Le Conte Lodge Great Smoky Mountain Park, TN

[halrkent (Deceased)]

Le Conte Lodge Great Smoky Mountain Park, TN

LeConte Lodge is accessible only by foot as it sits atop Mount LeConte at 6,593 ft. Mt. LeConte is the Great Smoky Mountains third highest peak. Hiking routes to the lodge vary in length from 5.5 to 8 miles. We left our camper and walked up to the Lodge. They have no electricity or showers. The Lodge is made up of several small cabins with a large meeting room and dining room. Lighting is by kerosene lamps. They’ve replaced the wood fire places with propane heaters. It gets cool at the lodge elevation even in the summer. Food was just OK with everything tasting like it was canned. Guests sit around large wooden tables family style to facilitate good conversations. Talking with the staff and other guests was the best part for me. There’s great scenery for both sunset and sunrise.

The lodge is generally open from mid-March through mid-November. Advance reservations are required to stay at the lodge. LeConte Lodge will start taking reservations for 2010 on October 1, 2009. Weekends fill fast so call early. We called at the beginning of December for a Wednesday in September. Reservations can be made in several ways:
Phone (865) 429-5704
FAX (865) 774-0045 or (865) 429-5705
E-mail at reservations@lecontelodge.com
Online at www.lecontelodge.com