Spence Cabin
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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.
The cabin is situated within the Elkmont Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
The cabin has four small meeting rooms ranging in size from 118 to 165 square feet. One larger room is 432 square feet, and has a gas fireplace. The rooms have between two and six electric outlets. There is also a warming kitchen, which contains a refrigerator and microwave oven. No cook stove is available, but electrical outlets can be used for warming devices such as slow cookers. The lighting is consistent with the historic use of the cabin and is rather dim.
The building has no heat or air conditioning, but it does have ceiling fans in the main room and screened porch, as well as a gas fireplace in the main room.
Most of the cabin is accessible, with the exception of the riverside patio. Two bathrooms are available, one of which is accessible. A 192 square foot screened outdoor porch faces the Little River, as does a nice stone patio. A smaller patio is located on the bank of the Little River. Parking for nine cars is located about 100 yards from the cabin, with an additional two spaces located at the cabin.
Furnishings are limited to 40 folding chairs, four 6-foot diameter round tables, eight 2.5-by-6 foot rectangular tables and six rocking chairs. Guests may set up the furniture in any configuration that will suit their needs. Guests may also wish to bring additional items such as a portable gas barbecue grill, slow cookers and lawn chairs.
Need to Know
Beginning March 1, valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors occupying the 9 designated parking spaces allocated to Spence Cabin during their reservation do not need a parking tag. Vehicles parking outside of the 9 designated parking spaces will need a parking tag.
*Learn more at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website.
Over the last 10 years, an average of 339 negative human-bear encounters have been reported each year; many more go unreported. Visitors should be aware that high bear activity can occur in any area, and that your safety is not guaranteed. To increase your odds for a safe visit, please follow best practices for living and recreating in bear habitat. Stay alert and be prepared to react appropriately during possible encounters, and always report any unusual bear interactions as soon as possible.
The cabin is available for daily use from 10a.m. to 8 p.m. between April 1 and October 31. A reservation is required and may be made up to one year in advance.
Facility available for rental for day-use from 10 AM to 8 PM. Day use fee is $200 per day. An additional $400 refundable security deposit is due at booking and will be refunded if the facility is left in good condition. Refund of security deposit will be authorized 5-7 business days after reservation date. Refunds are returned via original method of payment.
Clean-up of the grounds, building, and furnishings is the responsibility of the guest. Furnishings must be returned to their original storage location. Guests are required to sweep and mop. General cleaning supplies and step ladders are provided.
Visitors must check in with park staff. Visitors must check in with park staff at the historical cabin location at 10 am (EST) No exceptions. Park staff will present the rental agreement and historical structure rules with the door code for the day. Check out time is by 8 p.m. (no exceptions).
Visitors are encouraged to carpool or consider shuttling guests from outside the park. Shuttle vehicles may not exceed 25 in length. Event-Directional Signs inside the park are prohibited.
Outside paths are not lighted. Visitors should bring flashlights for night use.
Candles, oil lamps and open flame devices are prohibited.
Portable heating devices, electric or otherwise, are prohibited.
There is no heat or air conditioning in the building.
Decorations are permitted, provided they do not harm the structure (no staples, tape, nails, screws, tacks, hooks, etc.) Carpet runners, balloons, garden arches-stands-risers-arbors or similar unnatural props, fireworks, fog machines, bubbles, silly string, or any other such materials are prohibited. Glitter, Rice, and Seeds are prohibited.
Alcohol is permitted in the cabin and on the patios, consistent with state law and park regulations.
Smoking is prohibited in all federal buildings.
Pets are prohibited in all federal buildings.
There is no cell phone service in the Elkmont area; the nearest limited coverage is about 3 miles away at Maloney Point.
Weddings and wedding receptions require a separate permit in addition to the cabin reservation; check the park website for Wedding and Special Event Permits .
Guests are prohibited from throwing any substance ( rice, seeds, glitter, confetti, flower pedals, and any similar substances.)
Caterers should call 828-497-1930 at least 48 hours before the event to obtain permission to enter the park for business.
The park strongly recommends that visitors tour the site before making a reservation and have a detailed event plan prior to arrival. Site visits are scheduled by calling 865-436-1286. Scheduled site visits run from March through November of each season.
Site Visits can be scheduled during the following hours:
April thru October 8am-10am (EST) Tues-Sat.
March and November 8am-2:30pm (EST) Mon-Fri.
Natural Features
The Elkmont Historic District sits in a relatively flat and narrow valley at the confluence of Jakes Creek and the Little River. It encompasses a tract in a montane alluvial forest, which occurs primarily within the floodplains of the Little River and its tributary, Bearwallow Creek.
The valley is surrounded by steep ridges, including Sugarland Mountain to the east, Meigs Mountain to the west, Blanket Mountain to the south and Cove Mountain to the north.
Recreation
There are numerous hiking trails within or near Elkmont, including the Little River, Jakes Creek and Laurel Falls Trails. The lower section of the Little
River Trail is an old roadbed and relatively easy to hike. The Laurel Falls Trail is paved and accessible.
The self-guided Elkmont Nature Trail is nearby. The most unique feature of the area is the Elkmont Historic District with a number of cabins still standing.
Fishing is popular both above and below Elkmont.
Contact Information
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500 Elkmont Road Gatlinburg TN 37738
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 865-436-1261
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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 right as you make the loop through the parking lot. (The nearest street address is 500 Elkmont Road, Gatlinburg, TN.)
