| Did you know there are no Smokey Mountain | | | | For your Leconte stay, make sure you bring |
| cabins for vacation rentals inside the Great | | | | sturdy shoes that you have already broken in. |
| Smokey Mountains National Park - except one! It | | | | Include more than one change of socks in case |
| is called Leconte Lodge. Even though the National | | | | your feet get wet. Layered, lightweight clothing |
| Park Service Leconte Lodge is called a lodge, it | | | | will give you the flexibility to add more or take it |
| also includes rental log cabins. These are the only | | | | off as temperatures change. A warm sweater or |
| cabins for vacation rentals inside the national park. | | | | jacket is advisable and a lightweight raincoat or |
| To get there, do you just hop in your car and | | | | poncho is absolutely essential. Nature shows no |
| drive up to the front door? No way! There is no | | | | mercy for those unprepared for the sudden |
| road to these Smokey Mountain rental cabins. If | | | | changes in weather. Summer nights can dip to 40 |
| you want to stay there, the only way in is by | | | | degrees or lower, while in spring and fall, night |
| hiking! Talk about Smokey Mountain secluded | | | | temperatures can drop into the teens with |
| cabins - it is a hike of over 5 miles if you are up | | | | snowfall. |
| to it. Lots of folks do just that, as this Smokey | | | | No need to bring suitcases and other |
| Mountain cabins facility fills up fast during the | | | | cumbersome luggage. A light backpack should be |
| summer. Not only does it fill up fast, you may | | | | what you use for your necessities since personal |
| have to wait months to get a cabin reservation. | | | | clothing and toiletries are all you really need. |
| Located at more than 6,500 feet elevation, these | | | | Remember, it is a 5-mile hike to enjoy these very |
| Smokies rental cabins are very popular. Prepare | | | | special Smokey Mountain cabins. |
| for a sponge bath. While there is running water | | | | The Great Smokey Mountain National Park is |
| for the toilets, there is no electricity. Kerosene | | | | about half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. |
| lanterns will provide you with light. You will not be | | | | Leconte Lodge is located on Leconte Mountain |
| blow-drying your hair or watching reruns while | | | | which is on the Tennessee side in the national |
| here. It is life somewhat like it used to be many | | | | park. But you will not know which state you are |
| generations ago. | | | | in. Does it really matter? You WILL know that |
| These Smokey Mountain cabins only have a | | | | you are away from civilization in a beautiful |
| capacity of up to fifty guests per night housed in | | | | unspoiled mountain retreat. Whether you stay in |
| either handcrafted log cabins or group sleeping | | | | Leconte Lodge or other Smokey Mountain log |
| lodges. The cabins have upper and lower double | | | | cabins outside the park, once you have been |
| bunk beds, which are great for two couples or a | | | | there, it is easy to see why the Great Smoky |
| family of four or five persons. Each of the larger | | | | Mountain National Park is the #1 visited national |
| cabin lodges can sleep from ten to thirteen | | | | park in the USA. |
| persons. | | | | |
