Big Ridge State Park, on the shores of Norris Lake 25 miles north of Knoxville, has 19 rustic one-bedroom cabins available from April 1 through October 31. Accommodating up to six people in two double beds and a sofa sleeper, these cabins are rustic only in that they have no air conditioning, televisions or phones. Bed linens, fully equipped kitchens and a grill are included. Porches are screened and fireplaces come in handy when the temperature turns chilly. Five of the cabins are situated lakeside. Holiday weekends require a three-night minimum stay; the rest of the time the minimum is two nights. During the summer, Big Ridge rangers offer guided hikes and nature programs.
On the side of Norris Lake you’ll find Norris Dam State Park and its 19 rustic cabins. Available from April 15 through October 31, these cabins are less "rustic" than those at nearby Big Ridge, for in addition to the fully equipped kitchenettes and linens they have electric heaters, air conditioning, fireplaces, baths with showers and televisions. Ten three-bedroom deluxe cabins are also on site. In addition to the basic amenities, these carpeted cabins have television, central heat and air, seasonal gas fireplaces and two porches, and they’re available year-round. In addition to hiking and water recreation, visitors should explore the park’s Lenoir Museum Cultural Complex and get a glimpse of what life was like working in an 18th-century grist mill and threshing barn.
At Roan Mountain State Park, southeast of Johnson City, 30 cabins are available. Each has a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, wood-burning stove, gas or electric heater and a front porch with rocking chair. Rentals include bedding and towels, with firewood provided seasonally. Ten cabins have telephones. Roan Mountain State Park is open year-round. Twelve miles of hiking trails and 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails explore the park’s back country. The swimming pool is open Memorial Day weekend to mid-August; interpretive ranger programs are offered year-round.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is home to Charit Creek Lodge, where accommodations are so basic you have to hike, bike or ride in via horseback. Two cabins accommodate up to 12 people each; two additional rooms in the main building also sleep 12. There’s no electricity, so kerosene lamps and wood-burning stoves are standard. Dinner and breakfast are served family-style in the main lodge at set times, and lunch is included for guests staying more than one night. Hot showers are extra. Like the park, Charit Creek Lodge is open year-round. The free flowing waters of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River attract whitewater kayakers and fishermen, while the park’s back country can be explored on foot or horseback.
At the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, LeConte Lodge welcomes guests with seven rustic but private cabins. Four one-room cabins have upper and lower bunk beds, while the other three have an additional single bed. Three additional rooms are available in the main lodge building. Cabins have kerosene lanterns and propane heaters, and wash basins and buckets are provided for sponge baths. LeConte Lodge is 6,593 feet above sea level on the third highest summit in the national park. The only way to reach LeConte Lodge is by foot; the shortest route is the 5.5-mile-long Alum Cave Trail.
