Smoky Mountain Glamping: Sleep Under the Stars

Not all those who cherish the serenity of nature enjoy the ritual of traditional camping; packing up everything they own, finding the perfect spot, pitching a tent, unloading supplies, sleeping on the hard ground, and sharing restroom facilities with strangers. For those individuals, we have the perfect compromise—a relatively new concept called glamping. Smoky Mountain glamping gives the adventurer the ability to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the mountains while maintaining modern amenities and luxury. This fusion of glamour and camping allows for a broader diversity of travelers to immerse themselves into a nature experience which once may have seemed improbable.

Smoky Mountains’ First Glamping Resort

If this seems like an ideal vacation experience, look no further than glamping in Townsend at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort. In 2017, Kevin and Shelly Clayton, along with Brad and Carmen Simpher, purchased the campground and started renovations, remodeling the bathhouse, RV sites, existing cabins, pool area and on-site camp boutique, along with bringing in new tiny homes and glamping tents. Little Arrow sets itself apart from other facilities in the area with unique accommodations and attention to detail. They have worked hard to identify everything needed to have an enjoyable and comfortable stay. They take great pride in the supportive feedback from their visitors, who have referred to them as the “Disney World” of campsite facilities. They look forward to introducing a new generation of travelers into the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, helping support and grow local businesses and organizations.

The Accommodations at Little Arrow Resort

In their luxury accommodations, you can find multiple bedrooms with clean and comfortable bedding, private bathroom facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, cable tv, wi-fi, electric heat and air, a wood burning fireplace, a spacious deck area with seating, and a fire pit for making smores and campfire delicacies. Each facility offers a unique combination of convenience and space based on budget and needs, even offering an ADA compliant cabin for those who need handicap accessible living. Successfully bringing the comfort creatures of home into a camping community creates an exhilarating combination of freedom and security.
Little Arrow not only caters to the glamping demographic, but they also have a large selection of RV, pop-up, and tent sites, both on and off of the river. Their newly remodeled bathhouse is of a quality rarely seen in a campsite environment; I would dare say their showers are nicer than the one in my own home!  The facility also offers a variety of entertainment options to keep your party busy during their stay. Every site has multiple access points on the river, allowing for tubing, fishing, or just frolicking in the water. A private hiking trail offers a bird’s eye view of Townsend at the summit and the Point and Feather Coffee Lounge, with a children’s playroom, is open 24/7 for guest’s convenience. On-site you can also find a beautiful pool area, a playground for children, a basketball court, public fire pit, open pavilion area, or a clubhouse which can be rented out for family reunions or conferences. If you are into local seasonal veggies, they even have a community garden for guests to pick their own produce for mealtime. A short drive into town and you can find shopping, outdoor activities, the beauty of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains, along with a variety of local entertainment and restaurants. If you chose to get out and explore or spend all of your time on-site, there is something for everyone at the outdoor living resort.

When to Camp in the Smoky Mountains

Camping season generally runs from May – July and picks up again from Oct – Nov, but this year they will stay open year-round, allowing guests to take advantage of the off-season prices and enjoy the Smoky Mountain beauty all year. For more information on pricing and availability, please go to www.camplittlearrow.com. Whether you are looking for luxury Smoky Mountain glamping or a traditional camping experience, you can’t go wrong at Little Arrow!
 
By Rachel Coffman