If you’re looking for spots to stay in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, there are plenty of spots to choose from. From the cabins of Gatlinburg to the large hotels of Pigeon Forge, there’s something for everyone, including one spot way up on top of the park’s third highest mountain that’s only accessible by foot. That’s right, you’re going to have to walk up Mount LeConte to get there. Don’t worry, the views and the fresh food cooked by the lodge’s staff make it totally worth it.

LeConte Lodge - Facebook East Tennessee is absolutely stunning, but there are very few places where you can get sweeping vistas like this at a lodge. In fact, this lodge on Mt. Leconte is one of a kind.

LeConte Lodge - Facebook The Leconte Lodge is way up there — at over 6,300 feet above sea level, it’s the highest hiking lodge in the Eastern United States.

LeConte Lodge - Facebook “What makes it a hiking lodge?” you might ask. Well, this lodge is only accessible via hiking trail. The shortest trail to the lodge is more than 5 miles and takes at least 4 hours.

LeConte Lodge - Facebook The lodge is home to seven cabins, all of which are handmade and don’t have any electricity! This is truly rustic cabin life up here, folks.

LeConte Lodge - Facebook The lodge is now under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, but the lodge actually predates the park. It was erected in the early 1900’s as a place for Washington politicians to stay while they considered making the area a National Park.

LeConte Lodge - Facebook While the cabins have been built since the camp’s earliest days, the spot remains the same, and the history continues to awe people almost as much as the camp’s views.

LeConte Lodge - Facebook Leconte Lodge is open during the warmer months only and costs $145 a night, which includes dinner and breakfast cooked by the lodge staff. Find out more at their website.

While you’re checking out East Tennessee, be sure to check out this tiny town that’s the greenest spot in the whole state.

LeConte Lodge - Facebook

East Tennessee is absolutely stunning, but there are very few places where you can get sweeping vistas like this at a lodge. In fact, this lodge on Mt. Leconte is one of a kind.

The Leconte Lodge is way up there — at over 6,300 feet above sea level, it’s the highest hiking lodge in the Eastern United States.

“What makes it a hiking lodge?” you might ask. Well, this lodge is only accessible via hiking trail. The shortest trail to the lodge is more than 5 miles and takes at least 4 hours.

The lodge is home to seven cabins, all of which are handmade and don’t have any electricity! This is truly rustic cabin life up here, folks.

The lodge is now under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, but the lodge actually predates the park. It was erected in the early 1900’s as a place for Washington politicians to stay while they considered making the area a National Park.

While the cabins have been built since the camp’s earliest days, the spot remains the same, and the history continues to awe people almost as much as the camp’s views.

Leconte Lodge is open during the warmer months only and costs $145 a night, which includes dinner and breakfast cooked by the lodge staff. Find out more at their website.

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