Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains: An Honest Review

Oct 21

Alejandra and I just spent our annual mother/daughter trip at Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains. Here’s everything I’d tell you over coffee if you asked me, “Should I go?

Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains camp lit up at night with string lights

The tent

King bed inside a Deluxe tent at Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains — We stayed in a Deluxe King tent with an ensuite bath, and the bed is the real deal: plush, cozy, and the kind you sink into after a long hike. There’s a wood-burning stove for chilly nights (we never needed it) and a small porch that became my favorite reading spot during an afternoon storm.
It’s also beautifully minimal. There’s literally one cord to charge your phone or your lamp, and that’s it. No outlets. Choose wisely. 😉

The vibe

Main tent lounge with string lights at Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains — Expect no connectivity. We knew that going in, and it still surprised us how often we reached for our phones out of habit. ***I think we’ve forgotten the art of being bored.*** Here, you remember.
The main tent is the heart of camp, with board games, cards, and people actually talking to each other. We spent one rainy late afternoon there for hours with a bottle of wine and snacks, and it was the highlight of our trip.

The food

All meals are served on-site, and the food is decent: not the best, not bad at all. They have cocktails too. My tip: stop at a grocery store on the way in and stock up on charcuterie and a good bottle of wine. Ours was better than what they had at camp.

The staff

Mother and daughter on a bridge over a creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in fall — Super friendly, and just as outdoorsy as you’d hope. They offer plenty of activities, both on-site and off. We booked a guided hike and loved every minute.

Who it’s perfect for

Families
Small groups of couples
Girlfriend trips
Mother/daughter weekends (obviously)

Who should skip it

Anyone who needs all the amenities. This is a place to truly disconnect, with a few lovely perks. It also takes a minute to find your bearings, so give yourself time to settle in.

Fran's tips

Go midweek if you want quiet. By Friday, families arrive and camp gets livelier. (Which is kind of the point, too, right?)
Arrive before dark. The mountain roads are winding and have no overhead lights. Trust me on this one!
Two to four nights is the sweet spot. It's the perfect weekender, or three to four nights midweek if you want it calmer.

The bottom line

Under Canvas isn’t about luxury in the usual sense. It’s about waking up somewhere beautiful, with nowhere to be and nothing to scroll. For us, that was the luxury.

And if the Smokies aren’t your speed, Under Canvas has camps near national parks across the country.

Mother and daughter inside their glamping tent at Under Canvas

Plan my Under Canvas trip

Planning your own mother/daughter trip? My Trips Worth Gifting guide has ten ideas.

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