Anakeesta, meaning “high ground” in Cherokee, opened in 2017 as the Great Smoky Mountains’ newest and most innovative family adventure theme park. Spanning over 70 acres of pristine Smoky Mountain forest, Anakeesta outdoor park offers a one-of-a-kind mountaintop experience that promises adventure at every turn.
Guests start their adventure by boarding the Chondola, the first of its kind in the United States, ascending 600 feet above Gatlinburg to arrive at Anakeesta. A variety of adventure zones, rides and attractions, play areas, shops, and restaurants await. Whether relaxing in Firefly Village or soaring down the mountain on dueling ziplines, there is something for everyone in the family to experience at Anakeesta!
Below is the essential information for planning a trip to Anakeesta, from ticketing and hours to how to get there.
Anakeesta tickets range from single-day passes starting at around $35 to VIP annual passes at about $70. A ticket includes park admission, a Chondola or Ridge Rambler ride, access to Firefly Village, play areas, and other attractions throughout the park. Some experiences, like the ziplines or mountain coasters, are available for an additional fee.
Tip: Add an Anakeesta Express Pass to skip lines at select attractions.
To fully experience all that Anakeesta Tennessee has to offer, you should plan to spend around four to six hours in the park. To plan ahead, check out the Anakeesta Park map to decide in advance which attractions you’ll visit.
Tip: Check the Anakeesta webcam ahead of your visit for real-time views of the park and Anakeesta photos.
There are plenty of ways to get around Gatlinburg to get to Anakeesta—hop on the trolley, take the tramway, or go on foot. Anakeesta is easily accessible from downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge:
If you want to avoid crowds, the best time to visit Anakeesta is on weekdays or early mornings, especially during peak seasons like summertime and holidays. Plan your visit for the evening for stargazing or to visit Astra Lumina.
Fall and winter are the ideal times to explore for fewer crowds and more affordable rates. Visit in autumn to enjoy vibrant fall foliage in Gatlinburg and the Anakeesta fall festival, or experience the magic of Gatlinburg winter with snow-capped mountains and festive light displays during the Enchanted Anakeesta Christmas event.
For warmer nights and lush greenery, spring and summer are the best times to visit the Smoky Mountains, though you’ll find more crowds during this peak season.
Looking for other things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the summer? Beat the heat by exploring Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, kayaking on Fontana Lake, or enjoying a horseback riding excursion with Five Oaks Riding Stables.
From adrenaline-pumping ziplines to serene walking trails, Anakeesta rides, and attractions are great for family members of all ages.
The Anakeesta Adventure begins at the foot of the mountain, where visitors can hop on the incredible Chondola — a ride in an open-air chair or an enclosed gondola car. This impressive fixed-grip transportation system is the first of its kind in the United States!
For a unique off-road adventure, the Ridge Rambler Anakeesta is a passenger truck that takes you on a scenic 20-minute guided tour to the top. You’ll learn fun facts about the Great Smoky Mountains area in an immersive way. For other scenic drives in Gatlinburg, explore Cades Cove Loop Road for panoramic valley views, or take the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail for ridgeline vistas and cascading streams.
The nexus of the park and spectacular summit features the whimsical and thrilling Firefly Village. This part of the park was designed for all ages to relax, shop, eat, or just unwind and take in the phenomenal 360 panoramic views at various overlooks.
Enjoy the cuisine of the Great Smoky Mountain region at the best restaurants in Gatlinburg—Huck Finn’s Catfish, Tony Gore’s Smoky Mountain BBQ & Grill, and Smoky Mountain Brewery are local favorites!
For Anakeesta food options, Firefly Village (and the adjacent Black Bear Village) offers a variety of eateries to satisfy every craving. Anakeesta restaurants in these areas include:
Tip: Dine at Anakeesta Gatlinburg at night to see twinkling lights illuminating the treetops.
Indulge in some retail therapy with a Gatlinburg shopping trip! Explore charming shops and outlets with unique gifts, from handmade pottery and soaps at The Village Shops to local wines and Smoky Mountain gear at The Marketplace.
At Anakeesta, Firefly Village satisfies shoppers with these novelty shops:
Treehouse Adventure Play Area features a magical playground with climbing tube nets, an elevated log walk, and interactive structures. Designed to help little ones develop physical skills and learn about nature, young adventurers can explore an elevated bird’s nest inspired by the American Goldfinch or practice problem-solving by navigating a maze.
Adjacent to the Treehouse, there’s Anakeesta gem mining, featuring an interactive waterfall where you can sift for treasures. Nearby, the Treeventure Challenge Course invites kids to test their bravery and agility on slides, bridges, and balance beams.
Visiting in the springtime? For other spring activities in Gatlinburg, take an art class at Hands on Gatlinburg, sample local wines at the Smoky Mountain Wine Fest, or admire classic cars at Pigeon Forge Rod Run.
For a one-of-a-kind opportunity to walk along the treetops, Anakeesta’s Treetop Skywalk features 14 suspended bridges at 60 feet above the ground. You can stroll leisurely along the skywalk and immerse yourself in the beauty of the forest—keep an eye out for wildlife below or a nearby woodpecker. Curious about the view? Visit the website for sneak peeks of the Treetop Skywalk at Anakeesta photos!
When traveling to Gatlinburg, look for diverse wildlife like black bears, elk, and foxes, along with local flora and fauna like ferns, tulip trees, and wildflowers, all thriving in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
One of the premier attractions of Anakeesta Adventure Park is the Dueling Zipline. This state-of-the-art zipline system allows visitors to zip over 1,000 feet through the trees side-by-side. Rising 150 feet above the forest floor, Anakeesta features three different Anakeesta ziplines. You can experience a birds-eye view of the majestic Smoky Mountains and the natural wonder of soaring through the trees.
The Anakeesta Mountain Coasters, called Hellbender and Rail Runner, features 1,600 feet of downhill twists and turns. You can control your speed down the mountain while experiencing picturesque views of the mountain forests. The track cars can reach a top speed of 25 miles per hour as you soar through tunnels and over bridges, navigating a 400-foot vertical drop.
Fun fact: Anakeesta’s Mountain Coasters minimize the impact on the forest floor by sitting approximately 18 inches above it at most points along the track.
Located near the center of the park, the Anakeesta Vista Gardens features a sensory garden walk where you can listen to birds, hear the sounds of cascading waterfalls, and pass through the mist tunnel draped in wisteria. Here, you can climb the AnaVista Tower for 360 views of the national park and surrounding mountains from Gatlinburg’s highest point.
Looking for things to do in the Smoky Mountains this fall? Experience autumn at Anakeesta by taking in the vibrant fall colors from Vista Gardens, hit the hiking trails at Big Creek and Mouse Creek Falls, or join the festivities at Oktoberfest in Gatlinburg!
Anakeesta BirdVenture offers a fun and educational way to get a bird’s-eye view of the area. It features three vibrant, life-sized birdhouses and seven giant slides that descend over 50 feet. Perfect for kids of all ages, this interactive adventure zone is great for exploring nature while learning about local bird species. Each birdhouse showcases a different Smoky Mountain native: the owl, woodpecker, and bluebird.
One of the best things to do in Gatlinburg at night is Astra Lumina—an immersive walk featuring eight different stops along the park. The captivating lights, sounds, and luminescent installations bring the surrounding Smoky Mountains nature to life.
Wondering where to stay in the Smoky Mountains? Downtown Gatlinburg is conveniently located near Anakeesta, with cozy cabin accommodations so you can fully enjoy your adventures without needing to rush back after dark.
Anakeesta is the realization of a dream for owners Karen and Bob Bentz, who purchased over 55 acres of pristine forest from the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity in 2014. The fraternity, which arrived in Gatlinburg in the late 1800s to promote literacy and support local artisans, owned the land for over 100 years. On their 100-year anniversary, they chose to sell the property, seeking buyers committed to preserving its heritage and natural beauty, much of which had remained untouched by logging.
Bob and Karen Bentz, the current owners, were the perfect buyers with deep ties to Gatlinburg. Anakeesta represents their dream and legacy of honoring the Great Smoky Mountains. The Bentz’s worked with experts to design Anakeesta, drawing inspiration from Europe’s top outdoor parks and their own sketches. They focused on creating a whimsical, authentic, and sustainable adventure experience that honors the land and the surrounding community.
Yes, Anakeesta is a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure park in the Smoky Mountains, making it worthwhile for the whole family.
Anakeesta opened in September 2017.
Anakeesta means “high ground” in the Cherokee language.
No, to access Anakeesta, you need to take the Anakeesta Chondola or Ridge Rambler to the summit.
Anakeesta is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Depending on the season, ticket prices for Anakeesta range from around $35 for general admission to around $70 for annual passes. The website offers various discounts for military and large groups.
Anakeesta is around 2,700 feet high.
Parking is available in parking lots in downtown Gatlinburg, with shuttle services available to the base of Anakeesta.
Anakeesta is conveniently located near downtown Gatlinburg, just 0.2 miles away.
Anakeesta is approximately 8 miles from Pigeon Forge, or a 20-minute drive.
Ober Mountain is the ideal choice if you’re looking for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and ice skating. If you’re looking for an outdoor nature park that’s open year-round, Anakeesta is the better option.
Deciding between Anakeesta and Dollywood depends on your interests—both are popular, family-friendly destinations. Anakeesta is a nature-focused adventure park with attractions and activities, while Dollywood is an amusement theme park with rides and entertainment.
Anakeesta is an outdoor park with attractions like coasters, treetop canopy walks, playgrounds, and shopping, while SkyPark is a recreational park for activities like hiking, mountain biking, and ziplining. Both locations are family-friendly and have scenic views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Anakeesta has something for the whole family to enjoy, from stunning nature views to thrilling mountain coasters and attractions.
After a day of adventure at Anakeesta, retreat to Elk Springs Resort, where you can relax in luxurious cabins or large group cabins to recharge for another day of exploring.
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