Lodge for 22, hot tub, game room + river access

Welcome to Big Lodge at the Little River, a spacious Townsend retreat built for multi-generational families, reunions, and group getaways that need room to gather without giving up bedroom privacy.

Set above the Little River on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, this approximately 5,250-square-foot, three-level lodge hosts up to 22 guests across 5 private bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms plus a main-floor half bath, a sleeping loft, and the Bear's Den game level. Trees screen the water from the lodge itself, so you hear the river more than you see it, and the retreat's roughly 700 feet of shared Little River frontage waits at the bottom of the hill for fishing, wading, and tubing launches.

BUILT FOR LARGE GROUPS
Multiple gathering areas let a big group spend time together and still find corners to spread out: large living and dining spaces, wraparound decks, a screened porch, and the Bear's Den downstairs. Sits on our family's riverside retreat alongside a few sister cabins, with resident peacocks and goats who consider themselves part of the welcome committee (sightings are their call, not ours).

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS (11 beds + 2 sleeper sofas)
• Bedroom 1: king
• Bedrooms 2, 3, and 4: California kings
• Bedroom 5: two queens
• Loft: two queens and a double, plus its own TV, a favorite kids' zone
• Bear's Den: two sleeper sofas beside the games
Room-by-room bed and bath assignments are confirmed in the current sleeping map sent before arrival.

THE BEAR'S DEN AND BEYOND
• Pool table, arcade game, game console, and board games
• Mini golf just outside the Bear's Den
• Private hot tub on the lower porch
• Three wood-burning fireplaces: main level, Bear's Den, and the back porch
• Propane grill on the back deck and a charcoal grill out front
• Fast Wi-Fi, main-floor laundry, and a private EV charger

EXPLORE TOWNSEND AND THE SMOKIES
You will be staying in Townsend, known as the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, giving you the best of both worlds. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is right at your doorstep, with an entrance approximately 2 miles from the cabin and Cades Cove about 12 miles away, while the attractions and entertainment of Pigeon Forge are within an easy scenic drive. The area offers a quieter home base for river recreation, hiking, wildlife viewing, cycling, fishing, and Appalachian history, with big-day-out adventures never far away. Actual travel times vary with weather, road conditions, park traffic, and seasonal tourism.

Nearby activities include:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cades Cove
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg day trips, including Dollywood
Hiking and waterfall trails
Little River fishing and seasonal tubing
Smoky Mountain River Rat Tubing
Foothills Parkway
Tuckaleechee Caverns
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
Horseback riding
Cycling and scenic drives
Local restaurants, cafés, galleries, shops, and craft beverages

RECENT GUEST FEEDBACK
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ July 2026 | Stayed with kids
“This was the perfect place for our big group.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ June 2026 | Group Trip
“Absolutely beautiful home. Couldn’t be happier with my stay. Everything was clean and had so much extra stuff that we felt right at home. Thank you for being part of such a special occasion. I will never forget that big beautiful lodge.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ May 2026 | Extended Family Stay
“The house was exactly as described. Beautiful surroundings, great amenities. We got the extended family together for a wedding in Townsend. This home met all our needs. It was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed to keep our 80-year-old matriarch to our 2-year-old little one happy. The game room and hot tub were loved by all! Definitely formed some great memories. Hugely recommend.”

A FEW PRACTICAL NOTES
The kitchen is a residential kitchen, compact relative to 22 people, so large groups plan meals in shifts or lean on the two grills; reviewers manage happily with a little coordination. The main floor can be used without interior stairs, though the lodge is not represented as fully accessible. River gear, tubes, and life jackets are not provided, and the river is enjoyed at your own risk. Stock up on groceries before the final drive, since delivery services routinely misroute out here. Quiet hours run 10 PM to 8 AM. Cancellation terms follow the policy attached to your reservation, and we recommend travel insurance for every trip.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Big Lodge is part of Peacock Paradise Vacations, a family-run collection of homes my husband, Oz, and I personally love and care for. We want each stay to feel easy, comfortable, and thoughtfully prepared, so you can spend less time managing logistics and more time filling a very long dinner table.

For families and groups seeking a large Townsend lodge with five ensuite bedrooms, space for up to 22 guests, a private hot tub, extensive games, river access, EV charging, and convenient access to the peaceful side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Big Lodge at the Little River is designed for the occasion.