Smokies View Escape

10/13/2026

What are bears up to in October?

Hyperphagia is in full-swing. Bears may be awake and searching for food up to 20 hours a day. Many bears also look for den sites. Some pregnant females may den up by the end of the month. As days shorten, vehicle collisions rise.

★ Bears are eating more, sleeping less.
★ Bears den based on weather and food supply.
★ It's a dangerous month for bears.
★ Using non-food fall decorations helps protect bears.

Learn more about what bears are doing in October:
https://bearwise.org/what-bears-do-in-october/

Thanks for being BearWise and helping keep bears wild.

10/13/2026

Tucked away in the Smokies, Baskins Creek Falls is a stunning 40-foot, two-tiered waterfall that feels like your own private paradise. Full guide down below.

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

10/11/2026

One of the most beautiful fall hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains takes you right beside the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River along the Gatlinburg Trail in Tennessee! This peaceful 1.9-mile trail runs between Sugarlands Visitor Center and downtown Gatlinburg, giving you a wonderful way to enjoy the mountains without a difficult hike. Most of the route is wide and fairly level, with beautiful stretches of forest where the trees turn shades of yellow, orange, and red during fall. You'll walk beside rushing water, large smooth rocks, and little river rapids, with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery. A footbridge takes you across the river, and along the way you'll discover old stone walls, chimneys, and remains of homes that once stood here before the national park was established in 1934. Near Sugarlands Visitor Center, you can also take a separate short walk to Cataract Falls, a pretty 40-foot waterfall tucked into the woods. The Gatlinburg Trail is also one of only two trails in the entire park where leashed dogs are welcome, and bicycles are allowed here too!

10/08/2026

🏔️ Imagine waking up to this view!

There's just something about the Smoky Mountains that makes you want to slow down, relax, and stay a little longer.

Our cabin, Smokies View, offers incredible mountain views while being just 1.5 miles up the mountain from downtown Gatlinburg!

Whether you're planning a family vacation, a couples' getaway, or a weekend with friends, we'd love to host you!

🏡 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Sleeps 9
♨️ Private Hot Tub
🎮 Game & Media Room
🏔️ Beautiful Mountain Views
📍 Convenient to downtown Gatlinburg & Ober Mountain

💙 BOOK DIRECT & SAVE! Skip the extra booking-platform fees and book directly with us!

🔗 https://pettisrentalproperties-tn.hosted.ownerrez.com/

08/10/2026

We had some company off of the deck. Guess he wanted to enjoy the beautiful view too!!

07/03/2026

https://pettisrentalproperties-tn.hosted.ownerrez.com/

Wake up to breathtaking sunrises over downtown Gatlinburg and majestic Mt. LeConte from the comfort of Smokies View. You'll be just seven minutes from Ober Mountain and six minutes from the Chalet Village Clubhouse, where guests enjoy seasonal pool access, a fitness center, game room, tennis courts, and a playground.

One of our favorite things about the cabin? The local wildlife! Black bears are frequently spotted in the area, so keep your camera ready—you may see a mama bear and her cubs strolling by the cabin.

The cabin is laid out with three levels....

Lower Level
King bedroom with ensuite bathroom
Media and game room
Laundry room
Private hot tub on the covered lower deck overlooking the mountains

Main Level
Open-concept living room with soaring ceilings
Fully equipped kitchen
Dining area
Twin-over-queen bunk bedroom
Full bathroom
Spacious deck with outdoor seating, dining area, and gas grill overlooking the mountains

Upper Level
Cozy loft sitting area with sleeper sofa
King bedroom with ensuite bathroom
Private balcony

With three levels of living space, Smokies View comfortably accommodates up to 9 guests, giving everyone room to relax while enjoying unforgettable views and easy access to all that Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer.

07/03/2026

Three weeks ago, I decided to give Vehicle-Free Wednesday in Cades Cove a try, and I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences I've had in the Smokies!

I rented an e-bike from Vee Hollow Bike Shop in Townsend, and I can't say enough good things about them. Super friendly people, excellent service, and fantastic bikes. If you're thinking about biking Cades Cove, I highly recommend renting from them.

I headed toward Cades Cove around noon, but the parking lot was completely full. I turned around, drove back to the second pull-off, then headed back toward the Cove. Thankfully, so many people were leaving that I was able to grab a parking spot. One tip: don't park on the side of the road—they were actively towing vehicles.

After unloading my bike and purchasing my parking pass, I was finally on my way...and it was absolutely fabulous!

I'm not sure I'll ever drive the loop again in a vehicle. Being on a bike gave me the freedom to stop whenever I wanted, pass people when I wanted, and simply enjoy the fresh mountain air. I rode the entire 11-mile loop on my e-bike. I pedaled most of the way but definitely appreciated the pedal assist when my legs started reminding me that I am not 20 anymore!

One of the highlights was an unexpected 20-minute stop when a mama bear decided she wasn't thrilled that her cubs were so close to the road while people kept passing by. We all patiently waited until she gathered her cubs and led them a little farther into the woods. It was an incredible reminder that we're guests in their home.

I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I planned because let's be honest...I was focused on not falling off my bike!

Even so, I saw deer, wild turkeys, numerous black bears, and some of the most breathtaking scenery the Smokies have to offer.

If you've ever considered experiencing Cades Cove on a Vehicle-Free Wednesday, do it. It was peaceful, unforgettable, and hands-down one of my favorite days in the Smoky Mountains.

The drive to Cades Cove was absolutely beautiful and only took about 30 minutes from our cabin.

07/03/2026

Was unloading my vehicle and kept hearing a sound, I turned around and had a wild turkey just trotting right past me!