Morning Star Cabin-Gatlinburg with Hot Tub and Views

Morning Star is a three-bedroom log cabin in Mountain Shadows Resort, 12 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg. Every bedroom has its own full bath, and the dining table seats all ten. It's the rare cabin that works for every age at once: a king bedroom on the main floor for the grandparents, a theater room downstairs for the kids, and a hot tub on the deck for everyone after a day on the trails at Sugarlands or a slow drive through Roaring Fork.

Warm, comfortable, and easy to settle into. The kind of place everyone's glad to come home to each night.

What makes Morning Star different

• A bedroom and full bath for every generation. The grandparents get a king on the main floor, and downstairs there's a king for Mom and Dad and a twin room for the kids. Every bedroom has its own full bath.
• A real theater room. A 75-inch screen, raised recliners in the back row, a sleeper sofa up front, and a foosball table off to the side.
• A hot tub high in the treetops, on the upper deck with the Smoky Mountains in the distance.
• One table for all ten. It has chairs and a bench, so nobody eats at the counter.
• Close to everything, home fast. It's 12 minutes to downtown Gatlinburg, about 15 to Sugarlands Visitor Center, and a short drive to Roaring Fork.

Every generation gets a favorite spot

Mornings belong to the deck.
The coffee's going before most of the house is up. There's a Keurig for Grandma's early cup and a full drip pot for everyone who comes later. Out on the upper deck, the air is cool enough for a sweater. Fog sits low around the mountains, the way it does in the Smokies, and the only sound is the leaves. There are two rockers and an outdoor sofa, with room for whoever wanders out next in pajamas.

Breakfast is pancakes, with the whole crew at one long table and the bench pulled up. There are enough pans and dishes that nobody has to wash one mid-batch.

The day goes wherever the vote goes.
Maybe the trail at Sugarlands, easy enough for a 7-year-old and his grandfather to walk side by side. Maybe the Roaring Fork loop with the windows down while the leaves turn. Maybe Dollywood, if the kids win. Or maybe nobody leaves the deck until lunch, and that counts too.

However the day goes, the drive home from downtown Gatlinburg is 12 minutes. Tired kids and tired grandparents are back before anyone gets cranky.

Evenings split the cabin in the best way.
Someone fires up the grill on the upper deck. It runs on natural gas, so it never runs out halfway through the burgers. After dinner, the kids head for the hot tub while the air turns cold and the water stays hot, laughing loud enough to hear from inside.

Later, the cabin sorts itself out. Downstairs, the kids claim the theater room with a movie on the big screen and a foosball rematch during the slow parts. Upstairs, the gas logs throw a gentle glow across the log walls, and Grandpa has already claimed the reclining sofa. Everyone sinks in and stays for one more episode. Of all our cabins, this is the warmest and coziest one.

Everyone sleeps close, and nobody waits for a bathroom.
Grandma and Grandpa's king is on the main floor, a few steps from the fireplace, with its own full bath. Downstairs, the kids take the twin room, and Mom and Dad take the other king. Both downstairs bedrooms open onto the lower deck, where two more rockers wait for ten quiet minutes before bed. Every bathroom has a tub for bath time and strong water pressure for the morning after a long hike.

It feels like coming home each night, even on the first one.

Room for all ten, and a bathroom for every bedroom

Main floor
• King bedroom: king bed, private full bath with tub and shower, TV with Roku. It's on the same floor as the kitchen, family room and hot tub deck.
• Family room queen sleeper sofa

Lower level
• King bedroom: king bed, private full bath with tub and shower, TV with Roku, and a door to the lower deck
• Twin room: two twin beds, private full bath with tub and shower, and a door to the lower deck
• Theater room queen sleeper sofa

3 bedrooms · 3 full baths · sleeps 10

Everything the whole crew needs

Kitchen and dining
• Full kitchen with plenty of pots, pans and dishes
• Drip coffee maker and a Keurig
• Starter spices, soaps and paper goods to get you through the first night
• Dining table for 10, with chairs and a bench

Living and entertainment
• Gas log fireplace in the family room, with a full sofa and a reclining sofa
• Theater room with a 75-inch TV, raised recliners and a queen sleeper sofa
• Foosball table
• Roku streaming on every TV (family room, theater room and both king bedrooms)
• Board games

Outdoors
• Upper deck with a hot tub, two rockers, an outdoor sofa and Smoky Mountain views
• Natural gas grill that never runs out
• Lower deck with two rockers

The practical stuff
• Wifi at 181 Mbps
• Washer and dryer
• Pool towels for the hot tub
• Free parking for 2 cars
• Bear-proof trash bin on the upper deck

The Smokies by day, home in 12 minutes

Morning Star sits in Mountain Shadows Resort, a cabin community just outside downtown Gatlinburg. It's close enough for a quick dinner run and far enough away to hear the leaves instead of the traffic.

The national park is the big draw in fall. Sugarlands Visitor Center is about 15 minutes away, with a trail that starts right there, and it's the easy first stop into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a short drive away and a favorite for a slow fall loop when the grandparents would rather see the leaves from the car. Downtown Gatlinburg is 12 minutes, and Dollywood is about 30.

A large supermarket is 5 minutes down the road, so stocking up for pancakes is quick. For a slow afternoon, the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community is an 8-mile loop of shops selling handmade work. And the one place to eat is Joe and Pop's. Order the shrimp po'boy.

Good to know

• Check-in is 4pm, and check-out is 11am.
• Getting in: about 8 steps with a handrail up to the front door. From there, the main bedroom, kitchen, dining room, family room and hot tub deck are all on one level. The other two bedrooms and the theater room are one floor down.
• Parking: two cars fit in the driveway, which is on an incline. Parking is free.
• Getting here: the roads up through the resort wind, so please leave trailers at home.
• Fall weather: mornings and evenings are cool. Pack a sweater for the deck.
• Quiet hours are 10pm to 8am, and the cabin sleeps up to 10.
• No pets, please.
• Bears live in the Smokies: keep food out of the car, lock doors and windows, and use the bear-proof bin on the upper deck. We send bear tips before arrival.
• Cancellation: full refund if you cancel 14 or more days before check-in. Cancellations within 14 days of check-in are non-refundable.

What families say

"Our family was age 5 to 85. We all enjoyed our stay. Beds were so comfy and everything was spotlessly clean."
Tammy C., July 2025

"Well maintained, super clean, grandkids loved the foosball table and movie theater setup."
Tim W., May 2026

"The view of the mountains from the back porch was the perfect way to start and end each day."
Sarah F., July 2026

"We loved the hot tub on the deck, high up in the tree tops."
Mary C., June 2026

"When we arrived, there were some icy spots on the driveway and she had someone come take care of it within 24 hours."
Esther H., February 2026

Questions families ask before booking

Is there a bedroom on the main floor for grandparents?
Yes. The king bedroom with its own full bath is on the main floor, on the same level as the kitchen, family room and hot tub deck. It's about 8 steps with a handrail up to the front door, and then no more stairs.

Are there bears?
Yes. Black bears live throughout the Smoky Mountains, including around Mountain Shadows Resort. Keeping them wandering past is easy: leave no food in the car, lock the doors and windows, and use the bear-proof trash bin on the upper deck. We send bear tips before you arrive.

Is there a grill?
Yes. A natural gas grill sits on the upper deck and runs on the cabin's gas line, so there's no propane tank to buy and it never runs out.

How many cars can we bring? Can we bring a trailer?
Two cars fit in the driveway, which is on an incline, and parking is free. Please leave trailers at home, because the roads up through the resort wind.

Is the hot tub private?
Yes. It's on the cabin's own upper deck, just for your group.

Is the wifi good enough to stream or work?
Yes. The wifi runs at 181 Mbps, and every TV has Roku streaming.

What's the cancellation policy?
Cancel 14 or more days before check-in for a full refund. Cancellations within 14 days of check-in are non-refundable.

How far is the grocery store?
A large supermarket is about 5 minutes away.

Book direct with Kelly

Booking here instead of Airbnb or Vrbo gets you a lower rate and no service fee, and returning guests get a discount on their next stay. You'll also deal directly with the person who knows this cabin best.

Questions before you book? Call or text Kelly. You'll get a real person who knows this cabin, before your trip and during it.

Late October and early November still have open dates, right in the middle of fall color.

From Kelly

Morning Star was our first cabin in the Smokies, and five years later it's still my favorite. My promise is simple: the cabin in the photos is the cabin you'll walk into, spotless and warm, with the coffee maker ready. When you have a question, you'll get an answer. Bring everyone. Can't wait to have you guys at the cabin.

Guests will have private access to the entire cabin, including all rooms, the multi-level deck, and the private hot tub. Your reservation also includes access to the shared amenities of the Mountain Shadows Resort.

**Shared Resort Amenities:**
* Two swimming pools (open seasonally from May 1st to October 1st)
* Playground
* Pavilion

📞Guest Support
•We are just a message away!
•Fast responses during business hours (8 am to 9 pm)
•Immediate assistance available for emergencies.

Mountain Shadows Resort is a very popular cabin resort with 2 swimming pools now open until October 1st, a playground area with swing sets, and a pavilion that is free to use if available.
The cabin is located about 1 mile off of East Parkway and is very close to Gatlinburg attractions.

You should be able to easily find the cabin using Google Maps or your favorite navigation app.

**Winter Travel:** We highly recommend a 4WD or AWD vehicle when visiting during the winter months (November - March), as mountain roads can be steep, winding, and become slippery with ice or snow.

**Damage Waiver:** Your reservation includes coverage up to $300 in reported accidental damage. To be covered, any damage must be reported to us before you check out. Damages exceeding $300 will be the responsibility of the guest.

**Resort Pools:** The two community pools are open seasonally, opening May 23rd to October 1st, weather permitting.