Glamping in the Great Smoky Mountains

1. Glamp Under the Stars at Under Canvas

I have always wanted to go camping but I have no desire to sleep on the ground in a sleeping bag. I found Under Canvas on Google while I was planning this trp. I was originally going to stay in an airbnb for my entire visit but once I saw the photos and read the reviews, I had to try at least one night. The room prices were reasonable, starting around $200 per night with a pet fee of $25 per night. There are several tent options to accommodate different group sizes, including twin sized beds for kids. I chose the suite which was enough space for my friend and my dog. The staff was very friendly and check-in was easy. The lobby was spacious and had an area to buy coffee and snacks and they are pet friendly! Inside of our tent was exactly what we expected. It was very clean with modern décor and bedding. There were stoves in each of the tents but only provided minimal heat so we made sure to layer before going to bed. It rained but no water made it inside of the tent. We took advantage of the firepits on the campgrounds and made smores with some of the other guests (The lobby sold smores kits). At night, there wasn’t much light to obscure the view of the sky, making it perfect for stargazing. (Some of the tents are even designed for stargazing) My one complaint was the location of our tent. We had to climb quite a few stairs which made it difficult to carry our luggage up and down. Other than that I enjoyed our time and highly recommend to anyone looking to glamp when visiting the Smokey Mountains.

2. Find an Airbnb with a View

For the remainder of my stay I chose an Airbnb with breathtaking mountain views in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The airbnb was a log cabin high in the mountains with a large balcony with a jacuzzi. I finally understand how the “Smoky Mountains” got their name. There was so much fog that the mountains looked like they were releasing smoke. In the early morning hours the fog was s thick throughout that it was impossible to see! The fog slowly disappeared each hour and was completely gone by the afternoon. The best part of this cabin was sitting in the jacuzzi on the balcony watching the sun set with a tall glass of wine!

3. Hike the Charlie’s Bunion Trail

There are many hiking trails along the Appalachian in the Great Smoky mountains. I chose to hike the Charlie’s Bunion Trail. It was a bit challenging at times. The trail was very rocky so I recommend wearing hiking shoes. I suggest planning for 2 hours up, 1 hour at the top and 2 hours back down. You may need less time, but its better to be prepared. The views from the top are breathtaking so you will want to sit for a while and take it all in. Be sure to pack a lunch, snacks and plenty of water!

Trail Details:

Main Trail: Appalachian Trail
Difficulty Level: Difficult-Strenuous
Trailhead location: Newfound Gap parking lot to the left of the overlook near the restrooms
Hiking Distance: 8.0 miles roundtrip (about 5 hours or less)
Elevation: 5,500 ft with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet
Pets: NO

4. Visit the Alcatraz Crime Museum

The city of Pigeon Forge is full of theme parks, museums and other fun attractions. It is perfect for children and families but also good for adults. I chose to visit the Alcatraz Crime Museum which was a lot of fun. There were interactive activities, such as standing in a line up and trying to get through security lasers in a jewel heist. There was a lot of history on crime and artifacts such as OJ’s bronco and Ted Bundy’s Volkswagen beetle. The crime museum is just one of many attractions in Pigeon Forge.