Our Story

A dream in the Smokies,
now a place to share.

The Smoky Reserve began as something we imagined for years — a peaceful mountain home where life could slow down and meaningful memories could take shape.

Where it began

For years, we dreamed about having a special place in the Smoky Mountains.

Somewhere peaceful, surrounded by nature, where life could slow down for a little while.

We imagined quiet mornings with coffee and mountain views, afternoons spent exploring the Smokies, and evenings relaxing together while the sounds of the woods replaced the noise of everyday life. It was the kind of dream we talked about often, never really knowing when — or if — it would become a reality.

Mountain setting around The Smoky Reserve

Then we found it

2323 Headrick Lead.

From the moment we saw the cabin and its beautiful wooded setting, we felt there was something special about it. It wasn’t simply a property to us. It felt like the place we had been imagining all those years.

“That dream became The Smoky Reserve.”

We created this cabin to be more than somewhere to sleep during a vacation. We wanted it to feel warm, comfortable, welcoming, and memorable — a place where families and friends can reconnect, celebrate special moments, laugh together, and make memories they will carry home with them.

Every room, every gathering space, every quiet corner and every view is part of that vision. We hope guests enjoy slow mornings, long conversations, evenings in the hot tub, friendly games around the pool table, and those simple moments that somehow become the ones you remember most.

Mountain views in the Shagbark community

1972Shagbark begins

24/7Staffed security

~22 mi.Private mountain roads

The story of Shagbark

A mountain community with a story of its own.

Long before The Smoky Reserve became part of our story, Shagbark had already been creating its own place in the Smokies.

The community began taking shape in 1972, with a vision of mountain living surrounded by woods, views and privacy. Over the decades, Shagbark grew into a private property-owner community just outside Pigeon Forge, close to Sevierville, Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Today, Shagbark is known for its staffed gate and around-the-clock security, nearly 22 miles of private mountain roads, and community spaces that include a seasonal swimming pool, pickleball, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, fitness trail, dog park, disc golf, picnic pavilion and community center.

But what made us fall in love with Shagbark was not simply a list of amenities. It was the feeling. Once you pass through the gate and begin winding up through the trees, the pace changes. The noise fades. The mountains seem a little closer, and you feel as though you have arrived somewhere set apart.

That sense of peace, privacy and belonging became an important part of our dream. It gives The Smoky Reserve the best of both worlds: a quiet place to retreat and reconnect, with the adventures of the Smokies still close by.

A dream worth sharing

One of the best parts is being able to share it with others.

For us, The Smoky Reserve represents a dream that became real. Whether you are coming to celebrate something special, explore the Great Smoky Mountains, spend time with the people you love, or simply escape the routine for a few days, we hope this cabin becomes a small part of your own story.

Welcome to The Smoky Reserve

Our dream in the Smokies — now a place for you to make memories of your own.

We hope your stay feels peaceful, meaningful and unforgettable.