Ahhh the Smoky Mountains… they hold a special place in our hearts. Featuring the Appalachian Mountain chain, these mountains feel like home to us. To us, mountain destinations can be even more exciting than tropical destinations. I think that’s why we are so drawn to national parks because you get to see and hike some beautiful mountains. The Smoky Mountains offer all that and it’s close to home for us! With a national park, cute towns, great views, endless shopping, and tasty food who could say no to a trip to the Smoky’s?
If you’re reading this blog, the Smoky Mountains are calling you! Answer that call like we so often do…. and let us share with you one of our favorite stays in the Smoky Mountains! The Aspen 9’s. This cabin is a new construction completed in 2021 and it is gorgeous.
As we noted in previous blogs, I’m in grad school… and if you know anything about grad school, you know my time off is precious to me. I use that time to travel and see friends and family. When I can see family and travel, it truly is the best of both worlds. We traveled to the Aspen 9’s in July of 2022 with 9 people which fit everyone cozily. It is important to know that this cabin is literally in the mountains. You will be spending a great deal of time traveling up a mountain which may require some 4wd during the winter. However, in the summer, we had no difficulties reaching our destination. These roads are windy which may cause some motion sickness.
The cabin features 3 bedrooms with 6 beds and 3 baths. It’s 3 stories and it is quite homey! The cabin is quite large with 3 stories.
The first floor features a second seating area as well as a Foosball and air hockey table. Justin and my brothers especially enjoyed this feature! Outside, there is a large swing bed which I truly enjoyed! I spent some time reading a novel in this peaceful area.
The second story features a sizeable deck with a comfortable seating area nestled around a firepit. On the other side, you can rock in some rocking chairs or take a nice little soak in the hot tub. We spent a lot of time on this deck! Inside, you can find the main living area with a fully stocked kitchen.
Finally, the third story offers a nice king-sized bedroom, which is where we stayed. Overall, you could spend your entire weekend in the cabin without ever leaving and would feel entirely comfortable.
However, the cabin is within close proximity to so many activities! Hiking, sightseeing, shopping, kayaking, fishing, wine tastings, bourbon tastings, restaurants, downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and so much more! What you can do outside of your time in the cabin is endless!
We will note that actual grocery stores were not within that close proximity to the cabin, so grab those groceries on your way in. Our family loves doing Escape Rooms together and so we elected to spend one evening doing that! Whatever you enjoy, you can find it in this area as the possibilities are truly endless!
We truly enjoyed our stay at the Aspen 9’s. One of our favorite experiences was drinking coffee on this comfortable deck in the morning. One morning, we got to witness wildlife! A momma bear and her 4 cubs made an appearance as we were making breakfast. We watched these bears from a distance and then they came over to the cabin! We actually saw several bears during our weekend in this cabin! We enjoyed watching these bears from a safe distance on the second-story deck and inside the cabin. It was truly a humble experience. However, you must understand that bears are wildlife, and their behaviors can sometimes be unpredictable. It is important to keep your distance from wildlife, observe from a safe distance, and respect their boundaries.
Check out some pictures captured of momma bear from a safe distance!
We highly recommend a stay at the Aspen 9’s. Our host was
fantastic and very responsive. The self-check-in process was simple and easy. We
hope you enjoy your trip to the Smoky Mountains. If you have any further
questions, please reach out to us on Instagram or drop a comment below. Safe
travels y’all!-Justin & Caitlin