I stayed in a luxury tent near a national park that costs $520/night. It felt more like a hotel room and made me feel connected to nature.

Joey HaddenJul 18, 2023, 19:59 IST

The author traveled to the Great Smoky Mountains to stay at a glamping resort called Under Canvas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains feels like luxury at Under Canvas, a glamping resort.
I recently booked a stay at the resort in a tent with a king-sized bed valued at $520 a night.

When I planned a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, I wanted two things: nature and comfort. In April, when I spent a long weekend in the area, I found both while staying in a luxury tent close to the national park.

Under Canvas is a glamping resort that has locations near national parks around the country, from Zion and Moab to Glacier and Yellowstone. I spent one night at the resort's Great Smoky Mountains location and preferred it over my other stays during the trip in cozy cabins that I found on Airbnb.

I booked a Stargazer tent for $400 with a media rate. Without the rate, it was priced at $520 — making it more expensive than all of my cabin stays. But I thought it was worth it. At Under Canvas, I felt more connected to nature than I did in the cabins — all while sleeping in a king-sized bed. Here's what it was like.

I think the Great Smoky Mountains is an excellent location for a nature getaway — especially if you're glamping.

Glamping tents in the Great Smoky Mountains.Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently visited the national park for the first time. I spent three nights in cozy cabins and one night in a tent at a glamping resort.

The author stays in a tent (L) and a cabin (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought I'd prefer the comforts of cabins over a tent since they were full of relaxing amenities like covered patios and gas fireplaces that ignited with the touch of a button.

The author relaxes in the cabins.Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought I'd prefer the comforts of cabins over a tent since they were full of relaxing amenities like covered patios and gas fireplaces that ignited with the touch of a button.

But I was wrong. I enjoyed the luxury camping experience so much that I wished I'd booked it for at least two nights.

The author enjoys a luxurious tent.Joey Hadden/Insider

I knew I wanted to go camping on this trip, but I wanted to do it comfortably with a luxury feel. That's why I chose Under Canvas, a glamping resort with locations near national parks from Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon.

Tents at Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains.Joey Hadden/Insider

I knew I wanted to go camping on this trip, but I wanted to do it comfortably with a luxury feel. That's why I chose Under Canvas, a glamping resort with locations near national parks from Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon.

Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains is just north of the park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Pigeon Forge is north of the Great Smoky Mountains.Joey Hadden/Insider

I took a cab from downtown Pigeon Forge to the 182-acre resort and headed to a communal tent where guests can check-in, dine, and hang out.

The check-in location at Under Canvas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Inside the communal tent, there were tables and chairs beside shelves of games and books for guests to enjoy. I thought this gave the resort a community feel.

Campers play games and chat in the communal tent.Joey Hadden/Insider

Once I checked in, an employee invited me to hop into a golf cart and we drove to my tent.

A gravel road lined with tents at the resort.Joey Hadden/Insider

I stayed in a Stargazer tent. At the time of booking, it cost $520 a night — more than any of the cabins — but Insider got a media rate of $400.

The author's tent for the night.Joey Hadden/Insider

Inside, the tent included a full bathroom and a skylight above a king-sized bed that I found extremely comfortable.

The author's bed inside the tent.Joey Hadden/Insider

The bathroom was at the end of the tent behind a wooden wall for privacy.

The bathroom's vanity (L) and toilet (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

While showing me around my home for the night, the employee informed me of practices in place to reduce energy consumption, including a pull-chain shower that saved water by running only while the chain was down.

The shower is behind the vanity.Joey Hadden/Insider

While showing me around my home for the night, the employee informed me of practices in place to reduce energy consumption, including a pull-chain shower that saved water by running only while the chain was down.

They also showed me how to heat my tent with the indoor, wood-fired oven.

The author attempts to start a fire in her tent.Joey Hadden/Insider

Making my own fire to keep warm was challenging, but it made me feel more connected to nature than I did in the cabins.

The author succeeds in starting a fire.Joey Hadden/Insider

Walking around the campsite, I felt a sense of community among guests and employees.

Campers play on the grounds.Joey Hadden/Insider

Like neighbors, we said hello when passing by, and I even struck up a few conversations in communal spaces like the firepit.

A communal firepit at the resort.Joey Hadden/Insider

I stayed out exploring and socializing until the sun went down. At night, the tents glowed and walking by you could hear campers whispering inside.

The campground at night.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I returned to my home for the night, I thought my tent felt more like a hotel room. I got cozy and fell asleep with ease.

The author's tent at the end of the evening.Joey Hadden/Insider

In the morning I woke up cold, as my fire went out in the night. So I sparked up a couple of logs before checking out. I was surprised by how much better I was at getting the fire started than the day before.

The author warms up by the fire.Joey Hadden/Insider

In the morning I woke up cold, as my fire went out in the night. So I sparked up a couple of logs before checking out. I was surprised by how much better I was at getting the fire started than the day before.

Once my feet were warm enough, I left my tent for my next Smoky Mountain adventure. I loved my Under Canvas experience so much that I want to try the locations near other national parks.

The author takes a final stroll through the campgrounds before checking out.Joey Haddeen/Insider

Once my feet were warm enough, I left my tent for my next Smoky Mountain adventure. I loved my Under Canvas experience so much that I want to try the locations near other national parks.

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I stayed in a luxury tent near a national park that costs $520/night. It felt more like a hotel room and made me feel connected to nature.

I think the Great Smoky Mountains is an excellent location for a nature getaway — especially if you're glamping.

I recently visited the national park for the first time. I spent three nights in cozy cabins and one night in a tent at a glamping resort.

I thought I'd prefer the comforts of cabins over a tent since they were full of relaxing amenities like covered patios and gas fireplaces that ignited with the touch of a button.

But I was wrong. I enjoyed the luxury camping experience so much that I wished I'd booked it for at least two nights.

I knew I wanted to go camping on this trip, but I wanted to do it comfortably with a luxury feel. That's why I chose Under Canvas, a glamping resort with locations near national parks from Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon.

Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains is just north of the park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

I took a cab from downtown Pigeon Forge to the 182-acre resort and headed to a communal tent where guests can check-in, dine, and hang out.

Inside the communal tent, there were tables and chairs beside shelves of games and books for guests to enjoy. I thought this gave the resort a community feel.

Once I checked in, an employee invited me to hop into a golf cart and we drove to my tent.

I stayed in a Stargazer tent. At the time of booking, it cost $520 a night — more than any of the cabins — but Insider got a media rate of $400.

Inside, the tent included a full bathroom and a skylight above a king-sized bed that I found extremely comfortable.

The bathroom was at the end of the tent behind a wooden wall for privacy.

While showing me around my home for the night, the employee informed me of practices in place to reduce energy consumption, including a pull-chain shower that saved water by running only while the chain was down.

They also showed me how to heat my tent with the indoor, wood-fired oven.

Making my own fire to keep warm was challenging, but it made me feel more connected to nature than I did in the cabins.

Walking around the campsite, I felt a sense of community among guests and employees.

Like neighbors, we said hello when passing by, and I even struck up a few conversations in communal spaces like the firepit.

I stayed out exploring and socializing until the sun went down. At night, the tents glowed and walking by you could hear campers whispering inside.

When I returned to my home for the night, I thought my tent felt more like a hotel room. I got cozy and fell asleep with ease.

In the morning I woke up cold, as my fire went out in the night. So I sparked up a couple of logs before checking out. I was surprised by how much better I was at getting the fire started than the day before.

Once my feet were warm enough, I left my tent for my next Smoky Mountain adventure. I loved my Under Canvas experience so much that I want to try the locations near other national parks.