Located in Townsend, this lodge is in a rural area and on a river. Ober Mountain is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove. Traveling with kids? Consider Tube Junction and River Rage Go-Kart Track. Enjoy the area's slopes with snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating.
The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
Townsend Visitor Center - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
Shadows of the Past Hiking/Biking Trail - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
Tube Junction - 2 min drive - 2.3 km
Getting around
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) - 37 min drive
Restaurants
Peaceful Side Social - 13 min walk
The Artistic Bean - 20 min walk
The Townsend Abbey - 3 min walk
Apple Valley Cafe Express - 9 min drive
Elvira's Cafe - 12 min drive
About this property
Big Lodge* River Access * 11 beds *Sleeps 22*
Big Lodge at The Little River Cabin: Spacious and relaxing, open concept lodge that will comfortably sleep up to 18 adults plus additional children . Private access on property to the Little River, high speed wifi, hot tub, & just 2 miles from the entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park!
Impressive 3 story - 5000 sq. ft. lodge. This lodge features 5 total large private bedrooms, 4 contain king beds, and 1 features 2 queens. Each bedroom has its own full bathroom. In addition to the 5 bedrooms, there are 3 queen beds and a twin in the upper loft area. The main level (middle) consists of a foyer, 2 master bedrooms w/full bath, dining area, living room w/fireplace, kitchen, laundry room, and 1/2 bath. This level also features an amazing wrap around deck including an area for grilling and dining, and a screened-in portion with outdoor fireplace and excellent views. Take the spiral staircase to the upper level which consists of another master bedroom w/full bath, and a huge loft area with 3 queen beds and a twin in addition to a cozy sitting area. Take the spiral staircase to the lowest level and you will find 2 additional master bedrooms, one with a king bed, and the other with 2 queens. This level also features a huge wrap around patio with partial mini golf, a huge game room, and fantastic hot tub to relax at the end of a long day of fun!
Guests have access to the entire home. In addition, you will have access to the riverfront located on the Retreat grounds which spans approx. 700' and is located on the part of the property at the bottom of the 1/4 mi. driveway. You may walk down, or use the parking available at the bottom. Hang out by the river, enjoy some tubing, fishing, or even kayaking!
Townsend is a little gem hidden in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and is known as "the peaceful side of the Smokies". Excellent food, local craft beer, chocolate, pancakes, and art, all within a short walking distance!! Trout fishing and tubing the river are extremely popular, and we are just 2 mi. from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and only 12 mi from the famous Cades Cove where you can get a glimpse of history and may even catch some really neat wildlife including bears! Jeep rentals, Horseback riding, and zip-lining are popular in this area in addition to tubing, hiking, and fly fishing. If everything that Townsend has to offer isn't quite enough to please everyone in your group, we are just an easy 30-minute drive to Pigeon Forge and 45 min. drive to Gatlinburg featuring endless entertainment for all walks of life.
Please note that the Townsend Swinging Bridge is currently closed for repairs. The bridge is owned and maintained by the town and has been deemed unsafe for use. Guests should plan to use the main road / driving routes for access to nearby areas. Thank you for your understanding, and please feel free to reach out if you need local recommendations Peaceful environment: To keep the home comfortable for all, parties, smoking, and vaping are not allowed. Monitors are in place to help us protect the space and respect neighborhood quiet hours. Parties strictly prohibited; violators face eviction, a $500 fine, and additional fees. Indoor smoking fined $1000 + ozone remediation cost; lost revenue may apply. Security: For peace of mind, exterior cameras monitor only outdoor areas—never inside. It records video and audio. Flexibility: Because of the size of the home, we’re usually unable to offer early check in or late check out due to the extensive cleaning and preparation required between guests. Our team takes extra care to ensure the home is thoroughly cleaned, refreshed, and ready for every arrival. We completely understand that travel plans can vary. If you’d like to request an early check in or late check out, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. Approval will always depend on our cleaning and turnover schedule, but we’re always happy to check whenever possible. If approved, there is a $125 fee for either an early check in or a late check out. Rental Agreement: To ensure a safe and enjoyable stay, guests may be asked to sign a short-term rental agreement after booking. This agreement covers standard terms such as house rules, occupancy limits, liability, and responsibility for damages. To make a reservation, the minimum booking age is 24 years old. Unauthorized Pet: $500 per pet + damages Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM During quiet hours, please keep noise to a level that won't disturb neighboring properties. We simply ask that voices and music remain at a considerate volume.; failure to comply results in a one-night fine. Liability & Insurance: Guests liable for damages; personal belongings insurance advised. Service Animals: ADA service animals must adhere to guidelines; misrepresentation results in eviction. Lost and found items: We will not be held responsible for any items left at the property or resort from the guest(s). As a courtesy, we can ship found items to address of choice for shipping +$30 service fee.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 24
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children
Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events
No events allowed
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Pets
No pets allowed
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
No smoking (inside or within 100 ft) — $1,000 fee if violated. No pets unless registered service animals — $500 fee if violated. Late check-out with
Important information
You need to know
Property # 2046561
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
Frequently asked questions
Is Big Lodge* River Access * 11 beds *Sleeps 22* pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Big Lodge* River Access * 11 beds *Sleeps 22*?
As of Jun 25, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Big Lodge* River Access * 11 beds *Sleeps 22* on Sep 8, 2026 start from $806, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Big Lodge* River Access * 11 beds *Sleeps 22*?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Big Lodge* River Access * 11 beds *Sleeps 22*?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Big Lodge* River Access * 11 beds *Sleeps 22* located?
This family-friendly Townsend lodge is located on a river, within 3 mi (5 km) of Tube Junction and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. River Rage Go-Kart Track and Hedgewood Gardens are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Big Lodge* River Access * 11 beds *Sleeps 22* Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
We needed a place for us and our four kids families, and the lodge was the perfect choice! Everyone in our group of 17 loved the space, and commented how big it felt. Both kids and adults loved the game room. It was very clean, the beds were comfortable, kitchen well stocked, plenty of linens, and we all agreed we’d like to stay here again in the future!
There are so many good things about The Big Lodge that I will simply list the ones that stand out in my mind. Comfortable beds, good water pressure and plenty of hot water, beautiful decor, little extras everywhere that made our stay so nice. The host was great, he even took us on a tour of his farm. And of course his peacocks were a favorite of the kids. We’ve been renting cabins for over ten years and this is our favorite so far. Everyone in our family wants to return. Thanks!!!
This house was perfect for our family reunion. Lots of space for 5 families. The kids loved the game room , spa, and golf area. We found the kitchen perfect to cook in and the serve buffet style. Wonderful place!
A great house on the quieter side of the the smoky mountains park area.
A great house on the quieter side of the the smoky mountains park area. Plenty of space for 12 (6 adults + 6 kids). The host was close by and offered good suggestions.
Overall a great place to stay with the family.we had a fantastic time at the cabin and lots to do all around, but the only dissatisfaction i had with the place is that they stated they had a charcoal grill and its acually a gas grill turned into a carcoal grill with no temperature control so it ended up overcooking the food and burning it.
We had 8 adults and 9 grandchildren from 1 year to 7 years old When our 7 old grandson toured the cabin and saw the miniature golf , air hockey, pool table , and PAC Man he said “Grandma picked the perfect cabin !” It was secluded yet with easy access to Townsend and the Smoky Mountains. Highly recommend!
It was everything the pictures showed. Everything was clean. Very spacious for me and my guests. We enjoyed ourselves and the accommodations. Property owner was very hospitable.
We had the best time getting together as a family, there are 18 of us. This is our 2nd year staying in the Big Lodge on Little River. We definitely plan to stay again next year. Thank you so much to Parker and Oz for making our stay wonderful.
This home is just amazing! The pictures do not do it justice. It is beautiful and very large. Great for a large group! The host helped when needed and we loved all the space this home provided.
The house and area are amazing. Perfect for family reunions. The game room is out of this world. The owner was quick to respond for several reasons. Thank you.
Beautiful Property - the only thing I seen was that the Kitchen needed to be bigger. It was a challenge to cook for 20 people but we managed. Would recommend for anyone with a large family group to go on vacation together.