Planning a trip to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge can be a daunting task…whether you come to the area every year or this is your first trip! Especially if you are looking to rent a cabin or chalet in the Smokies. The first and most obvious thing that needs to be set is the dates you’re planning on staying. Summer is always a busy time here in the Smokies, but we also hold special events throughout the year that visitors may want to become familiar with. Two informative website are www.mypigeonforge.com and www.gatlinburg.com. Both of these websites have a calendar of events that can provide valuable area information for guests.
Then next thing that should be considered is the type of cabin you would like to stay in. We have two styles of homes available on our program. The first is the typical log cabin. Most of these cabins will have logs on both the inside and outside of the house; although, some cabins will have sheet rock walls. These tend to be the most popular style of home. The second type of home that we offer is a chalet. These look more like traditional homes. Most of our chalets are located in Gatlinburg. The type of cabin you choose to reserve is based on your personal preference and which would suit your needs the best.
After you decide on the type of cabin that will best fit your needs, you will need to decide in what area you would like to stay. Most people don’t realize there are several different areas within Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Guests should also remember that all traffic lights in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are numbered for their convenience.
The Spur: This area is located between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and can provide a convenient drive to both areas. Guests should be aware the roads in this area can be narrow and during winter may be difficult to drive.
Ski Mountain: This area begins at traffic light #10 in Gatlinburg and continues up to Ober Gatlinburg. This is a great area if you’re planning on spending the majority of your time in Gatlinburg or the national park. Most cabins in this area boast of spectacular views. This area also is home to Chalet Village which provides swimming pools and other amenities for the cabins on the mountain. Ski Mountain can be extremely difficult to drive if there is any snow during the winter months. Guests are strongly encouraged to have a four wheel drive vehicle and chains.
Wears Valley: This area encompasses a large area of land which can be reached either from traffic light #3 or #10 and makes a loop to the national park through Townsend, TN. This is an extremely diverse area that can keep you as close to Pigeon Forge as two miles or as far away as 45 minutes from the parkway…so there is an area for everyone here. It is always beneficial when talking with our reservationists to make sure of the distance from your cabin to the parkway. Guests should also know that some of the cabins in this area can be on narrow winding roads.
Birds Creek: This area is commonly known as the “back roads”, but don’t be put off by the description. This is actually a beautiful area that can not only offer cabins with privacy or views, but is a great alternative during some of our busier times. You can drive to either Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg without the need to get on the parkway. Another plus of this area I the roads to the cabins are easily accessible to those who are not accustomed to driving mountainous roads.
Of course it’s always beneficial to speak with a reservationist to understand where the specific homes you’re interested in are located, but with this information you can have a better understanding of the cabin you will be staying at.
