Smoky Mountains
 

Planning a trip to Smoky Mountains at the end of June. Would be 4 adults that like cabin life but nicer facilites and hot tubs. Want to see the great scenic areas and also go into North Carolina. Can you give me some ideas about where to stay. We heard that the chimney rock area is beautiful. Any advice appreciated. We are fun at heart. Have 7 + days to spend. Might go to Dollywood if it is worth the time. Love arts and great bargains...love falls and beautiful outdoor areas. We are mid 50's but enjoy fishing, horseback riding and short hikes. Thanks so much!

If you want to fish, and not buy an expensive state trout license you can go into Cherokee, NC which is on the border of the Park and get a daily trout permit. The Indian tribe stocks the waters. It's fun.
Dollywood is NOT arts.

Chimney Rock is a great place to stay but really only @ the fringe of the Smokies. In addition, since it is @ a lower elevation, it may be quite warm there in June.
We visit the Mts. several times of year & always use vrbo.com. I tend to favor the NC side & tend to avoid Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Cherokee due to the over abundance of kitsch (& yes, I am being kind).
I would start here - http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm , decide on what I may want to see most & pick a central locale based on that...I would probably look around Bryson City or Townsend, personally.

We love Tennessee and the cabins and have done this several times. The first two times we rented from Cabinfevervacations.com, once in Gatlinburg, once in Pidgeon Forge, both cabins were WONDERFUL and off the beaten path, but still close to everything. The third time we rented from VRBO in Seiverville, the place was a disapointment to us. The hot tub never worked and although the picture showed it on a flat surface the entrance was on the side, 32 stairs up, TOO MANY!! We don't mind the "Tourest trap" areas, we avoid what we don't want to see, but we like the flexibility of food choices, chains and non chains.
I would rent in the Townsend area, it is quieter with still quick, easy access to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge for food and touresty type stuff. For waterfalls and other outdoor spots Cades Cove, Roaring Forks are both a short drive. The Arts and Crafts loop is close too!

We spent seven nights in Bryson City at Angel Cabins on the NC side. We found this to be a perfect location to do some sightseeing. We were close enough to Entrance of the Smoky Mountains at Cherokee. We spent 2-3 full days in the Smoky's and hiking. We also did a day trip to Asheville and visited the Biltmore We spent one day on the TN side of the Smoky's and we were overwhelmed with the crowds. It truly was a very different experience than the quieter NC side. Bryson City had a nice walkable town with a variety of restaurants to choose from. We also had the option to eat at our cabin since it had a full kitchen which worked perfect. We never felt rushed and thought we crammed a lot into our 7 full days at this location.

Just S of Nantahala is Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa. There's a lodge but no cabins. There's golf, spa, horses and fishing. Nice place.

Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa @ 6321 U.S. 76, Young Harris, GA 706 - 379 - 9900.
http://www.brasstownvalley.com/

I REALLY agree with staying on the NC side rather than TN. It is just so much quieter. It isn't hard to get to dollywood or Gatlinburg IF you must. Bryson City is a great gateway. There is good tubing at that entrance also.

I REALLY agree with staying on the NC side rather than TN. It is just so much quieter. It isn't hard to get to dollywood or Gatlinburg IF you must. Bryson City is a great gateway. There is good tubing at that entrance also.

Thanks so very much for the responses. It looks as though the general consensus is for the North Carolina side. I am checking into that area right now and I am forwarding all your posts to my sister and her husband who are our travel companions. It is great to get your insight..considering the Biltmore...thinking not on Dollywood..Townsend area sounds great! What about restaurants and what is the Arts and Crafts Loop?

This is the only place I would recommend on the TN. side (outside of vrbo.com, of course) - http://auntiebelhams.com/ I've not been on there recently, not sure if they have anything around Townsend, or not.

I think you might really enjoy serenityhillcabin.com. It's located on Douglas Lake in Dandridge. You can fish right from the dock or rent a pontoon, fishing boat, or jet skis from the local marina. It has some of the best lake and mountain views in the area, is very quiet and peaceful and close to riding stables. It's also 30 miles from Dollywood and 72 miles from Asheville. (4 miles from I-40 exit 432.) And Dandridge was just voted one of the 12 most distinctive destinations of 2011 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. http://www.preservationnation.org/tr...ee.html?page=1

Thank you goodwing. I will check this out!

Ive been to Gatlinburg many times and just love it there.We are going back in April and I can't wait to smell the fresh mountain air.I hope the weather is nice so we can get out and enjoy the park and go on a few hikes.

Just got back yesterday from a 6 day vacay in Townsend with a family of four. PERFECT location for us as our goal was to spend time in the park and enjoy nature. We loved staying right outside the Park without the chaos fo PF or Gburg. We spent time with Foot Hills Parkway, hikes by Tremont Inst, Dave Crocett horseback riding, Tucaleechee Caverns, Heritage Center, hiked Abrams Falls, Sugarlands Center, hikes at CHimney Tops area, picnics, evening in PF, drive up the New FOund Gap Road to the clouds, a hike on Appalachian Trail, Roaring Fork Nature Trail, evening in Gburg, more horseback riding in Cades Cove, Ober Gatlingburg tram to top of mountain and ice skating. Great vacay!! Loved my vrbo.com
http://www.vrbo.com/344471 SUPER location for us to get into the park easily. Nice weather, didn't rain as they predicted. Awesome trip.