Below, we’ve answered a few of the questions we get asked the most often. If you don’t see your question here, please get in touch with us at 865-325-2400, ext. 0 or send an email to [email protected]
Plan about 3–5 hours for a relaxed visit (views, Skywalk, gardens, a meal). Add more time if you’re doing the zipline/coasters or staying for Astra Lumina; admission is good all day, so many people return at sunset. Arriving early helps avoid peak lines.
During busy Fall and Winter months, nighttime is the right time to visit Anakeesta. Watch the sunset over downtown Gatlinburg, or cozy up next to a warm firepit, Anakeesta offers a nighttime experience like no other. With adventure around every corner, be sure to visit our operating hours and seasonal events calendar to stay up to date on everything Anakeesta at Night has to offer!
Yes. You can purchase day-of tickets at the Guest Services ticket booth at 576 Parkway. (We also offer on-site AAA/Military/Local discounts at the gate.) Just note that same-day sales can stop early depending on season and weather.
When Anakeesta stops selling tickets is determined by a number of factors, including weather and season, and may change daily. Daily hours of operation can be found on our online calendar.
Groups of all sizes will enjoy our casual dining options and quaint shopping in our whimsically themed Firefly Village. If you have a group of 20 or more, allow Anakeesta to take you back into a simpler time and rediscover the Magic in the Mountains. Family Reunions, Churches, Team Building, Corporate, Tour/Travel, Youth, School, Weddings, and Associations are all welcome here at Anakeesta. Please get in touch with us directly at 865-325-2400 or [email protected] to discuss group pricing and logistics or fill out our groups form here.
On busy days, we may pause or stop day-of ticket sales when the park reaches capacity, so buying online in advance is smart—especially for peak seasons (summer, fall foliage, holidays) and for add-ons with limited spots like Astra Lumina (timed entry) or the Dueling Zipline (reservations encouraged).
GENERAL ADMISSION: General admission passes purchased day of at Guest Services window cannot be refunded. In the event of a severe weather incident and the park is closed, pre-purchased tickets will remain valid for 1 year from date of purchase.
RAIL RUNNER MOUNTAIN COASTER: Anakeesta will issue a voucher or refund for Rail Runner tickets if operations are suspended for weather or maintenance.
DUELING ZIPLINE ADVENTURE: Anakeesta will issue a voucher or refund for Dueling Zipline Adventure passes if operations are suspended for weather or maintenance. If you miss your scheduled tour time we will not issue a refund, we will attempt to reschedule, the day of, for a zip tour based on availability.
ASTRA LUMINA: Anakeesta will issue a voucher or refund for Astra Lumina passes if operations are suspended for weather or maintenance. If you miss your scheduled tour time we will not issue a refund, we will attempt to reschedule based on availability.
RETAIL RETURN POLICY:
• All retail returns and exchanges must be made within 60 days of purchase.
• All items must be in original condition.
• A valid receipt is required for all returns and exchanges.
• All sale and consumable items are final sale and cannot be returned.
PHOTO RETURN POLICY: All photo sales are final, photo products cannot be returned or refunded.
Become an Anakeesta VIP and discover the best way to enjoy your family vacation in Gatlinburg, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Every VIP receives one FREE buddy pass, 20% off all shopping and dining (excludes alcohol) and unlimited access to the Gondola Lane.
Upgrade the day you visit and your general admission will be applied to the cost of your Annual Pass.
For online purchases visit our website here and then redeem the barcode that is emailed to you for the physical card once you visit our Guest Services booth At 576 Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN.
*3 and under are free, prices do not include tax. No other discounts can be combined including but not limited to AAA, Military, and Local.
No. Guests park in nearby city/adjacent lots along the Parkway and then ride the Gondola (open-air chair or enclosed cabin) or the Ridge Rambler guided vehicle from 576 Parkway up to the summit. Please note: Anakeesta does not provide parking.
On-site paid at “Parkway Parking” (not an Anakeesta owned parking lot) allows guests convenient access before embarking on the Gondola ride to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain.
Guests can also find nearby parking at two City parking garages, one across the street at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and the other at Traffic Light #3, the McMahan Parking Garage.
Anakeesta does not offer guest parking. There are however several public parking lots and City parking garages nearby. All have handicapped parking available.
East Tennessee is subject to many different types of weather conditions. Anakeesta is an outdoor theme park and many of our rides and activities are designed to operate safely in a variety of weather conditions including rain, snow and light winds. We closely monitor weather conditions at all times and for the safety of our guests and staff, we may suspend operations during periods of inclement weather.
In the event that rides are closed for more than one hour due to inclement weather and the guest has already accessed the park, Anakeesta will issue a rainy-day voucher for a return trip to the park. Rainy day vouchers will expire 1 year from date of issue. Guest must present proof of purchase on the same day as the weather event at the ticket booth located at 576 Parkway to receive rainy day voucher.
In the event of a severe weather incident and the park is closed, pre-purchased tickets will remain valid for 1 year from date of purchase.
Anakeesta reserves the right to change this policy without prior notice. Some restrictions apply.
RESTRICTIONS:
Guests that have been in the park for more than 3 hours
Annual Pass holders
Complimentary ticket holders
Guests who leave without exchanging their ticket on the day of their original visit
Please call us at (865) 325-2400 Ext. 0 for current operating hours and ticketing information.
Anakeesta is open on Thanksgiving and closed on Christmas Day; Christmas Eve usually has shortened hours. Always verify the specific year’s schedule on the Hours page.
While many parts of Anakeesta are wheelchair accessible like our Firefly Village shops, dining pavilion, Black Bear Village, and scenic viewing platforms, there are some areas that are not accessible by wheelchair or stroller such as the Treetop Skywalk, Astra Lumina and AnaVista Tower.
However, our Gondola cabins are 31″ wide and 44″ deep to accommodate both wheelchairs and strollers for your ride to the summit.
Anakeesta does not allow pets. However, ADA certified service animals are permitted. Please notify our staff when purchasing your ticket if you will be accompanied by a service animal.
We have certified professionals ready to help if First Aid assistance is needed. Find help at the Information Booth on Anakeesta Mountain located inside our Firefly Village. First Aid assistance can also be found in other buildings throughout the park. Please ask an Anakeesta employee for assistance.
Anakeesta’s Treetop Skywalk is an exciting way to experience a bird’s eye view from the trees. Please respect the trees, they are alive and allowing you to visit their canopy. You will be walking on bridges that sway and move. you will be required to walk up and down stairs, and uneven surfaces. If you are unable to perform these tasks, then please do not walk on the skywalk. After the second bridge, the Treetop Skywalk is a one-way loop. There are a total of 16 bridges in the Treetop Skywalk and 14 viewing platforms. The following are our rules; have fun and be safe.
Use at your own risk
Hold onto the railing at all times
All participants must be able to walk without assistance
No carrying of children permitted
No climbing, sitting, or leaning over railings
Secure loose items
No food, or beverages on Treetop Skywalk
No passing on skywalk
No more than 8 people on any skybridge
Respect the trees. Do not peel, mark or harm the trees
No running, jumping, bouncing or swaying on the skywalk
Astra Lumina is a nighttime forest walk with immersive light, projection, and music. Expect to spend ~45–60 minutes enjoying the ¾ mile walk. Astra Lumina begins 30 minutes after sunset at the summit. You’ll need general admission plus a separate timed-entry ticket.
On the mountain you’ll find sit-down and quick options, including Clifftop (modern American with the best views around), Smokehouse BBQ, Kephart Café (flatbreads, hot dogs), Cloud 9 Café & Bakery, plus drink spots like Tap House and The Bar at the Top of the World. Check out all of our dining options here.
We use reasonable efforts in our food preparation and handling procedures to avoid introducing the most common allergens into our menu offerings. While we take steps to prevent cross-contact, we do not have separate allergy-friendly kitchens and are unable to guarantee that a menu item is completely free of allergens.
Allergy-friendly ingredients are reliant on supplier labels, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the contents of each food item. Allergen advisory statements (e.g., “may contain”) are not regulated and therefore not taken into consideration when developing allergy-friendly meals. It is ultimately up to your discretion to make an informed choice based upon your individual dietary needs.
Please refer to the attached PDF to learn more about our offerings at Cliff Top and Smokehouse.
Did you leave without your picture?! If you would like to inquire about purchasing a photo after you have left Anakeesta please scan the QR code below with your mobile device and launch your photo experience.
Photos are available for purchase 30 days after your visit to Anakeesta.
Shops are clustered in Firefly Village, Stone Village, and Black Bear Village—look for Adventure Outpost, The Mercantile, Catching Fireflies, Fur Trader (the largest shop), and more. There’s also Great Outdoors Trading Company on the Parkway that you can visit without park admission.
• All retail returns and exchanges must be made within 60 days of purchase.
• All items must be in original condition.
• A valid receipt is required for all returns and exchanges.
• All sale and consumable items are final sale and cannot be returned.
Our theme park map is available for you to download below and print at your convenience or view larger. You can also view it while in the park on your mobile device via our website.
Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park in Gatlinburg, TN with views, treetop bridges, gardens, family attractions, dining, and seasonal events. You ride the Gondola or Ridge Rambler from 576 Parkway to reach the summit.
Anakeesta is perched around 2,000 feet in elevation, giving you sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains. To get there, you’ll ride the Gondola, which takes you more than 600 feet above the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg on your way up the mountain.
Anakeesta is a Cherokee Indian word meaning “Place of the Balsams” or a place of high ground.
Anakeesta rock was formed over 200 million years ago and is mostly slate. You can see Anakeesta rock high above Gatlinburg at Chimney Tops, Charlie’s Bunion and Mount Kephart in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Anakeesta is currently looking for energetic, enthusiastic individuals to join our team. We offer many benefits such as free parking and reciprocal agreements with over 20 other local attractions. Full-time employees are eligible for PTO, health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Yes, absolutely. If you love Smoky Mountain views, light adventure, and an easy, family-friendly day outside, Anakeesta delivers.
General admission includes AnaVista Tower, the Treetop Skywalk, Vista Gardens, TreeVenture, Treehouse Adventure, BirdVenture, and unlimited rides up and down the mountain. Extra activities like the Dueling Zipline, mountain coasters, and Astra Lumina are available for an additional cost. Many guests highlight the views, treetop walk, and evening experiences as the parts that make their visit memorable.
Daniel Laine is our staff Arborist. He has a degree in Forestry from Va Tech and has 20 years of experience in the tree care industry and 22 years as a member of the United States Army Reserves. He is a Certified Arborist, a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional, and has an Applicator’s Certification by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. He regularly attends seminars and conferences to stay on the cutting edge of Arboriculture and to maintain his certifications. Over the course of his career, he has held the position of Tree Climber, Tree Crew Foreman, Integrated Pest Management Specialist, Sales Arborist, Safety Manager, and General Manager for some of the top tree care companies in Tennessee. He has partnered with regional universities to create internship programs and helped establish, and taught for two semesters, the tree climbing portion of the Urban Forestry class at the University of Tennessee. He has participated for seven years in the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council’s Tree Climbing Competition as both a competitor and a judge. He is highly skilled in multiple methods of rope and saddle tree climbing, rope and rigging techniques. He uses advanced tree felling techniques that employ multiple levels of safety back-ups to ensure that any tree removal operations are done in a safe and precise manner. His knowledge of insect and disease issues along with his professional approach to tree care have been instrumental in the continual recovery from the Gatlinburg wild fires and ensuring the health of our trees for future generations.
