Bearskin Lodge on the River – Gatlinburg, TN

The Lodge

Bearskin Lodge on the River is the perfect place to stay on your next retreat to Gatlinburg, whether your visit’s purpose is to walk and shop the streets of Gatlinburg or to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or both!

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The Room

The lodge has several different rooms to accommodate different needs. We stayed in the Executive King Stream View room and it was absolutely wonderful. It included our own private balcony overlooking the river, a king bed, a gas fireplace, a whirlpool tub for two (here’s the important part – Kaleb is like 2 people on his own and we can both fit in this tub), a mini-fridge and a full bathroom.

The Service

The rooms and the lodge in general was extremely clean. The parking was convenient as there was a garage and all the spots are relatively close to the elevator. In the front lobby, there are drink refreshments and cookies. The continental breakfast is located on the middle floor making it fairly convenient for all guests and was your general continental breakfast.

While we didn’t need the staff for anything extra, everyone was very friendly and warm in their greeting.

Proximity and Environment

Gatlinburg prides itself on being a walking town and it most definitely is. Early that morning, when arriving in Gatlinburg, we did a 6 mile hike and were absolutely exhausted but still walked up and down the entire length of town from the lodge. This makes it great because parking can be a bit pricey there and you can also enjoy the distilleries and wineries without having to worry about driving.

The atmosphere at the lodge is great. It seems to be very kid and family friendly. We saw everything from families to older couples to child-less couples such as ourselves. The lodge includes an outdoor pool and lazy river (that I desperately wanted to use, but just didn’t have the time).

Favorite Take-Away

Definitely a combination of the huge whirlpool bathtub and the balcony with the river view. After hiking all morning and walking all afternoon/night, my body needed the relaxation.

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Ashley Hubbard

Hi! I'm the Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Wild Hearted. I'm a Nashville unicorn (born, raised, and based), queer, vegan, and dedicated to leaving a positive impact through her life, work, and this website.

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When I'm not writing, I'm traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill my houseplants, worshiping my dog, or having an existential crisis.

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