When I book a mountain cabin, I want to be up in the mountains, with a view and some privacy. For me, the cabin is more than just a hotel room from which we launch each day and return late at night.
For a single family, the cabin experience can be expensive. However, if you’re able to book a larger cabin and split the expense between multiple families or friends, you can come out ahead while having a superior place to stay and enjoy the vacation.
But as a tip, make sure you’re reading through the process and are aware of extra fees and taxes before you commit.
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Where are the best cabins in Pigeon Forge for large group vacations?
Here, I’ll be recommending cabins for families or groups of close friends coming together. Church groups? Corporate retreats? Those could require a different cabin experience.
For the purposes of this exercise, I chose the second weekend of September for a three-night mountain getaway and set the guest list at eight adults, but family appropriate will figure into my rankings.
Because this list is Pigeon Forge based, I will weigh proximity to fun stuff higher than scenic views. However, I won’t entirely discount views or peace and quiet from the rankings.
But I think that if you want the best views, Gatlinburg is the place for you. With that said, here are some of the best large cabins Pigeon Forge has to offer:
12. Prime Location Cabin
Sleeps 12
Located not far from the intersection of Wears Valley Road and the strip, what this cabin gives up in views it makes up for in access. Wears Valley connects to Teaster Lane, the valuable alternate route when the Parkway is packed.
This cabin, which is rated 4.8 out of 5 on VRBO.com, has four bedrooms, three baths and sleeps 12. Amenities include a hot tub, gas grill, Xfinity movies and WiFi.
The kitchen is fully equipped, and a washer and dryer is also available. Additionally, there are two community pools open seasonally.
The price? At an average of $257 per night, our all-in example cost would be $1,336, which includes a host fee and a service fee. An additional damage protection fee would be calculated when you book.
11. Always Dreamin’
Sleeps 16 (max 10 adults)
Growing up in Blount County, I’ve always enjoyed the Wears Valley side of the Smokies. And this massive cabin with four bedrooms and four baths is great if you want to explore Townsend, Cades Cove and Metcalf Bottoms as well as everything Sevier County has to offer.
Rated a 4.8 out of 5 on VRBO, it comes with a one-acre yard, a bonfire pit, a large hot tub and a wraparound porch. It sleeps 16 but a max of 10 adults due to bed configuration.
In addition to a large yard where your kids can play, there’s a 60-game arcade machine in the basement, a pool table and a flat-screen TV.
At an average of $299 per night, our all-in example cost is $1,449 after roughly $550 in fees and taxes.
10. Heaven’s Delight, Cabin 9
Sleeps 8
Reader, this authentic log cabin bills itself as close to Gatlinburg which is true, I suppose, in the relative sense that it’s closer to Gatlinburg than say, Ooltewah or Maynardville.
However, despite not actually being “close” to Gatlinburg, it is close to a lot of cool things in Pigeon Forge.
With three bedrooms and two baths, it sleeps eight people, but you can pay extra for two more. Amenities include a jacuzzi and a hot tub. It’s located behind the Parkway towards Wears Valley.
At an average of $336 per night, our example all-in stay would be $1,100 plus a $400 refundable deposit.
9. Seclusion Cabin
Sleeps 10
I spent a large part of my youth running around the backroads of Blount, Sevier and Monroe counties. I’ve been to places like Turtletown, Ducktown, and communities that don’t appear on most maps. So, my idea of seclusion is not a cabin with three king bedrooms that is located a 9-minute drive from Dolly’s Stampede.
However, the lack of accuracy in branding aside, this cabin, which is rated an exceptional 5 out of 5 on VRBO, would serve as an excellent base of operations for your Pigeon Forge getaway. Amenities include mountain views, a hot tub and – I quote – “toilet paper.”
It also has an eight-foot pool table, a “spacious” home theater, two player video game table with over 400 classic arcade games and a foosball table.
It doesn’t specify the number of guests in the listing, but by my count, it should easily accommodate at least ten.
At an average of nearly $500 per night plus an additional $670 in taxes and fees, we’re looking at $2,143 for the example three-night stay.
8. Lucky Charm
Sleeps 12
This three-bedroom, three-bathroom retreat sleeps up to 12 people and is nestled off of Mills Creek Road, a relatively short drive from the Parkway.
The cabin has a spacious open-plan main floor, a fully stocked kitchen with stainless steel appliances, two seasonal wood-burning fireplaces, a game room with a shuffleboard and arcade game and extra living space.
The cabin also features a hot tub and fire pit, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring the area. Nestled in something of a holler and surrounded by tall trees, you can really feel like you’re on the edge of the massive forest.
At an average of $307 per night, our all-in example cost is $1,385 with about $450 in taxes and fees.
Read Also: 8 Best Family Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Ranked
7. Family Cabin
Sleeps 8
Standing in contrast to some of the more luxurious cabins on this list, this family-sized cabin, rated 4.6 out of 5 on VRBO, is located deeper in the woods of Lloyd Huskey Road.
With three bedrooms and two and a half baths, this cabin sleeps eight. Amenities include a full basement, hot tub, fire pit area and decks.
At an average of $159 per night, your all-in example price with about $300 in taxes and fees is $783.
6. Alpine Mountain Village Cabin
Sleeps 8
This cabin, which sleeps eight, is in Alpine Mountain Village and is near the Parkway. With three bedrooms and three bathrooms, it also has access to two community pools and a wedding chapel.
At an average of $229 per night, we are all in at the example cost of $854, which includes a service fee and taxes.
5. Amidst the Smokies
Sleeps 11
This is the perfect place for a couple of travel ball families to stay while their kids play at the nearby Cal Ripken Experience. This cabin, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5, sleeps 11 in three bedrooms with three baths.
Located in Starr Crest Resort just 3 miles from the Pigeon Forge Parkway, the cabin boasts a pair of hot tubs and an extensive selection of games and entertainment options.
At an average of $350 per night, our all-in example cost with an additional $500 in taxes and fees comes to $1,560.
4. Lookout Bear
Sleeps 11
You had me at 120-inch home theater.
Rated an exceptional 5 out of 5 on VRBO, this cabin sleeps 11 in three bedrooms, two of them King suites, and also has three baths.
Other than the massive theater, this cabin includes a pool table, hot tub and “easy access.” Calm down.
It actually means that the cabin is located back off Sugar Hollow Road with no steep hills and also quick access to Teaster Lane and places like the Hollywood Wax Museum and Local Goat.
For an average of $317 per night, our all-in example cost is $1,404 with about $440 in taxes and fees.
3. Bearfoot Lodge
Sleeps 14
This is a big boy with five bedrooms and four baths. This cabin sleeps 14 people.
Located off of Wears Valley Road, you get access to a community pool open seasonally, a private hot tub and a pool table as well as arcade games. The two-tier deck has seating to enjoy the mountain ridge view.
At an average of $382 per night, our example all-in cost is $1,778 with about $640 in taxes and fees.
2. Above the Mist
Sleeps 8
Located deep in the wilds of Sevier County, near the Oldham Community, is this upscale cabin that features huge glass windows overlooking a spectacular view. Rated 5 out of 5, it’s three bedrooms, three baths and sleeps eight people.
In addition to the dual level wrap around porch and jacuzzi, the game room has a pool table, multi-cade stand-up arcade, a two-person sit-down multi-cade, game table, sleeper sofa, books, family games, mini fridge and a 55″ smart TV. It’s about a 10-minute drive to Dollywood or back to Pigeon Forge.
At an average of $352 a night, our all-in example cost with taxes and fees is just over $1,500.
Read Also: 11 Best Places To Stay Near Dollywood From a Local
1. Mountain View Manor
Sleeps 10
This cabin is maybe the best combination of what you’re looking for in a Pigeon Forge and a Gatlinburg cabin.
Located back up in the mountains behind Dollywood near the Oldham Community, this cabin has stunning views, four bedrooms, three baths and it sleeps 10.
Coming in with a rating of 4.9 out of 5, it has a 60-game arcade, a pool table, a fire pit and hot tub.
The views will certainly cost you a little time getting to and from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, but that sacrifice gives more of an authentic mountain getaway. And it’s not like a 10ish-minute drive to Pigeon Forge is that onerous.
The price? Listed at an average of $375 per night, a cleaning fee and a service fee drives our example cost up to $1,765 for the three-night weekend.
What sort of amenities should I look for when I consider Pigeon Forge cabin rentals?
It depends on your needs. But unless your cabin rental is in a larger complex, you’re probably not going to get a pool.
Indoor pools are more hotel-ish anyway, but most standalone cabins won’t have an outdoor pool either.
You’re more likely to have a private hot tub which is nice in a more private romantic cabin but can be a tad awkward with larger groups.
If you’re taking a group with several kids, you’re going to want your large cabin rentals to have a nice game room. Scenic mountain views, a fire pit and hammocks are great when you’re an adult, but kids need more stimulation.
Kids will also enjoy foosball, air hockey, a pool table and maybe a theater room. When you’re traveling with kids, these are not vacation amenities, they’re necessities.
Otherwise, you know, you do you. You can save some money on meals if there is a fully equipped kitchen or maybe a grill. A washer and dryer can also help you pack lighter if you’re willing to give up the time necessary to do laundry.
Honestly, though, I wouldn’t focus too much on amenities. If you’re doing a large group, you’re going to want plenty of space.
And for the love of all that is holy, make sure the bathroom situation is in order. Nobody wants 12 people operating for a week out of a two-bathroom luxury cabin.
What is the average cost of a cabin in Pigeon Forge TN?
That’s a hard question to answer with any degree of real accuracy. There are hundreds of cabins listed on the travel website VRBO.com and it only takes a handful of outliers to pull the average up.
If I had to ballpark, I’d say the average is roughly $300-400 per night, but it depends on several factors.
Is it cheaper to stay in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge?
I think in general terms, Pigeon Forge is the cheaper option for most things in comparison to Gatlinburg. Some of that has to do with the towns’ differing personalities.
Gatlinburg is cozier, more historic and is better to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or for a mountain getaway, which will drive up cabin prices.
Pigeon Forge is a neon-lighted, good-time spot. Access to various tourist attractions like Dollywood is the bigger drawing point.
Sevierville, which for years was the place the locals did most of their day-to-day living, also has some good cabin deals, but be prepared to be a little farther from the action.
We had a short family getaway for the July 4th weekend, and it was easier to find a room in Pigeon Forge and was certainly easier to find a cheaper room. So maybe the consensus is true.
Have you stayed in a large cabin in the Smokies? If so, let us know in the comments.
