I'm looking for a place to propose in the coming weeks. Hopefully, the all-wise OB can suggest something secluded and scenic for such an occasion. I'd like to avoid Cherokee, Sevierville/Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg if at all possible. LeConte isn't really in the cards due to time constraints for a weekend trip.

Is North Carolina an option?

Been there a fewctimes, trying to recall best scenery.

Look into Hot Springs, NC (on TN border) which is just east of the park along the French Broad River. Awesome little town with lots of cabins.

This place is great
Broadwing Farms Cabins

I stayed here when I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in '08. Not a cabin, but very cool inn with a great owner.
Sunnybank Inn

Good luck wherever you stay. I love it out there. Agree about staying away from Gat/PF...yikes.

This is where we stayed this summer and loved it.

http://www.vrbo.com/419101?utm_campaign=VRBO_TRV_RES_HASC_replyReservationBlank_PPS&utm_content=propid_text_o_lprop&utm_term=20150530&utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email

Deep creek area is pretty.

There is also a motor tour near gatlinburg, but up in the mountains away from the crowds. Lots of cabins up there, and lots of waterfalls, etc.

The roaring fork motor trail, near the end of the trail coming down out of the mountains are a lot of nice cabins and rentals.

North Carolina is most definitely an option. Trying to stay within 3-4 hours of Atlanta. Asheville is about as far east/north as I'd like to go.

We just got back from Tennessee. We rented a three level cabin in Townsend which was amazing and decently removed from the craziness of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. We were so smitten with the place that I started shopping for a property to buy.

Great place and absolutely beautiful. We were very close to Cades Cove.

I've stayed at Buckberry Creek before and it is awesome. None of the tourist nonsense, fantastic onsite restaurant and bar.

Look at Blackberry Farm outside of Townsend as well.

Take her to Bridal Veil Falls, and ask her if she understands the significance of the visit.

AgEng....

Here are some suggestions based on our own experiences (we live about thirty minutes from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park).

Townsend is definitely a better place to go if you want to avoid the crowds in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee, etc. Very close to Cades Cove...a really neat area in the Smoky's.

Also suggest Hendersonville, NC...about thirty minutes south of Asheville. Very quaint downtown...in fact, I prefer it (slightly) over Fredericksburg, TX.

If you want to blow the bank, go to Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN. Very private, the scenery is awesome, and the food is second to none. http://www.blackberryfarm.com/

Don't know where you'd be flying from...Knoxville is the closest airport to Townsend and Walland, but tickets are not cheap.

Townsend is nice. Stayed there once..small and cozy. I passed up a job in maryville once...maybe a bad choice.

Smokey Top cabin rentals....spent honeymoon in one of their cabins....course that was twenty five years ago

I second Blackberry Farms and Townsend. Also live about 30 minutes away from the Smokies. That is what I'd recommend. NC is nice too up towards the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Weirs Valey. Convenient to the park and Townsend, but with better scenery. Also fairly easy to get to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge if necessary.

Rutherford Co NC

wow, wnc and east tenn and north georgia have soooo many places. what activities do you like? what kind of setting do you want? cashiers, highlands nc, expensive...lots of waterfalls. chimney rock park, filming for last of mohicans, blue ridge parkway, biltmore house, little farther northish of asheville is quaint bump in rode little switzerland. rafting, nanthala outdoor center. north georgia helen,ga usually has good octoberfest. fly fishing, look up the north carolina fly fishing trail. motorcycle, sports car, tail of the dragon. could go on and on and on. however, the comment about bridal veil falls was a good idea. man i miss wnc.