Living in Luxury at the Ridge Outdoor Resort

I received discounted lodging at the Ridge Outdoor Resort in exchange for my fair and honest review; all opinions are my own.

Camping… it is a term that usually means pulling a travel trailer or staying in a tent. However, the word has taken on new meaning in the last ten years. Suddenly, glamping (glamour camping) has become a hot trend, and not just with lodging in campers, but in tiny houses and luxury tents as well.

The Ridge Outdoor Resort

On a recent trip to East Tennessee, we enjoyed the luxury of staying at the Ridge Outdoor Resort. Located in Sevierville, it serves the vacation hubs of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

You don’t notice the word RV or campground in the resort’s name because there are so many lodging options available. The campsites are spectacular, but so are the tiny houses, luxury tents, and soon-to-be treehouses. If you are curious about the glamping lifestyle, the Ridge can accommodate. When construction is complete, the Ridge will include 300 campsites and 70 Luxury glamping sites.

Campsites

We stayed in Sunset Circle, and that name was very intentional. Sitting at our campsite, we had the most spectacular view of the sunset every evening.

The campsites at the Ridge are level and spacious. You will love the sidewalks and easy access to all of the amenities.

The lack of internet signal at campsites is a running joke among my camping friends, but the Ridge’s was perfect to our surprise. Each campsite has individual ethernet hookups for the best internet around.

We visited the Ridge during football season in the south. Football games were playing all around the campground. Cable TV hookups are provided at each campsite with over 50 crystal clear channels.

Along with campsites come other lodging options as well.

Luxury Tents

Luxury tent glamping was a new concept for me while visiting the Ridge. I have said for years that I want to live in a camper… now, I may want to live in a tent.

The tent furnishings are stylish. The décor is shabby chic meets camping, and the space-saving furniture is incredible. Whoever was responsible for decorating did a fantastic job.

Each luxury tent includes…

A living area

A kitchen

Two bedrooms

A large bathroom

Luxury Tiny Houses

If you are a glamper who prefers solid walls, check out the tiny houses. I commented to Lucy that they looked like Pottery Barn home models. Each tiny house includes…

A living area

A kitchen

A nice sized bathroom

A bedroom

And spectacular views!

More glamping options are on the way! Whether you have kids or you are a kid at heart, luxury treehouses are in the works!

Indoor Amenities

A resort indicates more than lodging options; it also includes excellent amenities. The Ridge delivers well.

Indoor amenities are located inside the large and spacious clubhouse. They include:

A camp store

A craft/game room

A state of the art fitness center

Event spaces

Plus, the Ridge offers full laundry facilities.

Outdoor Amenities

The zero-entry saltwater pool is fantastic. It is large and has many special features such as chairs that sit directly in the water so that you can relax on hot days. Umbrellas are included to protect you from the sun. The pool is heated, and it is expected to be open during the fall and possibly into the winter.

There is a spacious, above-ground, saltwater hot tub as well.

The bathhouses are the nicest I have seen anywhere. Three to four more bathhouses are in the expansion plans.

The owners did not want the rain to interfere with outdoor fun when designing the Ridge.

The pickleball and basketball courts are located under a large shelter so you can enjoy these activities, rain or shine.

Gaga ball is also available.

A golf cart ramp is available for easy loading and unloading if you bring your golf cart on the trip.  

The playground is new and perfect for kids of all ages.

Location is Everything

At the Ridge, you may want to stay at the campground for the entirety of your trip.

Across the street, there is a charming expresso shop and a frozen yogurt parlor. One evening, we stopped at Sweet Frogs, and the kids customized their favorite frozen yogurt flavors. I took a walk next door to Smoky Mountain Expresso for a late-night caffeine fix with a delightful iced coffee.  

If you are interested in venturing out, the Ridge is in the most optimal of locations.

In Pigeon Forge, it is crowded on the main drag most times of the year. The Ridge is located off Veteran’s Parkway, about two miles from Dollywood and five minutes off the main road. The fact that I can cut down many side roads from Veteran’s and get to any attraction without the primary Parkway traffic is worth its weight in gold (or yogurt)!

How the Ridge Came to Be

Owners Jimbo and Mandy Conner and Mike and Jessica Hale had decades of experience when designing the Ridge. Jimbo owned a local RV resort, River Plantation, for over 27 years. Mike ran River Plantation for 20 years. River Plantation is always booked to capacity (we know, we stayed there in June). The Conners and Hales wanted to expand the RV park by buying another property.  

The property they found was the Gathering Church, constructed in 2008. The Gathering sat vacant from 2013-2018 until the Conners and Hales made their purchase. From their extensive experience at River Plantation, the owners designed the 50 acres by utilizing the previous church as the camp store, workout center, activity rooms, and event center.

The Ridge was purchased in September 2018, and construction began on the campground in December 2018. Their original plan was to build 50 campsites per year until they reach 300. However, in January 2019, Jimbo received an offer from Sun Communities for River Plantation, and the Conners could not refuse.

Although the Conners never intended to sell River Plantation, the final sale occurred in May 2019. This is the same month that the Ridge held its grand opening. Construction is in full force at the back of the property with campsites, luxury tents, tiny houses, and treehouses. Folks, this is glamping at its finest!

Why Luxury?

Many people do not equate the camping lifestyle with luxury, but this is a misnomer. The Conners and Hales knew that there were many campgrounds and RV resorts in the area. However, they had a vision for a luxury resort because there are none in the Eastern Tennessee region. The Ridge Outdoor Resort is more than a camping destination; it is tailored for maximum relaxation and/or adventure.

Whether you are ready for relaxation or adventure, and whether you are a camper or a glamper, the Ridge should be on your travel list! Visit one of the prime vacation destinations in the south while staying at the most luxurious outdoor resort around!

Are you looking to visit the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area? Check out the Ridge Outdoor Resort, and tell them that Brandi sent you!

If you would like to learn more about Pigeon Forge, click here. Are you interested in fantastic family fun while in the area? Click here to learn about joining the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud!

Are you interested in visiting the Ridge Outdoor Resort? We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below!

The Ridge Outdoor Resort, 1250 Middle Creek Road, Sevierville, Tennessee 37876