Gatlinburg SkyPark — Attraction in Gatlinburg

The SkyPark is novel and pretty, but my family and I were sadly underwhelmed by our experience. As a result, I can't quite justify more than 3 stars.

The facilities are beautiful and well cared for. The bridge is everything it is advertised to be. With that being said, tickets cost at least $35 per person (if you plan in advance and get the discount), but can cost more. This will get you on the lift, which amounts to a ride that lasts about 10 minutes each way. Once you're at the top, the bridge will probably take another 10 minutes. My family and I were really excited for the trail, but found most of it was closed. There was nothing on their website indicating this and our tickets were not discounted for lack of access. So, in all, you're looking at a very steep price for a relatively small amount of fun. We completed the whole park in less than an hour, which was not reflected in the $80 we spent.

They have a very nice sitting area and cafe at the top. The prices here are incredibly steep and so act as more of a con than a pro. They had 1 slice of pizza for sale for $6.00, pre tax. That is insane. Once you're at the top, you can even see the buildings link up to a road that can be driven down to Gatlinburg, so they are getting food up there normally, so I'm not sure how this price is justified.

In addition, they had us take photos at three different places that we had an opportunity to buy. This was expensive as well. They also had a gift shop, which had a huge selection of items at high prices. Albeit, these items did look of high quality, but I didn't find myself wanting or needing a souvenir of my simply okay experience and so it seemed a little desperate and money hungry.

This also doesn't take into account that the facilities have no parking (which is listed on their site). What is not listed is that all reasonably distanced lots are $25, or more, for parking.

With all that being said, my family spent over $100 to enjoy what was essentially a lift ride. While the ride was nice and the bridge was a bonus, it was nothing worth spending this amount of money on. After my experience, I would have much rather invested that time or money in a different activity as it was not a good value. Gatlinburg and Pigeonforge have no shortage of activities which, in comparison, makes this...

Is SkyPark worth it? Absolutely, yes.

Having visited multiple theme parks, I can confidently say this one is worth the trip if you’re in the area. It offers a unique and breathtaking experience, and the highlight of the park is the SkyBridge—a must-see at night, especially during the end-of-the-year light shows. Standing in the middle of the bridge at night, gazing at the city lights, was truly an unforgettable experience. It felt magical and serene, and it’s something I’d highly recommend.

The ride up the mountain on the chair lift was another highlight for us. Having visited Anakeesta as well, I can honestly say I enjoyed the chair lift experience here even more, though both are worth trying! The views from the lift were incredible, both during the day and at night. If you’re someone who appreciates scenic rides, this is one you won’t want to miss.

We didn’t experience long wait times during our visit, which was a huge plus. Both times we went—at sunup and sundown—we walked right in and were on the chair lift almost immediately. However, we did notice that wait times tend to pick up later in the day, particularly around noon. If you want to avoid crowds, I’d recommend going early or later in the evening.

Once at the top, there’s plenty to see and do, but the SkyBridge truly steals the show. It’s such a cool feeling to stand in the middle of the bridge, especially at night, with the lights of the city stretching out beneath you. It’s a perfect spot for photos or just taking a moment to soak in the beauty of the surroundings.

Overall, SkyPark is a unique and magical experience. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend visiting—it’s well worth your time and creates memories you’ll cherish. Whether it’s the chair lift, the SkyBridge, or simply the views, it’s an experience that’s...

I recently visited Gatlinburg Sky Park, and overall, it was a fantastic experience despite a couple of hiccups. The views from the park are absolutely breathtaking—some of the best I’ve seen in the Smoky Mountains. The SkyBridge is an incredible attraction, offering a thrilling walk with stunning panoramic views, especially at sunset. It’s the perfect spot for photos and just soaking in the beauty of the area.

The park itself is well-maintained, with plenty of seating and areas to relax while taking in the scenery. The SkyDeck and SkyCenter are great places to grab a snack and enjoy the views, and the staff throughout the park were friendly and helpful.

However, I did encounter a couple of issues during my visit. The Sky Ranch, which I was really looking forward to, was unfortunately closed with prior notice. While I appreciate the heads-up, it was a bit disappointing since that was one of the highlights I was eager to experience.

Additionally, the wait time to catch the bus back down was much longer than expected. We ended up waiting for nearly two hours, which was a bit frustrating after a long day of exploring the park. It would have been great if there were more frequent shuttles or better communication about the wait times.

Despite these setbacks, Gatlinburg Sky Park is still a must-visit. The overall experience was amazing, and the beauty of the place more than made up for the minor inconveniences. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone visiting the area—just be prepared for some possible delays and plan...