# Above the Pines

> Above the Pines is a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath log cabin rental in the Laurel Valley community of Townsend, Tennessee, on the quiet side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Built in 2025, it sleeps 8, has mountain views through a two-story A-frame wall of windows, an outdoor hot tub, a game room and three fireplaces. It is managed by Dogwood Cabins and rated 5.0 out of 5 across 6 guest reviews.

## Key facts

- Location: Laurel Valley, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
- Bedrooms: 3 (Primary suite: King bed · ensuite bath · screened porch with a stone fireplace; Bedroom two: King canopy bed · ceiling fan · door to the deck; Bedroom three: Two queen beds · TV · door to the deck, good for kids or a second couple)
- Bathrooms: 2.5
- Sleeps: 8
- Amenities: Mountain view, Outdoor hot tub, Three gas fireplaces (one outdoor), Pool table, Ping pong table, Screened porch, Covered deck, Gas grill, Fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, Washer and dryer, Central air conditioning, Free fitness center access, Community pool access (small fee)
- Parking: 4 spaces on a paved driveway
- Pets: not allowed (service animals welcome). Smoking: not allowed.
- Nearby: Wild Laurel Fitness Center and pool (in the community); Downtown Townsend and the Little River (about 15 min); Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance (about 20 min); Cades Cove Loop Road (about 40 min)

## Booking

- [Book direct with Dogwood Cabins](https://www.dogwoodcabins.com/rentals/above-the-pines): availability and pricing. Phone 888.448.9054.
- [Airbnb listing](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1456664062803993327)
- [Vrbo listing](https://www.vrbo.com/4673334)

## Pages

- [Above the Pines home](https://abovethepinescabin.com/): photos, rooms, reviews, location and FAQ
- [Things to do in Townsend, TN](https://abovethepinescabin.com/things-to-do-in-townsend-tn/): in the national park, hiking and waterfalls, on the water, caves, museums and rainy days, scenic drives, bikes and horses, festivals, seasons and park tips
- [Places to eat in Townsend, TN](https://abovethepinescabin.com/places-to-eat-townsend-tn/): our top picks are Peaceful Side Social (a family dinner), The Abbey (a night by the river), Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro (a special dinner), plus Apple Valley Café (breakfast), The Dancing Bean (coffee on the way to the park), The Artistic Bean (serious coffee)

## Cabin FAQ

- Who manages the cabin? Dogwood Cabins handles bookings, check-in and anything you need during your stay. Their office is in Townsend, on Painted Trillium Way.
- Can I bring my dog? No. Above the Pines is a pet-free cabin, which keeps it comfortable for guests with allergies. Service animals are always welcome.
- Is the pool included? Guests get the Wild Laurel Fitness Center at no charge. The community swimming pool is available for a small fee.
- What's provided? Linens and towels, starter toiletries, a fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, a washer and dryer, central heat and air, and a gas grill. There's also a reading nook and an office nook if you need to work.
- Is smoking allowed? No. The cabin and property are non-smoking.
- Can older guests get around easily? The cabin is listed as elderly friendly, with a paved driveway right up to the porch.
- How far is Above the Pines from Cades Cove? About 40 minutes by car, through the national park entrance at the Townsend Wye. Downtown Townsend is about 15 minutes away. See our Townsend guide for more to do nearby.
- Can I book on Airbnb or Vrbo instead? Yes. The cabin is listed on both. Booking direct through Dogwood Cabins puts you in touch with the local manager from the start.

## Townsend FAQ

- What is Townsend, TN known for? Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. It is a small town on the Little River, at the national park entrance closest to Cades Cove, and it has none of the crowds or attraction strips of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
- How far is Townsend from Cades Cove? Cades Cove Loop Road starts about 25 minutes from downtown Townsend, through the park entrance at the Townsend Wye. From Above the Pines it is about 40 minutes.
- Do you have to pay to get into the Smokies? No. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has no entrance fee. You do need a parking tag to park anywhere in the park for more than 15 minutes. Tags cost $5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year.
- When is Cades Cove closed to cars? Cades Cove Loop Road closes to vehicles every Wednesday, typically from May through September, so people can walk and bike it. The rest of the year it is open to cars from sunrise to sunset every day.
- What is there to do in Townsend when it rains? Tuckaleechee Caverns (open March to November), the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum are all indoors and close together.
- How far is Townsend from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg? Pigeon Forge is about 40 minutes away through Wears Valley, and Gatlinburg is about 45 minutes away along Little River Road inside the park.

## Dining FAQ

- What are the best restaurants in Townsend, TN? Our top three are Peaceful Side Social for a casual family dinner with craft beer, The Abbey for burgers and barbecue on a riverside patio in an old chapel, and Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro for a special farm-to-table dinner.
- Where should I eat breakfast in Townsend? Apple Valley Café in Apple Valley Mountain Village serves pancakes and biscuits in the morning, and it's known for its fried apple pies. On Sundays, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro serves a bluegrass brunch.
- Where can I get good coffee in Townsend, TN? The Artistic Bean roasts its own beans in small batches and was once named the best coffee shop in Tennessee by USA Today. The Dancing Bean, next to Apple Valley Café, roasts its own beans and has fireside seating, a deck and pastries baked daily.
- Do I need reservations at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro? It takes reservations through the Dancing Bear Lodge website, and booking ahead is a good idea, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Is there a brewery in Townsend, TN? Yes. Peaceful Side Social is a craft kitchen and beer garden that pours Peaceful Side's own beer. The Abbey also has 16 taps of local beer and cider.
- Which Townsend restaurants are good with kids? Peaceful Side Social has a large playscape and outdoor seating, and The Abbey has a family-friendly riverside patio.