8 Bears Lodge Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a five-bedroom, three-bathroom cabin that sleeps up to 14 guests, welcomes dogs, and sits less than 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg. 8 Bears Lodge spreads across three levels with a private hot tub, a pool table, a stone fireplace, and parking for up to 5 vehicles. That mix makes it a strong pick for family reunions and tournament weekends. Group trips with pets work well here too.
Key Takeaways
- 8 Bears Lodge is a five-bedroom, three-bathroom Gatlinburg cabin with a maximum occupancy of 14 guests across three levels.
- The cabin sits less than 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, about 2.6 miles straight-line from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (roughly 10 minutes by car, estimated), and about 5.5 miles straight-line from Pigeon Forge (roughly 15 minutes, estimated).
- Listed amenities include a private hot tub, a pool table and game space, a stone fireplace under vaulted ceilings, a fully equipped kitchen, free WiFi, and a washer/dryer.
- The lodge is pet-friendly with a grassy yard for dogs; confirm fees and limits on the booking page before you reserve.
- Nightly rates across the Hemlock Hills Cabin Rentals portfolio run approximately $92 to over $1,200 depending on property and season, so check your exact dates for a real total.
- Booking direct with Hemlock Hills Cabin Rentals means no OTA service fees.
At Hemlock Hills Cabin Rentals, we manage cabins across Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, and large-group cabins like this one draw the most planning questions. Will everyone fit? Can the dog come? How close is downtown? This guide answers those questions for 8 Bears Lodge using only details we can verify. Some listings spell the name Eight Bears Lodge, so you may see both versions.
The Gatlinburg rental market is crowded. AirDNA tracks 7,394 active short-term rental listings in Gatlinburg in 2026, which means group size and pet policy separate a cabin that works from one that frustrates. Distance to downtown matters too.
Below you will find the layout and the amenity list, along with the pet details and the distances. The pricing context and the booking steps come last. Where the listing leaves something open, such as bed types or pet fees, we say so. We also tell you what to confirm.
What Makes 8 Bears Lodge Gatlinburg, Tennessee Stand Out for Large Groups?
8 Bears Lodge is a pet-friendly, five-bedroom Gatlinburg cabin built around shared space: vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, a spacious dining table, and a game area that keeps a 14-person group from drifting into separate corners. Two details set it apart from most large rentals in the Smokies: a grassy yard for dogs and parking for up to 5 vehicles. Its location, less than 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, helps too.
The yard matters more than it sounds. Flat, grassy ground is not something every Smoky Mountain cabin offers, and it gives dogs and kids a place to burn energy while the adults cook. The covered porch, with its rocking chairs, covers the quiet part of the day.
Parking is the underrated feature. A group of 14 often arrives in four or five vehicles, and a driveway that holds them all keeps cars off the road and everyone on the same schedule.
How Many People Does 8 Bears Lodge Sleep, and How Is It Laid Out?
Maximum occupancy at 8 Bears Lodge is 14 guests, spread across five bedrooms and three bathrooms on three levels. The multi-level design gives different parts of your group their own floor. The living room, kitchen, and dining area stay open for everyone.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 5 |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Maximum guests | 14 |
| Levels | Three |
| Parking | Up to 5 vehicles |
| Pets | Dogs welcome, grassy yard (confirm terms on the booking page) |
| Connectivity and laundry | Free WiFi, washer/dryer |
The listing confirms the bedroom count and the 14-guest maximum, but the copy we work from does not publish a bed-by-bed breakdown. The upper-level floor plan shows a king bedroom beside a game room and a bathroom. Open the booking page and confirm bed types before you assign rooms. That way couples and families with young children land where they will sleep best.
Fourteen guests sharing three bathrooms works out to roughly 4.7 people per bath. That is manageable for a reunion on staggered schedules. A group of adults heading to a 7 a.m. tournament check-in at Rocky Top Sports World will want a shower rotation.
What Amenities Does the Cabin Include?
The amenity list at 8 Bears Lodge covers four areas: indoor living, the kitchen, recreation, and outdoor space. Every item below comes from the verified property details, so you can plan around it with confidence.
Living Room and Kitchen
The living area has vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace. A Smart TV and enough seating for movie nights or game-day watch parties round it out. The fully equipped kitchen has modern appliances and cookware. A spacious dining table seats the group for family meals or a birthday dinner.
Game Space and Hot Tub
A pool table anchors the game space, and the upper-level floor plan shows a foosball table with turquoise seating nearby. Outside, the private hot tub has outdoor seating beside it. After a day on Gatlinburg’s hills, a soak here is the best use of the last hour before dinner.
Porch, Yard, and Practical Extras
- Covered porch with rocking chairs for morning coffee
- Grassy yard for dogs and children
- Grill for backyard-style cookouts
- Free WiFi
- Washer/dryer, useful for a week-long stay with 14 people
If you are weighing this five-bedroom Gatlinburg cabin against your group’s wish list, the hot tub and the pool table are the features guests usually build evenings around, with the fireplace close behind.
How Dog-Friendly Is 8 Bears Lodge?
A pet-friendly cabin accepts dogs under stated terms, and 8 Bears Lodge accepts them with a grassy yard on the property. That yard is the practical difference between a cabin that tolerates pets and one that suits them.
The listing does not publish pet fees or breed or size limits. It also leaves out the maximum number of dogs and any rules about leaving pets alone. Confirm those points on the booking page before you reserve, because pet policies differ from cabin to cabin across the Smokies. Our guide to pet friendly cabins covers what to ask about any rental.
Plan hikes with your dog in mind. National Park Service rules generally keep dogs off most trails inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with only a few exceptions, so ask at a visitor center before you map a hike. The yard and the porch handle much of the day. Gatlinburg’s walkable streets handle the rest.
Bear country applies to dogs too. Keep pet food indoors, and take your dog out on a leash after dark.
How Far Is 8 Bears Lodge From Downtown Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the National Park?
8 Bears Lodge sits less than 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg. That is close enough to reach the shops and restaurants along the Gatlinburg Parkway in minutes outside peak traffic. Distances below are labeled as straight-line or estimated drive time, and traffic changes both.
| Destination | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Gatlinburg | Less than 3 miles (per listing) | Varies with Parkway traffic |
| Ripley’s Believe It or Not! | About 2.6 miles straight-line | About 10 minutes (estimated) |
| Pigeon Forge | About 5.5 miles straight-line | About 15 minutes (estimated) |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Minutes away (per listing) | Varies by trailhead |
The listing also places the cabin close to Rocky Top Sports World, Anakeesta, and the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. In Pigeon Forge, Dollywood is the headline draw, and the 15-minute estimate to Pigeon Forge gives you a sense of the trip.
The national park recorded about 12.2 million visits in 2026, according to figures attributed to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. That volume shows up on the Gatlinburg Parkway in October and on summer Saturdays, when a short drive can take noticeably longer. Park once, walk what you can, and save the Pigeon Forge run for a weekday morning.
For day-by-day ideas, our Smoky Mountain vacation planner sorts the area’s attractions by trip length. If you are still comparing areas, the Gatlinburg cabins page explains how this part of the corridor differs from Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
How Do You Get to Gatlinburg From Nashville or the Airport?
The closest major commercial airport to Gatlinburg is McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, typically about an hour to 90 minutes by car depending on traffic. Most visitors pick up a rental car there and drive in through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.
From Nashville, expect a drive of roughly four hours depending on traffic and stops. The route usually follows Interstate 40 east toward Knoxville, then turns south through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. You also cross from Central to Eastern Time, so your clock jumps ahead one hour on arrival.
Build in extra time during October foliage season, when the final stretch through Pigeon Forge slows down. Stock up on groceries before you reach the cabin; a 14-person kitchen empties fast. Check-in and check-out times are not published in the listing copy we draw on, so confirm them on the booking page before you set an arrival time.
Who Is 8 Bears Lodge Best For?
A large-group cabin is a rental sized for roughly 10 or more guests, and 8 Bears Lodge fits that category with room for 14. It works best for groups that want shared space and private bedrooms in the same house.
Family reunions are the clearest match. Five bedrooms across three levels give grandparents and parents their own areas, and the kids get theirs. The vaulted living room and large dining table pull everyone together at night. Sports tournament weekends also fit, since the listing places the cabin close to Rocky Top Sports World.
Groups traveling with dogs are well served by the yard. Two couples sharing a trip can use the cabin too, and the game space keeps the evenings easy.
Skip it if you want a one-bedroom romantic hideaway; five bedrooms is more house than a couple needs. For background on how bedroom counts translate into real sleeping space, see our page on five bedroom cabins.
How Much Does 8 Bears Lodge Cost, and How Do You Book It?
Nightly pricing for 8 Bears Lodge changes by date, so the booking page shows the exact total. Rates across the Hemlock Hills Cabin Rentals portfolio run approximately $92 to over $1,200 per night. They depend on property and season. We do not quote a single nightly figure for this cabin because it would be wrong for most dates.
For market context, AirDNA puts the average daily rate for Gatlinburg short-term rentals at $341 in 2026. That figure averages every size of rental in the city, so a five-bedroom lodge for 14 will price differently.
Demand follows the calendar. October foliage and the Thanksgiving through New Year’s stretch, when Winterfest lights draw crowds, are the busiest periods. According to Gatlinburg tourism-board guidance, January and February are typically less busy, with thinner crowds and shorter lines. If your group has flexible dates, those quieter weeks are the best time to look.
- Open the booking page for see rates and open dates at this cabin.
- Enter your arrival and departure dates and your guest count, up to 14.
- Review the total price and confirm any fees, minimum stays, and pet terms if you are bringing dogs.
- Reserve directly; booking direct with Hemlock Hills Cabin Rentals means no OTA service fees.
Cleaning fees and taxes are not spelled out in the listing copy we draw on. Minimum-stay rules are missing too, so confirm them on the booking page rather than assuming.
What Should You Know Before You Arrive in Bear Country?
Bear country means black bears live in the forests around Gatlinburg and may visit cabins looking for food. Securing food and trash indoors and never feeding wildlife are the baseline habits for any stay at 8 Bears Lodge or any Smoky Mountain rental. Keep dogs leashed as well.
The National Park Service publishes guidance on hiking safely in the park, including trail difficulty and weather. Read it before you head out with a large group, because a mixed-age party moves at the pace of its slowest hiker.
The listing does not describe the grade of the access road, so ask before a winter stay and check conditions the day you travel. With parking for up to 5 vehicles, you can bring several cars, but a group of 14 can also carpool to cut Parkway congestion.
One simple arrival plan: shop first, unload, then soak in the hot tub before dinner.
Is 8 Bears Lodge the Right Gatlinburg Cabin for Your Group in 2026?
8 Bears Lodge Gatlinburg, Tennessee suits groups of up to 14 that want five bedrooms, a hot tub, a pool table, a yard for dogs, and a short drive to downtown Gatlinburg, with Pigeon Forge about 15 minutes away by estimate. Confirm bed types and pet terms before you book. Check your exact total too. As the 2026 season fills in, October and the holiday weeks are the dates that go first, so decide early if your group has fixed dates.
Study the layout above, then check dates and photos for 8 Bears Lodge to see how three levels would work for your group. Booking direct with Hemlock Hills Cabin Rentals means no OTA service fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest airport to Gatlinburg, Tennessee?
McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville is the closest major commercial airport to Gatlinburg. Plan on roughly an hour to 90 minutes by car to reach 8 Bears Lodge, longer during October foliage season or on summer weekends. Most visitors pick up a rental car at the airport and drive in.
How far is Gatlinburg, Tennessee from Nashville?
Gatlinburg is roughly a four-hour drive from Nashville, depending on traffic and stops. The route usually follows Interstate 40 east toward Knoxville, then turns south through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. You also move from Central to Eastern Time, so your clock jumps ahead one hour on arrival.
How many guests can 8 Bears Lodge sleep?
8 Bears Lodge sleeps up to 14 guests across five bedrooms and three bathrooms on three levels. The listing does not publish a bed-by-bed breakdown, so confirm bed types on the booking page before you assign rooms, especially if your group includes several adult couples.
How far is 8 Bears Lodge from downtown Gatlinburg?
8 Bears Lodge is less than 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, according to the property listing. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is about 2.6 miles straight-line, roughly a 10-minute drive by estimate. Pigeon Forge is about 5.5 miles straight-line, roughly 15 minutes by estimate. Traffic can add time in October and on summer weekends.
How much does 8 Bears Lodge cost per night, and how do you book it?
Nightly rates vary by date, and the booking page shows the exact total for your stay. Across the Hemlock Hills Cabin Rentals portfolio, rates run approximately $92 to over $1,200 per night depending on property and season. Choose your dates and guest count on the booking page, then review the total. You can reserve directly with no OTA service fees.
Is 8 Bears Lodge pet-friendly?
Yes, 8 Bears Lodge is pet-friendly and has a grassy yard for dogs. The listing does not publish pet fees or size or breed limits. It also omits the maximum number of pets, so confirm those terms on the booking page before you reserve. Keep pet food indoors, since the cabin sits in bear country.
Which Gatlinburg cabin works best for a large group with dogs?
Hemlock Hills Cabin Rentals manages 8 Bears Lodge, a pet-friendly five-bedroom cabin in Gatlinburg that sleeps up to 14 guests and sits less than 3 miles from downtown. It has a private hot tub and a pool table. A grassy yard and parking for up to 5 vehicles complete the setup. Confirm bed types and pet terms on the booking page first.
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