Is your family planning a trip to America’s beautiful Appalachian region and looking for the best glamping spots in the Smoky Mountains area?
If so, you’ve come to the right place because my family and I had a fantastic time visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area, taking in the panoramic mountain views, and discovering all the superb natural wonders in this breathtaking corner of the country.
Now, I’m here to share the best glamping in the United States of America’s most visited national park with you.
You heard that right – over 13 million people visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2023, making it the most visited national park in America.
And many of those folks stayed in these very glamping spots, where they could be “one with nature” while still having hot showers, a cozy bed, and even, in some cases, a hot tub.
So, if you want to earn “street cred” for being a survivalist momma without giving up most modern creature comforts, continue reading to learn about the best places to go glamping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Smoky Mountains: An Overview
The Great Smoky Mountains, or Smoky Mountains as they’re sometimes called, is a subrange of the greater Appalachian Mountain Range that snakes along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
With a vast diversity in flora and fauna resulting from the significant elevation changes within the “Smokies,” these hills attract nature enthusiasts from around the world eager to view hardwood forests, spruce-fir forests, abundant wildflowers, countless bird species, elk, black bears, and more.
Plus, the famous Appalachian Trail runs directly through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is easily accessible from the main road in the park. In fact, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail, Clingman’s Dome, resides right here in the Smoky Mountains.
Head out to the trail in the morning to see why they call this place the “Smoky” Mountains, as you’re likely to witness the almost daily fog that rolls in and envelops the peaks, giving viewers a sort of “spooky” but hauntingly beautiful scene.
Smoky Mountains Lodging Options (INSIDE the Park)
There are a couple of options for lodging within Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
1. Camping – The NPS maintains 10 campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains’ “front country.” Advance reservations are recommended.
2. LeConte Lodge – A remote lodge atop Mount LeConte, accessible via a 5-8 mile hike. Advance reservations are required.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend staying at LeConte Lodge unless, of course, you’re up for the strenuous hike to get there. Just be forewarned that the quickest (and steepest) route is at least a 4-hour trek uphill.
If you’re game for camping, it’ll save you some time and help you beat the crowds. The NPS manages 10 campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s “front country,” with cold running water and flush toilets.
Some campgrounds offer campsites for large groups (8 or more people), plus Cades Cove Campground and Smokemont Campground offer year-round camping.
If you’d like to save time and get into the park early, a night or two in one of the park’s campgrounds could be an option. However, it’s not absolutely necessary.
We didn’t camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; instead, we opted for a few nights, resting our heads and enjoying the great outdoors in some of the area’s excellent glamping locations.
I’d highly recommend your family stay in one of the best glamping spots in the Smoky Mountains for a fun-filled, close-to-nature experience, with plenty of comfort included.
The Best Time To Glamp In The Smoky Mountains
Generally speaking, summertime is the peak season in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is when temperatures are warm, and the kids are out on summer break, making the national park a beehive of activity.
That said, when wildflowers bloom, the spring season can be busy, and the autumn season, when vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues cover the hills, also draws many visitors.
Wintertime is slow as temperatures often drop below freezing, and snow can accumulate.
So, while there really isn’t a bad time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I’d recommend spring and autumn, known as the shoulder seasons.
This is when you’ll get mild temperatures, smaller crowds than in the summer, and plenty of beauty with the lush spring bloom or the vibrant fall foliage.
11 Best Family-Friendly Glamping Spots In The Smoky Mountains
1. Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee (approx 10 miles from the Gatlinburg entrance) | Accommodates: 6 guests
My family has had some of our most memorable National Park trip moments at the top-notch Under Canvas glamping locations. And this spot was no different!
Located just 10 miles from the primary entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the bustling town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains balances an authentic camping experience with plenty of modern amenities to create a unique glamping experience.
You’ll find beautiful safari tents erected on pretty wooden platforms (think hardwood floors) dotting the 182 acres of land, where you and your family are free to explore the lush, wooded forests.
Larger families can stay in the Suite with Kids Tent, which contains a king-size bed, a living area with a queen-size sofa bed, and an adjacent tent with 2 twin beds, plus a private bathroom and a wood-burning stove with complimentary firewood.
You can easily sleep up to 6 people with this setup.
Don’t need that much space?
Check out the Stargazer With Kids Tent, a plush canvas tent featuring a king-size bed, two twin beds, a private deck with lounge chairs, a private bathroom, and a night sky viewing window in the main sleeping area.
The Stargazer With Kids Tent is perfect for 2 adults and 2 kids. For my family of five though, we book the suite tent plus kids tent.
2. Camp LeConte
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee (approx 6 miles from the Gatlinburg entrance) | Accommodates: 4 guests
Not to be confused with the LeConte Lodge, Camp LeConte is a lovely, little family-run glamping establishment just a short drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Gatlinburg Entrance, providing easy access to the park.
My family and I stayed here on our Smoky Mountains odyssey, and we were simply delighted with the quaint hominess this glamorous camping resort provided.
And there are plenty of ways to stay here, including retro RVs with a modern touch or luxury treehouses with spectacular views.
The Retro RVs may be too small for larger families, with just one queen-sized bed and a pullout futon. However, the larger Luxury Treehouse features a comfy queen-sized bed and a sleeping loft, easily sleeping up to 2 adults and 2 kids. You’ll also have your own full bathroom in a luxury treehouse.
The large Safari Tents can accommodate up to 6 with a queen bed and two bunk beds, each featuring a pair of twin mattresses, plus a covered private deck with chairs and more.
You’ll also find RV sites, a heated swimming pool, a playground, a ping pong table, picnic tables, a gift shop, and a trolley to take you to downtown Gatlinburg.
As you can imagine, my kiddos didn’t want to leave this little slice of heaven tucked away in the hills of Tennessee.
3. Treehouse Grove
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee (approx 5 miles from the Gatlinburg entrance) | Accommodates: 10 guests
Treehouse Grove is the perfect getaway nestled into the forested foothills of the smokies. Immerse yourself in nature in one of the property’s 16 luxury treehouses designed by the “Treehouse Master” Pete Nelson.
If you’re traveling with your pet or pets, check out pet-friendly accommodations like The Cottonwood Treehouse, which contains 2 bedrooms, a private ensuite bathroom, heating, air-conditioning, an outdoor shower, and a kitchen with a coffee maker, microwave, kettle, refrigerator, dishes, as well as silverware.
Larger luxury treehouses such as The Green Ash, The Mulberry, and The Spruce can comfortably sleep as many as 10.
If you’re not feeling the treehouse vibes, go for one of the luxury tents at the property’s Rustic Bearadise Glampsite, a brand-new glamping experience.
Or, if you’d like a cabin, have a look at The Fish House at Norton Creek, another Treehouse Grove accommodation.
The 425 acres of land at Treehouse Grove also feature a communal hot tub, general store, and plenty of unspoiled wilderness.
4. Little Arrow Outdoor Resort
Location: Townsend, Tennessee (approx 1 mile from the Townsend entrance) | Accommodates: 6 guests
Located just outside the sleepy town of Townsend, less than a mile from Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s Townsend entrance, Little Arrow Outdoor Resort offers an array of fun accommodations steps away from the Little River.
Take your pick of luxury glamping tents, tiny homes, airstreams, or cabins that accommodate up to 6 on this idyllic little piece of land, just a stone’s throw from the park’s lesser-trafficked Tennessee-side entrance (compared to the more heavily trafficked Gatlinburg entrance).
Spend the night in one of the property’s luxury glamping lodges, two-story structures under canvas tents offering plush bedding, heating, air-conditioning, a small kitchen with a refrigerator and freezer, as well as a dining area, and plenty of covered outdoor seating.
Ever thought about what living in a tiny house would be like?
Here’s your chance to find out as Little Arrow Outdoor Resort has several beautiful tiny homes, where you’ll find 2 queen-size beds, 2 private ensuite bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a large outdoor deck with a fire pit and Adirondack chairs.
The beautifully renovated Airstream Suites accommodate up to 4 people with 2 sofa beds, a kitchen with a gas stove, and a large outdoor dining area.
5. Glamp X Stay Minty
Location: Cosby, Tennessee (approx 19 miles from the Gatlinburg entrance) | Accommodates: 7 guests
Glamp X Stay Minty is a hip and trendy glamping spot with gorgeous geodesic domes and large windows, providing stunning mountain views by day and a mesmerizing starry night sky after sunset.
Sleeping up to 6, the luxurious Night Fever Dome is built on a large raised deck with a private hot tub, outdoor dining area, and a charcoal grill. Step into the dome to relax in your stylish abode, complete with a king bed with a trundle, 2 comfy queen beds, an electric fireplace, a private ensuite bathroom, and a small kitchen.
I personally recommend the outstanding 1,282 square-foot Mood Dance Dome, which sleeps up to 7 and takes its name from the lyrics of a Van Morrison tune. There’s plenty of sleeping and sitting space, plus a full-sized fridge, dishwasher, countertop burner, and indoor dining area comfortably seating 6.
Situated directly adjacent to Dunn Creek, you can relax, enjoy the tranquil sounds of trickling water, partake in on-site fishing, and wrap up your day playing one of the property’s complimentary board games.
6. The Ridge Luxury Tent Glamping
Location: Sevierville, Tennessee (approx 12 miles from the Gatlinburg entrance) | Accommodates: 6 guests
The Ridge Outdoor Resort is located just north of Pigeon Forge in the small city of Sevierville, the county seat of Sevier County, providing a quiet, comfortable getaway for nature lovers.
If you’re a country music fan, I’d recommend venturing into the quaint little city where Dolly Parton grew up. You’ll find a statue erected in her honor. You’ll also find the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, featuring vintage aircraft, and the nearby Forbidden Caverns, a vast underground cave network.
The lovely Ridge Outdoor Resort offers luxury tent glamping, tiny homes, RV glamping, and more.
The 8 luxury glamping tents can accommodate anywhere from 4-6 people, with 3 of the 8 also accepting pets. All come with luxury bedding, a private bathroom, Smart TVs, a kitchenette, a charcoal grill, and a firepit.
The Tiny Home Cabin Glamping option offers modern luxury, easily sleeping up to 6 people, and includes in-home WiFi, a warm propane firepit, and more.
There are excellent family-friendly events almost every night, such as movie nights, kid’s nights, low country boils, and others.
7. Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort Covered Wagon
Location: Sevierville, Tennessee (approx 18 miles from the Gatlinburg entrance) | Accommodates: 4 guests
Another amazing glamping experience in Sevierville, Tennessee, Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort comes equipped with covered wagon accommodations meant to recreate the experience of westward pioneers but with a few more modern amenities and creature comforts.
You’ll have your own outdoor seating area with Adirondack chairs and a firepit, plus a kitchenette with a microwave and a mini-fridge, 2 single beds, and a large double bed inside your covered wagon glamping tent.
The property also provides a large outdoor dining area where the whole family can have a meal in the great outdoors while savoring the beautiful campground and beautiful views, making for a great outdoor experience.
There’s also a nice clubhouse with books, DVDs, board games, puzzles, and more. Full bathrooms are shared with other guests.
8. Junaluska @ Sky Ridge Yurts
Location: Bryson City, North Carolina (approx 23 miles from the Oconaluftee entrance) | Accommodates: 6 guest
With Central Asian-style yurts transplanted into Bryson City, Junaluska @ Sky Ridge Yurts offers a unique glamping experience on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Located approximately 23 miles southwest of the Oconaluftee entrance, near Cherokee, North Carolina, the gateway to the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, Junaluska @ Sky Ridge Yurts offers a great chance to get off the beaten path and away from the Tennessee-side crowds.
The luxury yurts on this property come with 3 double beds, a sofa bed, an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, and a little porch with a barbecue grill and outdoor furniture.
If you’re interested in outdoor activities such as hiking or bird watching, this will surely be one of your favorite places in the area.
I say that because the best things about this pristine glamping spot are the surrounding unspoiled wilderness full of wildlife and the staggering mountain views visible from anywhere on the property.
9. Hunkerdown Hollow
Location: Sevierville, Tennessee (approx 26 miles from the Gatlinburg entrance) | Accommodates: 4 guests
Hunkerdown Hollow is a nifty little rustic glamping spot on the shores of Tennessee’s Douglas Lake.
Here, you’ll have access to a canvas tent atop a wooden platform, with a queen-size bed inside and two Adirondack chairs outside. There’s also an adjacent pop-up tent for the kids and an outdoor shower, fire pit, campfire grill, and a picnic table. If it gets chilly, be sure to ask your friendly hosts for a space heater.
You can step out of your temporary home and onto your own private beach to enjoy swimming, fishing, and water sports in this 44-square-mile reservoir known as Douglas Lake.
The family-run, pet-friendly property sits at the end of a rural road, allowing you the opportunity to have total peace and quiet and many great outdoor adventures.
The family that owns the property also runs a nearby multi-acre farm where you can get a taste of farm life, when you’re not on the lake or up in the Smoky Mountains.
10. XL Dome By Glamping Collective
Location: Clyde, North Carolina (approx 37 miles from the Oconaluftee entrance) | Accommodates: 6 guests
This delightful XL geodesic dome is perched high atop a forested mountain on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it the perfect place to get off the beaten path, take in the beautiful scenery, and breathe the fresh mountain air.
Sip your morning coffee as you gaze through your floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down upon some of the finest views in the eastern United States and perhaps anywhere in the world.
The dome easily sleeps up to 6 people with 2 bedrooms, each featuring a plush king-size bed and a large pullout couch bed with a memory foam mattress.
Your private bathroom has a huge slate tile shower. And your kitchen is well-equipped with cookware and an attached dining area.
That’s not even mentioning the large porch with chairs and a table where you can catch some rays or listen to the birds sing their morning songs, giving you a good reason to linger there right up until check-out time.
11. Gorgeous Stays LLC
Location: Bryson City, North Carolina (approx 22.5 miles from the Oconaluftee entrance) | Accommodates: 6 guest
Located deep in the North Carolina foothills near the Nantahala National Forest, Gorgeous Stays LLC offers an eclectic mix of unique glamping options with a campground experience.
You’ll have your choice of glamping tents, tiny homes, a tiny cabin, and, most interestingly, a converted bus decked out with British-themed decor.
You might expect to see this double-decker bus, called The Crown Jewel, on the streets of London. But don’t adjust your eyes. It’s right here in North Carolina. And you can sleep in it!
Inside this authentic British bus, you’ll find a queen bed and 2 twin beds in the “Queen’s Chambers” on the upper level and 2 twin lounge beds in the “Queen’s Pub” on the lower level.
Staying in this fascinating dwelling may be among the best ways to feel immersed in British culture without actually going to the UK.
If sleeping in a bus isn’t your idea of glamping, check out one of the other accommodations on the property.
For the more traditional glamping experience, try the Truly “GLAMOROUS” glamping tent, which easily sleeps 2 adults and 2 kids with a queen-size bed and twin bed with a trundle.
But this is no ordinary glamping tent, as the interior is decked out with vintage 1950s decor, including photos of the iconic Marilyn Monroe and plush furniture, furs, feathers, pinks, and golds. Think Palm Springs in a glamping tent!
It also has a coffeemaker, mini-fridge, RV toilet, and space heater (upon request).
Closing Thoughts: Family Glamping At The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There’s certainly no shortage of unique glamping experiences near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you and your family can build memories that will last a lifetime while having convenient access to some of the finest wilderness in America.
Situated about 195 miles east of downtown Nashville, Tennesse, this forested mountain-covered national park that’s so often shrouded in fog doesn’t necessarily get the same publicity as America’s western national parks.
However, after visiting many of our country’s national parks as a family, we’ve all agreed Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds its own with the best of them.
If you’d like to take in the beauty and grandeur of the Appalachian Mountains, this park is a great place to do it.
And for this momma, the best glamping in the Smoky Mountains is the way to have the best of both worlds! (nature and comfort, that is)
From my family to yours, here’s to getting out there and experiencing the great outdoors together! We hope you enjoy your Great Smoky Mountains National Park glamping experience!
More Great Smoky Mountains NP Tips & Glamping Info for more US National Parks
Looking for more information about Smoky Mountains NP, or glamping adventures in more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
- 18 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Animals To Spot
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 8 TOP Easy Hikes
- 12 Best Family Glamping Spots: Acadia National Park
- 8 BEST Yellowstone Glamping Options For Families
- 17 Best Family Glamping Spots: Joshua Tree National Park
- Glamping Zion National Park: 15 Best Family Options
- Family Road Trip Essentials: 17 BEST Items To Pack
- Badlands National Park Cabins: Cedar Pass Lodge Guide
- Where to Stay When Visiting Yosemite NP: 13 TOP Picks
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