7 Great Cabins in the Smokies for a Mountain Getaway

Unlike many rentals that bill themselves as cabins, Honeymoon Hideaway is an actual log cabin made from old, hand-hewn logs. Located up a steep road on a mountaintop with no other houses visible from a covered front porch, the cabin offers privacy and long-range views from the rocking chairs and hot tub.

Inside, there’s a king bed with a pillow top mattress in the same open space as the living room and the off-set kitchen. All the conveniences one would expect in modern accommodations are on hand, but the stacked stone fireplace can heat the main living area and provide a romantic backdrop on chilly evenings.. This is a true couples’ escape in rustic comfort.

For a large family gathering near Pigeon Forge’s main strip (the Parkway) and Dollywood, Rendez-View Cabin stands three stories high with five bedrooms and a deck on each level. Three of the bedrooms have king-sized beds, one a queen, and the other two double beds. Your group may find itself quarreling over who gets the room with the two doubles because it has a private deck with a great view at the highest level of the house. But some may prefer the privacy of the queen room with its own entrance off the driveway.

Windows abound letting in plenty of natural light and scenery. The view from the main living area with two fireplaces is as good as the one from the deck. There’s even a good view at night with the lights of Pigeon Forge visible in the valley below. On the bottom level is a game room with a foosball table, dartboard lane, plenty of board games, and a large cable-equipped flatscreen TV.

In the woods near Sevierville (Dolly Parton’s hometown) and 10 minutes from Pigeon Forge, Mountainside Getaway is an affordable, pet-friendly custom-built log cabin with a unique layout. The cabin sleeps six comfortably, but it only has one bedroom. The other two beds are queen sofa sleepers, one of them in a loft that can only be accessed via a separate outside entrance with its own key code. This setup is good for a family with teens who want the privacy of the loft, or a couple who desires the same, perhaps because they have a pet with them, or they prefer the lofty seclusion.

The other sofa sleeper is in the living room on the main level off the master bedroom, so a good option for kids. An enclosed screened-in porch keeps the bugs at bay while you’re enjoying the hot tub. The open-air back deck lined with rocking chairs is great for conversation and contemplation while taking in the woodsy view. A money-saving perk: You’ll receive one free ticket to a local attraction of your choosing for each day booked.

If a family reunion or large group gathering is on the agenda, The Lodge at Gatlinburg Falls checks off a lot of boxes. This well-appointed, three-story cabin has easy access to town but is high enough for incredible mountain views from three decks. Up to 16 people can sleep comfortably here and all bedrooms have fireplaces. The top floor has a game room and a TV room with theater-style seating.

Like many cabins in the Gatlinburg area, this one has been rebuilt and upgraded since the devastating 2016 wildfires. It’s also part of a resort community, so you’ll be staying in a neighborhood with other travelers instead of a secluded spot, and have access to the community pool.

Mountain Comfort is geared toward couples celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries, or simply a relaxing getaway. The mountain view from the hot tub on the porch, as well as through the large window next to the red, heart-shaped whirlpool tub in the bathroom, is awe-inspiring. The heartwood pine interior and stone fireplace in front of the king bed adds to the romantic ambiance.

The cabin’s owner lives in town and has been known to grant early check-in requests when possible. Small perks such as complimentary coffee, filled candy dishes, and an M&M’s dispenser provide a nice touch, and prove that this property is well cared for with its attention to detail.

Of all the cabins listed here, you won’t get any closer to Great Smoky Mountains National Park than Hunters Lodge. This two-bedroom, two-bath rustic log cabin perched near the boundary on the North Carolina side is down the road from the Deep Creek trailhead leading to beautiful waterfalls. It’s an ideal spot for adventurous couples looking to do some hiking by day and rolling of the dice by night at Harrah’s Casino in nearby Cherokee after the trail shoes come off.

Decked out in mountain-inspired décor, one bedroom is a loft with a king bed and its own bathroom, so there’s no going downstairs in the middle of the night to use the facilities. The downstairs bedroom has a queen bed, providing a bit more privacy. For a place that only sleeps four people, there’s lots of room to spread out inside and outside on the large deck.

At the Gatlinburg cabin Around the Bend, all bedrooms are created equal. No jockeying for the bedroom with the king bed and its own bathroom. Here, all three bedrooms have king beds and private baths. Even better, they’re located on separate floors, allowing for maximum privacy. Such a setup makes it ideal for a couples’ getaway. It’s also good for a family unit of 10 people or less because of the two sleeper sofas, one in the living room, the other in the downstairs game room..

The game room features a full-sized billiards table. Outside, there’s a deluxe covered hot tub. The cabin is part of a log cabin community with access to a heated swimming pool but situated so you can’t see other cabins from the decks where you’ll be spending your outside time. You’ll feel away from it all, even though you’re less than 10 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg.