Spence Cabin

Closed — Open for daytime rental from April 1 through October 31. Reservations available through Recreation.gov. Rental hours are 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

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About

Spence Cabin is a large historic cottage built in 1928 as a vacation home for Alice Townsend, wife of Colonel Townsend who owned the Little River Lumber Company and Little River Railroad. The cabin was part of the Appalachian Club resort community where members escaped to the mountains in summer to enjoy tennis, picnics, dances, and swimming. The National Park Service has restored the cabin to its historic appearance, and it now serves as a day-use rental facility. The 3,000 square foot facility includes an open meeting hall, a ballroom with ceiling fans, a roofed porch with rocking chairs, and electricity. The cabin is situated within the Elkmont Historic District, which sits in a relatively flat and narrow valley at the confluence of Jakes Creek and the Little River. The valley is surrounded by steep ridges including Sugarland Mountain to the east, Meigs Mountain to the west, Blanket Mountain to the south, and Cove Mountain to the north. Numerous hiking trails are accessible from or near the cabin, including the Little River, Jakes Creek, and Laurel Falls Trails. The lower section of the Little River Trail is an old roadbed and relatively easy to hike, while the Laurel Falls Trail is paved and accessible. The self-guided Elkmont Nature Trail is nearby, and fishing is popular both above and below Elkmont. The facility includes 9 designated parking spaces for renters, with additional parking available at the Little River trailhead.

Directions

From Gatlinburg, drive south on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) for 1.7 miles and turn right onto Little River Road toward Cades Cove. Proceed 5 miles to Elkmont Campground road and turn left. Go 1.4 miles and turn left just before the campground office. After crossing the bridge, take the second left into the parking lot.