Smoky Mountain Smash is Now Open at SkyPark in Gatlinburg
For years or decades or maybe even generations, the fare atop the SkyPark in Gatlinburg could best be characterized as OK. It would do in a pinch – or prove useful in the zombie apocalypse. Still, offering a handful of snacks, hot dogs and pizza, it was never what you’d call an Epicurean’s paradise.
But now, SkyPark has upped its dining game. As part of the park’s recently opened Clayton’s Landing is Gatlinburg’s newest mountaintop dining option … Smoky Mountain Smash.
IN THIS ARTICLE
About Smoky Mountain Smash
With Anakeesta in the mountains across the way, SkyPark needed more than its glass-bottomed bridge to compete. Clayton’s Landing and Smoky Mountain Smash are part of the first wave of response. Located across the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America from the SkyDeck, Smoky Mountain Smash is a dining spot with a spacious outdoor patio. It offers spectacular views of the mountains. As the park continues to expand – another SkyBridge is coming from the landing across the gorge to the next mountaintop – Smoky Mountain Smash will be part of the park’s centerpiece.
What’s on the menu?
It’s not complicated. The main fare is the “legendary” Smash Burger – a local fresh beef patty with lettuce, pickled onion, cheddar cheese and a house-made sauce. You can order the Legendary Burger as a single, double or triple. Other burger options include the Smoky Mountain Smash – which is essentially the same but with bacon and a tangy Dijonnaise sauce.
For the more adventurous burger aficionado, the Appalachian Elk is a fresh elk patty with caramelized onions, white cheddar cheese, arugula and a honey mustard sauce. The Moonshiner offers a fresh beef patty and sausage patty with onion rings, arugula, cheddar cheese and a house-made BBQ sauce. Lastly, the Southern Charmer is beef and sausage with onion rings, lettuce, pimento cheese and BBQ sauce.
Non-burger options, however, are scarce. There’s the Southern Fried Chicken Sammie – chicken tenders, onion rings, pimento cheese and lettuce served with BBQ sauce. You can also get an order of tenders. Vegetarian options are also limited. However, there is a plant-based chicken sandwich and sides like fries or onion rings. Smoky Mountain Smash also offers hot chocolate and coffee in the colder months.
About SkyPark Gatlinburg’s evolution
The Gatlinburg SkyPark has roots that reach back to the 1950s. A local innkeeper Rel Maples – a key player in making Gatlinburg what it is today – reached out to a man named Everett Kircher and asked him to build a chairlift on a mountain behind his property. A ski lift was purchased in California, reassembled and moved to Tennessee. It opened to the public in 1954. Today, as the park continues its celebration of its 70th anniversary, there’s a lot more to do on the mountain than back in Rel Maples’ Day.
Today, the SkyLift carries riders up the mountain to the SkyDeck where they can relax by a firepit and enjoy the view. They can also enjoy shopping and snacks at the deck. Additionally, they can walk the SkyTrail and hiking trails or climb Tulip Tower for an even better view.
The SkyDeck is connected to the recently opened Clayton’s Landing via the SkyBridge. The SkyBridge is a massive cable pedestrian bridge hanging 500 feet over a gorge. It features a 30-foot-long glass bottom in the middle. In addition to Smoky Mountain Smash, the Landing offers seating and fire pits to enjoy the mountaintop view. As part of the expansion, Smoky Mountain Sips will offer a walk-up drink bar with an enticing array of beverages both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. Further expansion is planned with another bridge connecting the Landing to the next mountaintop.
Gatlinburg Skypark’s hours, parking and location
Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. In spring and fall, those hours expand to 9 am to 9 pm Sunday through Thursday and 9 am to 10 pm on the weekends. Summer hours are 9 am to 10 pm all week long. The park offers paid parking at 510 River Road, it is not included in the cost of admission. However, park officials note it’s a great spot to fish the Pigeon River.
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Myself and all the locals would like to know: When will the SkyPark offer a Locals pass like Anakeesta does?