Hotels Overview

Years ago, fine old lodges and inns were built to house visitors who arrived by train and bus. Today, some of those lodges are still among the best places to stay around the park. Large enough to provide privacy, but small enough to offer personality and personal service, these inns run the gamut from rustic to elegant. One word of caution: any place that advertises "natural air-conditioning" is actually admitting to a lack of mechanical air-conditioning. Nights in the Smokies are generally comfortable throughout the year, but these hills aren't immune to stifling heat.

There are hundreds of hotels, motels, and mom-and-pop motor courts in the area, and they vary considerably in quality. Contact local chambers of commerce for more information. The safest bets are recognized chain establishments, but many locally owned hostelries offer charming and sometimes nostalgic accommodations. Almost all rooms can be booked up during the high seasons; many guests book rooms for fall a year in advance.

Except at Le Conte Lodge on the Tennessee side, which is accessible by trail only, the only accommodations in the park are at ten developed campsites, but these have no showers or RV hookups. Little River Village Campground. If convenience to facilities is a factor, or the park campgrounds are full, the tent sites in the "Riverwalk" section of the Little River Village Campground rival park campgrounds for a pleasing woods setting and privacy. Just.2 mile from the park entrance, there are clean bathhouses, picnic tables with cement decks, inner-tube rentals, and complete hookups for RVs. 8533 Rte. 73, Townsend, TN, 37882. 423/448-2241

Some campsites can be reserved in advance, by contacting the National Park Service (reservations.nps.gov). Back country camping is also available, but such camping requires a (free) permit(865/436-1231). Admission to the park is free.