Glamping Elevated: Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

By Jamie May

Steps from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, along the banks of the river in Townsend, Tennessee, Little Arrow Outdoor Resort was born out of the perfect combination of aspiration, serendipity, talent, creativity, and hospitality. You’ll come here for the draw of the “peaceful side of the Smokies,” but you’ll leave with memories of a place that elevates the RVing experience.

Little Arrow is owned and operated by a family that grew up making wonderful memories camping. CEO Carmen Simpher explains how a conversation with her sister and co-owner, Chelly Clayton, breathed new life into the property. They had originally set out looking for properties to host vacation rentals when the property they now call Little Arrow came up for auction.

“She said, ‘You know camping, we know tiny homes.’ I always think I can bring things up to a good level, and then my sister kicks in and she brings it up even more.”

In just four short years, they have created a resort that incorporates a variety of accommodations to suit the needs of RVers, potential RVers, and just about any type of camper.

The property features level, paved Class A sites with attached outdoor cooking pavilions, complete with a sink and two outlets. The sites can also be reserved as “buddy sites,” where RVing buddies can park their rigs bumper to bumper, prepare meals together outside, and eat at the outdoor table, which seats eight.

You’ll leave with memories of a place that elevates your RV experience.”

But these luxury Class A sites are only the beginning. The property also offers riverside sites with covered picnic tables, where you can sit and listen to the Little River running, day and night. Other accommodations include Airstream rentals, two bedroom / two bathroom tiny homes, tiny homes with lofts, primitive cabins, premiere cabins, primitive glamping tents, premiere luxury glamping tents, and vacation homes, so you can bring your non-RVing friends.

Once on the property, you can choose to head out and explore the most-visited national park, or tour nearby Cades Cove. You can also make Little Arrow a destination in and of itself, partaking in the events, activities, and amenities they have to offer. Connect to Wi-Fi in the 24/7 lounge while you sip on freshly brewed local coffee. The luxury experience at Little Arrow is found in the details.

Where does the name Little Arrow come from? Before an arrow can be propelled forward, it has to first be pulled back. “When life pulls you back, it simply means you’re launching into something amazing,” Simpher said in a video from their 2018 opening. The Simpher and Clayton families have certainly created something amazing at Little Arrow.

Little Arrow plays host to events and weddings and is open year-round, with continued plans for expansion. ■

Amenities

■ 24/7 Wi-Fi coffee lounge

■ Massage services

■ Kids playroom and playground

■ Zero-entry pool with grottos and hot tub

■ Dog park, hiking trails, river access, and tubing

■ Camp store, bathhouses, and 24/7 laundry

■ Basketball, gaga ball, and pickleball courts

■ Event pavilion with fireplace and rooftop lounge

■ Two luxury bathhouses

■ “Chat and chill” community fire pit

■ Community garden

■ Cabanas and TVs

■ Riverside RV sites

■ Buddy sites with outdoor food prep stations

■ Clubhouse with commercial-grade kitchen

Booking tip:

If you’re planning to visit in July or October, make your reservations one year in advance.

Recent Events and Activities at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

■ Food trucks

■ Edible plant foraging and craft cocktail mixing class

■ Cardio drumming

■ Bingo

■ Campfire s’mores

■ Trivia night

■ Watercolor painting class

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort At a Glance

■ Est. 2018

■ 118 Stables Drive Townsend, TN 37882 camplittlearrow.com 865.507.1937

■ 76 RV sites

■ 2 Airstreams

■ 10 glamping tents

■ 17 tiny homes

■ 4 vacation homes

■ 19 cabins

RV Today magazine was invited to the area by Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority

About the author

Jamie May is part of the team at RV Today and Rootless Living magazines, as well as the author of the book "The Proving Ground: A 12-Month Solo Road Trip Across America". Visit her online at jypsythreads.com