FAQs

Black bears are VERY common in the Gatlinburg area and all around Sevier County and the Smoky Mountains. Every one of our properties have had bears cross them at one time or another. The most common time of the year to see a bear is April – October. Feeding bears is illegal and dangerous. Always keep food and trash inside the cabin. Never leave food inside your car. Bears do know how to open car doors.

This is one of the most common questions we have. When you’ve just stocked up the refrigerator with groceries, it can sometimes feel like the fridge isn’t cooling as quickly as you’d expect. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. New Groceries Warm the Fridge: Placing a large number groceries in a completely empty refrigerator at once will naturally raise the internal temperature. Give the fridge a few hours to stabilize and bring everything down to the right cool temperature. It can take over 12 hours to fully stabilize. Unlike at home, where your refrigerator usually has some cold items inside to help maintain a steady temperature, an empty fridge needs a little extra time to cool down everything once stocked.
2. Avoid Overloading the Shelves: Too many items can block air circulation, making it harder for the refrigerator to cool effectively. Try to leave a little space around each item to help cool air move freely.
3. Temperature Checks: The fridge should be set to 37–40°F (3–4°C) for optimal cooling, with the freezer at 0°F (-18°C). Please let us know if it’s set correctly but still isn’t cooling after 12 hours. Do not set the temp lower. It will just cause your food to freeze. It will not cool the inside any quicker.
4. Limit Door Openings: Each time the door opens, warm air enters and cool air escapes. Opening it only when necessary, especially at first, helps the fridge get back to a steady temperature quickly.

If it’s been a while and things still don’t feel cool enough, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help ensure you have a smooth stay!

Approximately two weeks before your arrival, we’ll send you an email with your door codes, and a link to our online guest portal. If you’ve booked recently and your arrival date is less than two weeks away, you’ll receive this email within a few hours of making your reservation.

This email is essential! It includes everything you need to know about your stay at our cabin, including your door codes, alarm codes, detailed driving directions, and helpful information on how things work inside. Make sure you have it before your arrival date—you won’t want be without it it.

All our cabins feature keyless entry with a unique four-digit code assigned to each reservation. This code is time-controlled, meaning it will only function during your scheduled stay. For security, it activates at your check-in time and deactivates shortly after your scheduled departure. This system ensures a safe and seamless experience for every guest.

If you haven’t received the email by the scheduled time, first check your junk or spam folder, as it may have landed there. Otherwise, please feel free to call or text us, and we’ll resend it.

As with most rental cabins, daily housekeeping service is not provided as part of the reservation. Linens and Towels are provided for your stay, and the quantity of towels provided is determined by the occupancy of the cabin. We provide one towel per occupant, plus a few extras as spares. Extra towels will be located in the bathroom cabinets. A washer and dryer is provided in the home to service towels and linens. A starter supply of dish soap, hand soap, paper towels, toilet paper and trash bags are provided as well. We recommend you bring additional quantities of such items since the starter supply is only enough for 1 day. A Food City supermarket is located a few short minutes away and they have most items you will need, including a full service pharmacy.

Since all of our cabins are located next to the national park there is abundant wildlife in the area including squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks, bats, bears, turkey, bobcats and more. Bears are very common in the area.

All of our cabins now have charcoal grills only. These are the park style charcoal grills.

Due to constant damage to the gas grills from black bears in the area we had to remove all of our gas grills because they kept getting damaged by the bears.  The charcoal grills are set in the ground with concrete to prevent tipping and damage by the bears.

We do not provide charcoal, but there are many stores close by that sell bags if you did not bring any with you.

All of our Gatlinburg cabin rentals have a standard 12 cup coffee maker, as well as a Keurig K-cup machine. We do not provide filters or K-cups for the coffee makers. You may bring what you plan to use or purchase them at one of the local grocery stores köpa floxi.

Your Guide to a Smooth Check-In

Around two weeks before your arrival, we’ll send you an email with a link to our guest portal, where you’ll access all the essential information about your stay. This email includes a unique username and password to log in, so please save this information—it will be very helpful!

Inside the portal, you’ll find everything you need to know about your cabin, including detailed driving directions and helpful instructions on how things work during your stay. Be sure to review this information in advance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience at the cabin.

Included in this email are also your unique door code and alarm code, which are personalized for your reservation. Since there are no physical keys, this code is your access to the cabin, and you can check in anytime after 4:00 PM on the first day of your reservation. For security, this code won’t activate until your scheduled check-in time and will expire shortly after your check-out.

If You Don’t See the Email: If you haven’t received this message within two weeks of your stay, please check your junk or spam folder, as it may have landed there. If you still don’t see it, feel free to call or text us, and we’ll resend it right away.

We’re looking forward to hosting you!

All of our properties have fully stocked kitchens. You will be provided with a wide assortment of cooking items. We have basic pots and pans, eating utensils, cooking items, etc. If you require a unusual item we suggest you bring it along.

At our cabins, you’ll find kitchens fully equipped to prepare delicious meals for your group. Each kitchen includes a range of standard appliances and tools, such as an oven, microwave, dishwasher, electric mixer, toaster, pots and pans, cooking utensils, spatulas, measuring cups, silverware, cups, glasses, and basic dinnerware.

Please note that we do not provide specialty items like crock pots in al our cabins. While we strive to keep our kitchens well-stocked, some items may occasionally go missing. If you have specific cooking needs, we recommend bringing those items along just in case.

Cleaning Process for Your Cabin

Our dedicated cleaning crews arrive after the previous guests depart at around 10 AM to ensure that your cabin is thoroughly prepared for your stay. We clean the entire cabin from top to bottom, including the following:

• Fresh Linens: All bed linens are replaced with freshly laundered sets.
• Appliance Care: All appliances are meticulously cleaned.
• Hot Tub Maintenance: The hot tub is completely drained, scrubbed, and then refilled with fresh water. We also add chemicals to the floater to maintain the water quality during your stay.

You can expect a spotless and welcoming cabin when you arrive at one of our rental properties in Gatlinburg.

If you leave an item behind in your cabin after you depart, please notify us and we will do our best to locate it for you.

Any items left behind can be mailed back to you via the USPS. Due to the cost of fuel and paying someone for their time to drive to the post office and back, there is a $40 charge plus actual postage costs to have an item returned to you. This can be costly for a low value item, so be sure to check the cabin thoroughly before you depart to head home!

Bear Safety Information

Please be aware that bears inhabit the area around all our properties, both big and small. You may even spot bear tracks on the driveways. While these majestic creatures can be fascinating to observe from a safe distance, they can also be dangerous and are not afraid to approach humans.

Bears in this region do not hibernate completely during the winter months; they may come out in search of food throughout the season. To ensure your safety and the safety of these animals, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Keep Food Secure: Do not leave trash or food outside, and avoid storing food in your car. Bears can open car doors and may attempt to break in to access food. Always lock your car doors.
• Do Not Feed Bears: Feeding bears or leaving food out for them is illegal and can lead to dangerous situations. Bears that associate people with food may become aggressive, leading to potential attacks and causing authorities to euthanize the bear.
• Supervise Children: Keep a close eye on your children and educate them on what to do if they encounter a bear. Although bear attacks are rare, reckless behavior around a mother and her cubs or an aggressive male bear can have severe consequences.

By following these safety measures, you can enjoy your stay while respecting the natural wildlife in the area.

A few of our properties have an outdoor basketball goal, so feel free to bring your own basketballs to shoot some hoops if you are staying at one of those cabins. We do not provide the balls any longer due to the fact that they always seem to disappear after some guests depart.

Grocery Delivery

As you begin your vacation in Gatlinburg, TN the last thing you probably want to think about is going to the grocery store, fighting the crowd, and then taking all of that food back to your cabin.  You can avoid all of the hassle, and have your groceries waiting for you in your cabin on the day of your arrival. We partner with a local company who will pick up your order and deliver it to your cabin before your arrival time. This will save you the hassle of shopping on your vacation. They will place all cold items in the fridge, and display the dry goods on the kitchen counter for you. All cold goods are transported in a cold storage unit so cold items stay cold, until stocked at the cabin.  

If you prefer to shop for yourself instead, there is a Food City Supermarket in Gatlinburg you can go to. It has most items you will need, but it does get very crowded at times. They are the only major grocery store in Gatlinburg. The larger Walmart and Kroger stores are located in Pigeon Forge, (30- 45 minutes away), which makes the grocery delivery service below very helpful if you need something from another store or do not want to worry with shopping on your vacation.

We’ll send you an email 7 days before your arrival with all the details, including pricing and a link to a form to fill out if you’d like to use this service.

Each cabin has high speed Wi-Fi available for guest use free of charge.

Yes! All of our cabins are connected to city municipal water systems—none use well water. The water is completely safe to drink. However, if you’re sensitive to the taste of treated city water, you may prefer to bring bottled water for drinking.

We do not regularly stock food items in the kitchen. However, you may find that previous guests have left behind non-perishable items like cooking oil, spices, or seasonings — you’re welcome to use anything that’s there!

For safety reasons, we always dispose of any perishable food items between guests.

If you need groceries, Food City is just a short drive away. They have a great selection of fresh meats, produce, bakery items, and just about anything else you might need during your stay.

Weather Preparation Guide for Your Stay in the Great Smoky Mountains

As you prepare for your vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s essential to be ready for the varying weather conditions you may encounter. The weather can change quickly, so being prepared for all types of weather will help ensure you enjoy your stay without any surprises.

Snowfall

From October through April, snowfall, rain, freezing rain, and sleet are possible. While snow and ice are most common between December and February, winter precipitation can occur in any of these months. In Gatlinburg, the valley typically receives about 6-9 inches of snow annually, mostly from smaller snowfalls throughout the season. Larger snowstorms do occur, but they are infrequent.

Most mountain roads leading to our cabins are not well-treated in winter conditions. Fortunately, all our cabins are located in areas that receive snow plow treatment and salting during winter weather. However, there may be a delay of 1 to 2 days before roads are cleared, depending on the severity of the storm. Most rental cabins in Gatlinburg are below 3,000 feet in elevation, where heavy snow is less common. Higher elevations within the national park, particularly above 3,000 feet, experience heavier snow and ice accumulations.

Important: Be Prepared!

If winter weather is forecasted during your visit, we recommend stocking up on supplies before arriving at the cabin, just in case you get snowed in for a day or two. Although this is rare, it has happened to some guests in the past. In the event of snow, we also suggest bringing a winter survival kit in case you become stranded. Additionally, consider bringing snow chains for your vehicle, as some mountain roads can be unsafe without them. Snow chains are available for purchase online if you can’t find them locally.

Weather forecasts can be unpredictable in the mountains, and it’s not unusual for forecasters to underestimate snowfall amounts. In the South, even less than an inch of snow can create significant travel disruptions.

Elevations Above 3,000 Feet

Higher elevations receive substantially more snowfall than the Gatlinburg valley. For example, Mt. LeConte, towering at over 6,500 feet, averages over 60 inches of snow per season. Highway 441, which runs through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, often closes due to snow and ice during winter months, particularly at the Newfound Gap lookout, which is about a mile high.

Winds

Gatlinburg can experience strong winds, especially as gusts come down from the adjacent mountain range. It’s common to see gusts exceeding 30 mph, and high wind warnings may be issued from time to time, with gusts reaching hurricane force in some areas.

Temperatures

Temperatures in the Smoky Mountains vary greatly by elevation. During winter, daytime temperatures in Gatlinburg’s valley average in the 30s to 50s, with occasional days dropping below freezing or climbing into the 60s and 70s. Summer brings hot and humid weather, with temperatures often reaching the 80s and 90s. Spring and fall are transitional seasons, where temperatures can vary widely, generally falling somewhere in between.

As you ascend in elevation, expect temperatures to drop by about 3 to 4 degrees for every 1,000 feet. For instance, while it may be 90 degrees in Gatlinburg (approximately 1,300 feet in elevation) in July, it could be around 75 degrees at Newfound Gap, which is a mile high.

Rainfall

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to one of the most diverse rainforests in the world. Gatlinburg averages about 55 inches of rainfall annually, while higher elevations can exceed 85 inches. Rain and thunderstorms are common from spring through fall but can occur year-round. Be prepared for heavy rains and the possibility of flash flooding, so don’t forget your rain gear!

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide helps you prepare for the weather during your stay. Remember that conditions can change rapidly and unpredictably. Being prepared is always better than being caught off guard. We look forward to welcoming you to the mountains and hope this becomes a cherished destination for you for years to come!

When you arrive at your cabin, you’ll find a starter supply of commonly used items to help you settle in. This typically includes 1 to 2 rolls of toilet paper per bathroom and a small bar of soap. In the kitchen, you’ll find a single dishwasher pod for one load of dishes, along with a small bottle of dish soap, and a couple of trash bags. Additionally, we provide one or two laundry detergent pods to get you started. This is standard practice for most cabin rentals in the area.

The starter supplies are designed to last you through the first night or two. If you plan to stay longer, we recommend bringing extra items or purchasing them from one of the many local stores available in the area.

Rest assured, all bath towels and linens are provided for your stay, and your beds will be freshly made and ready for you upon arrival.

We don’t regularly stock food in the kitchen, but you might find some items like cooking oil, spices, or seasonings left behind by previous guests — feel free to use anything that’s available!

For your safety, we always remove any highly perishable items between stays.

If the property you are staying at has a wood burning fire pit you will need to bring your own wood or it may be purchased at the local grocery store. It is sold for between $5 and $8 a bundle. Many other stores in the area sell firewood.

We’ve got you covered! All beds—including regular beds, sofa beds, rollaway beds, and floor mattresses—come with fresh linens.

• Regular beds will be fully made and ready when you arrive.

• Extra linens for rollaway beds and floor mattresses are stacked neatly on top of them.

• Rollaway beds and floor mattresses are stored in a bedroom closet for your convenience.

We also provide bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths for all guests.

Please note that we do not provide child safety equipment such as pack-n-plays, high chairs, baby gates, cribs, or similar items at our cabins. Due to the frequent manufacturer recalls on these products, we’ve made the decision not to offer them to ensure the safety of your little ones. We want to avoid the risk of missing a recall or unknowingly using a defective item that could potentially cause harm.

However, if you prefer not to bring your own baby equipment or simply don’t have the space, there are local businesses in the area that offer baby gear rentals. While we don’t provide these rentals directly, we encourage you to check out our blog post below, where we’ve highlighted a trusted source to have these items delivered to your cabin. Feel free to reach out to them for your needs.

Baby Equipment Rentals Blog Post

Smoking tobacco products, e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, etc is never allowed inside our properties at any time please. If you smoke, please do so outside.

Cell phone service usually works at all of our properties, however some carriers perform better than others. Some properties have better reception than others. AT&T seems to be the most reliable in the Gatlinburg area. The national park itself has very limited cell phone service. As with any mountainous terrain you will find dead zones. The city of Gatlinburg has great cell coverage downtown, but outlying areas of the city can have more performance issues.

All of our rental cabins have at least one gas burning fireplace for guest use. You are free to use these during your visit. We turn them off during the warm weather months of May through September. During the months of October through April they should be operational and ready for your use.

Outdoor Burning Policy

Outdoor burning is prohibited at all of our properties, except for those that feature a permanent fire pit on site. Many of our cabins are situated in areas where outdoor burning is not allowed. If you are found burning in a restricted area, you risk being fined and could even face ejection from the property.

If you are staying at a cabin with a permanent fire pit, we kindly ask that you burn responsibly. Enjoy your stay and stay safe!

We do allow small weddings at our properties. However, all weddings must remain small and within the occupancy limit of the cabin.

The total number of people on the property at any time — including the wedding party, guests, vendors, and anyone not staying overnight — may not exceed the occupancy limit listed for the property.

For example, if the cabin has an occupancy limit of 20 people, your entire wedding group cannot exceed 20 people total, even if some guests are only visiting briefly.

This rule is required by local city and county regulations and by what the property is legally permitted for.

Please plan accordingly and reach out in advance if you have any questions about hosting a small wedding at the cabin.

Our regular check-in time is 4 PM or later at all of our properties. You are welcome to arrive at any time after that, as we offer a self-check-in process using electronic door codes. Please refrain from arriving earlier than 4 PM unless you have received prior approval. The door code provided to you will not be activated until your scheduled arrival time, so early arrivals will not be able to enter the cabin.

If an early check-in option is available, we will notify you via email or text message the day before your scheduled arrival. Please note that there is a fee associated with early check-in, and details will be included in the message. This offer is contingent on the absence of a departing guest on the morning of your arrival. Due to back-to-back bookings, we often have same-day cleaning turnarounds that may prevent us from offering early check-in.

Our cleaning team uses the time between the previous guest’s departure and your arrival to thoroughly clean and sanitize the cabin for your comfort. While they may occasionally finish early, we cannot predict their exact completion time due to varying circumstances. If you arrive early without prior approval, our cleaners will ask you to wait outside until they finish their work.

To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend timing your arrival as close to 4 PM as possible, unless you’ve received a message regarding an early check-in offer.

We will allow dogs at our many of our properties. Be sure to check the specific property page to see if dogs are allowed there.  A non-refundable pet fee is charged to all guests bringing a pet dog. If the property you select does allow dogs, we do request you follow these rules below.

Dogs must be crate or kennel trained if left alone for any amount of time in the house. Confining dog(s) to a single room with a closed door is not acceptable. Many times dogs will behave unusually when in new environments, which can lead to damage when they try to escape to find their owner. Kenneling your dog when left unsupervised by a human is REQUIRED. We keep a 36″ x 24″ x 24″ fold-away dog kennel in each pet friendly cabin for guests to use. You may also bring your own if you desire.

Dogs must be bathed, groomed, with any sharp nails clipped before arrival. This will prevent excess shedding and pet dander in the home.

If you have more than 2 dogs you want to bring please contact us prior to booking for permission.

No pets types other than dogs are allowed.

We often receive inquiries about bringing boats, RVs, campers, or trailers to our cabins. While some locations can accommodate larger vehicles, others may not have the necessary road access. Below is a detailed guide on which cabins allow these vehicles and the road conditions you can expect:

Bella Vista Lodge
Bella Vista features a spacious parking area suitable for small trailers, boats, or RVs. You’ll need to navigate some sharp turns along the road leading to the cabin, but many guests have successfully parked their trailers or small RVs in our driveway. We have 2 columns on either side of the driveway, which can be difficult to navigate with a very large trailer or RV. If you are not a skilled driver, we do not recommend bringing an RV or long trailer.

Star Dancer
Please note that RVs and trailers are not permitted in the community where Star Dancer is located. The roads can be narrow in certain areas, and the mountainous terrain makes towing these vehicles challenging.

Cloud Dancer
Similar to Star Dancer, the community surrounding Cloud Dancer does not allow RVs or trailers due to narrow roads and steep terrain.

Roaring Fork Lodge
You’re more than welcome to bring your boat, camper, or trailer to Roaring Fork Lodge. The driveway is spacious enough for parking, but please be aware that the cabin is located on a dead-end road, which may pose a challenge for turning larger vehicles around. The road leading to this cabin also features some sharp turns, so proceed with caution.

Most vacation rentals in Gatlinburg now have some form of video surveillance on site as a deterrent to crime. Our cabins are no exception. We do respect your privacy though. Security cameras are only located on the exterior of our cabins. No recording device is located anywhere inside one of our cabins. We do not point them toward the hot tubs either. They are there for your protection and ours. We respect your privacy and you can rest assured knowing this.

Fireworks are never allowed at any of our rental cabins, even on the 4th of July. Due to the danger of wildfires please do not shoot fireworks under any circumstance.