Starkey’s Homestead

The feel of seclusion, yet only 15 minutes from attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Pet friendly (be sure to let us know you’re bringing pets when booking).

View of a 100 year old Appalachian Style home from the front porch (which is occupied by a very quiet individual who respects your peace and quiet).

• Three bedrooms, each with a king-size bed.
• Sleeper sofa in living room.
• Two bathrooms, one with a jacuzzi tub.
• Two fireplaces, one in the living area and one in the main bedroom.
• Long front porch with gates on both sides and a porch swing.
• Hot tub on the “L” side of the long front porch.
• Starlink wi-fi and 4 TVs.
• Propane gas grill on the front porch.
• Washer and dryer.
• Keurig Coffee Maker and regular coffee maker.
• Double oven stove in a spacious kitchen with dishwasher.
• Take nature walks on Starkeytown Road.
• Unique, one-of-a-kind location no one will ever believe you found on property that borders the National Park.

Experience the quieter, more peaceful side of the Smoky Mountains! This vacation treasure borders the Smoky Mountain National Park at the very end of historic Starkeytown Road. While only 15 to 20 minutes from the main Parkway in Pigeon Forge, the last mile of your drive in will separate you completely from the busy tourist area. Starkeytown Road is enveloped in a forest of trees, following a mountain stream that leads to a 100-year-old Appalachian-style neighboring home, picturesque barn and the relaxing family vacation rental called Starkey’s Homestead.

Enjoy coffee on the large porch each morning while listening to songbirds and the gentle creek flowing nearby. Watch the fireflies in summer from the porch swing, or soak in the hot tub on the other side of the “L” shaped porch. The propane fire pit, fruit orchard, and spacious kitchen will encourage family memories you’ll want to repeat year after year. Unplugging is easy to do here, but the Starlink internet will keep you connected to the outside world if it’s a must. Snuggling up near the fireplaces may be all you think about in the fall, though, after a walk along Starkeytown Road taking pictures of the golden fall leaves.

Starkey’s Homestead is named for our family (The Starkeys) who homesteaded here in the late 1800s from a government land grant in Civil War times. Elaine and I spent much of our childhood on this property, because it’s where our father grew up. And yes, our late Daddy met our beautiful Mommy because they were neighbors (Our Mommy grew up in the little shack where the Wild Side Cabin is today). We spent more time with our Aunt Helen than we did at home, hearing stories about tobacco farming, how Granny cooked for an entire logging camp when she married Pap at the age of 13, Pap’s mules, bear hunting, quilting and looming. Neither of us ever managed the art of quilting, but I (Regina) did fall in love with photography. If you’re thinking about getting married, be sure to check out my venue called Honeysuckle Hills, which is only three miles away!

You’ll stay in Aunt Helen’s house (now called Starkey’s Homestead) which was originally built in 1976 after our great-grandfather passed away. According to the story, Pap was so stressed over the government reclaiming 300 acres for National Park that he had a heart attack one evening in the loft of the barn while feeding his mules. He made it back down to the house and lay in our great-grandmother’s arms while he passed away. Back then, it took a lot longer for emergency services to reach this area. Granny wrote love letters to Pap for years after his passing, and they’re some of our most treasured historic memorabilia.

Aunt Helen and Uncle Homer built their house on the hill above Granny’s in 1976 and lived there happily until passing away within four months of each other in 2012. It was at that time I (Regina) inherited the property and moved in after an extensive remodel. When my children flew the nest I decided the home was just too large for one person, so I moved back into my Granny’s house below it (Yes, I’m your neighbor while you’re here, but let’s respect each other’s privacy). I have an amazing property manager named Walt and he’ll take excellent care of you. A few more special touches were added to the Homestead before I handed over the reigns to Colonial Cabin Rentals.

Elaine and I are the great-great granddaughters of Andy Starkey, who lived in what is now the National Park on land behind Starkey’s Homestead. The old chimney of the home is barely standing now, but you can see a great picture of it in the back bedroom to the left. Speaking of pictures, every single image hanging on the walls at Starkey’s Homestead are from historic places in Starkeytown, flowers that bloom on the mountain, or a little scene from my wedding venue called Honeysuckle Hills.

Starkey’s Homestead isn’t just a vacation rental… it’s a testament to Smoky Mountain history and survival. Your visits here will only add to the legacy of love started centuries ago and validate that the Smokies are best enjoyed away from extreme commercialism.

302-540-1529