With a stay at Newfound Lodge on the river in Cherokee (Downtown Cherokee), you'll be a 5-minute drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 6 minutes from Harrahs Cherokee Casino. .This hotel is 12.2 mi (19.6 km) from Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Smokey Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine.
What's nearby
Smokey Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine - 8 min walk - 0.4 miles
Cherokee Mountainside Theatre - 15 min walk - 0.8 miles
Oconaluftee Islands Park - 15 min walk - 0.8 miles
Museum of the Cherokee Indian - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
Cherokee Welcome Center - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
Getting around
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) - 111 min drive
Restaurants
Wicked Weed Pub at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino - 6 min drive
Guy Fieri's Cherokee Kitchen + Bar - 6 min drive
Noodle Bar - 7 min drive
Qualla Java Cafe - 3 min drive
Wendy's - 5 min drive
About this property
Newfound Lodge on the river
Riverfront hotel in Cherokee with free parking
Newfound Lodge on the river offers 64 accommodations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Housekeeping is provided daily.
Make yourself at home in one of the 64 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free self parking on site
Conveniences
Limited-hour front desk
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Outdoors
In the mountains
On a river
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Renovations and closures
The following facilities are closed seasonally each year. They will be closed from January 6 to April 1:
Parking area
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 25.00 per pet, per stay, plus a one-time cleaning fee of USD 15.00
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Pet fee: USD 25.00 per pet, per stay plus USD 15.00 one-time cleaning fee
Service animals are exempt from fees
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property is also known as
Newfound On The River Cherokee
Newfound Lodge on the river Hotel
Newfound Lodge on the river Cherokee
Newfound Lodge on the river Hotel Cherokee
Newfound Lodge on the river Reviews
Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Room was great. View was awesome. Very clean. Older property so not everything was perfect. I would stay there again! Definitely at least a 9 out of 10!
Anna
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
8/10 Good
Judy
Traveled with family
Oct 20, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Room was clean and needs to be updated. Outside area could have been cleaner.
The only redeeming thing was the balcony view. The room was shabby and dirty. Plus I had no towels. And it was very noisy. The most disturbing part were the holes in the walls.
Nancy
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
2/10 Terrible
Regena
Oct 18, 2025
We can’t give reviews on anything but terrible. Although from the outside it didn’t look like a clean place to stay. We booked a month in advance as well as called 3 times to confirm my husband needed a downstairs room as he is handicap. We arrived late due to traffic as they’d called us three times during our drive there. We arrived and was told only rooms available are upstairs and they didn’t know how our room was given away to someone else. So,at 10:30 pm we was having to look for a place to stay. They didn’t have a care in the world and did nothing to help in the situation. We would never recommend this place to anyone,ever. There was 3 couples and 3 rooms booked. We went over to Maggie Valley and was very well accommodating at the Ramada Inn with excellent care,cleanliness & hot breakfast.
Everything in the room needs remodeled. None of the beds or chairs were comfortable. WiFi worked. Good view of the river. Friendly staff. Had hot water problems. Will probably find another place next visit
It was good, the bathroom is small like room closet small. the sink water doesn't have enough pressure and doesn't get hot very well.
Also had issues with my card to enter my room and couldn't get in my room late one night and with no overnight support i was stuck with sleeping in my car overnight until morning probably not staying in this spot for a while
Denzel
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
8/10 Good
Danny
Oct 10, 2025
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Love the creek view from balcony, hotel is old and just needs some TLC to get it back up to par, bed killed my back, staff was excellent
Clean room, beautiful view of river, friendly staff,great location ,quite atmosphere. Close areas for shopping. Close proximity to national park. We had a wonderful stay and will definitely stay at newfound lodge again.
Microwave and coffee maker were dirty and old. Carpet was dirty. Limited access for pet area and nobody had cleaned up after their pets in a long time. Disgusting odor in that area and couldn’t access it due to the feces everywhere. Wouldn’t stay there again.
Gordon
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
4/10 Poor
Tonya
Oct 5, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Our room had not been cleaned when we checked in but the staff was great about getting it clean asap. It’s an older property which could use some updating. However, the water took six minutes to warm up and never did get hot. Thanks to the lukewarm showers, I can’t recommend staying there.