Smoky Mountain cabin rentals has the dream cabin for your next visit! Experience a vacation destination like no place else in the world in the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoy it in your own private Smoky Mountain Cabin Rental or Chalet Rental. If you want to be near town or on a secluded mountaintop, HeySmokies Cabin Rentals has a cabin in the Smokies waiting just for you.
Planning that big family trip, a romantic honeymoon, a fishing weekend with the guys, or maybe you need a comfortable place to recover after a big hike. Cabins and chalets are available on peaceful streams and rivers, tucked away in a quiet pine grove, on the lake, nestled in a beautiful valley, or high on Ole Smokey. You’ll find a variety of beautiful options in Gatlinburg, Cosby, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley, and Sevierville, Tennessee and on the other side of the mountains in North Carolina towns of Maggie Valley, Bryson City and and Cherokee.
Cabin life has all the amenities you would expect with fully-equipped kitchens, hot tubs, pool tables, ping ping, foosball, media rooms and more. Cabins are available that will sleep two to 30+. Many cabins and chalets have wrap around decks with amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There’s no better way to end a day in the Smokies than sitting on your porch sipping a lovely beverage and watching the sunset on a perfect vacation.
Knoxville, Tennessee is located near the northeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Knoxville has a great culture and vibe partly because it’s home of the University of Tennessee (UT). Sports lovers flock to Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium to see the Tennessee Volunteers play or Thompson-Boling Arena to see the Lady Vols shoot some hoops. It’s Big Orange Country in Knoxville for sure, however, you won’t any nicer folks who welcome you to their city by the beautiful Tennessee River.
The Sunsphere at World’s Fair Park in Knoxville.
When Knoxville surprised the world by hosting the 1982 World’s Fair, the city had the reputation of being known as the scruffy little town by the river. Nowadays, Knoxville has gained regional and national acclaim for the variety of excellent dining choices through out the city. Beer lovers will enjoy hopping it up at the many microbreweries in the Old City.
Knoxville has also garnered national recognition for its Urban Wilderness located only three miles south of downtown. In addition to the city’s extensive 86-mile greenway system, the urban wilderness provides over 60 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
The Tennessee River flows through downtown affording the opportunity to enjoy many water sports such as paddle boarding, skulling, water skiing, and on gamedays the Vol Navy!
How to Get to Knoxville
Reaching Knoxville is convenient and easy. Interstate 40 enters the city from the East and West, Interstate 75 enters the city from the North and Interstate 140 enters the city from the South. McGhee Tyson Airport is 8 miles South of Downtown on Highway 129.
Cades Cove, Sugarlands, and Cosby, all in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, are about an hour drive from downtown Knoxville. If you’re staying on the North Carolina side of the Smokies, Knoxville makes a great day-trip!
Knoxville History
Knoxville’s history is rich and diverse. Once the domain of the Cherokee, Knoxville eventually became the first capital of Tennessee. The city found itself in the path of the American Civil War. It was occupied by both Union and Confederate forces during the course of the war. Today visitors and locals enjoy exploring the numerous war memorials and preserved historic sites like James White’s Fort.
Beat the heat this summer and take a hike to a refreshing Smoky Mountain waterfall! The abundant streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the lifeblood of this International Biosphere Reserve and the waterfalls found within are some of the most extraordinary hiking destinations year-round. When the heat of summer is upon us, there is no better place to be than enjoying a cool, misty breeze near a lush waterfall in the Smokies! We’ve got the Top 5 Waterfall Hikes in the Smokies for you!
Mingo Falls in Cherokee, NC
The fine mist is so refreshing that after only a few moments you may be ready to step back into the sunlight and warm up a bit. Along the trails to the waterfalls there are often quiet, sun-dappled pools in the streams that are perfect for soaking your hiking feet. It is unsafe to swim beneath the waterfalls; just standing near one is really all you need to do to cool down.
Here are a few of our top waterfall hikes in the Smokies when the weather is warm and we’re looking for a favorite place to chill! You’ll find some of the Top 5 Waterfall Hikes are just a short walk from your vehicle, while others offer more time to explore the beautiful summertime scenery. No matter what section of the National Park you’re visiting, you’re sure to find a wondrous waterfall!
CHEROKEE / OCONALUFTEE #1 Mingo Falls
Mingo Falls is actually located on the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee Indian Reservation) and is considered an easy hike at 0.4 miles in length but don’t let that fool you. There are over 200 steps to climb to reach the base of the falls but it is well worth it. Mingo Falls is one of the tallest in the region at 120 feet high and the cooling mist that swirls around its base makes all that “stair mastering” a distant memory.
To reach the Mingo Falls trailhead travel south from Oconaluftee Visitor Center on US-441 toward Cherokee and turn left on Big Cove Road. Turn left at the first stop sign and drive 4.5 miles to the Mingo Falls Campground and the trailhead. No special permits are required for access to the reservation.
CADES COVE #2 Abrams Falls
Abrams Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with most hikers reaching it via the Abrams Falls Trail in Cades Cove. From here the hike is 2.5 miles one-way and is considered moderate in difficulty. HeySmokies recommends sturdy footwear (not flip flops) to traverse the rocky terrain encountered on the trail. (For more info on suggested hiking essentials visit our 10 Essentials for Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains)
Abrams Falls is a mere 20 feet high but the volume of water funneling through earns it the unofficial moniker of the “Little Niagara of the Smokies.” The inviting pool beneath the falls can be deadly; swimmers have drowned here due to strong undercurrents and an undertow. Don’t be the next victim, enjoy the falls and its cooling mist from a safe distance. Abrams Falls is named for Cherokee Chief Abram who once lived a few miles below the falls near Abrams Creek Campground.
Spring break at the beach? Yeah, been there done that! Find out why the Great Smoky Mountains are the hippest spring break destination in the country. Families and college kids love these mountains and with more things to do than ever, it’s the place to be!
The view from Charlies Bunion on the Appalachian Trail (photo: Andrew Eames/Independent)
We’ve compiled a list of the Top Activities for Spring Breakers in the Smokies! What will you do this year?
Hit the trail – the Appalachian Trail!
Sure hiking is great fun year round but springtime is a real treat. The views during spring are second to none in the Smokies’ high country with visibility over one hundred miles (weather dependent, of course!) We suggest driving to Newfound Gap and walking along the famous Appalachian Trail (AT). The leaves are off the trees which afford striking views of the National Park and nearby mountain ranges like the Stecoahs. The hike from Newfound Gap to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower puts you at the highest elevation on the entire Appalachian Trail! Clingmans Dome is the second highest peak in the Eastern United States at 6,643′ above sea level. The hike from Newfound Gap to Clingmans Dome is a rocky 7.9 miles one-way, so you’ll need to park an extra car at Clingmans Dome or arrange for a pick-up to take you back to Newfound Gap. The hike from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion is 8 miles round-trip and offers panoramic vistas along the way to one of the most spectacular bluffs in the Appalachian Mountains. Use caution when exploring the craggy cliffs of the Bunion. Be sure and prepare for the hike with our 10 Essentials for Hiking in the Smokies suggestions. A little nervous about hitting the trails alone? Hire an expert guide to lead the way and enjoy the journey. Our friends at The Wildland Trekking Company can help you out!
Hit the Rocky Top Wine Trail and More!
Almost every group of spring breakers has a party animal in the bunch who will love the diverse choice of wineries, breweries and moonshine distilleries that have exploded in the Smokies. The Rocky Top Wine Trail offers a tour of five wineries in a 12-mile area within the Pigeon Forge/Sevierville TN area. You can sample over 60 varieties of vino and tour the wine cellars and tank rooms of some of the wineries. Pick up your passport and wine glass at your first stop and receive a special free gift upon completing the trail.
Or perhaps you came to sample some good ol’ Mountain Dew – that’s hillbilly talk for moonshine! It’s legal now and with so many flavors to choose from you could spend all night at the sample bar but save room for some great locally-crafted brews at Smoky Mountain Brewery in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN. Sugarlands Distilling Company in Gatlinburg and Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler in Gatlinburg and Ole Smoky Moonshine Barn at The Island in Pigeon Forge offer live music concerts from popular performers. If you’re over on the North Carolina side of the Smokies, be sure to check out the Nantahala Brewing Company in Bryson City for the awesome Trail Magic Ale.
Grab a Paddle!
If you’re craving some waves this spring break, no worries! There’s waves of fun on a Big Pigeon River Whitewater Rafting adventure! You can choose a wild ride with Class III & IV rapids on the Upper Pigeon or take it slow and easy on your raft on the Lower Pigeon, either way our friends at Smoky Mountain Outdoors can hook you up with a Spring Break adventure you’ll never forget! Be sure to check out Hey Smokies Rafting for more info.
Biking in the Mountains! (photo: CLIMBWorks Gatlinburg)
Grab a Rope! Jump on a Mountain Bike!
Your feet won’t touch the ground for 2 1/2 hours on a high-flying Zipline Tour with CLIMBWorks in Gatlinburg. And for a one-of-a-kind mountain bike experience, you don’t even have to bring your own bike! ClimbWorks has everything you need to explore the mountains in a whole new way!
Pitch a Tent!
Camping is always a great way to spend time with your friends and make memories that will last a lifetime. Smoky Mountain memories don’t make themselves they need your help. All you need is a tent, a campfire, s’mores, and a rushing mountain stream and you’re in heaven! It’s often said that camp life is where authentic Smoky Mountain memories are made, and it is so easy to do! Some favorite Campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Cades Cove, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Cosby, Elkmont, Abrams Creek, and Deep Creek. You can reserve your campsite on line at Recreation.gov. For campgrounds outside of the park, visit Hey Smokies Campgrounds.
If camping isn’t your thing, HeySmokies a great selection of recommendations for Cabins, Condos, and Hotels. Whatever you do this Spring Break…have fun, and remember to Spring Break Responsibly because Smokey is watching!
Perfectly situated on the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Reaching Gatlinburg is easy as U.S. Highway 321 enters the mountain village from two directions; one leading from the Cosby area and the other on the north side of town from Pigeon Forge where it connects to the stretch of Foothills Parkway, locally referred to as “the Spur.” You can also reach Gatlinburg from Cherokee via U.S. Hightway 441 North.
Gatlinburg is surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains with peaks reaching over 6,000 feet. These high elevations offer unique opportunities for fun that are not found anywhere else in the North American East. In the winter season snow skiing, snowboarding and tubing offer an extreme form of excitement. In the warmer months, take a bracing plunge in a mountain river. The West Fork of the Little Pigeon River winds its way through the city like a silver blue thread connecting all the communities of Sevier County.
Be on the lookout for the avid trout fisherman sprinkled along the river. It is estimated that there are over 2,000 fish in every 1 mile of river. The fish are numerous and varied depending on where you visit the river but they range from rainbow trout, brown trout, native brook trout, small mouth bass, the mysterious buffalo sucker fish, just to name a few. Just be sure to pick up either a Tennessee fishing license or North Carolina fishing license before you dip that hook! Fishing licenses are sold at area outfitters and other locations such as Walmart throughout the area. A special permit is required for fishing in Gatlinburg and the Cherokee Reservation.
Get your walking shoes on for a tour of the Parkway which winds through the center of town. If you have a craving for funnel cake or fine dining you will find it here. There’s no need to go hungry with all the choices available. After a good meal, take advantage of the wide variety of shops along the Parkway. Rain or shine, and any time of the year have super fun at any of the seven Ripley’s attractions, especially Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
Perhaps you yearn for simpler times away from the hustle and bustle. If so, be sure not to miss the Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Community just a short drive from downtown. All manner of crafts are created by hand daily in a natural setting. Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts is a world renowned center for education in mountain arts and crafts. Mountain crafts such as quilting and basket weaving were once a necessity to mountain life and now they are highly prized works of art. Some examples of this art are displayed in our nation’s premier museum the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. You can expand your horizons and skill set by taking a class like pottery or just go to the experts and purchase their wares ready-made. It is up to you and what you want from your Smoky Mountain experience.
Gatlinburg is a thrill any time of year as its natural beauty changes throughout the season. Join us for cool spring air wafting down from Mt. LeConte waking the wildflowers, a warm summer breeze drifting along the riverside as a trout jumps in a hidden pool, the sudden chill of fall changing the leaves into a vibrant rainbow of color, or the bracing winter snow that heralds the start of ski season. Any time of year is clearly the right time to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee!
