Cozy up to a rustic cabin getaway in Tennessee
Picture it: a peaceful retreat in your own log cabin, tucked away in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains. A place where you can sip your coffee as the sun rises over the hills, and curl up by the fireplace when the evening air cools. Our log cabins in Tennessee offer a secluded feel and rustic vibes, but you’ll still find great amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, and even saunas.
When it comes to the best place to rent a cabin in Tennessee, we think of the eastern side, where the beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park meets the fun of popular towns like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. In this year-round destination, the warm months mean abundant hiking, fishing, and swimming—or you can visit when the mountains are bright with fall colors, or covered in perfectly skiable snow.
No matter where you stay, you’ll enjoy a healthy dose of what makes Tennessee so great, from country music to world-famous barbecue and whiskey—and let’s not forget those stellar mountain views. Here are a few of our favorites.
Pigeon Forge is a family-friendly destination and, perhaps most famously, the home of Dollywood theme park. From water slides to thrill rides, this Appalachian-themed park offers adrenaline-inducing thrills, plus kiddie rides for the little ones. After a day of fun, you can enjoy a Southern-style meal or catch a live performance.
When it comes to beautiful log cabins in Tennessee, this vacation home is a prime example, with sleek wooden interiors and homey touches. You could spend the whole day just sitting on the expansive deck admiring the mountain vistas—but don’t forget to soak in the hot tub, or to try your hand at the arcade games, pool table, and other fun.
If you’re looking for a happening cabin getaway in Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a great choice. While the year-round population is only 4,000, this city receives 12 million visitors a year, and with good reason. Not only is Gatlinburg the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park—the most-visited national park in the U.S.—but it’s teeming with fun, tourist-oriented activities. Spend your vacation skiing at Ober Gatlinburg, exploring the Ripley’s Aquarium or Hollywood Star Cars Museum, catching a dinner theater performance, touring a moonshine distillery, playing mini-golf, and so much more.
This eye-catching vacation home is full of artistic whimsy, from the moment you cross the handmade bridge over the creek. The Blue Spruce is within walking distance of downtown Gatlinburg and offers plenty of outdoor seating where you can enjoy the beautiful mountains. Gather around the firepit, relax in the hammocks, or play yard games with your loved ones.
Or maybe you’re searching for a tranquil mountain getaway, removed from the hustle and bustle. In that case, Townsend is a great place to book your log cabin rental in Tennessee. This town is the self-proclaimed “peaceful side of the Smokies,” and for good reason. You’ll still find attractions celebrating local Appalachian heritage, like museums and historical sites, but the overall feel is more laid-back than nearby Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. And with Great Smoky Mountains National Park just moments away, Townsend is an excellent choice for travelers who want to focus their getaway on exploring the outdoors.
This spacious cabin is ideal for family reunions, groups of friends, or corporate retreats. Challenge one another to a round of pool before cooking up something tasty in the large kitchen or on the outdoor barbecue. And have we mentioned the views? Southern Comfort is nestled in the mountainside, so whether you’re enjoying them from the deck furniture or the bubbling hot tub, you can have your fill of mountain landscapes.
Can’t choose between a Tennessee cabin rental in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge? You’re in luck. These popular destinations are just seven and a half miles apart, making day trips between them a breeze.
Summers in Gatlinburg are certainly the busiest time to visit—but that also means you’ll have great weather for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. October is another popular month, when the changing leaves are at their brightest. Winters are much slower, and are when Ober Gatlinburg opens for skiing and snowboarding.
