Glamping in Tenneessse’s Smoky Mountains: An Honest Guide for First-Timers

Compared to camping by tent, glamping is relatively new. In 2005, the term was first seen in England, officially entering the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016.

And once it hit the United States, it quickly became the go-to camping style for those seeking adventure with a side of luxury. Because the Smoky Mountains are a popular destination for couples seeking a sleek getaway, or families visiting Tennessee in hopes of catching prime peaks, glamping can be seen all around.

Whether happening in a boutique tiny home village like ours at Sojourn Lodging, or in a dedicated luxury cabin between the trees, glamping is an experience that every nature-enthusiast has to experience to understand.

If you’re brand new to glamping and want to understand what exactly makes it ‘glamorous’, our first-timer-friendly guide to glamping in the Smoky Mountains should give you the foundational knowledge you need to set off with confidence (and style).

What Is Glamping?

Glamping at its core is about combining naturalistic views with upgraded conveniences. Yes, you can put up a simple tent and still have it be a luxury experience. But what exactly makes an experience glamorous?

For many campers, it’s the small touches, stacked accommodations, and comforting sleeping arrangements that make up the difference between camping and glamping. These touches can be as simple as an extra bedroom or extended living room space.

You don’t need a large, multi-room property to glamp. Even tiny homes (roughly 280 square feet) can feel luxurious if you know what to look for. If you’re booking a luxury rental for your time glamping in the Smokies, make sure your unit has:

Comfortable Beds

The key to luxury? Upgraded comfort. Beds are the foundation (literally) of any comfortable stay, and with a tiny home, it’s one of the main things you need to consider. Without it, your tiny home unit is bound to feel too small for comfort.

Sojourn’s units all feature sleep-inducing lofted queen beds you can easily slip into post hike, fireside meal, or long day in the heat. And if you need more room, some units have a pull-out sofa.

Kitchenette / Full Kitchen

Chances are if you’re staying in the Smokies, you’ll want to cook all of your meals with a mountainous view behind you. You can do this with your full, in-unit kitchen or kitchenette, ideally designed to maximize meal time with new appliances and layered storage.

Cabin, yurt, or mirror cabin, you should find somewhere sleek and clean to make your meals. The best part? You’ll save money ordering out, and do it with one-of-a-kind views. Sojourn tiny home kitchens come with a full set of micro cooking gear: stovetop, microwave, and mini fridge.

Enjoy:

• Deck Coffee
• Post-Hike Meals
• Romantic Dinners In

And when it comes to utensils, most rentals will stock these for you. No need to go find a nearby store. That’s luxury in itself.

Fire Pits

Need a way to wind down but don’t want to go out and build a fire yourself? Luxury properties like ours tend to put stone-fenced fire pits where available (either behind or beside the unit), giving you an unforgettable deck view that will keep you warm and visually stimulated.

This is an ideal set-up for beginners who are worried about needing fire-building expertise. No building required, just walk outside and feel the warmth.

Unforgettable Sights Right In Your Backyard

Right in East Tennessee, and ideally in your backyard, you’ll get pristine views of the mountains. Your night will be decorated with pink sunsets, easy walks through dedicated trails, and lush green even in the summer season.

Don’t want to miss out on Tennessee's best view? Book with Sojourn ahead of the next peak season.

What to Expect on Your First Glamping Trip

Glamping isn’t as formal as staying in a hotel. You don’t need to pass by the front office or speak to someone to get inside. Sojourn’s units are completely keyless and conveniently located right in the Smokies, giving you the chance to drive up and walk in.

In addition to letting yourself in, you can expect an instant luxury feel comparable to a hotel stay, just without the neighbors. Those accustomed to floating from room to room just looking for a chill space to relax will gravitate towards the secluded beauty of a glamping property.

Once you’ve touched down and are ready to head inside, there are a few obvious experience differences you’ll notice right away.

A Slower Pace

When you’re not rushing to make your check in time, things tend to feel slower. Right away, the lack of crowds will remind you that you’re there in the woods, right next to one-of-a-kind Tennessee nature you just can’t afford to miss.

You Might’ve Overpacked

Most new glampers aren’t prepared for the amount of built-in amenities ready for them when they arrive. They think they need to pack every little detail to stay comfortable, when in fact their rental was designed to eliminate overpacking by providing it all.

Your Travel Discomfort Will Disappear

While camping might cause feelings of anxiety, glamping immediately soothes your fears by offering a clean, secluded space. You’re not forced to lean on the elements or staff to keep you safe, happy, and in control of your trip.

The Small Details Are Luxurious

You don’t know that you’re missing out on the small luxuries when you’re camping by tent. Spend one day glamping, and you’ll feel the difference. Think coffee by the fire, soft beds, and easy access to private bathrooms. You won’t find any of that in a tent.

Other Glamping Styles

Tiny homes might be the premier option for adventures staying in the Smokies, but there are other glamping styles that families, couples, and solo travelers tend to reach for. Each has a different, intentional layout with touches of novelty that give your trip some edge.

A few other glamping styles you might consider across East Tennessee include:

Yurts

Whimsical, airy, and an ideal option for couples, yurts provide an exciting alternative to cabin lodging. Why? The walls are made of canvas and held down by a wooden frame, allowing the mountain breeze to surround whoever is sleeping, cooking, or lounging inside.

Yurts are placed right inside the action, with renters having complete access to immediate trails, sounds, and views that they might not catch renting a cabin or far off tiny home. If tiny homes are not in a village-style like ours at Sojourn, it may be harder to park yourself directly in the mountains.

Ideal Yurt Glamping Features:

• Secluded Bathroom(s)
• Luxe Kitchenette
• Climate Control
• Large Windows or Skylight

Why This Works for Beginners:

• No Camping Experience Required
• More Comfortable Than Tents
• Fun, Novelty Vibe

Mirror Cabins

Made to mirror (literally) the natural beauty around them, mirror cabins contain four walls of reflective panels. They work like traditional cabins, but offer a hidden-in-plain-sight appeal wood-panelled cabins cannot.

They blend in to the natural scenery, making the private amenities inside (bathroom, bed, kitchen) that much more exclusive. Mirror cabins are luxury in essence, making them one of the top choices for glamping in and around the Smokies.

Note: Most mirror cabins are either very small or tiny-home size.

Ideal Mirror Cabin Glamping Features:

• Panoramic Views
• Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
• Coffee Station
• Outdoor Deck or Seating Area

Why This Works for Beginners:

• Climate Control
• Aesthetically Pleasing Exterior
• Real Beds

Why Choose Glamping Instead of Camping?

Beginner glampers think they have to know how to pitch a tent in the dark to get out there and explore. In reality, all they need is a local lodging option that can cater to each of their stay needs, whether that be a soft bed fit for two or a large living area where the whole family can gather.

Once glampers know that they can get anything they need (and within walking distance) to enjoy the scenery without compromising their comfort, glamping just becomes another fun activity they can add to their East Tennessee stay.

For a closer look at the key differences between traditional camping and glamping, check out this Sojourn Lodging blog written by our local guides.

Added Convenience

People choose glamping over camping because they don’t want to be uncomfortable to enjoy nature. Even with something as simple as following a trail, it helps to know that when the expedition is over you’ve got cold air and a couch to unwind on.

With classic tent camping, you’re headed back to a tent in the woods without the guarantee of any conveniences. Tiny homes have stocked kitchens for you to grab a cold drink. Yurts allow you to keep your eyes on the scenery without stepping outside.

No matter the property or unit type you choose, those small conveniences can’t be traded for anything.

Better Weather Protection

Tents aren’t exactly waterproof. While they can ward off light rain, they crumble under heavy or rocky mountain rain. Because you can’t predict the weather, it’s important that you choose an accommodation with layered weather protection if you want to keep things glamorous.

Most luxury properties will have one or more of these weather-protective features:

• Solid Roofs (Cabins, Tiny Homes)
• Heating
• Insulation
• AC
• Dry Indoor Spaces

More Downtime

The attractions are everything, right? It’s the remarkable smoky mountain peaks that keep out-of-state and local Tennessee travelers coming back for more. So, why waste time putting together a smooth stay when you can seek out a lodging property that does the hard work for you.

When you aren’t spending time trying to put together kitchen essentials you can use for only a few days, or walking around trying to find a soft space to sleep, you can use your trip time on things like:

• Visiting Local East Tennessee Attractions
• Enjoying Mountain Views (Inside or Outside)
• Spending Family Time On-Site
• Hiking or Exploring Trails

Questions To Ask Yourself

Because your glamping experience is yours, you need to ask yourself which features of a luxury camping experience you have to have and which you can leave for your next adventure. For most glampers, their main priority is convenience.

They ask themselves questions like “Will I be comfortable without a hotel-style bed?” or “Will I need my own private bathroom to be comfortable?”. If you aren’t sure which questions to ask before you go, here’s where to start.

1. How comfortable do I want or need to be?
2. Is my main goal adventure or relaxation?
3. Do I want to spend time setting up?
4. Do I need more accommodations for my children?

Once you have the answers to these essential questions, it’ll be easy to research a local lodging destination that works for you. Even better, staff can help guide you through the units they think will have the most of what you want.

Ready To Start Glamping? Make Your Way To Sojourn

If you’re ready to transition from roughing it to staying in style, look no further. Sojourn’s tiny home properties are laid out in an approachable village-style so you and your family can start adventuring with modern comforts.