Smoky Mountains Lodge

05/29/2026

🦋DOLLYS TENNESSEAN TRAVEL STOP OPENING🦋

Mark your calendars! Dolly's very first Tennessean Travel Stop officially opens June 24 in Cornersville, TN, welcoming travelers from near and far to experience a brand-new roadside destination built around comfort, care and Tennessee hospitality.

Located at exit 22 off I-65, guests can enjoy DLY BBQ, a fresh cup of Dolly's Cup of Ambition Coffee, custom merch and a full-service restaurant, all inspired by the spirit of the open road. Additional details on grand opening festivities will be revealed in the coming weeks. For more information about Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop, please sign up for updates at dollystravelstops.com.

05/20/2026

The synchronous firefly viewing event begins today at Elkmont and runs through May 27!

Please remember:
• After 12 PM, access to Elkmont is limited to vehicles with reservations and registered campers.
• No overnight parking is permitted at Little River Trailhead, Jakes Creek Trailhead, or the Appalachian Clubhouse during this period.



The Elkmont area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a large population of synchronous fireflies. These temporary closures help protect the fireflies and firefly habitat during their mating season. The park uses soil temperature to predict peak viewing dates, which can shift each year. Since 1993, recorded peak activity has ranged from the third week of May to the third week of June.



Thank you for helping us protect these incredible insects!

Learn more about synchronous fireflies: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/fireflies.htm



Photo by P. Driessche

05/19/2026

"This was by far the best rental I have ever stayed at"

When a guest drops a review like that, it means the standard our team has built under the hood are hitting the mark. Lacey and her group just checked out of Smoky Mountains Lodge, and they didn't hold back.
From the fully equipped kitchen to the spotlessly clean spaces and the most comfortable beds they’ve ever slept in—every single detail is designed to deliver a premier mountain experience.

And that unreal mountain view? It speaks for itself.
We are already pacing ahead for peak season, and summer dates fill up fast. If you want to secure your family’s spot in the Smokies before the calendar locks up, now is the time to move.
Secure your dates directly with us to skip 15% in platform fees: link in 1st comment below.

Where is your favorite spot to catch a mountain sunset? Let me know in the comments! 👇

05/14/2026

Look who decided to drop by!
We caught this beautiful bobcat strolling right across the patio on our security camera. One of the best parts of staying at our cabin is having nature right at your doorstep.

Thinking about a mountain getaway?
We still have some availability left for this summer, but dates are filling up fast! Don't wait to book your stay. Link in bio to check our calendar!

05/07/2026

Don't let that keep you from the magic of the Smokys. While Elkmont is the most famous, the Synchronous Fireflies (and the equally mystical Blue Ghost species) don't strictly obey park boundaries.

We’ve curated a list of alternative viewing areas where you can witness these brilliant displays without the lottery crowds. From the quiet creek corridors of the Cataloochee Valley to the private, wooded surroundings of a high-end mountain cabin, there are a handful of other opportunities to catch the firefly phenomenon.

We want our guests and community to have the ultimate advantage.

👇 Click the link in the first comment to get the guide

05/06/2026

Excited for the changes and upgrades coming to Ober Gatlinburg!

Looks like Ober Gatlinburg is changing more than just the name 👀⛰️

Ober Gatlinburg is officially bringing back the OG name, but they’re also making some pretty major upgrades while they’re closed for annual maintenance through May 14th.

Some of the changes coming:
• Brand new summer tubing hill
• New disc golf course
• New archery range
• Tram maintenance and upgrades
• New turf, entrance improvements, and more updates around the mountain

Honestly… my husband is probably most excited about the new disc golf course 😂🥏

It’s cool seeing Ober lean back into the nostalgia of the original name while also adding more things to do year-round. Seems like they’re really trying to turn the mountain into more of a full adventure destination instead of just a ski spot.

What do y’all think about the changes? And who’s trying the disc golf course first? 👀

📸Ober Gatlinburg

04/26/2026

Exclusivity is the hallmark of a true Smoky Mountain experience. Only 2 days left for the Synchronous Fireflies lottery!

The 2026 lottery for the Synchronous Fireflies at Elkmont officially opened yesterday. This is a "once-in-a-lifetime" event with a very limited number of parking passes, making it one of the most high-intent draws for our region.

If you are planning to join us this May, securing your pass is the first step in a world-class spring retreat. Our cabin serves as the perfect sanctuary to return to after a night in the park—imagine decompressing by our outdoor fire pit overlooking the mountain vistas after witnessing nature’s most sophisticated light show.

The lottery window is narrow (closing Monday, April 27th), so precision is key.

👇 Click the link in the first comment to read our full guide on how to enter the lottery and what to expect during your visit.