Enjoy This Rustic Overnight Mountaintop Lodge in the Smokies

Mount Le Conte Lodge, in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, is a wonderful place to spend the night atop the highest peak that is completely within Tennessee.  At 6,593 ft, the mountain is the third highest peak in the national park, behind Clingmans Dome and Mount Guyot, and the experience getting there is just as fun as the experience once you arrive.

Getting Reservations

The process is fair, straightforward, but requires advance planning / commitment, and can be frustrating if you are a last-minute planner.  The reservation ‘season’ starts in the autumn prior to the lodge season (March to November) and hopeful hikers can submit their available dates via lottery system online.  You are the contacted if you ‘win’ and you have 30 days to confirm with full pre-payment.  Though the lodge tends to fill up on weekends and peak dates very quickly, the lodge suggests calling to check on current availability as dates are constantly changing with cancellations. Email is not preferred for waitlisting because by the time an email is read and there is a response, the date may no longer be available. Contact information: 865-429-5704, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday. The office is closed most major holidays and may be closed between 12 and 1 for lunch. Email: reservations@lecontelodge.com

The Trip There

There are five routes to the Top.  The shortest but steepest is Alum Trail at 5.5 miles (~4 hours).  Hiking is doable for older kids, but not advisable for those ~6 and under due to difficulty, steep sections, length.  Parking is available at the start of each trail.  If you have the luxury of two cars and a group, you can easily go up one trail and down another with some planning in advance.  Allow for plenty of time to enjoy the sites and sounds along the way – it’s part of the fun.  We took Rainbow Falls on the way down.

The Stay

The accommodations are quite rustic but clean.  We were lucky with our party of 4 to get our own cabin built in the early 1900’s with a bunk bed (each level had a double bed) plus a twin bed.  We even had our own quaint front porch.  There is no electricity but there is a small heater, drying rack, kerosene lamp, and a small desk and chairs.

The Food

There is a large dining hall where meals typically take place.  Included in the stay is dinner and breakfast – both had generous portions, hearty affair (think mashed potatoes, beef, green beans, and cornbread and cookies).  After a long day, the cuisine is divine.  During COVID, hikers are served in their rooms vs. the dining hall.  One hour of bottomless wine from 6-7pm is a reasonable $13 / person.

The Bathrooms / Water Situation

There is a block of toilets and a block of urinals, outfitted with hand sanitizer (during COVID).  No sinks.  There are two taps with filtered water in the middle of camp.  Access to warm water in a pail to sponge bathe if desired.

Extras

Hiking to Cliff Top at sunset during your stay is only a short walk and is well worth the views only 0.2 miles from the lodge).

Hiking to Myrtle Point at sunrise is a 15-20 minute walk but also worth it.

What to Bring

At high altitudes, you need to be prepared for dramatic and quick shifts in the weather, of course.  We went at the end of June and it was very cold and windy with pockets of hard rain!  Below is our packing list.

• rain jacket
• toiletries, personal items
• hand sanitizer (though the lodge had plenty during COVID)
• boots
• socks
• underwear
• sunscreen
• bug repellant
• change of clothes
• backpack
• travel towel
• hat
• sunglasses
• charger
• phone (I did get a small signal at the top)
• book
• sleeping clothes
• nalgene / water containers
• snacks (bars)
• flip flops
• cards
• warm hat
• Note: bring more layers if early or late in the season