All About Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals
Gatlinburg is an extremely popular year-round tourist destination in Tennessee…and for good reason! It has a charming small town feel with impressive amounts of attractions, shopping and dining options.
If you are planning a trip to Gatlinburg, you’ve likely thought about renting a cabin for your stay. Cabins come in all shapes and sizes, from cozy honeymoon cabins tucked away in the woods to luxury cabins complete with swimming pools and game rooms. (Of course, many of the cabins come with amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains, too.)
Whether it’s a family vacation or an intimate mountain getaway, it’s guaranteed that there’s a cabin that’s right for you. If you’re contemplating renting a cabin in Gatlinburg, here’s what you need to know.
Plan Your Getaway According to the Season
There are many seasons to account for when planning your trip to Gatlinburg (and we don’t just mean the seasons of the year!). In Gatlinburg, the biggest season of the year is tourist season, when the amount of visitors swells to epic proportions.
There’s the spring tourist season, which begins in mid to late March, coinciding with the region’s famously beautiful wildflowers.
Then, hot on the heels of the spring tourist season comes summer, undoubtedly the most popular time for visitors to come to Gatlinburg. The weather’s hot, the traffic is dense, and all of the Gatlinburg attractions, like Anakeesta, Ripley’s Aquarium and the nearby Dollywood, are packed.
Not long after summer, there’s the fall foliage season, where visitors come from all over the globe to view the spectacular autumn splendor. Typically, there’s also an uptick in visitors around the holidays in December, as well.
So, that means that if you want the best price on a cabin rental, be prepared to stay in Gatlinburg during an off-season month, such as January, February, May, or September. If you want to stay in Gatlinburg during one of the tourist seasons, be ready to pay more, and book about a year in advance for the cabin you want.
Know Your Type (Of Cabin)
Smoky Mountain cabin rentals come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from small, one- or two- bedroom cabins all the way to spacious, chalet-style cabins that are practically resorts in themselves. (You don’t want to overpay and get a six-bedroom cabin for a family of four, but you also don’t want to run out of space if you’re getting a large group of people together for a family reunion.) It’s also important to note that if you’re bringing pets along that you narrow down your search to pet-friendly cabins.
What about amenities? Sure, there’s plenty to do in and around Gatlinburg, but what about if you’re just planning a quiet day around the cabin? Like the cabins themselves, the extras that the cabins come with are all different. Some cabins have jacuzzis or hot tubs (pack a swimsuit!), which are perfect to relax in while enjoying the mountain views. If you’re planning a family movie night, many cabins come with full home theater systems. Still others have game rooms, with air hockey or pool tables, saunas, indoor pool access and master chef-quality grilling areas. It’s your vacation rental, so base your search on the amenities you want most!
Location is another factor that will influence the price of your cabin rental. Choose a cabin that is close to the attractions and activities that you are planning to do in Gatlinburg. If you’re planning on hitting the shopping and restaurants on the Parkway, then you choose a cabin that’s close to downtown Gatlinburg.
There are also cabins available near the Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community, if you are interested in local art and artisans. If you’re an outdoor lover looking to make use of some hiking boots, and your Smoky Mountain vacation has brought you there in search of hiking and outdoor sights, then you can find small, rustic log cabins deep in the woods that are the perfect vacation home away from home. There, you’ll find that you’re only a short walk away from the natural beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National park (and those beautiful waterfalls will practically be within walking distance).
*Note that most cabins will come with free wi-fi, but check beforehand to make sure.
The Price of a Cabin Rental in Gatlinburg
Now that we’ve looked at all the considerations that can influence the price of your Gatlinburg rental, what can you expect to pay? The average family can expect to pay around $100 and $300 per night for a Gatlinburg cabin during peak season. Keep in mind, though, that even this average cost can vary widely due to all of the factors that we’ve discussed – if you’re searching for a chalet village retreat with an indoor swimming pool and waterfall, it’s certainly going to cost more than $240 a night!
Again, remember that you can help keep this cost down by visiting during the off season, or splitting the cost among other members of your group. Also, stay on the lookout for discounts and deals. Renting a cabin in Gatlinburg is truly a magical experience and shouldn’t be missed!
Your Perfect Cabin is Here
A little research can go a long way toward making your stay in Gatlinburg as affordable as possible. Consider your travel dates, group size and length of stay when choosing the location that’s best for you.
By researching online, you can save valuable time and energy when looking for the best deal possible. Make sure to check out Relax Gatlinburg, where you’ll not only find information about all the cabins here, but also attractions, museums, and other fun activities!