Spence Cabin
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.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins with electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Pets | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spence Cabin | Gravel | Partial | 15 amp | Riverfront | 45 / 9 | No | Yes | Prime |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 10:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Fees | The fee is $200 per day. Due at checkout a $400 damage deposit is also charged but will be refunded if the facility is left in good condition. This Fee can not be refunded if the reservation is cancelled prior to paying the remainder of your balance. |
| Accessibility | Site Spence Cabin is listed accessible |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | Gatlinburg, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 35.6533° N, 83.5775° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Nantahala Outdoor Center ↗ | 4.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | A&L RV Sales ↗ | 22 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside National Forests in North Carolina.
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
- 7.6 miCherokee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,228,298 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- John Ownby CabinBuilding · Gatlinburg · 3 mi
- Alex Cole CabinBuilding · Gatlinburg · 3.2 mi
- King-Walker PlaceBuilding · Gatlinburg · 4 mi
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.
Guidebooks for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Fly Fishing Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National ParkIan Rutter and Charity Rutter, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Spence Cabin?
Sites at Spence Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Spence Cabin?
The fee is $200 per day. Due at checkout a $400 damage deposit is also charged but will be refunded if the facility is left in good condition. This Fee can not be refunded if the reservation is cancelled prior to paying the remainder of your balance.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Spence Cabin?
Check-in 10:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Spence Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Spence Cabin have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Spence Cabin?
Site Spence Cabin is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Spence Cabin?
There are numerous hiking trails within or near Elkmont, including the Little River, Jakes Creek and Laurel Falls Trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Spence Cabin?
Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Source: Getting there
What if Spence Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Elkmont Campground (0.5 mi), Elkmont Group Camp (0.7 mi), and Anthony Creek Horse Camp (11.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Spence Cabin in?
Spence Cabin is a Great Smoky Mountains National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.