Anakeesta: A Mountaintop Story of Family, Resilience, and Wonder
The name Anakeesta comes from the Cherokee word for “place of high ground,” and it fits in more ways than one. When Bob and Karen Bentz purchased over 55 acres of forest land in 2014, they weren’t just buying property. They were shaping a dream: to create a mountaintop sanctuary where families could step out of the bustle of Gatlinburg and into a space where nature, adventure, and togetherness take center stage.
Bob’s decades of experience in landscape architecture gave him the tools, but it was the couple’s shared love for family and community that fueled the vision. They wanted more than rides. They wanted connection.
🔥 Rising After the Fire
Then came the wildfires of November 2016. Flames swept across more than 17,000 acres, leaving scars on the mountains and heartbreak in the town below. For many, it felt like the Smokies might never recover.
But Bob and Karen saw something different: resilience. They chose not to erase the fire’s memory but to weave it into the park’s identity. Charred tree trunks were left standing as silent reminders, trails were carved through recovering forests, and Anakeesta became a place where families could witness not just beauty, but rebirth.
🏗 Building the Dream
By September 2017, after a $47 million investment and countless challenges — windstorms, rocky soil, even bears wandering into work zones — Anakeesta opened its gates. Builders like Beanstalk Builders and CLIMBWorks helped bring the vision to life with whimsical treehouses, bridges, and ziplines.
The ride to the top was designed to be part of the magic. Families could choose the Chondola, a hybrid gondola with enclosed cabins and open-air chairs, or ride the rugged Ridge Rambler trucks. Either way, the journey became the first step into wonder.
Adventures Among the Trees
From its opening, Anakeesta offered families a blend of thrills and calm:
🌲 Treetop Skywalk — 880 feet of hanging bridges swaying gently between the trees, where kids cling to their parents’ hands and laugh at the thrill.
🏔 AnaVista Tower — Gatlinburg’s highest point, where 360° views stretch for miles and generations stand together in awe.
🏔 Rail Runner Coaster — a single-rail mountain coaster that winds down the slope, thrilling kids while moms cheer from the sidelines.
🌌 Astra Lumina — a nighttime forest glowing with light and music, turning a simple walk into a memory under the stars.
Play zones — BirdVenture slides and treehouse villages that let kids explore while parents rest nearby.
Every feature was designed to keep families together, not split apart into “big kids vs. little kids.” That’s why moms call Anakeesta one of the most manageable, joyful experiences in the Smokies.
🧡 The Owners’ Touch
What sets Anakeesta apart is that its owners are not distant investors — they’re present. Karen has been seen helping children with sand art, chatting with parents, and making sure guests feel welcomed. Bob continues to guide the expansions, ensuring every new addition honors the mountain’s story.
That personal touch is why Anakeesta feels less like a park and more like an invitation.
✨ Expanding the Story
2020: Growing with Care
In 2020, Anakeesta invested $6.5 million in thoughtful new features: the AnaVista Tower, Gatlinburg’s highest public overlook; new gardens and shaded seating; a splash pad and play areas for kids; and more dining and retail choices, including a Tap House with mountaintop views. It was expansion not for the sake of size, but for the sake of families — more places to rest, relax, and make memories together.
2022: A Bold Leap Forward
In 2022, Anakeesta announced its largest expansion yet — a $34 million multi-phase project. It included the dazzling Astra Lumina nighttime forest walk, a second mountain coaster named Hellbender, and the whimsical BirdVenture play zone. Plans also introduced a European-inspired “Stone Village,” new shops and dining (including Mimi’s Bakery), and interactive gardens with waterfalls and caves.
Together, these expansions doubled the size of the guest experience. They showed that Anakeesta wasn’t content to rest on its success — it was committed to giving families new reasons to come back, year after year.
📅 Visitor Tips
🎟 Tickets: Adults $34–$38, kids (4–11) $23–$26, under 3 free. Special events like Astra Lumina may require separate tickets.
🚘 Parking: Park in downtown Gatlinburg (lots usually $10–$20). From there, board the Chondola or Ridge Rambler.
⏰ Best times: Mornings are quieter, with cooler air and fewer crowds. Evenings are magical — Astra Lumina lights up the forest.
👨👩👧 Tips for Families: Buy tickets online to save time. Enclosed Chondola cabins are perfect for little ones. Dress in layers — it’s often 10° cooler at the summit. Plan at least 3–4 hours to fully explore.
A Living Legacy
In just a few years, Anakeesta has grown from vision to landmark. It honors the Cherokee word “high ground,” the scars of wildfire, and the love of two owners who wanted to give back to the Smokies.
Families don’t just leave with photos — they leave with stories: a child conquering the skywalk, a teenager racing down the coaster, a grandmother gazing from AnaVista Tower. Anakeesta isn’t about thrills alone. It’s about the moments in between, the laughter, the awe, the togetherness.
🏡 Where to Stay: Bearfoot Bliss
Every adventure needs a home base. For families, that’s Bearfoot Bliss — a spacious cabin in Pigeon Forge with room for 14, a private indoor pool, theater, hot tub, and panoramic mountain views. Parents can relax while kids swim, watch movies, or hang out in the neon lounge. Coming back here isn’t the end of the day — it’s part of the vacation fun.
From penguins to parrots, pancake stacks to magical treetop sunsets, the Smokies are a playground for kids beyond Dollywood and hiking trails. Pair these adventures with evenings at Bearfoot Bliss — your pool, theater, hot tub, and mountain views — and your family vacation will be as unforgettable as the Smokies themselves.
