Spence Cabin
Great Smoky Mountains National Park — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Gatlinburg, TN, TN
Price: From $200 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (41 reviews)
Season: May through October
Spence Cabin is an ideal place to hold a small family gathering or family reunion away from the hustle and bustle of nearby towns. It is also an excellent location for a meeting or training session for a small group of people, or for a small wedding or reception. The outdoor patios are great places to relax and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/spence-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Spence Cabin offers a unique, private setting within the historic Elkmont District of Great Smoky Mountains, ideal for small family gatherings, reunions, or events with beautiful outdoor patios. Google reviewers consistently praise it as charming and perfect for weddings, with a 4.7/5 rating from 143 reviews.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Bobcat, Timber Rattlesnake, and Pileated Woodpecker present in the area
Insider tips for Spence Cabin: Book early—it is a federal campground with high demand Guest limit is 35 people, making it ideal for intimate events Located near Elkmont Campground on Little River Road, 6.7 miles south of Gatlinburg on Newfound Gap Road
Skip Spence Cabin if: You need hookups—no hookups available at this site. You prefer year-round access—seasonal operations May through October only. You want a traditional campground experience—this is a single cabin rental, not a multi-site campground.
Best time to visit Spence Cabin: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only. September-October — Multiple verified reviews highlight September and fall as beautiful times for events at the cabin.
Nearby campgrounds: Appalachian Clubhouse (Gatlinburg, TN), Elkmont Group Camp (Gatlinburg, TN), Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion (GATLINBURG, TN), Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion (GATLINBURG, TN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Spence Cabin
Cell signal at Spence Cabin (Gatlinburg, TN): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Spence Cabin is an ideal place to hold a small family gathering or family reunion away from the hustle and bustle of nearby towns. It is also an excellent location for a meeting or training session for a small group of people, or for a small wedding or reception. The outdoor patios are great places to relax and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it is a federal campground with high demand
Guest limit is 35 people, making it ideal for intimate events
Located near Elkmont Campground on Little River Road, 6.7 miles south of Gatlinburg on Newfound Gap Road
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Multiple verified reviews highlight September and fall as beautiful times for events at the cabin
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Spence Cabin is located near Elkmont Campground. Drive south from Gatlinburg, TN on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) for 1.7 miles and turn right onto Little River Road toward Cades Cove. Proceed 5 miles to Elkmont Campground road and turn left. Go 1.4 miles and turn left just before the campground office (sign says Elkmont Nature Trail 0.3, Little River Trail 0.6 and Jakes Creek Trail). After crossing the bridge, take the second left into the parking lot. Parking for Spence Cabin will be on your ri
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Great Smoky Mountains National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Great Smoky Mountains National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Spence Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Spence Cabin open?+
Does Spence Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Spence Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Spence Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Spence Cabin?+
What season is Spence Cabin open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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