The 11 Top Hotels, Campsites, and Glamping Spots in the Great Smoky Mountains

Towering over 6,000 feet, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the highlight of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. Covering approximately 522,000 acres, it attracts around 13 million visitors ready for retreat each year. From bustling hubs like Gatlinburg and Bryson City to serene campsites and charming lodges tucked away from the main roads, there are numerous places to stay during your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Whether you're excited to visit Dolly Parton’s Dollywood or prefer the tranquility of cabins and campsites, here are 11 lodging options that will make your Smoky Mountain getaway unforgettable.

1. Under Canvas

Located just nine miles from the northern Sugarlands entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Under Canvas caters to luxury seekers. Accommodations are set in stylish tents, featuring en suite bathrooms, king-sized beds, West Elm decor, and wood-burning stoves. The on-site concierge can arrange exciting activities like zip-lining and whitewater rafting by day, then guests can unwind at Under Canvas with counter-service dining and complimentary campfire s’mores.

How to Reserve

All tent options at Under Canvas can be booked online, with prices starting at $179 per night.

2. The Wayback

Frequent visitors to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are well aware of the area's charm: it provides easy access to the national park and breathtaking mountain views, yet is bustling with commercial tourism featuring chain hotels, themed eateries, and delightfully kitschy shops. The Wayback, a retro motel that underwent a ’70s-style renovation in 2023, blends seamlessly with its vibrant decor and endless photo opportunities. Unwind by the pool at the Swim Club while enjoying a frozen cocktail served from an Airstream, and savor a cantina-style dinner at Paloma on-site.

How to Reserve

Rooms can be booked online or by calling 1-865-428-7500.

3. Cades Cove Campground

For wildlife enthusiasts, Cades Cove is the ideal spot for your next camping trip in the western Smoky Mountains. This valley is renowned for its abundance of deer, turkeys, raccoons, coyotes, and even the occasional black bear, with sightseeing options accessible by car on an 11-mile loop or by foot via various trails. The campground features 161 sites, RV and trailer parking, and modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water.

How to Reserve

A site at Cades Cove can be booked online for $30 per night per site.

4. Glamping Collective

If you're excited to enjoy mountain vistas but prefer not to camp fully outdoors, the Glamping Collective offers domes and glass cabins that elevate the camping experience. The mountainside domes feature hot tubs, fire tables, and expansive mountain views, along with luxurious amenities like slippers and robes, plush bedding, a kitchenette, and a modern full bathroom. Nestled on 160 acres, this private retreat also grants access to five miles of exclusive hiking trails.

How to Reserve

All domes can be booked online or by calling 1-828-492-3620.

5. Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Arguably the most renowned resident of the Smoky Mountains is Dolly Parton, who has firmly established her joyful presence in Pigeon Forge through her amusement park empire, Dollywood. Visitors can enjoy thrilling rides, water parks, dinner shows, and a variety of resorts, including Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, inspired by Parton’s love for the Smoky Mountains. This 302-room resort incorporates natural elements from the surrounding area in its decor, dedicating each of its five floors to a different season, featuring mountain sound machines in every room, and hosting campfire singalongs with s’mores at night.

How to Reserve

All accommodations and activities can be booked online or by calling 1-800-365-5996.

6. Cataloochee Ranch

You don’t have to travel out west for a dude ranch experience — North Carolina’s Cataloochee Ranch offers premium cabin-style accommodations that have been attracting visitors for nearly a century. Nestled in the foothills of the Smokies, this Relais & Châteaux property spans 700 acres. Abundant hiking trails wind through the mountains, and the ranch provides horseback riding, an adventure course, archery, an on-site spa, and chef-prepared meals that blend Appalachian and Alpine flavors.

How to Reserve

All cabins can be reserved online or by calling (1-828-926-1401) or emailing (stay@cataloocheeranch.com).

7. Deep Creek

True to its name, the Deep Creek campground features numerous water attractions, including gentle streams, cascading waterfalls, and a creek perfect for fishing. The campground offers 92 seasonal sites for tents and RVs, equipped with flush toilets and drinking water. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, fishing, and waterfall exploration within the Deep Creek area, located inside Smoky Mountain National Park, just one and a half miles from the Bryson City entrance.

How to Reserve

Open from spring until late October, you can book a site at Deep Creek campground online or by calling 1-877-444-6777 for a fee of $30 per site per night.

8. The Swag

At an elevation of 5,000 feet, The Swag is the highest boutique retreat in the Smokies and across the East Coast. This campus-style property features cabins, suites, and guest rooms adorned with rustic details like wood paneling and stone fireplaces, alongside luxury amenities, including outdoor soaking tubs in select rooms. The grounds provide diverse offerings for every traveler, such as an on-site spa, fishing pond, library, hiking trails, and meals made from farm-fresh ingredients.

How to Reserve

All types of accommodations can be booked online or by calling 1-828-926-0430.

9. Treehouse Grove

Designed by Animal Planet’s Treehouse Master Pete Nelson, Treehouse Grove features a collection of 16 elevated cabins located at the northern Sugarlands entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ranging from one to four bedrooms, these cabins accommodate up to 10 guests and include amenities such as hot tubs, screened-in porches, and kitchenettes. The prime location offers a private entrance to the national park and is just a short drive from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

How to Reserve

All treehouses can be booked online or by calling 1-865-409-1410.

10. Snowbird Mountain Lodge

Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, Snowbird Mountain Lodge offers an all-inclusive getaway just under four miles from Santeetlah Lake, providing visitors with the option of scenic wooded hikes or leisurely lakeside walks. The property features three lodges with a variety of accommodations, from basic rooms in a refurbished 1940s cabin to luxurious suites complete with private decks and hot tubs. Guests enjoy daily breakfast, a picnic lunch, and a multi-course dinner, along with optional outdoor activities such as rafting, mountain biking, and fishing.

How to Reserve a Room

All types of accommodations can be booked online or by calling 1-828-479-3433.

11. Elkmont Campground

Originally settled in the 1840s, Elkmont became a retreat for affluent travelers a century later. History enthusiasts will appreciate the campground, which features remnants like chimneys and a toll bridge, currently undergoing preservation and restoration, securing its place on the National Register of Historic Places. Restored buildings are available for tours, and 200 mixed tent and RV sites are open for overnight stays.

How to Reserve

You can book a site at Elkmont Campground online for a nightly fee of $30 per site.