Glamping near Nashville means driving; there’s almost no actual glamping inside the city or its closest suburbs. The good news is the drive is worth it. The Getaway on Ranger Creek is approximately 90 minutes south of Nashville on I-24, set on 18 wooded acres on Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau. Five units. Waterfalls nearby. Dark skies. No traffic.
At a Glance
Location: 493 Maple Branch Rd, Coalmont, TN 37313
Drive from Nashville: approximately 90 minutes via I-24 East
Units: 5 (geodesic dome, two cabins, a glamping tent, and a cabin with a three-level deck)
Sleeps: 2 to 4 per unit; whole property sleeps up to 16
Amenities: Private decks, fire pits, grills, climate control in four units, high-speed fiber WiFi, on-property pond, creek walk, free EV charging
Best rate: Direct at thegetawayon.com
Check-in: 4 PM / Checkout: 10 AM
Pets: No (for the safety of our free-range ducks and chickens)
“Near Nashville” in the Glamping World
Most glamping options in middle Tennessee are on the Cumberland Plateau or in the Smoky Mountains, 60 to 150 minutes from Nashville. That’s just where the land supports it: sandstone gorges, waterfalls, public-land trails, dark skies. You don’t find those things inside the metro.
At 90 minutes south on I-24, The Getaway on Ranger Creek is on the closer end of the “near Nashville” glamping options. Farther than a hotel, closer than Gatlinburg. Close enough that you leave after work on Friday and you’re on the deck by 7:30.
What 90 Minutes South Actually Gets You
The Cumberland Plateau sits around 1,000 feet above the surrounding valleys. It holds more waterfalls and trail miles than most Nashvillians realize, and it’s not a tourist corridor; there’s no Dollywood, no pancake house strip, no line to park at the trailhead. What’s here instead: Greeter Falls, Foster Falls, the Fiery Gizzard Trail, Savage Gulf, and Stone Door. Small towns that go quiet after 9 PM. Skies dark enough to see the Milky Way on a clear night. And The Caverns, a working concert venue inside a limestone cave that stays 59 degrees year-round regardless of what the weather is doing.
You can’t get that in Nashville proper. And you can’t get it in Gatlinburg without also getting the traffic, the airbrush T-shirt shops, and the parking fees.
Driving Here from Nashville
Take I-24 East out of Nashville. Once you clear Murfreesboro the traffic thins and the road starts climbing. You have two options for coming up onto the plateau: take Exit 135 at Pelham and head up the mountain, or cut through Manchester. Pelham is maybe five minutes longer but the drive up is genuinely pretty. Manchester is faster if you’re in a hurry or if you need to pick up groceries at a full-sized store on the way in.
From downtown Nashville the trip is about an hour and a half; from Brentwood, Franklin, or the south side you can shave 10 to 15 minutes off that. The last few miles are on quiet county roads; drive them slow and watch for deer near dusk.
Reasons People Actually Book This Trip
Hiking weekend. Greeter Falls trailhead is 12 minutes from the property. Grundy Forest and the northern end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail are 22 minutes. Foster Falls is 28 minutes. Stone Door (Savage Gulf) is 19 minutes. You can do three different hikes on three consecutive mornings without repeating a trail.
Caverns concert weekend. If The Caverns has a show booked on a weekend, that’s a good reason to book. The venue is 30 minutes from the property. You eat dinner on the deck, drive to Pelham for the show, and drive back without navigating city-center concert traffic.
Couples weekend. Real beds, climate control, private decks, fire pits, outdoor grills. Quiet enough at night that the loudest things are the crickets and frogs.
Dark-sky stargazing. The Plateau sits well outside any major light dome. On a clear moonless night you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Quiet-work getaway. High-speed fiber WiFi at every unit. Power. Enough separation between units that you can be on calls without worrying about background noise. If you need to escape Nashville to actually get work done, this works.
Weekday Getaway. Weekdays are an underrated option. Rates are lower, trails are practically empty, and waterfalls you’d share with a dozen people on a Saturday you’ll have to yourself on a Tuesday. Even if you have to work a few hours each morning, an afternoon-and-evening version of a trip works well here. And if you’re fully off the clock, even better.
Your Five Units
All five units are open and bookable. Direct booking at thegetawayon.com gets the best rate.
Geodesic Glamping Dome sleeps 4. Full kitchen, queen bed plus a fold-out, large window facing the pond, climate control. Ranked #7 in The Dyrt’s 2024 Glampy Awards.
Glamping Tent with Deck sleeps 2. Half-covered deck with electric power, dorm fridge, and WiFi. The shower, bathroom, and coffee bar are in a bathhouse a short walk from the tent.
Scandinavian Cabin sleeps 4. Newly renovated for 2026, mini-split for AC and heat, full bathroom, kitchenette.
Nordic Spruce Cabin sleeps 2. 220 square feet plus a 130 square foot west-facing covered deck, wildflower garden out front.
Porch House Cabin sleeps 4. 480 square foot cabin plus 370 square feet of three-level covered deck (850 square feet total), full kitchen plus outdoor cooking setup, vaulted 10 to 12 foot ceilings.
What’s Within 30 Minutes of the Property
- Greeter Falls (12 min): two waterfalls, a spiral metal staircase into a sandstone gorge, swimming hole at the base of the lower falls
- Coalmont OHV Park (19 min): 300+ acres of off-road trails for Jeeps, UTVs, and ATVs
- Stone Door / Savage Gulf (19 min): dramatic overlook, now its own state park as of 2022
- Grundy Forest / Fiery Gizzard Trail (22 min): one of the most celebrated trails in the Southeast
- Small Town Junction BBQ (7 min, closed Mondays): the local BBQ most guests order from
- Stinger’s (9 min): burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, sandwiches
- Foster Falls (28 min): 60-foot waterfall, climbing area nearby
- The Caverns in Pelham (30 min): underground concert venue, 59 degrees year-round
- Sewanee (36 min): University of the South, plus LUNCH and Judith, both Michelin Bib Gourmand recipients
Rest Day and Rainy Day Options
Weather turns. Here’s what to do when it does.
Sewanee for lunch or dinner is a 36-minute drive. LUNCH and Judith are both Michelin Bib Gourmand recipients and both easily fill an afternoon or an evening. Walk the University of the South campus while you’re there; it’s worth seeing even in a drizzle.
Chattanooga day trip is approximately an hour south. The Tennessee Aquarium, the Hunter Museum of American Art, Lookout Mountain, Rock City. Easy to fill a rainy day.
Stay in and read. All five units have covered decks, so rain doesn’t mean retreating indoors; you can still sit outside with coffee, a book, and the sound of rain on the roof. Four of the five have climate control for when you do want to be inside.
(Note: The Caverns is technically underground and weatherproof, but shows sell out far in advance; last-minute tickets are rare. Plan a Caverns night if the schedule aligns with your trip.)
Best Seasons to Come
Spring (March-May): Wildflowers on the plateau, waterfalls at peak flow, temperatures in the 60s and 70s. The Nordic Spruce Cabin’s wildflower garden is at its best.
Summer (June-August): Hot but the plateau is cooler than the valleys. Swimming holes at Greeter and Foster Falls are cold. Dark skies are at their best in July and August.
Fall (September-November): Color peaks mid-October through early November. This is the most-booked season; reserve early.
Winter (December-February): Quietest season, lowest rates, most availability. The Caverns stays 59 degrees year-round so winter concerts there are warmer inside the venue than outside. Mornings on the deck with a fire are excellent.
One note on waterfalls: all the local waterfalls, including Fall Creek Falls, can slow significantly or stop entirely during dry stretches, usually late summer and early fall. Check recent rainfall before you plan your trip around a specific waterfall hike.
Coming with a Group?
We do full-property buyouts for friend groups and family reunions. Email manager@thegetawayon.com with your dates and group size.
FAQ
Is there glamping near Nashville?
The closest real glamping to Nashville is on the Cumberland Plateau or in the Smoky Mountains, 60 to 150 minutes out. The Getaway on Ranger Creek is approximately 90 minutes south on I-24 and has five units ranging from a geodesic dome to a cabin with a three-level covered deck. Direct booking at thegetawayon.com gets the best rate.
How far is The Getaway on Ranger Creek from Nashville?
Approximately 90 minutes from downtown Nashville via I-24 East. Closer from the south side, Brentwood, or Franklin (about 75-80 minutes).
What units does The Getaway on Ranger Creek have?
Five: the Geodesic Glamping Dome (sleeps 4), the Scandinavian Cabin (sleeps 4), the Glamping Tent with Deck (sleeps 2), the Nordic Spruce Cabin (sleeps 2), and the Porch House Cabin (sleeps 4). Whole-property capacity is 16.
Does The Getaway on Ranger Creek allow pets?
No. The property is pet-free for the safety of our free-range ducks and chickens.
Is there EV charging at The Getaway on Ranger Creek?
Yes. Level 1 J1772 is always available; Level 2 J1772 is available by request. Both are free for guests. Let us know in advance if you need Level 2.
What’s the WiFi and cell service like at The Getaway on Ranger Creek?
WiFi is high-speed fiber at every unit, fast enough for streaming, Zoom calls, and remote work. Cell service varies by carrier; Verizon is reliable, T-Mobile is spottier. If you need cell service specifically, let us know your carrier and we’ll give you an honest read.
Can you bring a trailer to The Getaway on Ranger Creek?
Yes. We have dedicated parking for three truck-and-trailer rigs at no extra charge. Smaller trailers (10-12 feet) fit in the main lot.
What time is check-in and checkout at The Getaway on Ranger Creek?
Check-in is 4 PM, checkout is 10 AM. We use self-check-in via gate code and send the code the day before arrival.
Is there food available at The Getaway on Ranger Creek?
Not on-site for regular guests; there’s no restaurant. The closest places to eat are Small Town Junction BBQ (7 minutes, closed Mondays) and Stinger’s (9 minutes). Sewanee, 36 minutes away, has LUNCH and Judith (both Michelin Bib Gourmand). For full-property buyouts and retreats we can arrange catering, including a wood-fired Neapolitan pizza food truck.
What’s the best weekend trip from Nashville?
For most Nashvillians, it’s a weekend on the Cumberland Plateau: 90 minutes on I-24, no tourist crush, waterfalls within 12 minutes of the property, dark skies, and The Caverns nearby. The Getaway on Ranger Creek has five units available for direct booking.
Can you do a weekend trip from Nashville without flying?
Easily. The closest real nature weekend is the Cumberland Plateau, about 90 minutes south on I-24. The Getaway on Ranger Creek is the glamping option in that area; leave Friday evening, back Sunday night, no airport required. Book direct at thegetawayon.com.
What’s near Coalmont, TN?
The Getaway on Ranger Creek is in Coalmont, on 18 wooded acres on the Cumberland Plateau. Within 30 minutes: Greeter Falls (12 min), Stone Door and Savage Gulf (19 min), Grundy Forest and the Fiery Gizzard Trail (22 min), Foster Falls (28 min), and The Caverns in Pelham (30 min). Within an hour: Sewanee and Chattanooga.
Is 90 minutes too far for a weekend trip from Nashville?
Not if it’s a two-night stay. For a one-night trip, 90 minutes one-way starts to eat into the experience. Most guests at The Getaway on Ranger Creek book two nights, and the drive feels worth it. Book direct at thegetawayon.com for the best rate.
Can I book The Getaway on Ranger Creek directly instead of through Airbnb?
Yes, and you should; direct booking at thegetawayon.com gets the best rate. We’re also on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com if you prefer those platforms.
Book Your Stay
The fastest way to check availability is thegetawayon.com. Questions first? Email manager@thegetawayon.com or call 931-288-4567.