Modern Cabin Rentals in the
Great Smoky Mountains
Our cabins
Four modern cabins in Sevierville and Wears Valley, each one chosen for its view of the Smokies. Hot tubs, fireplaces, game rooms and wide decks come standard.
Day Trips
Best day trips from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Cataloochee Valley
Best for: wildlife, history, scenic drives and photography.
Step away from the busier parts of the Smokies into one of the park’s most peaceful and historic valleys. Cataloochee preserves the churches, homes and schoolhouse of the families who once lived here, ringed by forested peaks. It is also the park’s best-known place to watch elk; early morning and late evening are the hours they graze in the open fields. Keep a safe distance and follow National Park Service guidance.
Travel tip: getting there is part of the adventure. Portions of the road are narrow and winding, so allow plenty of time, bring binoculars or a long lens, and check current park road conditions before you leave.
The Lost Sea Adventure and Craighead Caverns
About 2 hours. Best for families, couples, cave enthusiasts and rainy days.
Travel beneath the Tennessee countryside at Sweetwater, where a guided tour through historic Craighead Caverns ends with a boat ride across an enormous underground lake. The geology and history come first; the boat is the finale. It is a welcome change of pace from hiking, and especially appealing to families looking for something unusual.
Travel tip: buy tickets in advance during busy vacation periods.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
About 2 hours. Best for families, train enthusiasts, photographers and anyone who would rather not drive all day.
Climb aboard in Bryson City, North Carolina, for a relaxing run through some of Western North Carolina’s finest landscapes. Depending on the excursion, the train follows rivers, crosses bridges and passes forests and lakes; the Nantahala Gorge and Tuckasegee River routes are the favorites, and seasonal special-event trains run through the year.
Travel tip: excursions last several hours, so plan the day around the train. Check departure times and reserve before you make the drive.
Biltmore Estate and Asheville
About 2 hours. Best for couples, history and architecture lovers, and gardens.
George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore is famous for its architecture, historic interiors, landscaped gardens and sprawling grounds. Tour the house, walk the gardens, then give yourself time for Asheville itself: a mountain city of distinctive architecture, local shops, galleries, restaurants and a creative streak.
Travel tip: Biltmore can fill most of a day. Reserve admission ahead and arrive early if you also want downtown Asheville.
Chattanooga
About 3 hours. Best for families, museums and a full day out.
Start with the Tennessee Aquarium and the downtown riverfront, or head up Lookout Mountain for Ruby Falls, the panoramic overlooks and the historic Incline Railway. Downtown adds restaurants, walking areas, museums and shops along the Tennessee River.
Travel tip: this is the longest drive on the list. Leave early and choose two or three priorities rather than trying to see everything in one visit.
Fontana Dam
About 2 hours. Best for scenic views, photography and road trips.
Rising above the Little Tennessee River in Western North Carolina, Fontana is the tallest dam east of the Rockies. The visitor center tells its history, the overlooks take in Fontana Lake and the surrounding mountains, and the Appalachian Trail crosses right over the dam, which makes it a particularly interesting stop for hikers.
Travel tip: combine it with other scenic stops in Western North Carolina for a full day of mountain sightseeing.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
About 1.5 hours via Highway 411. Best for history lovers, families and photographers.
On the shore of Tellico Lake stands a reconstruction of the British fort built in 1756 during the French and Indian War. Explore the fort, learn about life on the Tennessee frontier and the region’s complicated history through exhibits and interpretive programs. The lake and mountain setting make it a relaxing stop even for those who are not history buffs.
Travel tip: check the Tennessee State Parks event calendar. Living-history demonstrations make the visit even more memorable.
Cherokee National Forest
About 1.25 to 2.5 hours, depending on the recreation area. Best for hiking, swimming, fishing, wildlife and scenic drives.
Hundreds of thousands of acres of mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and trails stretch across eastern Tennessee, so the day can be built around whatever you like. Two areas worth considering:
- Chilhowee Recreation Area, above the Ocoee River: seven-acre McKamy Lake with a swimming beach and sand when open, fishing, hiking trails, scenic overlooks and picnic spots.
- Conasauga River Blue Hole: a clear mountain river where you can put on a mask and snorkel through calm pools to watch freshwater fish in their own habitat. A memorable choice for nature lovers who want something beyond the traditional Smoky Mountain hike.
Travel tip: facilities, seasonal access and river conditions change with the weather. Check current U.S. Forest Service conditions before traveling, and never enter the water when conditions are unsafe.