Where to Stay Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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To begin to understand the breadth and beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you must first look at it by the numbers: 522,427 acres, 16 peaks over 6,000 feet in elevation, 848 miles of hiking trails, and nearly 23,000 different species living among the creeks, mountains, and wildflower-filled valleys. According to the National Park Service, over 12 million people venture to this part of North Carolina and Tennessee each year, making it one of the most-visited national parks in the US.
The quantitative view, however, only provides the initial context for this sprawling, incredibly biodiverse region. To truly wrap your head around the wonder and wildness of the Smokies, you have to experience it for yourself. Watch the namesake fog settle over the mountains in the early morning. Stumble upon a sky-high waterfall or two. Finally snag a rainbow trout after hours of wading through a cool mountain stream.
Whether it’s your first time exploring the park or you’re planning a return trip, you have options for where to set up your base camp. The historic LeConte Lodge is the only lodging within the park’s boundaries—and reservations for the following year are quickly snatched up when the booking window opens in the fall—but there are plenty of memorable hotels, unique glampsites, and rentals to choose from in and around the park’s gateway towns.
Read on to discover 11 of the best places to stay near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Chelsea Lane PhotographyhotelThe Swag
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Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: In-room saunas in select suites, endless places to curl up with a book, private entrance to the park
Best for: A romantic couple’s retreatIf you’re concerned about splitting your time between exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park and relaxing at your chosen accommodations, you may want to consider staying at The Swag. The 18-suite all-inclusive resort shares a mile-long border with the park and features most of the Smokies’ highlights: endless mountain views, wildlife sightings, blooming rhododendron, synchronous fireflies, and serene hiking trails—packed lunches and walking sticks included. It’s truly a “choose your own adventure” type of stay, with some guests opting to take cooking classes and indulge in spa treatments, and others finding their own version of bliss by the fireplace in the library, or while fishing in the pond.
Heather Anne Thomas/Courtesy Blackberry FarmhotelBlackberry Farm
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Gold List 2018, 2025 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Complimentary in-room snacks and nonalcoholic beverages, farmside outdoor pool, roster of curated events (live music, chef-led tastings, etc.)
Best for: A special occasion marked by superb gastronomical experiencesBlackberry Farm hardly needs an introduction—for years, it’s maintained its status as one of the dreamiest, most sought-after resort experiences in the South. One of the main draws to this census-designated place of Walland, Tennessee? The 4,200-acre property neighbors Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and nearly every guest activity is complemented by views of the mountains in the distance. Go on a guided hike through the foothills, play a game of pickleball, or polish your horsemanship skills on a ride along creeks and through fields. No matter how you choose to spend your time outside, you’ll begin and end your day with the award-winning cuisine Blackberry Farm is known for. And if you’re an oenophile, you’ll be intrigued by the impressive wine cellar containing a collection of more than 150,000 bottles.
Cataloochee RanchhotelCataloochee Ranch
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Family-friendly activities, gas fireplaces, golf simulator
Best for: Anyone who wants to see the Smokies by horsebackJust up the road from the Cherokee entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the recently reimagined Cataloochee Ranch has quickly solidified itself as one of the best places to stay in Western North Carolina, if not the American South as a whole. The ranch has roots dating back to the 1930s, but its new chapter began in 2020, when hoteliers Annie and David Colquitt acquired the property and began an extensive update. Once the doors officially opened to guests in March 2024, it was off to the races—with travelers coming from near and far to experience the laidback hospitality, rustic-chic cabins, and Appalachian dishes prepared by chef Jeb Aldrich. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the ranch is its roster of activities, offering everything from leatherworking classes to a ropes course to horseback rides through the national park.
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Treehouse Grove
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Wi-Fi, heating and air conditioning, kitchenettes
Best for: Families traveling with pets, or travelers with mobility concernsIf you’ve always dreamed of sleeping in a treehouse—but want all of the amenities of a hotel or rental—look no further than Treehouse Grove. The Gatlinburg resort encompasses 22 different treehouses, all designed by the “Treehouse Master” Pete Nelson. Even the smallest of their accommodations (known as “pods”) are equipped with the essentials: high-speed Wi-Fi, a bathroom with a shower, a coffeemaker, and cookware. Some of the treehouses are even dog-friendly, and a select few are ramp-accessible with open-concept main floor layouts.
Bailey MadeUnder Canvas Great Smoky Mountains
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Firepits and complimentary s’mores, West Elm furnishings, organic bath products
Best for: Travelers who want to camp with the trappings of a boutique hotelWhen it comes to luxury glamping, the Under Canvas brand has perfected the experience with its expertly outfitted, safari-inspired canvas tents. Located just outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee, within a short drive of one of the park’s primary entrances, the Great Smoky Mountains outpost is the ideal spring, summer, or fall retreat for travelers who like to balance outdoor adventure with good old-fashioned comfort. The property is open from April through late fall each year, and guests are treated to various camp programming (including yoga classes and live music) and a restaurant with counter-service dining. After a long day of hiking in the park, relax in one of the lounge chairs on your private deck before hitting the hay in a plush, king-size bed. It’s certainly a step above your typical camping setup.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Indoor and outdoor firepits, game room with a foosball table and telescope, large kitchen island
Best for: A small reunion with close friendsThis two-bedroom rental outside of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is the definition of cabin decor done right. Wood panels, leather, stone, and dark colors create a cozy atmosphere, but all of the natural light streaming through the A-frame windows keeps it from feeling too dark or heavy. You could technically squeeze up to six guests in the home—there’s an extra sofa bed, and the outdoor lounge area adds some breathing room—but you may be better off with four. In between the firepits, the game room (complete with chess, a Bluetooth record player, and a foosball table), and the hot tub on the deck, there are plenty of ways to keep everyone in your crew simultaneously relaxed and entertained.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Outdoor firepit, washer and dryer, hot tub on the deck
Best for: Quality time with your loved onesSome rentals are completely void of personality; they’re simply a place to sleep at night. This Bryson City cabin is not one of them. The dog-friendly two-bedroom is cozy, characterful, and conveniently located to the downtown area. Every inch of this Airbnb gives off a decidedly homey vibe, from the stocked bookshelves to the accent pillows and thoughtful extra blankets in the bedrooms. Plan for everyone to gather in the open-concept kitchen and living room as dinner is prepared, then convene on the outdoor deck for cocktails, and circle up by the firepit (firewood is provided) after the sun goes down.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Indoor electric fireplace, wraparound porch with a hot tub, spacious walk-in shower
Best for: A honeymoon in the SmokiesIf you’re staying in the Smoky Mountains, there’s a good chance you’re after two things: mountain views and a heavy dose of peace and quiet. You’ll get both at this roundhouse-style cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee, a 40-minute drive from the national park. Weather permitting, you’ll likely spend the majority of your time on the patio, where a hot tub, firepit, and grill play second fiddle to the panoramic scenery and lurid sunsets. Luckily, the views don’t dissipate when you head indoors; you can get your mountain fix while enjoying morning coffee at the built-in bar and accompanying bay window.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Waterfront location, outdoor firepit and hot tub, Wi-Fi
Best for: A camping experience without the hassle of setting up a tentYou may have gone glamping in a treehouse or a tent, but what about a dome? This fully insulated creekside structure in Sylva, North Carolina, is designed for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the Smokies without going totally off the grid. Along with the queen bed, there’s a small bistro table and chairs, a Roku TV, a decent-sized kitchenette, and a private bathroom. Every night, you’ll go to sleep with twinkling stars peeking through the skylight, and you’ll wake up to natural light streaming in the panoramic window. Outside, there’s cornhole, a hot tub, and easy access to the creek—everything you need for a slow weekend that leaves you rested and rejuvenated.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Coffee station, washer and dryer, barbecue grill
Best for: Going analog for the weekendBryson City may not have the same recognition as Gatlinburg when it comes to proximity to the national park, but don’t overlook this Western North Carolina gem; it’s the “adventure capital of the Smokies” for a reason. After a full day of rafting on the Nantahala River, hiking to waterfalls, or stepping back in time at the Mountain Farm Museum, return to this custom-built cabin and prepare for an unforgettable sunset, best viewed from the balcony. Billed as the “Cabin in the Clouds,” this serene escape is the type of place where you can completely unplug: Read the newspaper in one of the outdoor Adirondack chairs instead of getting updates on your phone, play a board game with your travel companions, and get a good night’s sleep on a memory foam mattress covered in 700-thread-count Egyptian cotton bedding.
Bed & bath: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Pet-friendly, outdoor dining area and grill, electric vehicle charging
Best for: Bringing the whole family on a mountain vacationThis multi-level log cabin outside of Bryson City pairs rustic charm with modern amenities—stainless steel appliances, a washer and dryer, and even a custom walk-in shower in one of the bathrooms. Your group will have lots of space to spread out, thanks to the wraparound top-floor deck and the lower deck, the latter of which is where you’ll find the outdoor hot tub. To ward off the nighttime chill, light the firepit, roast some s’mores, and recap your adventures from the day. When it’s time for some shut-eye, head inside to the simple, clean bedrooms; you may want to call dibs on the king-size suite, though.
