Misty Mountains and Moonshine at Gatlinburg East Smoky Mountain KOA
12-29-2021
Author: in Education
By William Flood
There’s no place quite like the Smoky Mountains. It’s a place of natural beauty, filled with misty mountains, old-growth forests, and awe-inspiring fall colors. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park beckons, to spy bears and bald eagles, to hike, and to fish in crystal-clear springs. You can experience all that splendor at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA which sits right at the park’s edge.
Roots run deep in this part of Tennessee, often going back before the founding of the country. So do its traditions. For park owner Kelly Williamson, those roots extend at least five generations. His great grandparents once lived on a huge tract of land that would eventually become part of the park. Like so many families, in the 1930s, they were relocated outside of the park’s borders when the park was built.
Williamson has many captivating stories to tell about the land that he’s acquired for his ventures, much of it connected to the park. He’d eyed the property that would become his campground since high school. “Nothing had ever been done with it,” he said, adding, “It was full of old-growth trees.” And, he noted, “It borders the national park.”
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park draws millions each year.
After acquiring the land, he began building the park in 2013, concentrating on a facility that could accommodate larger RVs. He explained, “Today’s RVs are often larger. Our park has sites a lot larger than many parks in the area.” By 2015, the park was in business, originally called Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort. It offered 66 sites, a swimming pool, a bathhouse, laundry facilities, and a camp store.
Today, the 16-acre facility is affiliated with KOA and is known as Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday. It’s expanded to 76 full-hookup (50-amp max) sites. Of them, 17 are pull-through. There are 16 patio sites with tables/chairs, grills, and firepits. There are also 4 Super Sites that are designed for large vehicles like motorhomes that might be towing trailers. “We can accommodate big rigs that are pulling a trailer, up to 100 feet combined. They can pull right in and unload their toys right from the site” Williamson said.
Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA is designed with larger vehicles in mind.
Williamson built with an eye towards the guest experience. “We were shooting for a national park feel but with modern conveniences,” he said. Guests can literally walk onto park service trails that are across the road from the campground’s gate.
Onsite, campers will find plenty to enjoy, including a pool, children's play area, corn hole, and disc golf. There are fire pits at each site. Guests can purchase firewood from the camp store and it will be delivered right to their site.
The campground offers an exceptionally nice bathhouse, with individual bathrooms that are reminiscent of those in a hotel. There is also a well-equipped laundry facility. The camp store offers sundries, like RV maintenance items, local souvenirs, and items from the Moonshiners show (more on that later!). Deluxe cabins are also available. Each sleeps 4 in a queen bed and bunk beds; has a full bathroom; and, has a porch swing for relaxing.
The campground is also motorcycle-friendly. The area is known for having some of the best motorcycling routes in the country - including Tail of the Dragon, with 300 curves, listed #1 on the list of Top 100 Routes in Tennessee.
Another of Williamson’s great stories about the land is woven into his formation of Adventure Distilling Company which opened in May 2021.
Long before the Great Smoky Mountain National Park was even conceived, people in the area were making moonshine liquor as a way of earning a living. Of course, in those days, it was illegal. Moonshine gets its name from the bootleggers who dodged the law, making illegal liquor under the light of the moon, hidden away in Smoky Mountain hollers. Then, as now, local streams provided the crystal-clear water needed for the craft. Even after the park opened, moonshining continued within its boundaries because the vast empty expanses provided good camouflage for the illegal activity.
Gatlinburg East’s hometown, Cosby, has a long moonshine history. Legendary moonshiner Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton lived in Cocke County. The area is known as the moonshine capital of the world. Many old-timers can tell you first-hand what it was like to run shine. A few can probably weave tales of trying to outrun the law in hopped-up cars - what would eventually evolve into NASCAR racing. Some of their stories served as inspiration for the 1958 film Thunder Road. As Williamson said in a local interview, "It's a heritage we embrace. There's no shame in it. Your family worked hard and put food on the table.”
Then, in 2010 Tennessee legalized the production, distillation, and sale of the region’s famed “white lightning.” Ole Smoky Distilling in Gatlinburg became the state’s first legal moonshine distillery.
About the same time, the Discovery Channel discovered moonshining. They tapped local shiners Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes to be the faces of the show. The pair called in another moonshining legend, JB Radar, as well as “Moonshine Kelly” Williamson to assist them. Williamson eventually appeared in 12 episodes.
The timing of the show coincided with a surge of interest in craft spirits. Several other legal distilleries quickly formed after the opening of Ole Smoky. Capitalizing on the publicity of the show, and the growing interest in moonshine spirits, Williamson decided to form his own distilling operation,
By fate the land on to his great grandparents had been relocated in the 1930s came around for sale again and Williamson pounced on the chance to purchase it for the distillery. He describes the situation, “Our family has a rich history here in the Cosby area. In the 1920s and 1930s, we were relocated to a property outside of the national park. That land remained in our family until the 1950s, and we picked that land to locate our distillery. In October of 2020 Adventure Distilling Co. was able to purchase this property, returning it to our family after 70 years.
Adventure Distilling Company opened in May of 2021.
The national park is the natural draw to this area. There’s also excitement in Gatlinburg, and activities in nearby Pigeon Forge to enjoy. The area can keep a visitor busy for weeks!
Surprising to many, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. Saved during the Depression by contributions of philanthropists like John D. Rockefeller Jr. and President Franklin Roosevelt, it offers outdoor enthusiasts some of the country’s most amazing vistas and a chance to experience old-growth forests in the country’s oldest mountain range.
Local activities include hiking, fishing, ziplining, and whitewater rafting. Williamson also spearheads an off-road touring company, Smoky Mountain Adventure Tours, that offers 2-hour guided tours in 4-person ATVs.
Take a ride through the enchanting scenery in a 4 seat ATV at Smoky Mountain Adventure Tours.
Whitewater rafting is one of the favorite activities in the area.
Cosby is approximately 20 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg. There, visitors can enjoy live music, dining, and shopping. For the adventurous, there’s ziplining, an aerial tram, and the world’s longest pedestrian sky bridge.
Less than an hour away, visitors can explore Pigeon Forge, home of the popular Dollywood theme park, owned by popular entertainer Dolly Parton, and Splash Country water park.
Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday is located at 4874 Hooper Highway in Cosby, Tennessee.
For more information:
https://koa.com/campgrounds/gatlinburg/
[email protected]
423-532-7183
There’s no place quite like the Smoky Mountains. It’s a place of natural beauty, filled with misty mountains, old-growth forests, and awe-inspiring fall colors. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park beckons, to spy bears and bald eagles, to hike, and to fish in crystal-clear springs. You can experience all that splendor at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA which sits right at the park’s edge.
Roots run deep in this part of Tennessee, often going back before the founding of the country. So do its traditions. For park owner Kelly Williamson, those roots extend at least five generations. His great grandparents once lived on a huge tract of land that would eventually become part of the park. Like so many families, in the 1930s, they were relocated outside of the park’s borders when the park was built.
The Story of Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA
Williamson has many captivating stories to tell about the land that he’s acquired for his ventures, much of it connected to the park. He’d eyed the property that would become his campground since high school. “Nothing had ever been done with it,” he said, adding, “It was full of old-growth trees.” And, he noted, “It borders the national park.”The Great Smoky Mountain National Park draws millions each year.
After acquiring the land, he began building the park in 2013, concentrating on a facility that could accommodate larger RVs. He explained, “Today’s RVs are often larger. Our park has sites a lot larger than many parks in the area.” By 2015, the park was in business, originally called Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort. It offered 66 sites, a swimming pool, a bathhouse, laundry facilities, and a camp store.
Today, the 16-acre facility is affiliated with KOA and is known as Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday. It’s expanded to 76 full-hookup (50-amp max) sites. Of them, 17 are pull-through. There are 16 patio sites with tables/chairs, grills, and firepits. There are also 4 Super Sites that are designed for large vehicles like motorhomes that might be towing trailers. “We can accommodate big rigs that are pulling a trailer, up to 100 feet combined. They can pull right in and unload their toys right from the site” Williamson said.
Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA is designed with larger vehicles in mind.
Williamson built with an eye towards the guest experience. “We were shooting for a national park feel but with modern conveniences,” he said. Guests can literally walk onto park service trails that are across the road from the campground’s gate.
Onsite, campers will find plenty to enjoy, including a pool, children's play area, corn hole, and disc golf. There are fire pits at each site. Guests can purchase firewood from the camp store and it will be delivered right to their site.
The campground offers an exceptionally nice bathhouse, with individual bathrooms that are reminiscent of those in a hotel. There is also a well-equipped laundry facility. The camp store offers sundries, like RV maintenance items, local souvenirs, and items from the Moonshiners show (more on that later!). Deluxe cabins are also available. Each sleeps 4 in a queen bed and bunk beds; has a full bathroom; and, has a porch swing for relaxing.
The campground is also motorcycle-friendly. The area is known for having some of the best motorcycling routes in the country - including Tail of the Dragon, with 300 curves, listed #1 on the list of Top 100 Routes in Tennessee.
Get Your (Moon)Shine on at Adventure Distilling Company
Another of Williamson’s great stories about the land is woven into his formation of Adventure Distilling Company which opened in May 2021.Long before the Great Smoky Mountain National Park was even conceived, people in the area were making moonshine liquor as a way of earning a living. Of course, in those days, it was illegal. Moonshine gets its name from the bootleggers who dodged the law, making illegal liquor under the light of the moon, hidden away in Smoky Mountain hollers. Then, as now, local streams provided the crystal-clear water needed for the craft. Even after the park opened, moonshining continued within its boundaries because the vast empty expanses provided good camouflage for the illegal activity.
Gatlinburg East’s hometown, Cosby, has a long moonshine history. Legendary moonshiner Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton lived in Cocke County. The area is known as the moonshine capital of the world. Many old-timers can tell you first-hand what it was like to run shine. A few can probably weave tales of trying to outrun the law in hopped-up cars - what would eventually evolve into NASCAR racing. Some of their stories served as inspiration for the 1958 film Thunder Road. As Williamson said in a local interview, "It's a heritage we embrace. There's no shame in it. Your family worked hard and put food on the table.”
Then, in 2010 Tennessee legalized the production, distillation, and sale of the region’s famed “white lightning.” Ole Smoky Distilling in Gatlinburg became the state’s first legal moonshine distillery.
About the same time, the Discovery Channel discovered moonshining. They tapped local shiners Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes to be the faces of the show. The pair called in another moonshining legend, JB Radar, as well as “Moonshine Kelly” Williamson to assist them. Williamson eventually appeared in 12 episodes.
The timing of the show coincided with a surge of interest in craft spirits. Several other legal distilleries quickly formed after the opening of Ole Smoky. Capitalizing on the publicity of the show, and the growing interest in moonshine spirits, Williamson decided to form his own distilling operation,
By fate the land on to his great grandparents had been relocated in the 1930s came around for sale again and Williamson pounced on the chance to purchase it for the distillery. He describes the situation, “Our family has a rich history here in the Cosby area. In the 1920s and 1930s, we were relocated to a property outside of the national park. That land remained in our family until the 1950s, and we picked that land to locate our distillery. In October of 2020 Adventure Distilling Co. was able to purchase this property, returning it to our family after 70 years.
Adventure Distilling Company opened in May of 2021.
What to See While in Cosby Tennessee
The national park is the natural draw to this area. There’s also excitement in Gatlinburg, and activities in nearby Pigeon Forge to enjoy. The area can keep a visitor busy for weeks!
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Surprising to many, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. Saved during the Depression by contributions of philanthropists like John D. Rockefeller Jr. and President Franklin Roosevelt, it offers outdoor enthusiasts some of the country’s most amazing vistas and a chance to experience old-growth forests in the country’s oldest mountain range.Local activities include hiking, fishing, ziplining, and whitewater rafting. Williamson also spearheads an off-road touring company, Smoky Mountain Adventure Tours, that offers 2-hour guided tours in 4-person ATVs.
Take a ride through the enchanting scenery in a 4 seat ATV at Smoky Mountain Adventure Tours.
Whitewater rafting is one of the favorite activities in the area.
Gatlinburg
Cosby is approximately 20 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg. There, visitors can enjoy live music, dining, and shopping. For the adventurous, there’s ziplining, an aerial tram, and the world’s longest pedestrian sky bridge.
Pigeon Forge
Less than an hour away, visitors can explore Pigeon Forge, home of the popular Dollywood theme park, owned by popular entertainer Dolly Parton, and Splash Country water park.
The Wild Eagle is just one of the thrill rides at the nearby Dollywood theme park.
For More information
Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday is located at 4874 Hooper Highway in Cosby, Tennessee.For more information:
https://koa.com/campgrounds/gatlinburg/
[email protected]
423-532-7183
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