Spence Cabin Front Entrance
Spence Cabin Rear Patio
SPENCE CABIN with table and chairs in side room
Spence Cabin
SPENCE CABIN main room

Featured amenities

Parking Parking

About 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.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Site Setup and Access

Site Setup and Access

  • ADA Accessible
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Cabin Outdoor Features

Cabin Outdoor Features

  • Deck or Patio
Missing information?

Reviews (91)

What Guests Are Saying

Spence Cabin is a beautiful and serene venue, perfect for intimate events like weddings, with stunning scenery and helpful staff. Guests appreciate the charming historic building, although it lacks mirrors and can be chilly inside. Overall, it meets the needs for special occasions and is highly recommended for its picturesque setting.

Review Summary

4.6
91 reviews
5
70.3%
64
4
18.7%
17
3
11.0%
10
2
0.0%
0
1
0.0%
0

Brad L

July 5, 2021

3

.

Audrey B

June 3, 2021

5

We had our wedding here and it was perfect!! There was a small group of us and the cabin was the perfect size with everything we needed! The multiple small rooms, kitchen, and main room were great. Loved that the fireplace worked! It was nice to have two bathrooms (no mirrors, which would've been nice). AND you can't beat the location along the river!! The patio down on the river was awesome! Love the Spence Cabin!

Audrey B

June 3, 2021

5

We had our wedding here and it was perfect!! There was a small group of us and the cabin was the perfect size with everything we needed! The multiple small rooms, kitchen, and main room were great. Loved that the fireplace worked! It was nice to have two bathrooms (no mirrors, which would've been nice). AND you can't beat the location along the river!! The patio down on the river was awesome! Love the Spence Cabin!

Kara H

May 1, 2021

5

I had the most beautiful intimate mountain wedding on the back porch of Spence Cabin which backs up to a stream. The only part of the cabin I used on the inside was the rooms for changing and getting ready photos. This place is a dream come true. The photos I have turned out amazing and our wedding was beautiful. I loved hearing the sound of the stream in the background. No cell reception, so transportation should be arranged for guests if having a larger wedding. Parking is very limited here as well.

Kara H

May 1, 2021

5

I had the most beautiful intimate mountain wedding on the back porch of Spence Cabin which backs up to a stream. The only part of the cabin I used on the inside was the rooms for changing and getting ready photos. This place is a dream come true. The photos I have turned out amazing and our wedding was beautiful. I loved hearing the sound of the stream in the background. No cell reception, so transportation should be arranged for guests if having a larger wedding. Parking is very limited here as well.

Amber B

April 23, 2021

5

Spence Cabin was the PERFECT venue for our fairytale wedding! The whole experience was very authentic and the beautiful scenery was the perfect backdrop for our ceremony and reception. There is no cell service, but it was nice to unplug for a while. The space was sufficient for our 35 people between inside and outside the cabin, and there is so much to explore outside! All our guests were extremely impressed with the venue. We couldn't have asked for a better venue!! The park rangers were so amazing throughout the entire process and helped us with anything we needed. We will definitely return in the future. Thank you!!!

Amber B

April 23, 2021

5

Spence Cabin was the PERFECT venue for our fairytale wedding! The whole experience was very authentic and the beautiful scenery was the perfect backdrop for our ceremony and reception. There is no cell service, but it was nice to unplug for a while. The space was sufficient for our 35 people between inside and outside the cabin, and there is so much to explore outside! All our guests were extremely impressed with the venue. We couldn't have asked for a better venue!! The park rangers were so amazing throughout the entire process and helped us with anything we needed. We will definitely return in the future. Thank you!!!

Courtney R

January 23, 2021

5

If you are considering booking this for your wedding, DO IT! The location for that price was perfect. My wedding was truly stunning. I loved the natural setting tucked away in the woods with the river. There are plenty of good spots to take a variety of photos. We took photos up against the cabin, on the patio, along a path in the woods, on rocks in the river, and we even drove 5 minutes to a nearby pull out to take pictures with the mountains in the background. So many options. We had 32 guests, not including our vendors. It was just the right amount of people before getting a little cramped. The rangers were very helpful with check in and check out. Parking was a bit of a challenge for my guests but I knew that ahead of time and really encouraged our guests to carpool. There is zero cell phone reception so really express the location and details to your guest ahead of time. We placed a welcome sign at the beginning of our trail to help our guest find the cabin since it is tucked back in the trees. As the description says there is no ac/heat, so advise your guest to bring layers and comfortable shoes.

Courtney R

January 23, 2021

5

If you are considering booking this for your wedding, DO IT! The location for that price was perfect. My wedding was truly stunning. I loved the natural setting tucked away in the woods with the river. There are plenty of good spots to take a variety of photos. We took photos up against the cabin, on the patio, along a path in the woods, on rocks in the river, and we even drove 5 minutes to a nearby pull out to take pictures with the mountains in the background. So many options. We had 32 guests, not including our vendors. It was just the right amount of people before getting a little cramped. The rangers were very helpful with check in and check out. Parking was a bit of a challenge for my guests but I knew that ahead of time and really encouraged our guests to carpool. There is zero cell phone reception so really express the location and details to your guest ahead of time. We placed a welcome sign at the beginning of our trail to help our guest find the cabin since it is tucked back in the trees. As the description says there is no ac/heat, so advise your guest to bring layers and comfortable shoes.

David L

October 19, 2020

5

Excellent venue for our small Smoky Mtn wedding! Cabin was clean and in great condition. Park Rangers and staff were kind and courteous. Of note, they have stopped reserving the rectangular gravel parking area by the road for Spence Cabin parking. Plan to have all of your guests park on the gravel driveway leading up to the cabin if you are there on a busy day. Price was very reasonable and they refunded the deposit quickly.

Location & Directions for Spence Cabin

500 Elkmont Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 United States

Elevation: 668 ft

Getting There

Spence Cabin is located near Elkmont Campground. Drive south from Gatlinburg, TN on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) for 1.7 mi and turn right onto Little

River Road toward Cades Cove. Proceed 5 mi to Elkmont Campground road and turn left. Go 1.4 mi ...

Nearest town

Gatlinburg, TN - 9.8 mi

About 24 min to downtown

Highway access

Spence Cabin is accessible via Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441), which connects Gatlinburg to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This road is the primary route leading to the area.

Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The closest entrance is: Gatlinburg Entrance

Approximate drive: 5.6 mi · 10 min

Near Yosemite National Park

The closest entrance is: Arch Rock Entrance

Approximate drive: 18.9 mi · 32 min

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: October 7, 2026

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Explore Gatlinburg, TN

Population: 3,663

Nearby city: Knoxville, TN

Approx. 29 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,289 ft

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