Great Smoky Mountains National Park is on the top of many avid hikers’ lists, as it is one of the best hiking destinations in the east of the United States. After all, it features an incredible 850 hiking trails to suit varying skill levels, including 71 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail.
Other popular hikes in the national park include Alum Cave Bluffs, Rainbow Falls, Chimney Tops, Andrews Bald, and Charles Bunion, to name a few. As you can imagine, it’s a hiking lover’s dream.
If you would love to tackle its many trails for yourself, you’ll need to first find the best accommodation for your needs. Get started by learning about these six superb Great Smoky Mountains hotels for passionate hikers.
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1. Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Rest, restore, and have fun at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park, which has spacious villas, various dining options, a water park, and a luxurious spa.
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park is an ideal choice for avid hikers. It is the perfect place to relax, rest, and recharge after a busy day of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains.
It is the flagship for Westgate Resorts in Gatlinburg, offering cozy studio villas and one- to four-bedroom villas to match your hiking group’s size and needs. Also, you will have all the comforts of home for a relaxed, enjoyable stay, including a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, a kitchen (excluding the studio villa), and air conditioning and heating. Also, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at various restaurants, soothe your aching muscles at the spa, or enjoy a host of on-site activities between trails.
2. The Historic Gatlinburg Inn
The 70-room Historic Gatlinburg Inn has welcomed guests for a little less than a century, offering cozy rooms and suites to help you recover after an active day of hiking.
The Historic Gatlinburg Inn has welcomed locals and tourists through its doors since 1937, including countless hikers of various skill levels. The hotel is in a prime location for the Great Smoky Mountains, as its minutes away from the world-famous national park. Also, you’ll stay within walking distance of many shops, restaurants, and attractions.
After a day of tackling trails, you can return to the inn to rest and recover in one of two double beds or king beds. Also, you can choose from a selection of accommodations to match your group’s needs, such as a standard room, family suite, or presidential suite.
3. RiverStone Resort & Spa
Book a stay at one of the 130 rooms available at RiverStone Resort & Spa, which provides various accommodation options, a serene spa, and proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Immerse yourself in a little luxury at RiverStone Resort & Spa following a day of hiking. The spacious, fully furnished accommodations are ideal for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups of friends, so you’re bound to find a room to match your needs.
To breathe in the mesmerizing backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains throughout your stay, you’d be smart to upgrade to a Smoky Mountain Cabin. The warm, charming interior encourages relaxation while providing plenty of freedom to move. Of course, you can speed up the relaxation process by treating yourself to a massage at the Spa at RiverStone Resort. Also, you can pamper your body with a facial, body treatment, or makeup service.
4. The Inn at Christmas Place
Fuel your body for hiking with a complimentary hot breakfast at the festive-themed The Inn at Christmas Place, which features Christmas trees in every suite and cookies at bedtime.
Combine your passion for hiking with your love for the festive season at The Inn at Christmas Place. Open year-round, the hotel embodies the spirit of the jolly holiday every day of the year. After a tiring day of hiking, you can return to the festive warmth of your mini-suite, which features a full-size, fully decorated Christmas tree, a gas fireplace, and an in-room whirlpool tub.
It’s a perfect choice for a family of hikers, as you can enjoy visits from famous Christmas characters, such as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Also, adults and children can relax those aching muscles in a seasonal outdoor pool and make memories zipping down a 95-foot, figure-eight water slide. Also, the whole clan will be delighted when served cookies at bedtime.
5. River Terrace Resort and Convention Center
Sleep in style at River Terrace Resort and Convention Center, which offers king and double queen rooms, two heated outdoor pools, spa tubs, and Wi-Fi access.
River Terrace Resort and Convention Center is mere minutes away from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, helping you make the most of your hiking trip. Offering king or double queen rooms, you can rest in style and comfort between trails while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
During your downtime, recover your muscles by swimming in two heated outdoor pools or spa tubs while breathing in the stunning backdrop. Also, you’ll stay a short distance from many popular Gatlinburg attractions, including Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Skybridge, and Ober Gatlinburg.
6. The Lodge of Buckberry Creek
Cozy up after a day of hiking at The Lodge of Buckberry Creek, which offers 28 suites with inviting fireplaces, kitchens, private balconies, and soothing bathtubs.
The Lodge at Buckberry Creek strives to provide its guests with an elegant retreat inspired by America’s Gilded Age. Hidden in the Great Smoky Mountains, atop 26 acres of forest mountains, it guarantees unobstructed views you’ll remember for many decades.
Choose from 28 suites that feature wood-paneled walls, traditional plaid sofas, and nature-inspired works of art, helping to bring the outdoors in. Also, the taxidermy, hand-crafted sculptures, and wood furnishings add warmth and charm to the lodge. It is a cozy way to relax after an active day in the Great Smoky Mountains.