Vacation rentals in Cosby

In eastern Tennessee's Appalachian range, Cosby is a tranquil gateway to the wilds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Set amid dense hardwoods and temperate rainforest canopies that are home to deer, black bears, and bobcats, Cosby is a prime jumping-off point to exploring the region’s outdoors. The tiny unincorporated community doesn’t have much in the way of amenities, but you will find a number of quaint cabins in the woods next to nature trails, fire lookout towers, sprawling apple orchards, and easy access to hiking, cycling, and water sports like kayaking and whitewater rafting on the nearby Pigeon River. And if you’re looking for an afternoon of museum hopping and Tennessee-style barbeque, the college town of Knoxville is only an hour away.

The climate of the Great Smoky Mountains region is varied and temperate, with four distinct seasons. The summer months have long, sunny days that are hot and humid with regular rainfall in the afternoons that help cool things down a bit. Winter sees a big drop in temperatures, and it regularly gets below freezing with occasional snowfall. The shoulder seasons are a great time to secure a Cosby cabin rental as they tend to be visually stunning with spring wildflower blooms and fall foliage. Though Cosby doesn’t have any festivals to speak of, the surrounding communities have several offerings throughout the year, including the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival in the nearby town of Pigeon Forge. This 12-week event celebrates all things autumn with pumpkin picking, scarecrows, and seasonal markets.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

With more than a half-million acres and 800 miles of trials, America’s most visited national park packs quite a punch. You could spend a few hours, or a few weeks, exploring its diverse ecologies. Fish for trout in Abrams Creek, search for falcons and warblers on a guided birdwatching tour, or hike through dense forests of hickory, dogwood, and fir.

Knoxville

This vibrant college town is an excellent day trip from Cosby thanks to its historic, 19th-century downtown district with streetside cafes, coffee shops, and museums. Farmers markets scattered about the city during the warmer months provide fresh produce and goods from local growers. And with a strong farm-to-table emphasis on the region's brand of southern cuisine, there is no shortage of culinary options to satiate an appetite after a day of exploring the Smoky Mountains.

Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower

This 11-mile round trip hike begins at the Cosby campground and meanders through dense forests, tracing creeks and running along ridgelines in some of Tennessee's most beautiful country. Eventually, the trail culminates in the historic Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower, with sweeping vistas of the Great Smoky Mountains for miles in every direction. Constructed of stone and timber, visitors can explore the decommissioned tower that once served to spot wildfires in the surrounding region.