06/16/2026
Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort & Marina: The Smokies’ Best-Kept Secret Is on the Water
Every year, millions of travelers flock to the Great Smoky Mountains in search of mountain views, family adventures, and unforgettable experiences. Yet many unknowingly bypass one of East Tennessee’s most unique destinations—a place where guests can wake up to the sunrise over the water, spend the afternoon exploring the Smokies, and end the day watching the sun set behind the mountains from a private hot tub.
Welcome to Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort and Marina.
Located on the north shore of Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tennessee, this family-owned boutique resort offers something increasingly rare in the Smokies: authentic lakeside lodging with direct access to the region’s most popular attractions.
Where the Smokies Meet the Lake
While visitors traditionally choose between staying in the mountains or staying on the water, Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort & Marina combines both experiences.
The resort sits just minutes from Interstate 40 and approximately 20 minutes from Pigeon Forge, Dollywood, and the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is only a short drive from Knoxville and less than five minutes from historic downtown Dandridge.
Guests can spend the morning hiking mountain trails, the afternoon boating on Douglas Lake, and the evening dining lakeside—all without changing locations.
With private hot tubs, king beds, waterfront decks, fire pits, a marina, boat rentals, and accommodations ranging from one-bedroom villas to family-sized homes, the resort offers a distinctly different experience from the area’s traditional cabin rentals and chain hotels. Proud winner of 2025 Tennessee Destination Resort of the Year!
Discover Tennessee’s Second-Oldest Town
Many travelers know Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, but few discover nearby Dandridge—a town established in 1783, thirteen years before Tennessee achieved statehood. Today, Dandridge proudly claims the title of Tennessee’s second-oldest town.
Named after Martha Dandridge Washington, the wife of President George Washington, the town sits along the French Broad River and was transformed by the creation of Douglas Lake during the construction of Douglas Dam in the 1940s.
Its historic downtown, protected by a levee system built to preserve the community during the formation of the lake, features charming Federal-style architecture, locally owned shops, and walkable streets that feel worlds away from the crowds of nearby tourist centers.
For travelers seeking a deeper connection to East Tennessee, Dandridge offers an authentic sense of place.
More Than a Place to Stay
At the heart of the resort’s summer experience is Cowboys Bar and Grill at Lakeside, affectionately known by locals as “The Happiest Place on Douglas Lake.”
Open seasonally, the lakeside venue features free live music, family foam parties, local craft beverages, boat access, and panoramic views of Douglas Lake and the Smoky Mountains.
Unlike traditional resort dining, Cowboys is designed as a community gathering place where guests and locals come together to experience East Tennessee hospitality.
Visitors can arrive by boat, car, or golf cart and enjoy live entertainment as the sun sets over the water.
The Perfect Basecamp for Exploring the Smokies
Staying in Dandridge places travelers within easy reach of some of Tennessee’s most popular attractions:
* Great Smoky Mountains National Park
* Dollywood
* Dollywood’s Splash Country
* Pigeon Forge
* Gatlinburg
* Douglas Dam
* Forbidden Caverns
* Historic downtown Dandridge
* The Tennessee Museum of Aviation
* Whitewater rafting on the Pigeon River
Travelers can also begin their vacation at the massive Buc-ee's Sevierville/Kodak location, located at Exit 407 off Interstate 40—the primary gateway to the Smokies and just minutes from the resort. The travel center has become a destination of its own for road-trippers heading into East Tennessee.
A Different Way to Experience the Smokies
The Great Smoky Mountains have no shortage of places to stay. But for travelers seeking an experience beyond crowded parkways and tourist corridors, Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort & Marina offers something increasingly difficult to find: space to slow down.
Here, mornings begin with coffee overlooking the lake. Afternoons are spent exploring mountain trails or cruising the water. Evenings end with live music, a fire pit, and the reflection of the Smokies across Douglas Lake.
For travelers who thought they had seen everything the Smokies have to offer, it turns out the region’s most memorable experience might be waiting just beyond the mountains—on the lake.
If you like the Smoky Mountains, you will love the Smoky Mountains at Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort & Marina!
To learn more:
CALL: 865.805.3156
www.smokymtnlakeside.com
🏆 Tennessee’s Destination Resort of the Year 2025. A one-of-a-kind lakeside resort on Douglas Lake featuring 1–4 bedroom accommodations with private hot tubs, marina access, and lakeside dining at Cowboys Bar & Grill. Only 15 minutes from Pigeon Forge.
