Millionaires’ Row in Elkmont

Deep inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about nine miles from Gatlinburg, a row of cottages sits quietly beside the Little River. The forest has been reclaiming them for nearly a century. These are the remains of Millionaires' Row — the most exclusive corner of what was once the Smokies' most fashionable summer retreat.

From logging town to elite resort

Elkmont began in 1908 as a base camp for the Little River Lumber Company, which was clearing timber from the upper Little River valley. By 1910 the company was selling plots to wealthy Knoxville families who wanted a cooler alternative to the city in summer. Buyers built cottages, formed the Appalachian Club as their social center, and by the early 1910s were riding logging trains up into the mountains to reach their holiday homes. The Wonderland Hotel opened in 1912 on a hill above the settlement, completing Elkmont's transformation from industrial outpost to mountain resort.

The community organized itself into distinct neighborhoods. Daisy Town and Society Hill clustered along Jakes Creek. On the bank of the Little River, developed a little later and with more space between its ten cottages, was Millionaires' Row — named for its wealthier, more prominent residents. The Row's location closer to a prized swimming hole made it the most desirable address in Elkmont. The cottages here were larger, more spaced out, and oriented toward the water — front porches for rocking chairs, windows overlooking the river, wide stone patios beside the current.

What you see today

When the federal government created Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s, the park absorbed the land. Residents held leases for decades, but as those leaseholders aged and died, the cottages fell empty. The forest moved in steadily. Today most of Millionaires' Row is in various stages of ruin — foundations visible through the underbrush, chimneys standing where living rooms used to be, porch columns wrapped in vines. It reads less like a ghost town than a place where nature simply outlasted human ambition, which is more or less what happened.

Walking through the Row is a different experience than visiting the more visited Daisy Town nearby. The restored Daisy Town structures show what the resort looked like at its peak; the Row shows what happens when the park takes over and lets time do its work. Both are worth seeing on the same visit.

Spence Cabin — the one that survived

One Millionaires' Row cottage is fully restored: Spence Cabin, a pink-sided cottage with green shutters built in 1928 as a vacation home for Alice Townsend, wife of Colonel Townsend who owned both the Little River Lumber Company and the Little River Railroad. The National Park Service has restored it to its historic appearance, including the flagstone riverside patio and the screened porch overlooking the Little River. The stone fireplace and hardwood floors inside give a clear sense of what the Row's cottages felt like at their peak — simple by the standards of the families who built them, but genuinely lovely by any other measure.

Spence Cabin is available to rent for daytime events from April 1 through October 31 via recreation.gov. The NPS allows up to forty guests — suitable for small weddings, family reunions, retreats, or meetings. The cabin has a gas fireplace in the main room (432 square feet), four smaller meeting rooms, a warming kitchen with refrigerator and microwave, and two restrooms. Daily rental fees are $150 Monday through Thursday and $200 Friday through Sunday, plus a refundable $400 damage deposit. The Appalachian Clubhouse, also in the Elkmont Historic District and available through the same booking channel, accommodates up to ninety-six guests at $300–$500 per day if you need a larger venue.

Getting there and what to bring

From Gatlinburg, take Little River Road (Highway 73) west approximately five miles, then turn left onto Elkmont Road. Follow it to the campground intersection and keep left toward the Little River Trail until the road becomes a one-way loop. Spence Cabin and the Little River trailhead parking are a short walk from the loop. An America the Beautiful annual pass or interagency pass covers the park entrance fee; day passes are also available. The Elkmont Campground, right in the area, makes this a natural base for a longer park stay.

Wear comfortable walking shoes — the terrain around the Row is uneven and the path between structures is unpaved. The best light for photography is morning, before the canopy closes the sky overhead. Bring water; there are no concessions in Elkmont. Cell service is unreliable inside the park, so download your maps and the NPS app before you arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Elkmont from Gatlinburg?

About nine miles via Little River Road (Highway 73) — roughly twenty minutes by car under normal conditions. No public transportation serves Elkmont; you'll need a vehicle.

Can you rent Spence Cabin?

Yes — Spence Cabin is available for daytime rental from April 1 through October 31, bookable through recreation.gov up to one year in advance. Rental fees are $150 per day Monday through Thursday and $200 Friday through Sunday, plus a refundable $400 deposit. Capacity is forty guests. The Appalachian Clubhouse nearby is a larger option (up to ninety-six guests) available through the same channel.

What's the difference between Millionaires' Row and Daisy Town?

Both are historic neighborhoods within the Elkmont Historic District, but they have different characters today. Daisy Town, along Jakes Creek, had sixteen structures restored in 2023 and gives a clearer picture of what the resort looked like at its peak. Millionaires' Row, along the Little River, is largely in ruin except for the restored Spence Cabin — it shows what the park's reclamation process looks like over nearly a century. They're close enough to visit both in a single trip. Read our Daisy Town guide →

Is there a fee to enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Yes — as of 2024, a vehicle pass is required for most areas of the park. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers the fee and is worthwhile if you're planning multiple visits. Check the NPS website for current pass options and pricing before your trip.