Places to Propose in Gatlinburg

Rafting in the Smokies is the Real Deal!

For many soon-to-be-married women, visions of a “perfect proposal” began to surface long before Mr. Right came on the scene. Little girls across the globe frequently romanticize the future time and place that their Prince Charming will get down on one knee and deliver the perfect proposal – at the perfect destination. 

There are many beautiful places in the smoky mountain area where this dream can become a reality. Some fiancés-to-be consider beaches across the globe, popular restaurants, local or national landmarks, cruises, or at the family home during the holidays as prime proposal spots. However, we think one place in particular tops the rest in all things beautiful, magical, and memorable. If you’re looking for unique proposal spots that are blanketed by the beauty of nature, you must take a moment to learn about several wonderful indoor and outdoor places to propose in Gatlinburg.

Gatlinburg is a jaw-dropping Eastern Tennessee mountain town known as the gateway to the breathtaking Smoky Mountains. This serene environment is filled with more natural beauty than visitors could ever fully consume in one trip. If you’re getting ready to make the perfect engagement opportunity happen, you will want to take note of these wonderful Smoky Mountains stops.

Outdoor Places to Propose in Gatlinburg

Cades Cove Proposal

Cades Cove is a beautiful valley once hunted by Cherokee Indians and then later settled by Europeans in the early 1800s. This National Park features the most historic properties of any National Park in the United States. Cades Cove is an excellent place to propose as there’s no wrong or undesirable answer when it comes to picking the specific spot to pop the question. As you travel through the cove, you may find that a particular spot just speaks to you. This park boasts breathtaking mountainous views, plentiful wildlife, and many hiking trails – several of which feature beautiful waterfalls. 

For the hopeless romantic who loves getting lost in gorgeous scenery and the great outdoors – a waterfall engagement at sunset sounds like something dreams are made of. The good news? Cades Cove can accommodate that scene. If you’re considering Cades Cove on your list of spots to propose, think about visiting Abrams Falls.  This gorgeous 20-foot waterfall is located on the Cades Cove Loop Road (near spot #10). 

The waterfall feeds into a long and deep natural pool. It is a rather lengthy hike (3-4 miles) on what’s considered difficult terrain. Knowing this ahead of time will help you plan accordingly for your day if you choose a Cades Cove proposal. It may also be helpful to know that Cades Cove has a year-round campground with approximately 159 campsites, suitable for tents and RVs. 

Mt. LeConte Proposal

Mt. LeConte is known as one of the most popular hiking mountains in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s given much praise for the best sunrises and sunsets. The views from LeConte Lodge (which is nearly 6,600 feet in the air) make the climb a trek worth taking. 

If you plan it just right, you can have an invigorating hike up the mountain, presenting the most beautiful view and places to propose ever, and then camp while enjoying the second-to-none views for the rest of your stay. You can also make reservations at LeConte Lodge. The lodge can house up to 45 people and is the only hotel-type venue in the National Park. 

Sky Lift Park Proposal 

Sky Lift Park is the perfect place to propose, especially if you’re a thrill-seeking couple or even just the adventurous type. More specifically, you’ll want to plan an adventure to Sky Bridge, which is 1,800 feet above sea level. Sky Bridge is the longest cable bridge in North America at almost 700 feet in length. 

This site overlooks Gatlinburg (500 feet above the town) and provides stunning 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountains. The Sky Lift will get you there (via Crockett Mountain) with breathtaking views on the way up. Pedestrians are able to walk the bridge, which is a comfortable 5-foot width, and also enjoy the thrill of looking straight down through the glass floor on a portion of the bridge. 

Places to Propose Indoors in Gatlinburg

Private Cabin Proposal

There are many private cabins available in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains area. If you’re looking for a gorgeous place to propose and want guaranteed privacy and total control over the environment you’ve reserved, think about checking the availability of the many cabins in Gatlinburg for your mountain view proposal. 

You can check Smoky Mountains Cabins for a great selection of ready-to-book cabins in the Gatlinburg area. Also, be sure to research the cabins Pigeon Forge has to offer. A quick search at Pinterest.com will show you that there are limitless ideas for creating a scene for your cabin proposal. 

You will likely see better deals on cabin rentals at different times of the year. Gatlinburg happens to be a frequently visited year-round destination, but January, February, and March are not as busy as the other months of the year. 

Some cabin proposal ideas include: 

  • A traditional favorite way to propose, gently spread rose petals throughout the cabin, leading to a candlelit spot where you can get down on one knee and craft the perfect proposal that will make you and your partner feel like the only two people left on earth.
  • Enjoy dinner by the fireplace and get down on one knee to propose ending the night with a table-side engagement.
  • Pick a cabin with a hot tub on the back deck and propose to your sweetheart under the stars and light of the moon.
  • Prepare a romantic dinner at the cabin as you reflect on your lives together through the months or years, and make a little trip down memory lane the perfect place to propose at your Gatlinburg cabin.

Grand Staircase Proposal

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a recreation of The Titanic and the perfect place to propose. In fact, it’s the world’s largest! This ship contains a well-known feature called The Grand Staircase. This exquisite, finely crafted, larger-than-life staircase inside the Titanic Museum is an incredibly unique place to pop the question near Gatlinburg. You and your fiance-to-be will be surrounded by actual artifacts from The Titanic and expert-crafted reproductions. 

This romantic venue is not only beautiful and unique, but it is also an educational experience (perfect for the history buff in your life) and comes with a certain romantic ambiance that is hard to replicate anywhere else. You’ll be absolutely winning if you pick the Grand Staircase as a place to propose. 

Gatlinburg Space Needle Proposal

The Gatlinburg Space Needle is about as unique as it gets for a proposal in the Great Smoky Mountains. This famous Tennessee landmark is an observatory just over 400 feet tall and has been dubbed a “museum in the sky.” How would you love to tell and re-tell the story about getting on one knee to propose 400 feet in the air? This unique spot offers an incomparable 360-degree view of the Great Smoky Mountain scenery. Visitors can take one of two glass elevators to the top of the observatory. 

This offers a unique experience with the best natural backdrop available. A word of caution, if you or your fiancé is afraid of heights – this may not be the proposal destination for you. But, not to worry, as you read here, there are many breathtaking options for getting engaged in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Space Needle is open 365 days a year, even at Christmas. What a romantic and exciting place to propose. 

Now that you have spots in mind for a perfect Smoky Mountains proposal, what’s next?

After a beautiful proposal in the picturesque Gatlinburg and Smoky Mountains, you may even entertain the thought of a Smoky Mountains wedding or Smoky Mountains honeymoon. Keep both in mind when considering possible locations to get married and take your honeymoon. Whether you choose an indoor proposal or want to propose in the great outdoors, the options are seemingly limitless.  

There are so many beautiful places – indoors and out – throughout Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains area that you can thank Mother Nature for doing most of the hard work for you. As you plan your trip, be sure to check for coupons to make the most out of your travel fund. A Gatlinburg proposal will be remembered as something special, thoughtful, and magical for a lifetime.