Like Coming Home: One Couple's Guide to Gatlinburg from Little Bear Cabin

Casey Georg and his wife have visited the Smoky Mountains more times than they can count. And every single time, it feels like coming home.

For Casey, the formula is simple: rent a cabin, get away from the bustle of downtown, and yet stay close enough to enjoy everything Gatlinburg has to offer. He always rents from Mountain Laurel Chalets — and on their most recent trip, Little Bear cabin was the destination. Within minutes of arriving, a black bear wandered into the front yard. By the end of the week, three bears had paid a visit, including one large male who liked the place so much he came back twice.

What follows is Casey's full account of the trip — the bears, the drives, the hikes, the restaurants, and the shops. Consider it a field guide to Gatlinburg from someone who knows it well.

Casey and his wife made three separate drives through Cades Cove during their trip — and each one delivered something different.

                                                                                        Picture by Casey Georg

First visit: arriving day, before even checking in

On the day they arrived in Gatlinburg, Casey and his wife looped through Cades Cove before heading to the cabin. They'd barely entered the area when they spotted a black bear feeding in a field on Sparks Lane. Deer and turkeys rounded out that first pass — a strong opening to the week by any measure.

Second visit: up close on Sparks Lane

The second loop brought another bear sighting — a smaller bear feeding within a few feet of the road on Sparks Lane. The kind of close encounter that makes even experienced wildlife watchers go quiet.

Third visit: nine bears, including a mother with three cubs

The final Cades Cove drive was the best of the three. Casey spotted nine bears total on that single loop — including a female with three small cubs of the year. It's the kind of sighting that stops you mid-sentence and stays with you long after the trip.

Even on a day with no wildlife at all, Cades Cove earns the drive. The 11-mile loop passes through a historic valley with preserved 19th-century homesteads, grist mills, and log cabins that offer a window into Appalachian mountain life before the national park existed. Go early on a weekday for the lightest traffic and the best wildlife odds.

                                                                                         Pictures by Casey Georg

Casey and his wife drove the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail multiple times during their stay — and one of those drives fell on a rainy day, which turned out to be the most spectacular of all.

The 5.5-mile one-way loop winds through old-growth forest past waterfalls, historic homesites, and mountain streams. On a clear day it's beautiful. In the rain, Casey describes it as almost surreal — fog rolling up out of the canyons, the forest deepened by the mist, the waterfalls running full. “An experience we won’t soon forget.” If the forecast calls for rain, don’t stay in the cabin. Take the drive.

                                                                                                  Pictures by Casey Georg

After enough trips to Gatlinburg, you develop a personal shopping circuit — the handful of stores that earn a visit every time. Casey and his wife have theirs down to a science.

Casey's picks

• The Sock Shop — a Gatlinburg staple with a huge selection of novelty and everyday socks. Impossible to walk past without going in.

• Lazy One Pajamas — comfortable and fun; the kind of purchase you'll still be using long after the trip is over.

• Aunt Mahalia's Candy Shop — fudge, taffy, chocolates, and confections that have been a fixture of the downtown strip for decades. Hard to leave empty-handed.

• Smoky Mountain Farms Jelly House — locally produced jams, jellies, and preserves made with mountain fruit. The kind of thing you buy for yourself and end up gifting to everyone you know.

• Misty Mountain Soap Company — handcrafted soaps and bath products with scents that lean into the mountain setting. A great stop for anyone who wants to bring a little of the Smokies home.

His wife's picks

• Mystic Moon Celtic Faire — a unique find with Celtic jewelry, gifts, and décor that stands out from the typical mountain-town souvenir fare.

• The Spice and Tea Exchange — an extensive selection of spices, teas, and blends with knowledgeable staff. The kind of stop that turns into an hour without trying.

A couple who has visited Gatlinburg this many times has strong opinions about where to eat. A few from this trip:

Log Cabin Pancake House

Casey's verdict is unambiguous: the best breakfast in Gatlinburg. He and his wife pick up breakfast to go from Log Cabin Pancake House two or three times every trip, without exception. A Gatlinburg institution since 1966. Go early.

Myron Mixon's Barbecue Co.

A newer addition to Casey's list and one that made an immediate impression. Myron Mixon is a competition barbecue champion, and the Gatlinburg location delivers. Casey and his wife ordered mixed plates to work through the various meats on offer — and came away happy.

Gorilla Tacos — Pigeon Forge

A casual taco detour into Pigeon Forge that Casey describes simply as good. Worth adding if you're spending a day that direction.

Beyond this trip, Casey and his wife have covered a lot of ground in the Smokies over the years:

• Mountain coasters — rider-controlled speed makes them fun for thrill-seekers and the more cautious alike.

• Dolly Parton's Stampede — a dinner show impressive in scale, with horses, trick riders, and a full meal served throughout. Worth doing at least once.

                                                                      Dolly's Stampede, by Casey Georg

• Titanic Museum — a full-scale replica of the ship's hull offering a surprisingly immersive experience. Casey says it's great.

Little Bear sits in the sweet spot that experienced Gatlinburg visitors know to look for: secluded enough to feel like a genuine mountain escape, but only a 10-minute drive into Gatlinburg and 20 minutes into Pigeon Forge. Plenty of room, beautifully decorated, and stocked with the essentials — everything Casey and his wife have come to expect from a Mountain Laurel Chalets property.

And of course, the bear sightings don't hurt.

                                                                                  Big bears at Little Bear, by Casey Georg

                                                                                  Little Bear, Mountain Laurel Chalets

Ready to find your own Smoky Mountain happy place? Find your Smoky Mountain cabin here.

Casey and his wife will be back — they always are. The mountains are always there. The bears might be too.