Bear Observatory

We loved our stay at this modern Airbnb with gorgeous mountain views! It was a great house for two couples with bedroom suites on the top and bottom floors. It was also very close to Gatlinburg and not a far drive at all to PIgeon Forge and Sevierville. We would definitely stay here again!

- Posted: 9/2/2025

10/10 on everything - location, comfort, communication, amazingly clean - out family of 5 had such a peaceful and relaxing time at Justin’s cabin while we weren’t out and about. Justin was extremely responsive and friendly, and we had an unforgettable stay. Will definitely be back!

- Posted: 8/24/2025

Good

- Posted: 8/4/2025

Thanks for the great rating, Eric. We appreciate you choosing Avada Properties and hope to host you again!

Smoky Mountain Holiday staff

Great mountain house/ cabin for our visit to Smoky Mountain National Park! House was clean and worked well for our family of four, with bedrooms (both with king beds) and full bathrooms in different floors. We loved the mountain views, neighborhood pool (also had a basketball hoop, tennis and pickleball courts with equipment you can check out from pool) and hot tub on one of several balconies. Location was great for grabbing dinner and groceries in Gatlinburg and getting into the park quickly. We didn’t see any bears from the house, but did see two bears in the neighborhood.

- Posted: 7/25/2025

This place was amazing. Cabin-Modern feel, amazing views, and plenty of privacy. While some reviews mention the upstairs being warm, we were able to keep it quite cool with no problems. Highly recommend this place!

- Posted: 7/19/2025

Justin was VERY prompt with responses & the cabin was beautiful & well maintained!!!

- Posted: 7/12/2025

Bear observatory was everything we expected and more! The cabin was perfectly described. Bear sightings were an everyday occurrence during our stay. Every night we were able to see the Dollywood fireworks from either the living room or one of the balconies. The Bear Observatory was perfectly located to everything we did throughout the week. We booked our trip months before our arrival and Justin was always responsive and gave great recommendations.

- Posted: 7/5/2025

Very nicely appointed with gorgeous views from every room and balconies. Quiet neighborhood and not far from downtown Gatlinburg (15 mins). Our trip was unexpectedly cut short and did not have time to enjoy the hot tub or access to pool areas. When I had issues with the door code (user error); Justin was incredibly responsive. It was a great stay!

- Posted: 6/23/2025

Justin was a great host!!! My family and I had a great time at the cabin! The quiet peaceful surroundings was amazing and the view was even better!!

- Posted: 6/13/2025

This was our first time traveling to this area and our family had the best time! There was a TON of stuff to do. The house was amazing! Super clean, comfortable and breathtaking views. We even had a bear come visit every morning and evening!

- Posted: 5/26/2025

Great location, minutes from Gatlinburg downtown and GSMNP. Immaculately clean. Comfortable bed. Very responsive host. Internet speed sufficient for video conference calls. Will stay again when we go back.

- Posted: 5/14/2025

We had a great stay! The home was very clean and had a well-equipped kitchen, even though we didn’t cook. The mountain views were beautiful, and check-in was easy and seamless. A comfortable spot—would definitely recommend!

- Posted: 5/11/2025

Property was accurate as listed. Very clean and had no issues finding. I would recommend arriving before dark if possible on first day. View is spectacular.

- Posted: 5/9/2025

Nice house and host was very helpful and responsive! Location was typical for the mountains, but a little hard to navigate in our large truck. Overall we had a great time!

- Posted: 5/4/2025

Very responsive and helpful with things to do. The view was spectacular and the description was to the T. Would highly recommend

- Posted: 4/30/2025

Fantastic stay, the house was exactly as described and the location was great.

- Posted: 4/23/2025

Enjoyed our stay, the Bear Observatory lived up to its name. We saw bears on the property the first night and fourth night of our stay. The home was clean and accommodating. Plenty of areas to enjoy sitting outside. The drive up was curvy and of course, up a mountain, but not a bad drive at all. It’s close to both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The hot tub was nice and relaxing. We would stay here again. Thanks for hosting us.

- Posted: 4/18/2025

This was a wonderful choice! Cabin was exceptionally clean, Justin was easy to communicate with, hot tub was clean and all functions worked well, even got to see a bear while we were up there.

- Posted: 4/13/2025

We had a great stay it has a very homie feel looks way more beautiful in person. Justin is very communicative and helpful . This is definitely the best place we stayed in the Smokey’s we will definitely be back

- Posted: 4/11/2025

responsive host and very clean home. matched description so everything was as expected.

- Posted: 4/7/2025

Justin’s place was perfect for our family of 4 plus our dog. The place is very clean and easy to get to. Justin has been helpful with communicating with instructions and directions. Love our stay in Gatlinburg!

- Posted: 4/4/2025

My son and I greatly enjoyed our stay. Plenty of room to stretch out, but we spent most of our time at the cabin in the kitchen/living area. The hot tub was lovely to use every day. The cabin is secluded enough and didn’t really get much noise or interaction from the other cabins. The drive into town was only about ten minutes. We did a lot of hiking and spent a day in downtown with plenty to do.

- Posted: 3/28/2025

A great place to stay!

- Posted: 3/24/2025

The cabin looks just like the pictures and I loved the large windows and multiple enclosed balconies! It was perfect to let my dogs and 1 year old run around. The layout of the house gave plenty of room for my family. The view was gorgeous and just so peaceful! Exactly what we were looking for! Justin was always very responsive! Will definitely stay here again! :)

- Posted: 3/21/2025

We had an amazing stay at Justin's place! The views were spectacular and we just loved the peaceful surroundings. We also enjoyed the hot tub after long days hiking at the National Park. The kitchen was well stocked and the large kitchen table was great for playing games. It was a unique experience spending time in the mountains and Justin's house was a perfect setting.

- Posted: 3/15/2025

Our family of 5 really enjoyed Justin’s place, it had some beautiful views and we enjoyed the stay. The space was nice for us to have some separation from our kids with their space being in the basement and ours on the second floor. We felt right and home and enjoyed the hot tub every night. Would stay here again.

- Posted: 3/11/2025

Great stay

- Posted: 3/6/2025

Wonderful views and beautiful home.

- Posted: 3/3/2025

We really enjoyed our stay in this spacious cabin, it was equiped with everything we needed and more.

- Posted: 2/28/2025

We would definitely stay here again. It was absolutely perfect for our family.

- Posted: 2/19/2025

Overall it was amazing.

- Posted: 2/14/2025

I love traveling, and this is one of the nicest places I’ve stayed. It’s very beautiful and peaceful. I would definitely book again.

- Posted: 2/9/2025

Very nice place, easy to find and a great view from anywhere you looked. We wish we had more time to enjoy everything during our stay, but all the recommendations sent were worth it. Extremely well kept place and would recommend to anyone. Couldn’t have asked for a better location as getting to Gaitlinburg or Pigeon Forge was just minutes away in either direction.

- Posted: 2/5/2025

Perfect place!! Beautiful views and amazing details in this place. 10/10 perfect stay. Best windows from all levels of the home! Justin was amazing and communication was flawless!! Will book again!!!

- Posted: 2/2/2025

Beautiful view just the perfect spot not too far up the mountain.

- Posted: 1/31/2025

Our stay at Justin’s cabin was great. He was easy to communicate with, the cabin was easy to find, and the cabin itself was such a nice spot. Plus our dog got to come. For anybody looking to stay in Gatlinburg I would highly recommend!

- Posted: 1/20/2025

Beautifully modern with scenic views, this cabin was perfect for our getaway. Justin was very responsive and check in/out was easy. Would stay here again!

- Posted: 1/11/2025

Justin’s place was absolutely perfect. It is in a beautiful location, peaceful and quiet, but also close enough to activities that it allowed us to get the best of both worlds. We will definitely stay there again in the future!

- Posted: 1/4/2025

Our stay was awsome. I do recommend arriving before dark, so you can see. House on the top off hills and road is wavy. View is amazing, worth to see it.

- Posted: 12/27/2024

Justin was a fantastic a host with a breathtaking cabin! The location offers the best of both worlds with mountaintop views less than 20 minutes from most attractions. We saw bears! The best of the best for a Smoky Mountain experience!

- Posted: 12/22/2024

Loved staying here!! Saw bears within a couple hours of our arrival and the cabin had huge windows in every room that had amazing mountain views!! Will definitely be back!

- Posted: 12/17/2024

Cozy and clean home with all the amenities you would need. Beatiful views, peaceful and quiet location. Justin is quick to respond and friendly! We really enjoyed our stay and I wouldn't hesitate to book again.

- Posted: 12/13/2024

We loved the cabin! My husband and I agreed that we will contact Justin and stay here on our next visit to Gatlinburg. We were close to Gatlinburg and the mountains. We took our dog and walked the Sugarlands Trail every morning. This was recommended to us by Justin. We were close to Pigeon Forge, so we were able to visit attractions there, as well. The cabin was beautiful and the floorplan was perfect. Every dish or pan that we needed was there! The pictures were exactly as shown on Airbnb. There is not one thing that we would change!

- Posted: 12/8/2024

Great spot! Enjoyed our stay and will stay here again.

- Posted: 12/3/2024

10/10!!! If you're debating booking. Do it! You will not regret it!!!
I can’t say enough wonderful things about our stay at Bear Observatory! Nestled in the mountains, the views were absolutely breathtaking—sunrises and sunsets felt like scenes from a postcard. The location was perfect, with plenty of hiking trails right nearby and close proximity to local attractions, making it easy to balance adventure and relaxation.
The cabin itself was super cozy, clean, and thoughtfully equipped with everything we needed for a comfortable stay. One of the best parts? My pup was welcome too! It’s rare to find such a pet-friendly place, and my furbaby absolutely loved exploring the trails and lounging on the deck with us.
If you’re looking for a serene getaway with spectacular views and outdoor activities at your fingertips, Bear Observatory is a must.
We’ll definitely be back!

- Posted: 12/1/2024

Nice neighborhood close to everything.

- Posted: 11/30/2024

Beautiful stay. Place was very clean. Loved the hot tub and views! The mountain road to the cabin is quite steep and curvy so be prepared if any bad weather comes, you must have four wheel drive! We had 4 bear visit us one night so also be on your toes when you go outside at night. The place is absolutely beautiful!

- Posted: 11/24/2024

Todo tuvo excelente cómodo y agradable

- Posted: 11/16/2024

Loved all the balconies -- it was like being in a very beautiful treehouse!

- Posted: 11/8/2024

Very beautiful Home. Great place to stay in Gatlinburg!

- Posted: 11/2/2024

Beautiful home in a beautiful place! We loved staying here and would recommend it to anyone who plans on heading to Tennessee! We didn’t see any bears on the property but we did see two of them coming up the road about 3 minutes away from the property! It was one of the most amazing experiences we will have to remember for the rest of our lives!

- Posted: 10/25/2024

From the time I booked the cabin, Justin immediately reached out, he made sure I had the address and got instructions on how to get into the cabin and made sure to let us know if we had questions or needed anything to please let him know. We felt very safe, the surroundings were beautiful, and the location was close to everything - between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! The cabin was so clean, and the hot tub was too! We had a great time and look forward to coming back!

- Posted: 10/20/2024

Justin was amazing!! He helped us figure everything out and was quick to respond!!

- Posted: 10/15/2024

Justin’s cabin was fabulous! It’s very clean and the large windows in every room allow you to take in the beautiful views. It was nice that the cabin was on a side road rather than the main road going up the mountain. It felt very private and you’ll definitely spot some bears here. Will stay again when we return!

- Posted: 10/13/2024

This place was awesome, less than 10 minutes to everything in Gatlingburg. It had beautiful views, and enjoyed having the hot tub late at night. We had a great time, would definitely stay here again!

- Posted: 10/10/2024

Awesome space! Tons of room and beautiful surroundings. Lots of outside balconies to enjoy the views.

- Posted: 10/7/2024

The cabin was beautiful and very peaceful. It’s near all the attractions. There was great communication with Justin. This was our first time visiting the area and it was beyond our expectations.

- Posted: 10/2/2024

very relaxing and beautiful views. Saw a few bears but when we stepped out on porch, they ran away. Great communication with Justin and house was very clean and updated. Will stay again when we come back to this area!! Thanks again Justin 😃

- Posted: 9/21/2024

Place as described, very clean. a little dark if driving to the cabin after sunset, saw a bear in front of the house while checking in on the first night( was around 10:20 pm)

- Posted: 9/11/2024

This is an extremely nice cabin with upgraded amenities. This cabin felt almost new and everything was nicely decorated. There are a ton of large windows where you can stare off into the valleys and wilderness.
We were able to see 5 bear outside the cabin. Very cool.
This is an upscale cabin and yes, we paid a bit more for it, but it was well worth the price. The hottub was great, but the views stole the show.

- Posted: 9/9/2024

So happy to hear that you appreciated the upscale touches of our cabin, and that the bears were active during your stay! The windows really make it surreal! Happy to hear that our spot was a welcome respite for your family!

Smoky Mountain Holiday staff

If you’re looking for a place 10 mins from all the attractions in Gatlinburg but the peace and quiet of a recently constructed home in the Smokies look no further! Justin and Kari’s home checked about every box we were looking for with close proximity to Gatlinburg/hiking, easy check-in/communication, very clean, stunning views, furnished well, allowed dogs, and it even lived up to the name “Bear Observatory” as we saw black bears on 3 different occasions right next to the home! Great value if you’re looking for a mountain getaway and would definitely stay here again.

- Posted: 9/2/2024

We had a amazing stay at Justin’s cabin. The views were absolutely breathtaking!! The directions to the house and keyless entry were clear and the house was clean, well maintained and beautiful. It is nice to stay at a place that gives accurate details on the listing. The huge windows and multiple decks allowed for gazing over the valley. During our stay we watched fireworks off in the distance, bats at dusk and a momma bear and three cubs that would come around daily. This was our first trip to this part of Tennessee and it won’t be our last. I was so impressed with the views on every floor of this house. I am happy we found this place on Airbnb and can’t wait to come back! I have already recommended this listing to two friends.
Thank you for a fantastic place to stay and explore the Smokys!

- Posted: 8/30/2024

Really enjoyed my stay. We saw bears every day and they even came to the front door. I definitely recommend you keep your car doors locked. My husband forgot one night and a bear got in the car but no harm. The Jeep galley was awesome to see.

- Posted: 8/25/2024

Justin is an awesome host with amazing homes. Beautiful views with black bears everywhere. I didn’t want the trip to end so I went on Airbnb and booked another one of Justin’s homes. I’m now a long term/loyal Justin fan. My fam loves it here! Thanks man!

- Posted: 8/21/2024

Our stay at the Bear Observatory was great! Justin was a great host and responded quickly to any questions we had! The drive up the mountain to the cabin was a bit tricky if you weren’t use to mountain terrain but after a couple times it was easy to navigate! The cabin was very clean tidy and the hot tub was amazing! We thought it was cool that we even seen a couple of bears during our stay at the bear observatory! Gatlinberg was a very quick drive and there was lots to do in the area! Overall we would come back and visit again! 😊

- Posted: 8/17/2024

Had a great experience, would highly recommend.

- Posted: 8/8/2024

Had a fantastic stay at this cabin wife the wife. It was very beautiful cabin with even better views on the mountains. it is indeed a bear observatory as we did see a couple of black bears during our stay, truly amazing. Highly recommend and definitely will stay again.

- Posted: 8/5/2024