Calling LeConte Lodge a "campground" may be a bit of an understatement...especially since you aren't lugging in your own tent or tugging your sleeping bag up to your chin to escape the chilly mountain air. No, LeConte Lodge is a rural, secluded space tucked away in the Nantahala National Forest. The Lodge is only accessible by foot and has become one of the must-visit spots for outdoorsy folks and avid hikers from Tennessee and around the world.
You'll find LeConte Lodge high in the mountains and accessible only by hiking 5 miles up the mountain on Alum Cave Trail. It's a strenuous trail that you'll have to hike both in and out, so make sure that you're prepared with the necessary provisions and plenty of water.
When you arrive you'll find a series of bare-bones cabins and lodges that are situated high above the valley below. Mount LeConte is the third-highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and you'll find LeConte Lodge at a whopping 6,360 feet of elevation.
The history of the area is fascinating. Before the Smokies were even a national park - actually, when folks were pushing for its inception - a tent camp once sat right on the same spot as the now-famous LeConte Lodge. It predates the park itself!
The lodge and its surrounding cabins are managed by Stokely Hospitality Enterprises and reservations can be made online. Dates book up incredibly fast, so if you try to reserve a night and find it unavailable you can choose to call sporadically to see if anything has opened up. It happens!
The rate for adults is roughly $158.50, and for children ages 4-12 it's $88. Lodging includes a communal dinner and breakfast. You can also choose to reserve a two or three-bedroom lodge if you're coming with a group.
A visit to LeConte Lodge is unlike any other, with a naturally aggressive hike in and a beautifully deserved hike back out. You'll get to be one with nature, enjoying the fresh beauty of the area while staying in a comfortable, if quaint and sparse, space.
Will you be venturing to LeConte Lodge? Have you been yourself? Make sure you leave any tips or tricks for a great stay in the comments!
You can learn more about LeConte Lodge with a visit to its official website and Facebook page or official website.
Continue to explore the beauty of Tennessee with a visit to one of its famous caves, well below the surface of the state.
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