Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is check in (check out)?
What do we need to bring?
Can I book online using a credit card?
How do I get the cabin key?
Is the driveway steep?
Where's the nearest boat launch?
Is there room for my boat at the cabin?
Is there electricity to the dock so I can charge my batteries?
Is the lake easy to walk to?
Is the cabin secluded?
Is it secure?
May I smoke in the cabin?
May we bring our pets?
How old do I have to be to reserve Serenity Hill Cabin?
How far is the nearest gas station and/or shopping center?
What is summer pool and when does it occur?
Can I rent a fishing or pontoon boat, jet skis, or a canoe or kayak?
Where on the lake is the cabin located?
Does the cabin have well water or municipal water?

If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to call 219-363-9280 - or enter your question in the comment box at the bottom of this page.

(All links below open in a new window.)

When is check in (check out)?

Check-IN is anytime after 3:00 PM (EST) on your scheduled day of arrival. You will be given a key code along with directions to the cabin at least one week before your arrival.

Check-OUT is by 11 AM (EST) on your scheduled departure date.

What do we need to bring?

Food and clothing. That's about it. Bring some coffee if you want. We'll provide the coffee maker and filters and the first pot or two. We have small packets of salt, pepper, sugar and coffee creamer, but you will have to bring your own ketchup, mustard, miracle whip, stuff like that. You also might want to bring some aluminum foil and/or plastic wrap. We have a gas grill, so you don't need to worry about charcoal or fluid.

If you want to watch movies, you might want to bring some DVD's. We probably have about 100 here, but you might want to bring a favorite or two. There are also a few places within 10 miles that you could rent movies from if you want. We also have a Playstation 2 and 2 controllers, but we only have a few games, so you might want to bring some of your favorite games.

We provide the sheets, pillow cases, towels, soap, dish soap, laundry soap, fabric softener, paper towels and toilet paper, but please bring your own hair care products. There are two blow-dryers in the cabin.

Bring a cell phone or phone card if you want to make long-distance calls. There are telephones in the cabin for local calls, and also a local phone book for your convenience.

May I book online using a credit card?

Yes, you may. After you fill in the form at the bottom of this page, an offer will be sent to you. There will be several links on the offer page with several different payment options - including payment directly to our merchant service, PayPal, or phone number to call with your credit card information. You will also have the option to pay the balance by check or money order if you wish - provided your arrival date is not within 30 days of the booking date.

How do I get the cabin key?

You don't need one. The cabin has an electronic keypad. I will e-mail you the key code at least one week before your scheduled arrival date.

Is the driveway steep?

Kind of, but the view of the mountains when you get to the top is worth it! It's actually pretty short and it's asphalt, so you shouldn't have any problem. (None of our guests has ever had a problem getting up the driveway.) Here's what it looks like from the bottom of the driveway. (You can't see the mountains until you get to the top of the hill.)

Where's the nearest boat launch?

There are 2 boat launches within 5 miles of Serenity Hill Cabin. Indian Creek Boat Dock is the closest by water. You can launch the boat and be at the cabin within a couple of minutes. They also rent fishing and pontoon boats and jet skis, and also sell gas, oil, bait, fishing supplies, soda, beer, candy, snacks, caps, sunglasses, souvenirs, ice and ice chests.

And you'll pass Swann's Marina on the way to the cabin if you're coming from the north. It takes a little longer to get to the cabin by water from here than from Indian Creek Boat Dock. (It's probably about 3 miles by water.) They also supply everything you need for an enjoyable day on the water, including boat and jet ski rentals.

Is there room for my boat and/or trailer at the cabin?

Yes, there is - but the parking area at the top of the hill is not the easiest place to maneuver a boat around. Even though there is space for 4 or 5 vehicles, in most cases, the parking area is not wide enough to turn a boat around. If you have a small boat (less than 16') and a vehicle with a short turning radius, AND there are no other vehicles in the parking lot, it can be done. But if you have a longer boat or extended cab truck, you will probably just have to back it up or back down the driveway - or park it in the cul-de-sac at the base of the driveway. Then, when you are ready - launch the boat at the marina, dock the boat at the cabin dock, and park the trailer in the driveway or the cul-de-sac...or just leave it at the marina until you are ready to load back up.

Is there electricity to the dock so I can charge my trolling motor batteries?

No, not at this time. (Sorry about that.)

Is the lake easy to walk to?

Yes, it's very easy...it's all downhill ;-) Now, getting back up to the cabin is another story!...but very doable for able-bodied individuals. It's about 80 yards to the water and there are a couple of benches along the way to rest your legs and catch your breath. (For the health conscious, it's a good cardio-vascular workout! ;-)

There's a couple of switchbacks in the path to the water, so you're walking in a "Z" pattern. Here's the first leg of the walk (actually, you'll be walking from the silver pickup truck at the top down to this point). Here's the 2nd that goes down to the bench. (Here's the same stretch - it's just a picture from the bench looking up.) Here's the final stretch from the bench to the dock - although you can't see the dock because there's a slight bend there where the rope begins (to the right of the ATV). It's about 40 foot from where the rope begins to the dock. (Here's the final stretch from the dock looking up.)

Here's a picture of the dock before the water came up to it. As you can see, there's a bench and lock box on the dock. There's also a swim ladder, but that can't be added until the dock is floating.

Is the cabin secluded?

See this? Thank goodness we're not in that mess! Relative to this, Serenity Hill Cabin is VERY secluded. Other than the cabin at the bottom of the hill, you'll see the top of this home from the front door of the cabin. (It's actually farther away than it looks in this picture.) Here's what the cabin looks like from the Indian Creek Bridge. Here's another view showing the distance between the two homes. From the hot tub, you'll see nothing but lake.

Is it secure?

Yes, it's very secure. We've never had a problem of any sort at the cabin - but the same cannot be said for a lot of cabins in the Smoky Mountains area. Luxury cabins with HDTV's, home theater systems, games, etc., have become prime targets for thieves. Vacant cabins have also become targets for drug manufacturers looking for a place to mix up batches of methamphetamines - creating a toxic wasteland in their wake. In order to protect our interests, and for the safety of our guests and their belongings, we've taken some precautionary measures.

The cabin has a security system to alert you in the unlikely event of intruders and/or fire. (You will be given an alarm code one week before your arrival.) If the alarm is tripped, a 110 decibel alarm will sound inside and outside the cabin.

The smoke detector is hard-wired and also has a battery back-up. If the smoke detector goes off, the fire department is notified immediately.

We also have security cameras to monitor the perimeter of the cabin. As long as you are under the roof of the cabin (which includes all decks), you are out of range of the cameras. So if you plan on doing anything illicit, illegal, or immoral while at the cabin - please don't do it in the driveway...(unless you're an exhibitionist or something and just can't resist...in which case, let me know and I'll make sure it gets on YouTube ;-)

May I smoke inside the cabin?

Sorry, no smoking in the cabin. But there are ash trays on the decks and screened-in porch for your convenience.

May we bring our pets?

Sorry, but we don't allow pets anywhere on the property. We know they are part of the family, but for the sake of our guests that are allergic to pet dander (and also for the safety and comfort of the native wildlife), we have decided on a "No Pets" policy. Stonegate Companion Animal Hospital (865-397-4060) is less than 10 miles away if you would like to board your pet during your stay. (I'll provide you with directions if you choose this option.)

How old do I have to be to reserve Serenity Hill Cabin?

You have to be at least 21-years-old to rent the cabin - and you will be held responsible for the behavior of all members of your party, should anything get damaged or stolen.

How far is the nearest gas station and/or shopping center?

Several gas stations, video stores, liquor stores, Super Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Goodies, Food City, Ryan's Buffet, Cracker Barrel, etc., are within 10 miles. And if you want to do some heavy-duty shopping, Tanger Outlet Mall and the Governor's Palace (and everything else Sevierville and Pigeon Forge have to offer) are within 30 miles.

What is summer pool and when does that happen?

Douglas Lake is a flood control reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). As such, their main concerns are to prevent flooding downstream, and also to generate electricity for the surrounding area. But they are also concerned with recreational uses and strive to keep Douglas Lake at summer pool (990' - 994' above sea level) as long as possible. Their target dates for summer pool (opens in a new window) are June 1st through Labor Day.

Boating is allowed on Douglas Lake year round, even though the lake level will have dropped as much as 54' between Labor Day and June 1st. The cabin dock is usable when the water level reaches 985', which is usually from about the middle of May to Labor day. If you book the cabin outside of that time frame, you can still bring or rent a boat at the local marina. You just won't be able to use the cabin dock.

Here's a picture of a shallow bay taken February 1st, 2006 (at about the lake's lowest point). Because Serenity Hill Cabin is on the main channel, this is what it looked like from the deck on February 1st, 2006. And you'll still see beautiful sunsets like this, also taken on February 1st.

Can I rent a fishing or pontoon boat, or some jet skis?

Sure. Swann's Marina and Indian Creek Boat Dock have all of that. Swann's also rents kayaks, peddle boats and canoes. (opens in a new window.) They're both about 5 miles away.

Where on the lake is the cabin located?

It's located at the mouth of Indian Creek.

Does the cabin have well water or municipal water?

It has well water, and even though it has a water softener and chlorinator, the water sometimes has a sulfur/chlorine smell - so you might want to bring a couple of gallons of water to drink, make coffee, cook with, etc.

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