There are plenty of things to do in the Smokies and in and around the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge downtown areas and within reach of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For those that like the great outdoors and want to spend the majority of the vacation in the Smokies outside there are all kids of things to do. Hiking in the National Park in one of the more popular summer activities that vacationers partake in. There are more than 850 miles of trails for hiking within the park boundaries that include hikes from mild walks in the woods to fairly strenuous hikes that should be reserved for the more experienced and physically fit hikers.

One of the more popular hikes in the National Park is a 4 mile round trip know as the Chimney Tops trail. It raises in elevation more than 1,400 feet and to reach the final summit a small climb is required. Although no gear is needed, good hiking boots and a supply of water is advisable during the hike.

But on to the most popular or best Gatlinburg cabin rentals for your upcoming summer vacation. These are the cream of the crop cabins in Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge resort area. Some of thee cabins we have personally stayed in and some we haven’t. All are completely decked out in the top log cabin decor, have the best amenities such as pool tables, game rooms, arcade games, large screen tv’s, Internet access and so much more you probably won’t want to leave your cabin. But please don’t stay indoors the entire time you are in the Smokies because you will miss the beautiful outdoors that makes the Smoky Mountains so famous.

The top 10 Gatlinburg cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains:

These are not in any particular order, they are just the top rentals we’ve featured on this site.

Timber Tops Lodge Mahal Near Pigeon Forge
This premier plus cabin rental near Pigeon Forge is a 4 bedroom 4 bath vacation rental that sleeps up to 10 people and features some of the most luxurious accommodations and amenities that you will find in a cabin of this class. The antler chandeliers and luxurious decor throughout the cabin make this place truly one of a kind.

Timber Tops Timber Lodge 15 Bedroom Cabin
Another cabin from Timber Tops Rentals. This is the largest cabin rental we have featured here at Gatlinburg Vacations. It is huge and has an astounding, are you ready for this, 15 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. This is one of the largest vacation rentals in the Smoky Mountains and can sleep up to 50 people. You can have your corporate retreat here or have a large family reunion or large church group gathering. This is the place if you need lots of room to accommodate lots of people.

Victoria’s Other Secret Most Luxurious Cabin In The Smokies
Timber Tops cabin rentals does it again with this incredible place. If you can believe it, this place is completely over the top and it even includes a swimming pool inside the cabin. There’s also a Foosball table right near the pool, so don’t get too excited when playing a game because you might just end up swimming if you do. This cabin also features stainless steel appliances, a pool table and other luxury items and decor appointments that give this cabin its over the top feel. You will absolutely love Victoria’s Other Secret.

Serenity Now At Gatlinburg Falls
The name says it all. This cabin is serene, luxurious and features some nice little extras that will make your vacation in the Smokies all the more enjoyable. It boasts a nice veranda off of the spacious deck, a fun tree deck for the kids and a nice covered porch swing out in the yard. Taks a break and relax on your next vacation at Serenity Now.

Bearly Paradise Timber Tops Cabin Rentals
Timber Tops is hitting all the high marks here because they seem to have the nicest cabins around. Another prime example of one of their best is Bearly Paradise. It is obvious when you see the pictures of this rental that the owners put a lot of tender loving care into decorating this gem.And if the decor doesn’t get you, the mountain views will, especially at night. It will be a task to find a better decorated rental anywhere in the Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge areas.

Mountain Dream Vacations Chateau de Bourbon In Pigeon Forge
Want to stay in a mansion on your next vacation to Pigeon Forge, then Mountain Dream Vacations Chateau de Bourbon is the home you need to rent. Unlike many vacation rentals in the Smokies, this is a home with stone appointments, granite counter tops in the oversize kitchen, and 5,500 square feet of luxury. And if the home isn’t enough to enjoy, then just venture out to the private go-kart track and that should do the trick. Luxury is the name of the game with this home rental in Pigeon Forge.

Royal Retreat Cabin Rental In The Smokies
Royal Retreat is a beautiful cabin with lots of room, great amenities, nice views and lots of comfort. It is the perfect place to relax on your next vacation to either Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.

Dancing Bear Lodge Townsend Tennessee
This is one of the nicest lodge type accommodations we’ve seen anywhere, not just in the Smokies. The Dancing Bear Lodge, formerly named the maple Leaf Lodge, is like one of the grand lodges (only slightly smaller) out of the turn of the century and early 1920′s in our national parks. There are cottages and individual cabins on the property as well as incredible rooms in the actual lodge itself. Those that stay in the lodge will enjoy scrumptious meals and a continental breakfast every morning if the choose to dine here.

Million Dollar Wears Valley Cabin Rental – Serenity Ridge
Wears Vally is located near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and features this incredible cabin that cost $1 million to build and furnish. And you will see why once you stay here. The furnishings are the top of luxury, the amenities are over  the top and the views from nearly all the rooms in this cabin are breathtaking.  This 2 bedroom 2 bath cabin boasts 3,000 square feet of luxurious living. It’s so nice that you may never want to leave here.

Townsend TN Rustic Cabin Rental
Okay, most cabins we feature here at the Gatlinburg Vacations blog are completely over the top, but this cabin known as Lady Slipper is rusting and very secluded. Some people like the luxury cabins and some like rustic cabins and for those that like the latter, this is the cabin for you. And it is perfect for a honeymoon couple because of its secluded set up. The owners claim it is the most secluded cabin in Townsend. Check it out for yourself.

That about wraps it up for our top cabin rentals in the Smokies post. Plan your vacation and get your reservations for your summer visit to the Smokies now.

Summer is a very busy time of the year for the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge resort area because many people are vacationing and want to see the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other areas this outdoor paradise has to offer. The National Park has every summer activity you can think of such as camping, biking, hiking, swimming, tubing down the river, whitewater rafting, climbing, enjoying the beautiful scenery, scouting out waterfalls and just simply enjoying the great outdoors.

Besides the many different things to do within the park and in the outdoors, there is also plenty to do in the downtown areas of Gatlinburg and the neighboring town of Pigeon Forge. If you love to shop, then Pigeon Forge has some of the top outlet malls in the south, while Gatlinburg shopping offers more art and native Indian type shops along with the touristy cheap jewelry and “I Visited Gatlinburg” type T Shirt shops.

Look around our blog and start planning your Gatlinburg Vacation today.

During the celebration there will be lots of events, beautiful Christmas and winter decorations, a huge New Year’s eve celebration, lights, story telling, food, fun and discounts on everything from dining to lodging in Gatlinburg cabin rentals and more. This celebration is huge and each town and many attractions get into this like almost nothing else all year long. One of the biggest attractions is in downtown Gatlinburg when it gets decorated up with literally millions of lights for everyone to enjoy.

Some of the activities and events in Gatlinburg include these fun things: Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff, Trolley Ride of Lights, Gatlinburg Winter Magic™, Veteran’s Day Celebration, Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Show, Gatlinburg Festival of Trees, The Nutcracker “Sweet”, Winter Magic Tunes & Tales™, Gatlinburg’s 34th Annual “Fantasy of Lights” Christmas Parade, Christmas on Ice, New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show & Ball Drop and so much more.

If you have never visited the Great Smoky Mountains in the wintertime, now is your chance to get in on the fun and beauty of how wonderful the experience really is. And if you plan on coming for a Gatlinburg vacation, you will want to reserve your cabin rental now. And believe me, renting a cabin here is the only way to experience Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the fun of Winterfest.

You will enjoy great southern hospitality, beautiful winter and Christmas decorations, fun shows and other entertainment including the Duggar Family from the learning channel, snow skiing at Ober Gatlinburg, winter parades, beautiful decorated tree festivals, arts and crafts and lots more at this year’s Winterfest. Get ready for it and make your reservations today.

Look for the height of the fall colors on the trees to be around late October to early November depending on several factors which include previous rainfall, current dryness and a nice cold snap, but not a freezing one, before the height of the color season. There are many places around Gatlinburg where you can see the beautiful leaves, but usually in the higher elevations will give you the best chance of seeing the most color.

Fall is a great time of the year to take a Gatlinburg Vacation, not only because of the beautiful colors, but because of additional events taking place throughout the area for the several months leading up to winter. Some of those events include the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival running from September 24th through October 31st, art festivals, decorations in Downtown Gatlinburg and lots of other activities.

Of course the best way to enjoy your fall vacation to the Smokies is to stay in a Gatlinburg cabin rental so you can be right in the middle of the changing colors and all you have to do is walk out onto your balcony to experience fall in all of its beauty. There are plenty of cabins around the site so have a look to find a cabin that fits your needs. We feature many reviews of cabins ranging in size from 1 bedroom 1 bath units for a couple, maybe on your honeymoon, up to very large cabins with 5,6, 7 or more bedrooms for large parties, family reunions or church groups.

We hope plan on coming to the Smokies this fall for a Gatlinburg vacation that you will remember for a lifetime.

It doesn’t matter if you are a newlywed couple looking for a romantic one bedroom love shack, a small family that needs a 2 bedroom cabin, a larger family that needs a 4 or 5 bedroom cabin or a large church group or business that needs a big place to take a large group, Gatlinburg Tennessee has the cabin just for you. This area features some of the largest cabins known to man and you can find cabin rentals up to 18 bedroom that sleep up to 68 people. If that isn’t large enough for you, I don’t know what is.

Gatlinburg TN cabin rentals are perfect for just relaxing in after a day in the National Park enjoying hiking on any of the 850 miles of beautiful trails, whitewater rafting, fishing, sightseeing, rock climbing, bike riding or a host of other outdoor activities. When you get back to your cabin after those adventures you can spread out, watch some TV, cook a meal for your family in your own full kitchen, enjoy a game of pool in your game room or just sit on the deck of your cabin rental and enjoy the view of the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

From your home base cabin you can also trek into downtown Gatlinburg and go shopping, see some great attractions such as Ripley’s Gatlinburg Aquarium of The Smokies, eat some great food, enjoy entertainment, find some nice candy shops or just grab yourself a cup of coffee, sit on a bench and watch everybody else do those things. Then you get to go back to your cabin and enjoy all that room again, unlike a cramped hotel room.

There isn’t anything better that going to Gatlinburg and enjoying a beautiful rental cabin during your stay in the Smokies. So are you planning your next Gatlinburg Vacation yet?

The wooded view from the cabin allows you to be surrounded by nature at its best, and you’ll find plenty of spacious decks to enjoy the views from this cabin. This home is located in the premier development of Black Bear Falls, which is close to shopping, entertainment, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but makes you feel like you’re a million miles away from everything.

This cabin has a hot tub on the deck, a gas fireplace, a swimming pool, and hiking, fishing, tennis, riding stables, and many other outdoor activities nearby. All the homes offered by Jackson Mountain Homes come with fully furnished kitchens, bathrooms, and all of the amenities that make the place feel just like home. The warm wood floors and walls, along with the huge windows make this cabin a great getaway for anyone looking for some peace and tranquility on their next vacation.

The rates for this cabin vary, based on the season, and include rates for the regular season, premier season, and holiday seasons. The regular season rates are $130 per night with a three night minimum, or $910 per week. During the premier season, the cabin can be yours for $160 per night, or $1120 per week, and also requires a three night minimum for stays. Holiday season rates are $175 per night, or $1225 per week, with a seven night minimum during Thanksgiving and a four night minimum from Christmas through New Years. You’ll also have a $59 reservation fee as a part of your rate, and 12.50% sales tax will be included in your final bill.

You can reserve this cabin up to 11 months in advance, allowing you to get the exact dates that you want. Just minutes from Gatlinburg, you can enjoy Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, the Ripley’s collection of attractions, including the Aquarium and the Believe it or Not! Museum, and many other great shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences in the city, and then return to your seclusion for a relaxing evening in your own mountainside cabin. The Special Memories cabin by Jackson Mountain is adequately named, and with its quaint and peaceful setting, you should have a wonderful vacation, even if you never leave the cabin.

The cabin includes a pool table, a full kitchen, rocking chairs on the deck which overlook Mt. LeConte, and a hot tub on the deck, among other amenities. Hawks Vue also offers a close location to Gatlinburg, where you can enjoy the Ripley’s themed attractions on the parkway, including the Aquarium and the Believe it or Not! Museum, as well as the world’s only Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, among many other various attractions that you’ll find in the city. There is plenty of shopping and dining to be found in Gatlinburg, as well, allowing you to getaway to the middle of the mountains without actually having to be too far away from civilization.

There are 3 televisions in the cabin, an indoor Jacuzzi, a washer and dryer, and the cabin is one of the few pet-friendly locations in the Great Smoky Mountains. The cabin is usually booked solid during the summer months, so you’ll want to make sure that you take the time to reserve your dates well in advance so that you can get the reservation during your trip. Hawk’s View offers pretty reasonable rates as far as cabins go, with rates starting at $136 for off-season days and weekly rates, and only ranging up to $230 per night during peak season and weekends.

At this cabin, visitors are required to book a minimum stay of two nights, according to the policies of Sugar Maple Cabins, who owns and operates this cabin and other resorts in the area. You can book your reservation online or over the phone, and their website can give a full disclosure of rate charts based on dates and seasons. If you’re looking for a grand view of the Smoky Mountains without feeling completely cut off from society, Hawk’s Vue Cabin Rental is a great choice for your lodging while you’re in Tennessee.

There are two bedrooms and two baths, but the cabin can sleep up to ten with two king beds, two queen sleepers, and one twin bunk. It also contains a full kitchen, swimming pool access, a deck with rocking chairs, and a washer and dryer for dirty days or extended stays. There are four levels of rates for the Smoky Mountain Escape, ranging from the winter season to the holiday season. You can find rates in the winter for $176 per night, $215 per night during the low season, $237 during the off season, and $435 for the holiday season. By visiting the website, you can find the rates that you need, which are color-coded on the online booking calendar so that you can easily see which rates you’re paying.

Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains have something to offer just about everyone. There are a variety of attractions, including the Park, Ripley’s Aquarium, shopping, dining, nightlife, and so much more. However, when you rent the Smoky Mountain Escape, you might find yourself hard pressed to leave the cabin. That’s okay, too. You can just enjoy a relaxing stay in a majestic cabin with magnificent views and all the amenities.

For those who don’t want to reserve their cabin online, you can easily call the company, Cabins of the Smoky Mountains, to find out different rate schedules and available dates, so that you can make your reservation in plenty of time and take the vacation of your dreams. There are no pets and no smoking allowed at the Great Smoky Mountain Escape, but you can still have a fun time without your furry friends. There is so much to do that you likely won’t have time to worry about the extra care of having a pet along, anyway. If you’re looking for the ultimate vacation, this just might be it.

The ticket prices can vary greatly, depending on whether you travel alone, in a small group, as part of a large group, and many other reasons. It all depends on your situation, because Ripley’s has discounts for all sorts of reasons. You can buy tickets in advance or pay for them when you arrive at the aquarium, depending on which you prefer.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a great option for anyone who wants something a little out of the ordinary. Considering that the nearest ocean is hundreds of miles away, an aquarium might not be what you expect to see in Gatlinburg. However, this little mountain town is full of surprises, and Ripley’s Aquarium is only one of them. If you’ve got a day and want to try something a little different than hiking or historic sightseeing, give Ripley’s a look. You won’t be disappointed in America’s best aquarium.

The attraction is open 365 days a year, and has extended hours during the peak season, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Considering that 70% of the earth is covered with water, Ripley’s might not have it all. However, they do have more than 10,000 exotic sea creatures that are from over 350 different species. At any given time, there are more fish in the aquarium than there are people in the entire population of Gatlinburg. This is just one little statistic that makes Ripley’s Aquarium so fascinating and popular.

Gatlinburg Tennessee has plenty to do and see, including Smoky Mountain National Park and many other well known attractions. However, visiting the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies will give you a whole new appreciation for marine wildlife. They have stingrays, coral reefs, sharks, freshwater exhibits, and much more to be seen and even felt, if you’d like. They even have an exhibit called “Touch A Ray Bay”, where you can touch a stingray for yourself. There are plenty of kids programs and activities to keep children busy while the parents can see the sights and enjoy the grown up aspects of the aquarium.

Visit tomorrow for more info on how you can even stay overnight at Ripley’s Aquarium. Sorry, it’s for kids only.