Did you know that there are no Smokey Mountain cabins for vacation rentals within the Great Smokey Mountains National Park except one? It’s called Leconte Lodge. Although the National Park Service’s Leconte Lodge is called a lodge, it also includes log cabins for rent. These are the only cabins for vacation rental within the national park.
To get there, do you just get in your car and drive to the front door? No way! There is no path to these Smokey Mountain rental cabins. If you want to stay there, the only way to get in is by hiking! Talk about the secluded Smokey Mountain cabins – it’s a 5+ mile hike if up to it. Many people do just that, as this Smokey Mountain cabin facility fills up quickly during the summer. Not only does it fill up fast, you may have to wait months for a cabin reservation.
Located at more than 6,500 feet, these Smokies rental cabins are very popular. Get ready for a sponge bath. While there is running water for the bathrooms, there is no electricity. Kerosene lanterns will provide you with light. You won’t blow-dry your hair or see reruns while you’re here. It is life as it used to be many generations ago.
These Smokey Mountain cabins only have a capacity of up to fifty guests per night staying in handcrafted log cabins or group sleeping cabins. The cabins have upper and lower double bunks, ideal for two couples or a family of four or five. Each of the largest cabins can accommodate ten to thirteen people.
For your stay at Leconte, be sure to bring sturdy shoes that have already been broken. Include more than one sock change in case your feet get wet. Layered lightweight clothing will give you the flexibility to add more or remove as temperatures change. It is advisable to bring a warm sweater or jacket and a light raincoat or poncho is absolutely essential. Nature shows no mercy for those who are unprepared for sudden changes in the weather. Summer nights can plunge into the 40’s, while in spring and fall, nighttime temperatures can drop down to snowy teens.
It is not necessary to bring suitcases and other cumbersome luggage. A lightweight backpack should be what you use for your needs, as all you really need is personal clothing and toiletries. Remember, it is a 5 mile hike to enjoy these very special Smokey Mountain cabins.
The Great Smokey Mountain National Park is located about half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. Leconte Lodge is located on Leconte Mountain, which is on the Tennessee side of the national park. But you won’t know what state it is in. Really matters? You will know that you are far from civilization in a beautiful unspoiled mountain retreat. Whether you’re staying at Leconte Lodge or other Smokey Mountain log cabins outside the park, once you’ve been there, it’s easy to see why Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the US. .
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