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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Kodak
Spend a half‑day in Kodak to see Douglas Lake and the Sevier County Fairgrounds, then head to nearby Pigeon Forge for more activities.
Kodak is a tiny community in Sevier County, Tennessee, best used as a quick stop for lake views and fairground events before exploring the larger tourist hubs of Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $70–110 excl. bed · Mid $110–170 excl. bed · High $170+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911 · Sevier County Sheriff (non-emergency) 865-453-4668 · Poison Control 800-222-1222
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | $2–4 |
| Fast-food meal | $6–10 |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.20–3.80 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TYS · McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville)
- about 45 km (28 mi) north, 45‑min driveabout 28 mi (45 km) north, 45‑min drive
Typical fares
- Car rental (compact, 1 day)
- about $55, insurance extra
- Taxi Kodak → Pigeon Forge (about 15 km)
- $30–45
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is essential; the area has limited public transit. Use a rental or rideshare for short trips to the lake or nearby towns.
See and do
Known for
- Douglas Lake
- Sevier County Fairgrounds
- proximity to Pigeon Forge
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Forge | Drive south on US‑321, about 15 km (9.3 mi), 20 minDrive south on US‑321, about 9.3 mi (15 km), 20 min | ≈30 min round‑trip |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Cades Cove) | Drive west on TN‑66, about 45 km (28 mi), 45 minDrive west on TN‑66, about 28 mi (45 km), 45 min | ≈1 h 30 min |
| Sevierville | Drive north on US‑411, about 12 km (7.5 mi), 15 minDrive north on US‑411, about 7.5 mi (12 km), 15 min | ≈30 min |
Sleep
- Comfort Suites
- Minutes from Douglas Lake, Sevier County Fairgrounds
- Ramada Limited Kodak / Pigeon Forge Area
- Close to Winfield Dunn Pkwy, convenient for Pigeon Forge trips
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Howdyhow-dee |
| Thank you | Thanksthanks |
| Where is the restroom? | Restroom?restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Winter weather can make lake roads icy; check conditions before driving.
- Summer weekends bring heavy traffic on US‑321 to Pigeon Forge.
Kodak is low‑risk; typical rural safety applies – watch for wildlife on roads and keep valuables secure at the lake.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kodak yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Douglas Lake
- Sevier County Fairgrounds
- proximity to Pigeon Forge
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata — Kodak, Tennessee: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3469109
- Tennessee Department of Tourist Development: www.tnvacation.com/
- Wikivoyage: Kodak, revision 3699729 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3699729
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Kodak
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Sevier County Sheriff (non-emergency)865-453-4668
- Poison Control800-222-1222
US consular services are in Knoxville (check address).
Kodak is unincorporated Sevier County; the sheriff's office covers it.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/kodak). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.