Canvas Great Smoky Mountains
Upscale safari-style glamping with a community campfire feel. Think West Elm furnishings inside a canvas tent, live music at the fire pit, and morning yoga on lululemon mats. Social but not rowdy — quiet time starts at 10pm.
Book a Stargazer tent for the overhead viewing window — it's the signature feature worth the premium
Why It Matters
Named 'Best Resort in the South' by Travel + Leisure and 'Top Resort in the South U.S.' by Condé Nast Traveler multiple years running. It's the only full-scale Under Canvas camp in the Southeast, and it's world's-first DarkSky-certified as a resort brand — meaning the night skies here are genuinely spectacular. Eight tent configurations cover solo couples up to families of six.
Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains is a safari-style glamping camp spread across 182 wooded acres near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee — the only Under Canvas outpost in the Southeast. Canvas tents with king beds, wood-burning stoves, and private decks sit among the trees, with America's most visited national park about 20 minutes away. Breakfast costs $10–25, no pool exists, and Wi-Fi is deliberately absent. But the tradeoff is real quiet, genuine dark skies, and a far more relaxed base than anything in Gatlinburg proper.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Deluxe Tent
The sweet spot for couples. King bed, private ensuite bathroom with a pull-chain shower, sink, and flushing toilet, plus a private deck with lounge chairs. Wood-burning stove keeps things cozy after dark. No skylight, but still the most popular configuration for two.
KingDeluxe with Kids Tent
A Deluxe tent with an attached private tent for kids. The adults get the king bed and private ensuite; the kids have their own space with two twin beds, West Elm bean bag chairs, a Starry Night Light from Pottery Barn, and their own porch. Designed for families of four.
King + 2 Twin (kids tent)Safari Tent
The entry-level tent — still proper glamping. King bed and wood-burning stove inside a raised safari-style canvas structure with hardwood floors. The catch: you share the bathhouse, which is a short walk away and includes hot showers, flushing toilets, and sinks in private rooms.
King
Safari with 3 Twins
The group/friends tent. Three twin beds instead of a king, wood-burning stove, and shared bathhouse access. Good for three adults or a family trio who don't need a private bathroom.
3 Twin BedsStargazer Tent
Like the Deluxe, but with one killer difference: a viewing window positioned directly above the king bed, angled for constellation and shooting-star watching without leaving your pillow. Private ensuite, private deck, wood-burning stove. The signature tent for couples.
KingStargazer with Kids Tent
All the Stargazer amenities — king bed, sky-viewing window, private ensuite — plus an adjacent kids tent with two twin beds, West Elm bean bag chairs, and its own porch. The premium family setup for those who want the skylight experience with room for kids.
King + 2 Twin (kids tent)Suite Tent
The largest single tent option. A separate bedroom wing with a king bed sits alongside a lounge area with a leather queen-size sofa-bed, making this the go-to for small groups or families who want everyone under one roof. Private ensuite and private deck included.
King + Queen Sofa-BedSuite with Kids Tent
The biggest configuration on the property. The full Suite (king + queen sofa-bed, private ensuite) plus a private adjacent kids tent with two twin beds and its own porch. Sleeps up to 4 adults and 2 kids — the largest family group Under Canvas accommodates.
King + Queen Sofa-Bed + 2 Twin (kids tent)The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Selection of board games and outdoor lawn games (including cornhole) available at the common area.
Every night, a communal fire pit is lit and guests get complimentary s'mores packs. This is the social hub of camp — where strangers swap trail stories and live music sometimes plays in the background.
Camp-wide DarkSky-certified lighting means genuinely dark skies most nights. Organized stargazing sessions are part of the complimentary programming.
High-intensity small-raft experience on the Upper Pigeon. Intense hydraulics and massive waves. For strong swimmers with some prior rafting experience. Ages 12+.
A family-friendly 5.5-mile scenic float on the Lower Pigeon River. Calm waters, good for kids age 3+. Guide and shuttle included. Operates May–September.
Guided snorkeling tour through some of the clearest streams in the eastern US inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Spot bass, darters, minnows, and salamanders. Operates Wednesday–Saturday, May–September.
Class III-IV rapids on the Pigeon River. Expert guide, life jacket, and river shuttle included. 2.5–3 hours, departures from 11am–5pm (Tue/Wed/Thu/Sat only). Meeting point is Hartford, TN, about 55 minutes from camp.
Kid-focused 3-hour guided hike on Sugarlands Nature Trail. Guide shares black bear facts and stories; kids get a hands-on craft, a bear story, and a goodie bag. All ages welcome.
Thursdays-only history-focused walking tour through historic homesteads and the park's largest collection of human artifacts. Led by historian Samantha Suttles. Easy 2.5-mile walk.
Half-day guided fall foliage hike through peak-color Smoky Mountain trails. Operates September 24–October 31. Includes in-park transportation.
Easy 3.5-hour guided walk along Little River Trail with a ranger-style history lesson about the area's logging past. Good for all ages and fitness levels.
Expert-guided half-day wildflower hike during peak bloom (April 3–20 only). Perfect timing window, and the guide knows exactly where to go.
3-hour guided hike through old-growth forest and up to the Anakeesta formation via Chimney Tops Trail. Moderate difficulty with some scrambling. Good for spring wildflowers, summer swimming holes, and fall foliage.
Fully customized guided hike through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Guide covers wildlife, medicinal plants, Cherokee history, and settler heritage. Popular trails include Little River Trail, Baskins Creek, and Chimney Tops. Camp pick-up available as add-on ($204).
Full-day private guided hike. Appalachian Trail sections, Mount LeConte, Cades Cove, old-growth forests — the works. Tailored to the group's fitness and interests.
The longest zipline in North America — over a mile long — located 2 minutes from camp in Pigeon Forge. A demo zip gets you comfortable before the main launch. Ages 10+.
Six dual zip lines, four aerial bridges, and a rappel with 360° panoramic Smoky Mountain views. UTV ride to the top included. Located in Gatlinburg.
90-minute off-road UTV adventure through private trails in old-growth forest near Pigeon Forge. Expert guides lead small groups. 2-seat, 4-seat, and 6-seat UTVs available. Located 2 minutes from camp.
Family-friendly arts and crafts sessions for children as part of the complimentary camp programming.
Periodic evening live music performances at the common area. Schedule varies by night.
Complimentary morning yoga classes held on-site. Lululemon mats and blocks available to borrow.
Access to 11+ miles of world-class mountain bike trails with 20 routes including a jump park. All-day shuttle back to the top after each run. Manual or electric-assist bikes available. Located 2 minutes from camp.
Private van or vehicle tour through the national park's highlights — Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, scenic overlooks. Expert guide, fully customizable route. Camp pick-up available.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Wi-Fi is deliberately not offered at any Under Canvas camp. The disconnection from technology is a core part of the experience.
Casual counter-service café open for breakfast (7–10am) and dinner (5–10pm). Locally inspired, seasonal menu. Grab-n-go also available.
Bottomless coffee and tea (featuring Smith Teamaker teas) and hot cocoa available throughout the day.
Plant-based EO organic bath products stocked in every ensuite bathroom. Made in a zero-waste facility.
Rechargeable USB battery packs in each tent, used in lieu of electrical outlets. Powers fans and device charging.
On-site walking paths through the 182-acre forested property.
Communal picnic area with complimentary gas grill available for guest use.
Dogs welcome for a non-refundable $35 per dog, per night fee. Dogs must stay on-lead in common areas and cannot be left alone in tents.
Housekeeping available upon request rather than automatic daily service.
On-site staff who help plan activities, book off-site adventures through vetted local partners, and offer trail and area recommendations.
Reception is staffed around the clock.
Small on-site retail boutique stocking brand partners including West Elm, lululemon, Parks Project, Pendleton, Sun Bum, and Gibson guitar merchandise.
Complimentary reusable water bottles provided with water refill stations on-site to reduce single-use plastic.
Under Canvas is the world's first DarkSky-certified resort brand. Camp lighting is designed to minimize light pollution so the night sky remains genuinely dark and stargazing conditions are excellent.
Complimentary self-parking on-site for all guests.
Lululemon yoga mats and blocks available to borrow for on-site yoga classes and personal use.
BUILD YOUR UNDER CANVAS GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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