Best Cabin Camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cabins near Great Smoky Mountains National Park provide rustic to modern lodging options with varying amenities. Elkmont Campground offers cabin accommodations within the national park boundaries, while private options like Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA and Little Arrow Outdoor Resort provide more amenities. Most cabins include electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Bathroom facilities range from shared campground restrooms to private bathrooms in more upscale cabins. "Best Campground in The Great Smokies National Park! Sites are private, most are very wooded, they have tables, fire rings and usually paved tent pads."
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. KOA properties in Townsend, Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, and Cherokee offer standardized cabin rentals with reliable amenities and pet-friendly policies. Camp Riverslanding specializes in cabin rentals, making it a dedicated option for those seeking cabin-specific accommodations. Reservations are essential, especially during peak firefly season and fall foliage. According to one visitor, "We stayed here for Fall Leaves in the Smoky Mountains in our van. It's a basic campground." Most cabins operate seasonally, with Greenbrier Campground open March through December and Indian Creek Campground available March to October.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Basic kitchenette facilities are standard in KOA cabins, while rustic park cabins may only provide fire rings with cooking grates. On-site camp stores at Elkmont, Cades Cove, and most KOA locations stock firewood and basic provisions. Market facilities are available at nearly all cabin-offering campgrounds, though selection varies significantly. Firewood restrictions apply throughout the region, with most locations requiring certified pest-free wood purchased on-site or from approved vendors.
