Smoky Mountain Hiking Club cabin in the Greenbrier region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
See the Greenbrier Region web page for an interactive location map.
The Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Cabin was built on the weekends between 1934 and 1936 by club members. It is located about a mile down the Porters Creek Trail. Parking for the trail is at the end of Greenbrier Road. Allow about fifteen minutes to see the cabin and grounds (not counting the actual hiking time).
The cabin was built after Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established. Club members negotiated with the National Park Service, and an agreement was reached for a tract of land to be leased by the Club so that a cabin could be built for its members. Already on the land were the John Messer Barn, a spring house, and cabins built by members of the Whaley family. The barn and spring house are still there today, but the cabins were torn down to make room for the new Hiking Club cabin. However, the chimney of one Whaley cabin was left standing, and the Hiking Club cabin was built to incorporate it.
The cabin was used until 1981. Today the building is open to the public, but there is nothing inside other than some of the original bunks. No camping or cooking is allowed, though it appears that not everyone follows the rules. The Smoky Mountains Hiking Club still exists and is now actively involved in maintaining the Appalachian Trail.
Fireplace inside the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Cabin in the Greenbrier region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Original bunks at the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Cabin in the Greenbrier region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
When approaching the cabin grounds from a side trail that branches off of the Porter Creek Trail, you will first come to the Messer barn. The cabin is located behind it. Also standing is a two-seater outhouse and the above mentioned spring house, which are located behind the cabin very close to the tree line. There used to be a cook shed, but that no longer exists.
Outhouse behind the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Cabin in the Greenbrier region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Two-seater outhouse behind the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Cabin in the Greenbrier region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Spring houses were designed to keep food cool. The building is constructed over a cold, fresh-water spring and food is placed in and around the water. Bears were always trying to break into the building when it was being used by the Hiking Club, and eventually a metal box with a wire bottom was placed inside. Though the food was in the box, the box could be placed in the water through the open bottom.
Spring house behind the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Cabin in the Greenbrier region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on February 26, 2025
