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Escapees Smoky Mountains Hangout

King's Holly Haven RV Park • Pigeon Forge, TN • October 28-November 4, 2019

This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!

Bask in the fall colors of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

In late October to early November, the colors of autumn reach their peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During this seven-day Escapees Hangout, you’ll have numerous opportunities to enjoy nature’s show: from a naturalist-guided half-day “Fall Color Quest” hike on a portion of the Appalachian Trail (included with your registration), to biking and hiking in scenic Cade’s Cove, to driving the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, to challenging yourself on a hike to one of the park’s many waterfalls, to taking in the panoramic view from the Clingmans Dome observation tower.

Newfound Gap Fall Color
Experienced naturalist guides will lead us on a hike high into the Smokies to view colorful areas such as Newfound Gap.
Biking in Cade's Cove at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We'll have the option to bike the 11 mile loop in scenic Cade's Cove while the road is closed to vehicles (bike rental available) before we explore the area on foot.
Young woman behind Grotto Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
A 2.6 mile roundtrip hike on the Trillium Gap Trail will bring us to Grotto Falls, one of dozens of waterfalls in the park.
Appalachian Trail sign in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Part of our guided hike will be on a section of the famous Appalachian Trail.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
The narrow and winding Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings in the National Park.
Clingman's Dome
The observation tower atop 6,643' high Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond.

Other adventures and activities

We’ll have plenty of adventure outside the National Park as well. Ziplining through the forest canopy and over waterfalls? Check. Riding a mountain coaster down a thrilling, winding course? Yep. An underground caverns tour? That too. How about a five-hour Moonshine & Wine tour? Of course! And on October 31, don your most creative costume for our Halloween potluck dinner and party.

Zipline
Take a two-hour zip line tour--or try a 55 mph ride on a half-mile-long zip line, 475 feet above the Little Pigeon river.
Smoky Mountains Hangout (SOLD OUT/waiting list) 1
Coast down the mountain in a car you control, riding on a specially-designed silent track, in this unique thrill ride.
Tuckaleechee Caverns
Tuckaleechee Caverns, the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies”, were formed 20 to 30 million years ago.
Ole Smoky Moonshine tasting sign
Sample the wares at eight of the area's top distilleries and wineries on our five-hour Moonshine & Wine Tour.

Moonshine & Wine Tour (optional, separate ticket required)

Tennessee is nearly synonymous with the once taboo liquor known as “moonshine”. On our optional Moonshine & Wine Tour, voted one of the top 10 things to do in Pigeon Forge for fun and originality, we will learn about moonshine’s history in the Tennessee mountains and the part the ‘shiners played during Prohibition. And of course, we’ll get to taste the modern version at four of the area’s top moonshine distilleries, with flavors ranging from the hard hitting traditional corn mash to sweet varieties like apple pie and strawberry shortcake.

Those who appreciate the more refined taste of wine know that the mountains and rich soil of East Tennessee produce some of the sweetest grapes and unique flavors. Our tour will also visit four of the best wineries in Sevier County, where we’ll see inside the wine cellars and taste some of their quality vintages.

The tour lasts five hours and includes bus transportation from the campground to all the distilleries and wineries and back. (No driving today!) You must be at least 21 years old to participate in the tour, and ID will be required at each of the stops.

Because we’ve arranged a special discounted group rate for this tour, you must purchase tickets for it in advance. Tickets are $42 per person and can be ordered and paid for at the time you register for the Hangout. Or if you’ve already registered, you can add tour tickets to your existing registration.

Hangout location

King's Holly Haven RV ParkOur campground for the Smoky Mountains Hangout will be King’s Holly Haven RV Park, located on Walden’s Creek at the foot of Wears Mountain, on the north end of the town of Pigeon Forge.  

All of the sites are big-rig friendly and have water, electric, sewer and cable TV connections. A limited number of sites with 50 amp service are available. There are two bathhouses and two laundry facilities on the property. We’ll also have a covered pavilion for our activities in the park.

Schedule

Monday 10/28

Arrive at King’s Holly Haven RV Park

Evening welcome campfire & introductions

Tuesday 10/29

9:00 am-2:00 pm: Fall Color Quest naturalist-guided hike in GSMNP

Clingmans Dome Observation Tower in GSMNP

Wednesday 10/30

Day trip to Cade’s Cove in GSMNP for biking and hiking (11-mile loop road open only for cyclists until 11:00 am)

Thursday 10/31

Ziplining at Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park

Evening: Halloween potluck dinner & party

Friday 11/1

11:45 am-5:00 pm: Moonshine and Wine Tour (buses pick up at campground)

Saturday 11/2

Day trip to Townsend and Tuckaleechee Caverns

Evening: Townsend Grains & Grits Festival (optional)

Monday 11/4

GTHOH donut breakfast

Departure

Registration includes:

  • 7 nights in a full hookup RV site
  • Welcome campfire
  • Naturalist-guided Fall Color Quest hike
  • Halloween party
  • Local sightseeing
  • Social activities
  • GTHO departure day breakfast
  • Hangout hosts

Separate ticket: Moonshine & Wine Tour ($42/person)

Optional activities (additional fees will apply): National Park admission, zip lining, mountain coaster, caverns tour, bike rental

By attending this event, you are agreeing to the following: As an attendee, you assume all risk and danger relating to your personal property, RV and attendance at the Hangout, whether occurring prior to, during or after the event. In the event of loss or theft, no claim will be made upon Escapees, its volunteers, employees or agents. Volunteers may be directing and assisting you in your parking areas. However, it is the driver of the vehicle who is ultimately responsible for avoiding obstacles or dangerous situations, and is solely responsible for any damage to one’s property or the property of others. As an attendee at this event, you are granting your permission to be filmed, videotaped, audiotaped, or photographed, and granting to Escapees RV Club the full use of any such recordings or images without compensation.

How to register

There are two ways to register and pay: by phone or online.

  • To register by phone, call Escapees Member Services at (936) 327-8873‬ and ask for “Hangouts Registration”.
  • To register online, click the button below and follow the instructions on your screen.

We’re sorry, but this Hangout is currently sold out. If you’d still like to attend, please join the waiting list. We’ll notify you if a spot opens up.

After you register

Watch for an email from registration@escapees.com for a confirmation of your registration. If you don’t receive it, call (936) 327-8873‬ and ask for Hangouts Registration to be sure that your registration was processed correctly. 

Important: as soon as you register, please join the Escapees Smoky Mountains Hangout group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TNhangout/). We will use this group to communicate with Hangout attendees before and during the event. You may also receive one or more emails before the Hangout with more information as needed.

Cancellations

If you cancel on or before August 29, 2019, your registration fee and Moonshine & Wine Tour tickets, if any, will be refunded in full.

If you cancel after August 29 but on or before October 12, 2019, you will receive a refund of your Hangout registration fee minus a $50 cancellation fee. Moonshine & Wine Tour tickets are non-refundable after August 29. 

There will be no refunds for cancellations received after October 12, 2019.

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