Where To "Shine" in the Smokies

The Smoky Mountains don’t just feel like a magical place, they really are a mystical destination. The phrase “old as the hills” rings true when you really dive into the old lore of the mountains. When you come to visit, take this otherworldly tour and investigate for yourself. Here are six of the Smokies’ best kept secrets.

1. Elkmont Trollbridge

Escape to a place that really feels like a glimpse into a mythical land. The Elkmont Trollbridge is a true hidden gem that only locals know about. Hike along the Little River Trail until you reach this spot. Covered in moss and mushrooms, the Trollbridge is perfect for capturing pictures or looking for hidden fantastical creatures.

2. House Of The Fairies

This whimsical spot is only a mile from downtown Gatlinburg yet it feels like you’ve been transported into another realm. Map to this magical place, then go out and explore. Here, you’ll find towering trees and moss covered logs and boulders. Then at the end of the trail you’ll see it...an arched doorway, that looks like it’s almost cut into the side of the hill, sits with a wooden ladder leaning against the frame. Step inside and find a cool spring, filled with water that tinkles like bells. 

3. Synchronous Fireflies

The synchronized fireflies that come out every year like clockwork might be more science than magic but when you’re sitting among the trees and they begin to spark in unison, flickering in and out of sight, it feels like something otherworldly. This rare phenomenon is only seen in a few places in the world and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them.

4. Elkmont Ghost Town

Once a thriving vacation spot for the Knoxville elite, the Elkmont Ghost Town looks like a legend brought back to life. Recently restored, explore inside the homes and hike trails where you will find the remains of homes once occupied by Appalachian locals who would serve, supply and work in the town. This piece of history is frozen in time and feels like stepping back into the past.

There are many magical places in the Smokies and these are only four of them. Don’t stop here, continue to search for more mystical creatures and sprites living in the trees and hollows. To discover more, stay overnight in the mountains in a log cabin. This cabin is even called Magical Moments, which is exactly what you’ll find when you visit the Smoky Mountains.

Look, there’s two kinds of “shine” in this world - a vaguely psychic power as introduced to us by Stephen King and the kind of “shine” which brings a lot of people to the Smoky Mountains nowadays. You know what we’re talking about: Mountain Dew! White Lightning! Hooch! Blue Ruin!

Moonshine, fellers!

Some years ago, the Smoky Mountains became home to the first legal moonshine distillery in the state and to say it was a big hit really, REALLY undersells it. A lot of the new developments you’ve seen in the Smokies for at least the last half decade can be traced back to the tourism brought in by the now-established spirits industry that came very shortly after. Now you can barely throw a stone in any direction without hitting a distillery (which, yeah, don’t do that - they might explode) and those who have become fans of the many, many kinds of moonshine available in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, as well as those who haven’t been here to check them out at all will find something useful in today’s article where we detail for you where you can get your “shine” on here in the Smokies!

Let’s start:

Ole Smoky Moonshine 

• 903 Parkway Unit 128,
  Gatlinburg, TN 37738
  (865) 436-6995


• 131 The Island Dr #9116,
  Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
  (865) 436-6995


 

www.olesmoky.com

Flavors: Moonshine Cherries, Moonshine Peaches, Harley-Davidson Road House Customs,  Blue Flame, Lemon Drop, Hunch Punch Lightnin', Apple Pie, Pineapple, Mountain Java and more!

Old Forge Distillery 

• 170 Old Mill Ave,
  Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
  (865) 774-4126


 

www.oldforgedistillery.com

Flavors: 1830 Original, 1830 Original Distiller's Blend, 1830 Original Miller's Blend, Chocolate, French Toast, Coffee, Blackberry, Lemon, Apple Pie, Peach, Cinnamon, Vanilla Bean and more!

Tennessee XXX Moonshine 

• 3425 Teaster Ln,
  Sevierville, TN 37863
  (865) 366-3204


 

www.tnxxxmoonshine.com

Flavors: Muscadine, Honey-Do-Me (!!!), Small Batch Corn Whiskey, Apple Pie, Blue Houdini, Small Batch Rye Whiskey, Moonshine Cherries, Coffee, Moonshine Peaches and more!

Smith Creek Moonshine

• 1645 Parkway #1090,
  Sevierville, TN 37862
  (888) 761-5409


 

www.smithcreekmoonshine.com

Flavors: Sweet Tea, Peach, Apple Pie, Chocolate Silk, Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Cream, Lemon Lime, Butter Cake, Ginger Snap and more!

Tennessee Legend Distillery 

• 2874 Newport Hwy,
  Sevierville, TN 37876
  (865) 429-3572


• 870 Winfield Dunn Pkwy,
  Sevierville, TN 37876
  (865) 366-1757


 

www.tennesseelegend.com

Flavors: Apple Pie Moonshine, Blackberry Moonshine, Grape Moonshine, Coffee Moonshine, White Lightning – Tennessee Moonshine, various whiskeys, and creams.

Thunder Road Distillery 

• 3605 Outdoor Sportsman
  Pl, Kodak, TN 37764
  (865) 401-2574


 

www.thunderroaddistillery.com

Flavors: Tennessee Frost, Apple Pie, Autumn Flame, Banana Shine, Blackberry Bramble, Cinnamon Bonfire, Little River Cinnamon, Pumpkin Patch, Red Haven Peach and more.

Sugarlands Distilling Company 

• 805 Parkway,
  Gatlinburg, TN 37738
  (865) 325-1355


 

https://sevierdistilling.com/

Flavors: Silver Cloud Tennessee Sour Mash Jar, Mint Condition Peppermint, Jim Tom Hedrick's Unaged Rye, Mark & Digger's Rye (Apple), Root Beer, Pina Colada, Appalachian Apple Pie and more!

 

These distilleries are spread throughout Sevier County, but the cabins we have at Bear Camp Cabins are convenient to them and practically everything else you want to see in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville! Find the cabin for you at our cabin index page here: FIND A CABIN