Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels

• Basaic
• Reviews: 5563

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• jmpncsu
• Reviews: 66

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• Toughluck
• Reviews: 1687

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Big Meadows campground: Central to the park

Heintooga Camp - Arriving at Campground (1959). The campgrounds are all modern, unless you hike into the backcountry.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Related to: National/State Park, Hiking and Walking
• Written February 22, 2008

National Park Service Historic Photograph Collecti

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• richiecdisc
• Reviews: 5866

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LeConte Lodge: home, home on the range

Lots of the national parks have rustic old inns with huge stone fireplaces but how many of them have as their only in park accommodation wooden cabins accessible only by foot? Well, the LeConte Lodge fits that bill as the only non-camping facilities in the park. I unfortunately have never stayed here though every time I've seen it I say to myself "next time..."

Unique Quality: Well, first off the fact that you have to walk a minimum of 5.5 miles to get there and that is the steepest of the five trails that will bring you there-The Alum Cave Trail. Once there you are in for a rustic but homey treat. The cabins feature kerosene lamps rather than electricity and outhouses rather than en-suite baths. Meals are served family style in the main cabin where a hearty fire will keep the chill off on those misty mountain nights.

Cabins are $93 per person per night but that includes breakfast and dinner.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Phone: (865) 429-5704
• Website: http://www.leconte-lodge.com/
• Related to: Backpacking, Hiking and Walking, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
• Written August 8, 2007

a truly unique National Park lodge

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• bigorange1103
• Reviews: 41

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Smokemont Campground: campgrounds

This campground is located on the NC side of the park off US 441. It boasts 140 sites and is located at 2200 feet in elevation. I stayed at this site in April and was in love!!! It was our first time ever to camp. The sites are located along a river and there are many trails to hike on. One trail takes you to a old ampitheater and church. It is open year round and prices range from $14-17.

Unique Quality: Nice trails and large pads with fire rings and grills.

• Opinion of Price: least expensive
• Address: US 441
• Related to: Camping, National/State Park
• Written July 15, 2005

Old church in campground

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• bigorange1103
• Reviews: 41

• Rickman77
• Reviews: 56

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Shelters

The backcountry shelters stay booked up year round. Make sure you make reservations one month in advance to be safe. No less than two weeks in advance.

• Opinion of Price: N/A
• Phone: 865-436-1200
• Website: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/
• Related to: Adventure Travel, Hiking and Walking, National/State Park
• Written May 3, 2005

Shelter

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• Stephen-KarenConn
• Reviews: 2608

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LeConte Lodge: On Top of Old Smoky

Karen is so wonderful. She actually got more of a kick out of staying in this rustic 10x10 cabin at LeConte Lodge than when we are at a Marriott or Hilton - and I did too. As we were being shown to our cabin by the friendly staff, a whitetail doe poked her head from behind the building and her two frisky spotted fawns ran out and frolicked in the sunshine.

Our cabin, # 9, was furnished with a straightback chair, a small table, an oil lamp, a propane heater, and a double bunk bed. Air conditioning isn't necessary since the highest temperature ever recorded on top of Mt. LeConte was in the high 70s. We were provided a galvanized bucket and a basin for sponge baths. The flush toilets were about 150 yards away.

Unique Quality: Once when we were out for an afternoon hike we left a window open and a red squirrel entered, unzipped our backpack, and helped himself to some peanuts. We caught him in the act upon our return. At night the stars were brighter than we had ever known them to be, and the lights of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge could be seen a verticle mile below. The only sounds were the wind in the spruce and fir trees, and the creatures of the night. We didn't miss television at all.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Address: Mail: 250 Apple Valley Way, Sevierville, TN 37862
• Phone: 865-429-5704
• Website: www.lecontelodge.com
• Related to: National/State Park, Camping, Adventure Travel
• Written July 8, 2004

Karen in Front of # 9 Cabin

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• Stephen-KarenConn
• Reviews: 2608

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LeConte Lodge: A Rustic Mountaintop Hideaway

This is the only hotel or inn actually within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it predates the establishment of the National Park in 1930. The only way to reach it is by a strenuous hike along one of five trails, the shortest being a grueling 5.5 miles.

LeConte Lodge is not a single structure but a cluster of small rustic buildings which can accomodate up to 50 guests. There is an office with a central lounge area, a dining hall, small rough hewn cabins, and larger group sleeping lodges. The lodge is open from late-March through mid-November.

Reservations for the next season can be made beginning October 1. We were lucky to get a spot on a July weekend by dialing repeatedly beginning at 9 a.m. on Oct. 1 of the year before. Weekends are usually booked solid within a matter of days, and it may be impossible to find any availability at all after a few weeks, unless there is a cancellation. Obviously, this place has a VERY high demand. Many people who visit once are hooked and return year after year. On our recent stay at LeConte Lodge we met others who were returning for their 25th annual visit.

Unique Quality: Once or twice each season a helicopter airlifts heavy supplies such as propane tanks and building materials to the site. For regular supplies of fresh food and linens a llama pack train makes the trek to the lodge on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the season, weather permitting.

There is no electricity. Lighting is by oil lamp. There are unisex flush toilets, and running water is available from a central pump. Hot water may be obtained from a spigot on the outside wall of the kitchen. All guests are provided with a galvanized bucket and a basin.

A hearty dinner and breakfast are included in the price of your stay. For those who remain more than one day, lunch is also provided and can be taken either in the dining room or the very helpful staff will provide a box lunch for those who want to carry it with them on a day-hike. Free coffee and/or hot chocolate is available throughout the day.

Both mornings we were at LeConte Lodge, we got up early and treked the .9 mile to Myrtle Point for the sunrise, then in the evening made the .2 mile hike to The Cliffs for the sunset. Views from both points had us gasping in awe.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Address: Mail: 250 Apple Valley Way, Sevierville, TN 37862
• Phone: 865-429-5704
• Website: www.lecontelodge.com
• Related to: Hiking and Walking, National/State Park
• Written July 8, 2004

Us in Front of the LeConte Lodge Dining Hall

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