East Sevierville/Douglas Lake Area Attractions
THINGS TO DO NEAR HUNKERDOWN HOLLOW
Adventures within 45 minutes of Douglas Lake
ONLY IN THIS CORNER OF TENNESSEE
English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill ⭐ 4.8/5
291 Blowing Cave Rd, Sevierville • ~13 miles • ~20 minutes Located just up the road from Forbidden Caverns on Blowing Cave Road, their slogan "You Hook 'Em, We Cook 'Em" proves true — you start dinner by catching rainbow trout in their spring-fed pond. Once you've secured your dinner, the friendly staff takes them to the kitchen while you head inside to decide how you want your trout prepared: fried, lemon peppered, or blackened. Featured on Guy Fieri's All-American Road Trip on Food Network. Also offers gem mining on site. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm. A true local gem that most tourists never find.
Forbidden Caverns ⭐ 4.4/5 (1,368 reviews)
455 Blowing Cave Rd, Sevierville • ~15 miles • ~22 minutes One of the most popular attractions in Sevier County, the Forbidden Caverns are large underground caves that stretch a half-mile right into English Mountain. Visitors can take a guided, walking tour through the caves and view different formations including onyx, stalactites and stalagmites, streams and grottos. Tours are about one hour long and include special lighting and sound effects. In the early twentieth century, these caverns were used to make moonshine. Adults $25, children 5–12 $15, under 5 free. Open April through November. A constant 58°F inside — bring a light jacket.
Bush's Beans Visitor Center & Café — FREE admission
3901 US-411, Chestnut Hill, TN • ~8 miles • ~15 minutes Nestled in the foothills of the Smokies in Chestnut Hill, Tennessee, the Bush's Visitor Center is a fascinating journey into America's favorite canned bean brand. Located in the Bush family's original general store from 1911, the visitor center is an educational and entertaining stop for the whole family. The experience includes a history museum filled with interactive games and displays and videos highlighting how Bush's Beans are sourced and made. You can also shop loads of beautiful bean merch in the gift shop and enjoy lunch at the café filled with tasty foods. Admission is completely free. Museum and store open Monday–Saturday 9am–4pm, café opens at 11am.
Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo ⭐ 98% recommend (4,600+ reviews)
478 Happy Hollow Ln, Sevierville • ~18 miles • ~25 minutes You'll do more than just pet the deer — you're invited to walk among them and hand-feed these delicate animals. Your family will have a blast interacting with camels, zebra, goats, reindeer, Rocky Mountain Elk, emu, Fallow and Sika deer, miniature horses, Continental Giant rabbits, ostriches, Highland cattle, donkeys, zonkies, and so much more! Horseback riding and pony rides also available. Open 7 days a week 10am–5:30pm, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Get there before 4pm — last tickets sold at 4pm.
Tennessee Legend Distillery ⭐ 5.0/5 (1,464 reviews)
2874 Newport Hwy, Sevierville (closest location) • ~14 miles • ~22 minutes Tennessee Legend Distillery is more than just another moonshine stop — skillfully producing a full line of spirits, shines, whiskeys, and cream liqueurs that represent bold mountain flavor at its finest. Free tastings daily — from award-winning White Lightning moonshine to silky smooth Salted Caramel whiskey. Family-friendly atmosphere with a full gift shop. Newport Hwy location open daily noon–8pm. Second Sevierville location on Winfield Dunn Pkwy (~20 miles, ~28 minutes) open until 10pm Fri/Sat. Must be 21 to taste.
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant & Grill
240 Apple Valley Rd, Sevierville • ~22 miles • ~30 minutes Applewood Farmhouse holds the title as the oldest restaurant in Sevierville. Each meal begins with a signature touch — freshly made apple fritters served piping hot, accompanied by homemade apple butter and Applewood's signature julep. The Apple Barn campus also includes a Cider Bar, Hard Cider Company, Candy Factory, General Store, Winery, Creamery, and Christmas and Candle Shop. Two restaurants side by side — if there's a wait at one, walk to the other. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily.
ARTS, CULTURE & UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Parrot Mountain & Gardens
1471 McCarter Hollow Rd, Pigeon Forge • ~26 miles • ~35 minutes Situated about 5 miles northeast of downtown Pigeon Forge, this attraction features 4 acres of landscaped gardens and is home to hundreds of tropical birds. Types of birds you might come across include toucans, magpies, macaws, cockatoos and parrots. You'll have the opportunity to hold and feed some of the birds and take photos with them as well. Located next to Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country, Parrot Mountain & Gardens is a hidden gem in the Smoky Mountain hills. Open daily 10am–6pm, March through October. Plan 2–4 hours.
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community — Gatlinburg
Highway 321 North, Gatlinburg • ~28 miles • ~40 minutes The Arts and Crafts Community spans an 8-mile loop, features over 100 artists and craftsmen, and is home to one of the largest groups of independent artisans in all of North America. There are artists who paint mountain scenery, some who maintain lost skills such as hand-woven baskets, brooms, and quilting, and items perfect for travelers to pick up as gifts such as hand-crafted dolls, finely made ceramics, and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Most shops open 10am–5pm daily, year round. The Gatlinburg Trolley serves the loop and is completely free.
THE BIG NAMES
Dollywood — ~24 miles • ~35 minutes
America's most visited privately-owned theme park. World-class roller coasters, live entertainment, and Dolly Parton's own extraordinary story woven through every corner. Reserve tickets online well in advance during peak season.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park — ~30 miles • ~45 minutes
The most visited national park in America — and free to enter. Hiking for every fitness level, wildlife viewing (black bears, elk, deer), historic Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome with 360° summit views. Go early — parking fills by mid-morning in summer.
Gatlinburg — ~28 miles • ~40 minutes
The gateway to the Smokies. Moonshine distilleries, the SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America), Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, the Space Needle observation tower, and more restaurants per square mile than almost anywhere in Tennessee.
ON THE WATER
Smoky Mountain H2O Sports — Boat & Jet Ski Rentals
1955 Chestnut Hill Rd, Dandridge, TN
A family-owned team serving Douglas Lake for over 35 years, combining premium equipment, local knowledge, and friendly service for an unforgettable day on the water. Their fleet includes pontoons, tritoons, and waverunners — perfect for cruising, tubing, fishing, or just exploring the lake. No boating license required, and they provide a simple safety course at check-in. Jet ski rentals are launched from a beach rather than a busy ramp or dock, and 2-hour rentals mean you stay out your whole time while they handle the refueling. Open daily mid-March through mid-October. Reservations recommended, especially for larger groups.
📞 (865) 484-9026 • smokymountainh2osports.com
Wagner's Bait and Tackle
1223 Fisherman Way, Sevierville, TN
A true neighborhood bait shop — if you're a customer, you're family. Stop in for live bait, tackle, and local know-how before you head out to try your luck on Douglas Lake, one of the top-rated lakes in the country for crappie and largemouth bass.
📞 (865) 369-7712
A LOCAL TIP FROM US
English Mountain Trout Farm, Forbidden Caverns, and Bush's Beans are all within a few miles of each other on Blowing Cave Road and US-411 — heading in the same direction from Hunkerdown Hollow. String all three together for a perfect half-day loop that most tourists never find. Add a stop at Tennessee Legend Distillery on the way and you've got a full day of authentic East Tennessee that no travel guide will tell you about. You're welcome. 🤙
Local Area Lodging
NEARBY LODGING ON DOUGLAS LAKE
Prefer to stay closer to the water? These local partners are right in the neighborhood.
WYLDSTAY Smoky Mountains
Sevierville, TN • Kayaking distance across the water
A one-of-a-kind luxury retreat where the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains meets ultimate lakeside relaxation, set on 11 peaceful acres along the shores of Douglas Lake. Each safari-style tent is thoughtfully designed with a queen-size bed, premium linens, en-suite bathroom, and modern comforts. Choose the 1-room tent for two or the family-style tent with a separate back space for up to four. Close enough to paddle over and say hello — WYLDSTAY guests are within easy kayaking distance of Hunkerdown Hollow.
Smoky Mountain Lake, LLC
Gator Point • Cabins on the peninsula next to us
The family started Gator Point Marina in the mid-1980s, running it for close to 30 years, and the overnight rental business grew from the addition of cabins on Gator Point in 1995. Right on the peninsula beside Hunkerdown Hollow, their cabins offer classic Douglas Lake charm with private docks and easy lake access — up to 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms across the property, with 4 private docks plus a 5th seasonal dock at the boat launch. A true neighbor on the water.
Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort & Marina
Dandridge, TN • Directly across the lake
Home of Cowboys Bar and Grill, the Happiest Place on Douglas, this amazing collection of rental abodes has breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains, offering villas, cabins, and a luxury lake house, as well as a full service marina. Stroll lakeside with sunrise and sunset views daily, and stay across the lake from us at our favorite place to hang out on Douglas!
Next Door at the Lakeview Oasis
Our neighbors have a beautiful lodging option that gets you as close to Hunkerdown Hollow as possible without staying on the farm. A perfect spot to relax, and then stroll over for a lesson!