Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Turner.
Hi Rebecca, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our journey started in 2016 when our family of 4 sold our sticks and bricks home in central Florida and ventured out on a cross-country trip in an RV which lasted 3 years. We visited Sevier Co several times while exploring the Smoky Mtns National Park during our travels. In 2019 we decided it was time to come off the road and pick a new place to call home, and it just happened to be Sevierville. We found 18 acres with a farmhouse and barn in an excellent location and fell in love. Initially, it would be a family compound where we would retire and enjoy life, but God had different plans for us. Our friends introduced us to these cool covered wagons, and got excited about the possibilities of sharing them with others. Then that company introduced us to the Tipi makers out west, and we had a new plan. We created a fun business idea involving wagons, tipis, cabins, tree houses, and yurts. So in 2021, after almost 2 years of groundwork and planning, we opened up Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort. We started with 1 log cabin, 4 covered wagons, and 3 tipis. In 2022 we finished turning the barn into a nice rec/game room and built a large deck off the back. We also put in a nice spring-fed pond and a playground. This year (2023), we are building more amenities, including an outdoor kitchen area, bathroom, zip line, and hiking trails. We are excited to start phase 2 at the end of the year, where we will add 2-4 tree houses. We love working and playing out here as a family and have amazing work campers to help us along the way!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It’s a family affair! Some struggles with opening our “Glampground” have been the weather, county approvals, and parking for septic systems with all the rocks and rolling hills/mins here. Lastly, being family-owned and operated is challenging vs. being part of a corporate venture with more manpower and funding. But we love the challenge, and the hard work is paying off and very rewarding! And we are enjoying the journey!
As you know, we’re big fans of Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
Smoky Hollow was established in 2021 and is known as Sevierville’s “Glampground!” We offer 7 glamping units for overnight rentals, and we also have 1 log cabin set up like a typical home with a full bathroom and kitchen for those that may not want to Glamp! Our luxury glamping units (Covered Wagons and Tipis) have heat and air conditioning, king beds, towels, linens, and a coffee/tea bar with snacks. We are known for being so secluded yet only 1 mile from the parkway. We are very close to all the attractions, yet it’s peaceful and quiet back in the hollow. We have pet turkeys, chickens, and ducks and offer tours of the neighbor’s farm, where they have fainting goats and donkeys. We also have a lot of wildlife, such as bobcats, coyotes, black bears, deer, and wild turkeys. We are 1 mile from Soaky Mtn Water Park and the Sevierville Convention Center. Smoky Hollow has something for everyone. Some of our amenities include a zipline, playground, hiking trails, petting zoo, farm tours, grills, fire pits, picnic tables, barn/game room with a large deck for relaxing on, luxury bedding, heat, and a/c in all units, golf cart rentals, camp store, and office.
So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
Please help us spread the word about our new Glampground and visit us. We love to give tours. We are also able to host parties and small weddings in the barn.
Pricing:
- covered wagons start at $155/nt
- Tipis start at $135/nt
- Log Cabin starts at $175/nt
- Golf Carts are $55/nt
Contact Info:
- Website: SmokyHollowOutdoorResort.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SmokyHollowOutdoorResort
