There’s nothing like a dip in a lake with mountains surrounding on a hot summer day. You can have that at Lake Douglas in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee, in an American Patriot Getaways cabin.
Douglas Lake is a beautiful, 30,400-foot lake with a maximum depth of 140 feet. The fishing is grand here – just ask my nephew Alex and my brother-in-law Matt. There’s room to play, boat, swim. The lake extends 43.1 miles upstream from Douglas Dam and only has about 17% of the shoreline developed. Rolling hills of farmland and residential areas surround the lake. There’s a wonderful, secluded adventurous vacation awaiting.
Here are some of our favorite lake cabins:
Cedar Creeks – sleeps 6 with two bedrooms and two bathrooms
With breathtaking views of the mountains and the lake, Cedar Creeks offers guests the ultimate in view and seclusion and plenty of room to roam. Located on 50 acres with a long, tree-lined private drive, this luxury cabin offers a unique Smoky Mountain experience. Located on the south side of Douglas Lake, the home has private lake access with dock. We recommend a 4×4 to access the private, gravel drive. Launch your boat and dock during summer months, then cruise to one of the lake’s local eateries.
Inside, custom furniture, flat screen TV’s, a lofted game room, kitchen with granite countertops, and spacious bathrooms and closets offer guests all the luxuries of home. Outside an incredible mountain view across the home’s open pastures begs you to stay outside and enjoy the view.
Eagle’s Nest – sleeps 6 in two bedrooms and two baths
Enjoy incredible mountain views from the comfort of the “perch” at Eagle’s Nest. Located in Douglas Lake Resort, which is the closest log cabin resort to Dollywood that still has boat access to beautiful Douglas Lake. Rent a boat or bring your own, Douglas Lake is an all sports lake that offers skiing, fishing, and even boat-in dining. Or plan your adventures on dry land – Dollywood is just 14 miles from this lake cabin! Bring your swimsuit whatever time of year because you can relax in the cabin’s covered hot tub and enjoy the mountain view. In summer, you can swim in the lake or take a dip in the community pool. Inside the cabin are vaulted ceilings, a stone/wood fireplace and a lofted game room with pool table and darts that keep the cabin fun for all. A gas grill and custom kitchen make dining-in or grilling out a joy.
Leeann & Kelley of Pearisburg, Virginia, stayed at Eagle’s nest in May and had this to say: “My family and I just left Douglas Lake and stayed at Eagles Nest! We absolutely loved the cabin! It was fully furnished with everything we needed and more! The views are breathtaking, the grounds are gorgeous and the cabin was so comfy!”
Mountain Lake Getaway – sleeps 6 with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths
Lake life in the Smokies includes Mountain Lake Getaway with its large yard and plenty of parking. After enjoying Douglas Lake, enter the vaulted living room to be welcomed by a stone gas fireplace. Curl up with a good book and relax, or watch your favorite shows on the 46″ satellite TV. Head into the kitchen to whip up a big supper to enjoy down in the picnic area. Bring a pile of wood and stoke up a fire in the firepit while you enjoy the great outdoors. Unwind afterward with a soak in the hot tub on the patio. When you’re ready to enjoy the mountains, you’re only 15 miles from Pigeon Forge and all the attractions.
Sabrina from Salem, Virginia, wrote about her stay in May: “This cabin was the most beautiful stay I have had yet in Tennessee! Extremely clean, comfortable and spacious! I hosted a girls’ trip here the hot tub and firepit was (stet) a huge hit. We barely even needed anything – kitchen was fully stocked with cookware. The memories made at this gorgeous residency cannot be forgotten! We all highly recommend a stay!”
Grand View at Douglas Lake – sleeps 6 with three bedrooms and 2 baths
Experience the Smokies a whole new way when you enjoy the Grand View At Douglas Lake. Enjoy the comforts of lake and mountain life at this beautiful log cabin and its heart-stopping views of the lake and surrounding hillsides from the covered porch. When you head inside, enter the vaulted living room a crackling stone fireplace are welcoming. Whip up a snack in the fully equipped and modern kitchen before kicking back and watching a movie on the DVD-BluRay.
Upstairs, a game room with a pool table invites competition for cabin title of billiards champion. Grab your fishing pole or swimsuit and head out onto the lake from the resort’s private boat launch. There’s also a community swimming pool and clubhouse to enjoy. Unwind after a long day on the lake in the bubbling hot tub. Experience serenity only 15 miles from Pigeon Forge.
Eagle’s Bluff – sleeps 8 with two bedrooms and two baths
Take your vacation to new heights when you stay in this charming lakeside long cabin. Also located in Douglas Lake Resort – Eagle’s Bluff is accessed without any steep mountain roads and offers guests the closest Douglas Lake access in the Smokies! Just 15 miles to Dollywood without getting on the busy main parkway – Eagle’s Bluff offers guests the best of both worlds – lake access and a convenient drive back to all the attractions.
Bring along your fishing boat or rent one locally to take advantage of the community boat ramp, dock, and outdoor swimming pool. Whether you are relaxing in the cabin’s steamy hot tub, or swimming in the pool or lake – you’ll want to be sure and bring your swimsuit along! Inside, two main level bedrooms each have their bathroom, and a lofted game room includes two twin sized sleeping nooks – how fun is that?!
Check out our blog post on Summer at Dollywood
Lake Life – sleeps 9 with four bedrooms and four baths
There’s no better way to vacation in the Smokies than a lake and mountain cabin in Douglas Lake Resort.
Located in this beautiful lake community with a private dock, boat launch, and community pool – Lake Life offers Douglas Lake access within 15 miles of Dollywood. Like the other cabins in the Resort, you can bring your boat or rent one upon arrival. You’ll want to spend a day fishing and swimming or just motor out to a lake-access restaurant for dinner.
Enter the cabin from the wrap-around covered porch that offers relaxing rocking chairs and a hot tub. Walk into an open-concept living area with tall, vaulted ceilings. A modern kitchen with a breakfast bar opens to a dining area for four. Each bedroom has its own attached bath with two main-floor king bedrooms, and a king and bunk room upstairs. Guests can spread out on two levels of mountain luxury.
From your lakeside cabin, you can still go hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and enjoy all the activities, shopping and food of Pigeon Forge if you’re looking to go out. If you’re looking to stay secluded with just your family, lake life is a good way to do that.
About Douglas Lake
Douglas Lake, also known as Douglas Reservoir, welcomes more than 1.7 million visitors each year. The damn was built in 1942 as a hydroelectric facility. Douglas Dam is 201 feet high and stretches 1,705 feet across the French Broad River. The reservoir the dam created provides 513 miles of shoreline and about 28,420 acres of water surface for recreation activities including fishing; picnicking; bird watching; boating; water sports – skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing.
If you plan to fish on your Smoky Mountain vacation, make sure to get a fishing license.
For boat, ski, tube and jet ski rentals, check out Douglas Lake Marina, Swann’s Marina, Smoky Mountain H20 Sports and Smoky Mountain Lake Adventures.
Check out this Douglas Lake interactive map before you go.
And if you aren’t cooking in or out on your grill every night, check out some local restaurants including: Cowboy’s Seafood on the Water, Millstone Restaurant & Country Store, Angelo’s at the Point, Owen’s and many more.
Ready to book an amazing lake, mountain vacation filled with adventure, seclusion, breathtaking views and fun?!
Give American Patriot Getaways a call at 800-204-5169. Let our experts help you find the right cabin and all the right fun, food and entertainment.
You can also contact us online by searching our cabins at Douglas Lake and in Gatlinburg and in Pigeon Forge. Check out our Pinterest boards if you want a cabin close to the fun and the food! See our boards where to eat in Gatlinburg and where to eat in Pigeon Forge.
If you need more help planning your Smoky Mountain Vacation, be sure to check out all our vacation guides, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram! If you plan to head to Dollywood, or even if you don’t, check out this cool coloring page on our Pinterest.
