Booking With Us

Is Bear Cub Cabins a real company?

Yes. We're an independent, family-run operation, and the same small team has hosted every one of our cabins since 2024 and nearly 500 bookings across all platforms - we're not a broker, an aggregator, or a rotating property manager. You'll find the same cabins under the same name on Airbnb and VRBO, where we hold Superhost / Premier Host status and years of verified guest reviews. When you call, you reach us.

Why book direct instead of through Airbnb or VRBO?

You pay less. Booking sites add service fees on top of the nightly rate. We don't. The same cabin, the same dates, typically costs meaningfully less here — often 15–20% less all-in. We understand everything is costing more these days. Booking direct allows us to offer you the same amazing trip for less.

Are your cabins the same ones listed on Airbnb and VRBO?

They are! Same five cabins, same team, same photos. We list on those platforms because that's where many guests find us, but the booking that comes to us directly is the one that costs you less.

In fact, we’re on many other sites as well like Google Vacation Rentals, Visit My Smokies, Smoky Mountains By Owners, Stay.com, and several more. We use OwnerRez - a property management software - so regardless of where you book, the booking comes directly to us. We’re happy to host you from any of these sites, however BearCubCabins.com will always be the best way to save.

Do you have reviews I can read?

Every property page displays our verified guest reviews from Airbnb and VRBO, labeled with their source. These are reviews from guests who actually completed a stay — the platforms won't let anyone else write one.

Can I book for this weekend?

Absolutely. We take short-notice bookings, and if a cabin shows availability on our site, it's genuinely available — book it right then and you'll have your door code the same day. Some of our best stays are the ones planned on a Wednesday.

Why are some dates blocked or unavailable?

Usually they're already booked. Occasionally a date is blocked for maintenance, or because it falls in the middle of a gap too short for our minimum stay. If dates you want look unavailable and you're flexible by a night or two, drop us an email — sometimes we can shift things around.

Is there a minimum stay?

Each property’s listing page will show you the minimum number of nights for your specific dates as soon as you select them.

How old do I have to be to book?

The person booking must be at least 25 and must be one of the guests actually staying at the cabin. We don't rent to anyone booking on behalf of a group they won't be part of.

What happens after I book?

You'll get an immediate confirmation email with your reservation details and a receipt. Closer to your arrival, we'll send check-in instructions, your door code, driving directions, and our contact information. If you don't see the confirmation within a few minutes, check your spam folder and then call us.

Payment & Security

Is it safe to enter my card on your site?

Yes. Payments are processed through Lynnbrook, a PCI-compliant payment provider. 

How do I know this isn't a scam?

That’s a very fair question. Here are some ways to confirm with any direct booking site: 

 

• We will never ask you to pay by wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, gift card, or cryptocurrency. If anyone claiming to be us asks for that, it isn't us. Stop and call the number on this site.
• We accept major credit cards.
• Verify us independently. Our cabins are listed under this same business name on Airbnb and VRBO, with years of reviews you can read before you ever contact us. Our Google listing carries the "Official Site" badge, which Google only issues to verified property operators.
• Our phone number is published and answered by a person — not a call center, not a bot. Call it before you book if you'd like. We're happy to talk.
• If you would still rather book on Airbnb or VRBO that’s totally fine with us! We’ll give you the same great hosting experience however you book our properties!

When am I charged?

A deposit of 50% is charged when you book, with the balance due 30 days before arrival. For bookings made within 30 days of arrival, the full amount is charged at booking.

Is there a rental agreement?

Yes, and we'll show it to you upfront rather than springing it on you afterward. It's a short, plain-English document covering occupancy, house rules, and cancellation terms — the same things described on this page, in their formal form. You'll review and sign it electronically as part of booking, and you'll get a copy by email. Nothing in it will surprise you if you've read this FAQ.

Is there a security deposit?

Yes, there is a security deposit. We’ve found this to be the best way to protect the property and avoid interruptions to future guests. The security deposit will be released within a few days after checkout to allow for the property to be cleaned and inspected. Only if there is damage to the property will a security deposit not be returned.

Is there ID verification?

Yes, we use the service Truvi to perform ID verification. Immediately after booking you will be contacted by Truvi to validate your ID. It is a quick process where you will be asked some basic information and submit a photo of your ID and selfie. We never see or handle any driver’s licenses or ID information - it is all handled by the service. We use this to ensure the security of the properties and avoid interrupting future guests' stays.

What fees will I see at checkout?

The total you see before you confirm is the total you pay. That includes the nightly rate, cleaning fee, applicable state and local lodging taxes, and any pet fee if you're bringing a dog. There are no surprise charges after booking.

Why is there a cleaning fee?

It pays our local cleaning teams to fully turn over the cabin between stays — every surface, every linen, and the hot tub cleaned and sanitized. We'd rather charge it transparently than bury it in a higher nightly rate.

Cancellations, Changes & Peace of Mind

What's your cancellation policy?

The cancellation policy is printed on each property’s listing page. We'll state your specific cancellation terms on your confirmation, and we won't change them after you book.

Can I buy travel insurance?

Yes - we offer optional travel insurance at checkout through Nationwide. It can cover cancellations for reasons outside our policy, such as illness, work emergencies, or travel disruptions. We recommend it for trips booked well in advance and for winter travel.

Can I change my dates?

Reach out and ask. If the cabin is open and the change is reasonable, we'll try our best to make it work.

What if snow, ice, or a road closure keeps me from reaching the cabin?

This happens in the mountains, and we don't pretend otherwise.

If a road closure, chain control, or severe weather event makes your cabin genuinely unreachable, call us as soon as you know. 

Two things that help: travel insurance covers weather disruption in ways our policy can't, and calling us early gives us far more room to help than calling after you've already turned around. Winter guests should check road conditions the morning they travel. If traveling in winter, please bring food, water, blankets, any prescription medication, and pet food if traveling with pets. If roads become closed due to snow, you may need to wait for snow removal.

What if something goes wrong during my stay?

If you opt into SMS messages when you initially booked, we’ll already have chatted with you and sent you information prior to your arrival. We’re always just a text away or call us. You’ll talk directly to us, the hosts, not someone working in a call center.

Here's our commitment: if something in the cabin isn't working, we'll get someone out to fix it as quickly as we can, and we'll keep you posted the whole way. If a problem materially affects your stay and we can't resolve it, we'll do our best to make it right. Our goal is to make sure every guest has an amazing stay.

Is the cabin I book the cabin I get?

Yes. You're booking a specific, named property with its own photos and its own page. We don't do "or similar."

Arrival & Your Stay

What are check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is 4:00 PM. Check-out is 10:00 AM. If your schedule needs something different, ask - depending on the cleaning schedule, we can sometimes accommodate early arrival or a late departure.

Is there anyone to meet me?

Check-in is self-service through a keypad lock, so you can arrive on your own schedule without coordinating a handoff. Your personal door code is sent before arrival and works only for your stay. We're reachable by phone the entire time you're with us.

Are there security cameras?

We want you to know exactly what's there, because you should never wonder.

Each cabin has exterior-facing cameras at the driveway and front entry. They're there for package deliveries, arrival troubleshooting, and property security. There are no cameras, microphones, or recording devices of any kind inside any of our cabins - not in living areas, not in hallways, nowhere. We also use a noise-level monitor in the main living area at Bear Cub Manor, Bear Cub Lookout, Bear Cub Peak, and Bear Cub Treehouse; it measures decibel levels only and does not record or transmit audio. 

If you have questions about any of this, please ask before you book.

How many people can stay?

Each cabin lists its maximum occupancy on its property page, and we ask that you book for everyone who'll be sleeping there - including children and infants. Occupancy limits come from septic capacity and local ordinance, not preference, so we do have to hold to them.

Where do we park, and how many cars?

Mountain driveways are narrower and steeper than most guests expect, so please don't plan on more cars than the property page lists. Roadside parking isn't permitted in our communities.

Bringing a trailer, boat, or oversized vehicle? Ask us first - some driveways can handle it and some genuinely can't.

Are pets allowed?

Dogs are welcome at all properties for a fee of $60 per dog, per stay. We ask that they're crated when left alone and never on the furniture. No cats are permitted due to the owner’s having severe cat allergies.

Can I host an event, party, or wedding?

Our cabins are for the group staying in them. We don't allow parties, events, or day guests beyond your booked occupancy - it's the single condition our neighbors and our permits depend on. If you're planning a family reunion or a small gathering with everyone staying on-site, tell us and we'll help you plan it.

Are there quiet hours?

Yes, 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and they're set by local ordinance rather than by us. Sound carries a long way in the mountains. Hot tubs and decks are yours to enjoy at any hour; we just ask that voices and music stay low after dark.

Is smoking allowed?

No smoking or vaping inside any cabin or outside on decks or covered porches.

Can we grill, or use the fire pit?

Where a grill or fire pit is provided, please use it only in its designated spot and never leave it unattended. If a charcoal grill is available, please bring your own charcoal. If equipped with gas grill, gas is provided.

Do you have cribs or high chairs? 

We don’t provide cribs at the cabins. BabyQuip is a great site for renting a crib or pack-n-play if you don’t have the room to bring your own.

What do we need to do before checking out?

We try to keep chores to a minimum. Please start the dishwasher, remove personal items from the fridge, bag your trash and put it outside in the bear bin, cover and latch the hot tub, and lock up. That's it — leave the linens and towels where they are, and don't worry about the rest. That's what the cleaning fee is for.

Is the water safe to drink? Anything I should know about plumbing?

Lake Tahoe has some of the best drinking water available, so please drink the tap water.

In Sevierville, some cabins are on well water, but we have whole home filtration in place. You may still choose to drink bottled water. Instacart is a good option to have bottled water delivered if you want bottled water, but want to avoid hauling it.

For Sevierville cabins that run on septic systems - only things that should go down a toilet are waste and toilet paper. No wipes — including anything labeled "flushable" — no paper towels, no feminine products. A septic backup can end a vacation, and it's the single most preventable problem we see.

What if the power goes out?

Mountain outages happen, usually briefly, and typically in storms. If power is out for more than a few minutes, text or call us — we monitor the utility outage maps and can usually tell you what's happening and how long it's expected to last. 

How's the WiFi? Can I work from the cabin?

Every cabin has dedicated business-grade WiFi with enterprise access points - we manage the networks ourselves rather than relying on whatever a builder installed. Guests work remotely from our cabins regularly.

What's provided when I arrive?

Fully equipped kitchen, all linens and towels, a starter supply of paper goods, soap, dish and laundry detergent, and coffee. Bring groceries and anything specific you can't do without. 

Do you offer monthly or extended stays?

We do not currently offer monthly or extended stays. Depending on the cabin the maximum stay is limited to 14 days.

Accessibility

We'd rather tell you the truth than have you arrive to a cabin that doesn't work for you.

Our cabins are mountain properties, and most involve some combination of steps to the entry, sloped driveways, and multi-level layouts. None of our cabins is certified as ADA-accessible. That said, they differ significantly from one another, and some may suit a guest with limited mobility perfectly well.

If you or someone in your group has mobility, vision, or hearing needs, please call us before booking. Describe what you need and we'll tell you honestly whether a given cabin will work — including telling you when the answer is no. Service animals are always welcome.

Visiting the Smoky Mountains

Applies to Bear Cub Peak, Bear Cub Treehouse, Bear Cub Lookout, and Bear Cub Manor — Sevierville, TN.

How far are you from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the national park?

Please check each property's page as they are in different locations in Sevierville.

Will my car make it up the driveway?

This is the most important question guests forget to ask, and we'd rather answer it honestly.

From roughly November through March, ice is possible on mountain roads, and we recommend 4WD or AWD during those months. Two-wheel-drive vehicles and low-clearance sports cars can struggle in winter conditions.

If you're unsure about your vehicle, call us before you book. We'd much rather talk it through than have you turn around at the bottom of a hill.

Will GPS get me there?

Yes, GPS will get you to the cabin. In some locations in the mountains cell signals can be weak, so it’s always a good idea to download an offline map.

Is there cell service?

Coverage varies by carrier in the hills. WiFi calling works well at every cabin, so we recommend enabling it on your phone before you arrive.

Will I see bears?

Possibly, and it's a highlight for most guests. Never feed or approach one, keep food and trash indoors, and use the bear-resistant trash containers as instructed. Be sure to remove all traces of food or scented items from your vehicle. Even a stick of gum can draw a bear to investigate.

Visiting Lake Tahoe

Applies to Bear Cub Summit — Tahoe City, CA.

What's the lake access?

Bear Cub Summit includes private community beach access — one of the genuine advantages of this location, and something most Tahoe rentals can't offer. 

Does the cabin have air conditioning?

Yes. It's one of relatively few Tahoe A-frames that does, which matters more than visitors expect during July and August.

Can I charge an electric vehicle?

Yes — there's a fast J1772-style charger available for your use. It’s complimentary and intended for you to have a stress-free visit to Tahoe as we know charging can be a challenge around the lake. If you have a Tesla-style (NACS) connector, please be sure to pack an adapter with you.

What about snow and winter driving?

Tahoe winters are real. Chain controls are common on the passes, and the driveway is cleared by a snow removal service after significant snowfall. 4WD or AWD vehicles with snow-rated tires are required over the passes when there’s snow. Check Caltrans road conditions before you leave home.

How far to the ski resorts?

9 miles to Palisades (Squaw Valley)

18 miles to Northstar

Should I worry about altitude?

Tahoe City sits above 6,200 feet. If you're coming from sea level, drink more water than feels necessary, go easy on alcohol the first night, and don't be surprised if you sleep lightly. Most people adjust within a day.

Still Have Questions?

Call or text us at (408) 430-7691. Email info@bearcubcabins.com. 

Bear Cub Cabins · Sevierville, TN & Tahoe City, CA