About Dancing Bear Lodge
Dancing Bear Lodge is the Smokies stay for people who would rather end a hiking day with a good dinner than a traffic crawl. It is a resort-style property in Townsend, Tennessee, on the western edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it feels a long way from the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge strips.
What you can book
The property mixes several kinds of units, and they are not interchangeable, so read the descriptions before you pick:
- 1 and 2 bedroom villas. Single king and double queen layouts, sleeping up to 6, with hot tub and fireplace options and a choice of full kitchen or kitchenette. Some are ADA compliant.
- Deluxe cabins and the LeConte Cabin. Studio-style units with a king bed and sleeper sofa. The LeConte has a full kitchen and a wood-burning fireplace and sleeps two.
- Cottages and lofts. Two-bedroom, two-bath units that sleep six, each with an outdoor hot tub on the back porch and a full kitchen.
- Riverfront stays. Little River 1, Little River 2 and The River House.
The lodging pages say every night of a stay includes a full breakfast, either traditional at Apple Valley Cafe or a lighter one at The Dancing Bean Coffee House. The property also lists about 2 miles of trails you can walk without getting in the car.
Who it suits
- Couples. The Deluxe cabins with a hot tub and fireplace are the obvious pick, and the resort sells in-cabin extras such as wine, a cheese board or a couples massage.
- Small families and groups of friends. The cottages and lofts sleep six across two bedrooms.
- Weddings and events. The resort has an event lawn and gazebo and takes private and corporate bookings.
- Dog owners, with a catch. Pet rules vary by unit (see below).
What to check when you book
- Pets. The villas and cottages are listed as pet-free. The LeConte Cabin, the Deluxe cabins and the Lofts are the dog-friendly options, and the Lofts list a $75 pet fee. Confirm the fee and any size limits when you reserve.
- Hot tubs. Not every unit has one, so check the unit page if a soak matters to you.
- Bed setup. Several villas are duplex style with a locking adjoining door, so a family of six can take both sides or a couple can take just one.
- Cancellation. Terms are in your reservation confirmation and can vary by booking type, so read them before you pay.
Getting there and around
The lodge is at 7140 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy in Townsend, Tennessee. From here you are on the Townsend side of the national park, which is the calm approach. Gatlinburg is a much longer drive than it looks on a map, so treat this as a base for the quiet side and plan day trips to the busier towns deliberately.
The Appalachian Bistro is on the property, and the contact page lists dinner Tuesday through Sunday, so call the lodge on (865) 448-6000 if you plan to arrive on a Monday. Current rooms, specials and the seasonal menu are on the Dancing Bear Lodge website, and the lodging pages show each unit's layout. Dog owners should read the Lofts page first.
