Five Best Hikes To Mount LeConte
Five best hikes to Mount LeConte. LeConte Lodge is the only overnight lodging, other than camping, available within the borders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You cannot drive to LeConte Lodge. You must hike one of the five trails that access this rustic retreat located near the top of the 6,593 foot Mt. LeConte. An overnight stay at LeConte Lodge is an incredible experience you won’t find any place else in the world! Just ask anyone who’s witnessed an awe-inspiring sunrise or sunset from LeConte’s Myrtle Point.
LeConte Lodge is open from late-March to mid-November and with a maximum capacity for only 60 guests a night, reservations are often made more than a year in advance.
The traditional ringing of the dinner bell each evening promptly at 6:00 p.m. welcomes overnight guests to a hearty family-style dinner with next morning offering another family-style breakfast feast at 8:00 a.m. Sack lunches, along with lemonade hot chocolate, coffee, and baked goods are also available from the lodge’s dining hall. Adults, be sure to pre-order wine service for your dinner!
Although you should take care to pack your backpack lightly, these items are a must to bring along for your adventure on Mt. LeConte:
- Sturdy and durable hiking boots or shoes, that are already broken in, along with more than one pair of non-cotton socks. Trust us, wet feet are no fun. Waterproof boots are shoes are even better.
- A raincoat or poncho is a must along with lightweight clothing that will dry quickly and can be layered. In spring and fall nighttime temperatures can dip into the teens with snow. Summer nights can even drop to a chilly 30 degrees, so a lightweight fleece jacket is needed year-round.
- Adequate water supply and a snack or lunch for your hike up the mountain to the lodge. For the safety of your health, please don’t drink water directly from mountain streams.
- A headlamp or flashlight. There is no electricity at LeConte Lodge. We prefer a headlamp to keep your hands free. Kerosene lamps provide lighting in the cabins with propane heaters providing warmth.
- A hand towel, washcloth and personal items like toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Although there are no showers, wash basins with soap are in all cabins. You will be happy to know there is modern privy building with flush toilets. All bedding linens, including pillows and cozy Hudson Bay wool blankets, are provided.
- Credit card or cash for additional food or souvenir purchases at LeConte Lodge.
Cabin Accommodations at LeConte Lodge
Seven rough-hewn log cabins and three multi-room lodges dot the LeConte Lodge property. The one-bedroom cabins with upper and lower double bunk beds are perfect for two couples or a family of four. For parties of five, there are three cabins that also have a single bed. There is one 2-bedroom lodge that has an upper and lower double bunk bed and two single person beds in the common room; this lodge will sleep a maximum of 10 guests. There are also two 3-bedroom lodges with upper and lower double bunk beds in each bedroom. One of these lodges has a single person bed in one of the bedrooms and the other lodge has a single person bed in the common room. This lodge can accommodate up to 13 guests. Please know that you will not have to bunk up with strangers in the same room with you if you’re single or a couple; the lodge rooms and cabins are booked just for your party. For rates, visit LeConte Lodge.
