STEP FOUR: Book Your Lodging
>> Where should I stay? <<
Alright, you’re more than halfway there. Step Four is a fun one!
Let’s make your lodging reservations. I’m going to help you decide where you want to stay while visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. After this task is complete, it’s official….you’re making your dream trip a reality!
So go ahead and get out the list you made in Step Three….the one that has the points of interest you want to visit divided up by region. Which region has the most activities? You’ll want to book your lodging near that area of the park.
Now, if you plan on being in the park for more than two or three nights, you’ll likely want to book a few nights in one area of the park and then a few nights in another. One of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting the Smokies is not factoring in all the driving and traffic — you could end up spending most of your day in the car just trying to get from place to place. No fun.
Click here to see the lodging options within the park. In-park lodging is limited to the Leconte Lodge (which is only accessible by foot) and various campgrounds. If this isn’t going to work for you, you’ll need to consider options outside of the park near the entrances.
Here’s what you can expect at each entrance:
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is a great jumping-off point for seeing basically everything in the park! From here, you’re close to the Newfound Gap Road, the Little River Road, and the Roaring Fork Nature Trail. Because of its location, Gatlinburg is the busiest and most developed town near the park. Most people stay here while touring the area.
Gatlinburg {and nearby Pigeon Forge} is crowded and quirky….very quirky. It appears as if Ripley’s Believe-it-or-Not owns the whole town and it can sometimes feel gimmicky. But if you like to be in the middle of it all, with loads of dining and activity options, this is the place to be.
If you’re looking for a nice quiet and peaceful place to stay, you should for lodging somewhere else.
Gatlinburg is located near the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Park Headquarters at the north end of the park.
Townsend
Townsend is not too far from all the excitement of Gatlinburg, but it provides a completely different feel. Known as “the peaceful side of the Smokies”, you’ll still find some fantastic activities and points of interest — but without all the crowds.
This town prides itself on preserving the Appalachian culture and has a few great museums, historic sites, and trails. It’s conveniently located near Cades Cove, though it’s a long drive to get anywhere else in the park.
River tubing, horseback riding, and salamander spotting are just a few things you can do to keep busy here. If you are looking for a quiet town to stay in while exploring the park and don’t mind some extra driving, Townsend is the place to be.
Townsend is located at the northwest part of the park, near Cades Cove.
Cherokee
Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is a unique place to stay while you visit the Smokies. It’s easy to explore along the Newfound Gap Road from here. You can also easily access other popular spots such as Deep Creek, Cataloochee, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Here you’ll find a quiet town {with the exception of the large casino} with many activities that introduce you to the Cherokee tribe. You can visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, shop at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, explore the Oconaluftee Indian Village, or enjoy the Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama.
While I don’t recommend staying here for the majority of your vacation {it’s a little far from the points of interest in the northern part of the park}, I do think it’s worth a stay for a few days if you have plans to explore the southern end of the Smokies or the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Cherokee is located on the south end of the Newfound Gap Road near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
Other entrances {via Wear Valley, Greenbrier, Cosby, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Balsam Mountain, Deep Creek}
There are many small roads that lead into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, though most don’t connect you with the main road system that travels through the park.
These areas are nice for a day trip if you have some extra time, but in general I wouldn’t recommend staying here on your first visit to the Smokies, just for the sake of convenience.
In a large and popular park like the Great Smoky Mountains, finding lodging can be a complex process. Determine what area of the park/entrance you’d like to stay in first, then start digging for the lodging that will best suit your needs. Rooms sure can get snatched up fast so let’s book your lodging!
If you’re interested in my recommendations for places to stay, I’ve included a helpful lodging guide with these Great Smoky Mountains itineraries.
Alright, it’s time to tie up our loose ends so that you’ll have an awesome Smokies vacation plan under your belt.
Click NEXT to see Step Five — let’s put it all together!
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