped pro shop and food services area. This beautiful 18-holr course was designed golf course architect William Langford. In 1993, it underwent a major renovation by Bob Cupp and Associates of Atlanta.

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Mountain Laurel Gatlinburg Retreats
440 Ski Mountain Road  |  Gatlinburg, TN  |  37738
1-800-315-4965  |  865-436-5277

Planning a large group retreat, church retreat or family reunion? We have chalet rentals and vacation cabins for large groups in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  When looking for chalet rentals or cabin lodging for large groups, family reunions, or retreats in Gatlinburg, look no further than Mountain Laurel Chalets Gatlinburg Retreats.  Mountain Laurel Chalets offers large group cabins or several chalet rentals together to accommodate large groups, business retreats, church retreats, and reunions of any size and type.  All large cabin rentals offer clubhouse access and swimming pool access in season.  Our Smoky Mountain retreat cabin rentals feature 5-12 bedrooms and can sleep up to 28 people.  Several smaller cabins can also be rented together to allow for more privacy yet keep everyone in close proximity.  Rentals located in Chalet Village on Ski Mountain.  We welcome your large group retreat in Gatlinburg, Tennessee!