There's a Real Life Fairy House in the Smoky Mountains

Tucked into the forest about a mile from downtown Gatlinburg stands a moss-covered stone building that looks like it was pulled straight from a fairy tale. Known as the House of the Fairies, it's one of the most enchanting hidden gems in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — and finding it is half the fun.

What the House of the Fairies actually is

Despite the name, no fairies built it — though it's easy to see how it earned the nickname. The structure is an old springhouse: a small, one-room stone building constructed over a natural spring to keep water cool and clean. Both the exterior and interior are built entirely of stone, and decades of moss have crept over every surface, giving it the appearance of something from an old European fairy tale. The building features an arched wall with a simple open doorway and stairs leading up; visitors can step inside and look around.

The springhouse was part of the Voorheis Estate, a mountain retreat developed by Louis E. Voorheis beginning in 1928. Voorheis, drawn to the idea of a rustic escape from city life, built the property using natural materials that blended into the forest — a water-powered mill on LeConte Creek, landscaped gardens with water features, a pool, guest cabins, orchards, and the springhouse. The area was originally called Twin Creeks Orchard, named for the two creeks running east to west across the land. Voorheis dedicated the property to the National Park Service in 1933, and the Park Service took full management in 1952. Notably, the Voorheis Estate is the only donation of privately owned land ever made to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

How to find it

The House of the Fairies sits along an offshoot of the Twin Creeks Trail, off Cherokee Orchard Road about a mile from downtown Gatlinburg. The full Twin Creeks Trail is an out-and-back of roughly 4.5 miles roundtrip, passing the creek and several remaining Voorheis Estate buildings along the way — but you don't have to hike the entire trail to reach the springhouse.

The most direct approach: drive up Cherokee Orchard Road and follow signs toward the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center (the Natural Resources Center), where public parking is available. From there, walk toward the Discover Life in America office (1316 Cherokee Orchard Rd). Just past the Resources Center, a small unmarked path veers off to the side. Follow it — you'll walk alongside a wire fence for a stretch, then the path climbs the hillside to the springhouse. It's easier to spot in winter when the foliage is down; in summer, knowing to look for the fence line helps. The final stretch can be muddy after rain or snow.

Tips for your visit

Wear sturdy shoes — the side path is unpaved, uneven, and often damp. A Park It Forward parking tag ($5/day, $15/week, $40/annual) is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes anywhere in the park, including the Twin Creeks lots. The trail passes through active black bear habitat, and hikers regularly report bear and snake sightings along the way, so keep the 50-yard distance rule in mind and stay alert. The estate buildings that are now part of the Science Center are not open to the public — but the springhouse itself is fair game to explore. Follow Leave No Trace principles: look, photograph, and leave the structure as you found it. Early morning offers the best light and the fewest people.

More hidden gems nearby

The House of the Fairies pairs well with the park's other quirky hidden landmarks. The Elkmont Troll Bridge — a moss-covered stone arch bridge off the Little River Trail — has the same storybook character. The Elkmont ghost town preserves the cabins of a vanished logging and resort community. And for a broader list, our guides to the park's secret treasures and hidden treasures round up more spots most visitors drive right past.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the hike to the House of the Fairies?

The full Twin Creeks Trail is about 4.5 miles roundtrip, but you can reach the springhouse on a much shorter walk by parking at the Twin Creeks Science Center and taking the side path past the Natural Resources Center. That shortcut cuts the walk down to well under a mile each way. The terrain is gentle but the final side path is unpaved and can be muddy.

Can you go inside the House of the Fairies?

Yes — the springhouse has an open doorway, and visitors can step inside to see the all-stone interior and the stairs leading up. It's the one Voorheis Estate structure open to explore; the other estate buildings now belonging to the Twin Creeks Science Center are closed to the public. Treat the springhouse gently and follow Leave No Trace principles.