If you are looking at both Roaring Bear cabins and trying to decide which one fits your trip, the short answer is this:
Choose Haus of the Rising Sun if you want the larger cabin, more sleeping flexibility, two decks, and big sunrise/valley views.
Choose Haus of the Setting Sun if you want a quieter smaller-group stay, sunset views, city lights below, and an easy deck-and-hot-tub kind of trip.
They are directly across the street from each other at Panorama Point, above Ober Gatlinburg. Same mountain. Same elevation. Same quick drive down to town. But they feel a little different once you settle in.
That is why we kept both.
Quick Comparison
| Best Fit | Haus of the Rising Sun | Haus of the Setting Sun |
| Sleeps | Up to 7 |
Up to 5 |
| View Direction | Sunrise, Mount LeConte, Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge valley | Sunset, Smoky Mountain ridgeline, city lights below |
| Best for | Families, small groups, flexible sleeping needs | Couples, two couples, smaller families |
| Outdoor space | Two decks, covered hot tub, grill | Sunset deck, hot tub, grill, outdoor dining |
| Bedrooms | Two king suites plus twin kids nook | Two king suites plus twin kids nook |
| Vibe | Bigger, flexible, sunrise and valley views | Quieter, simpler, sunset and city lights |
| Booking both | Sleeps 12 total with Setting Sun | Sleeps 12 total with Rising Sun |
Choose Haus of the Rising Sun If...
You Need A Little More Room
Haus of the Rising Sun sleeps up to 7, which makes it the better fit if your group needs extra sleeping flexibility. Both bedrooms have king beds and en-suite bathrooms, and the upstairs suite adds a twin sleeping nook and queen pullout sofa.
That setup works well for families who want the adults to have real bedrooms while kids or an extra guest still have a place to sleep.
You Want The Bigger Cabin Feel
Rising Sun is about 1,400 square feet and has two decks, a covered hot tub, a full kitchen, wood-burning fireplace downstairs, and an electric fireplace upstairs.
It feels like the cabin for a family trip where people may spread out a little. Someone is making coffee. Someone else is on the deck. Kids are upstairs. The hot tub gets used after dinner.
You Care About Morning Views
Rising Sun is the one to look at if you like mornings on the mountain.
On clear mornings, the ridgeline catches the light, fog sits in the valley below, and the view stretches toward Mount LeConte, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. It is the kind of view that makes people stand there longer than they planned.
Choose Haus of the Setting Sun If...
You Want The Sunset
Setting Sun faces west, and that is the whole point.
In the evening, the sun drops behind the Smoky Mountain ridgeline while Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg start lighting up below. One guest told us it looked like a little village on a movie set. That is about right.
If your favorite part of a cabin trip is sitting outside at the end of the day, this is the one.
You Are A Smaller Group
Setting Sun sleeps up to 5. Downstairs has a king master suite with French doors that open directly onto the deck. Upstairs has a second king suite with a Jacuzzi jetted tub positioned at the mountain window, plus a twin kids nook off the bedroom.
That makes it a good fit for:
- one couple wanting extra space;
- two couples;
- a small family;
- parents with one child;
- guests who care more about the view and deck than maximum sleeping capacity.
You Want A Simple, Quiet Mountain Stay
Setting Sun is not trying to be the biggest cabin. It is the one for a slower trip.
Hot tub facing the sunset. Outdoor dining. Rocking chairs. Wood-burning fireplace October through March. A short walk to the community pool Memorial Day through Labor Day.
It works best when the plan is not overpacked.
What Both Cabins Have In Common
Both cabins are at Panorama Point, near the top of Ski View Drive above Ober Gatlinburg.
That means:
- about 10 minutes to downtown Gatlinburg;
- about 10-15 minutes to Great Smoky Mountains National Park trailheads;
- about 20 minutes to Dollywood depending on traffic;
- mountain views from high elevation;
- paved but steep and winding mountain roads;
- wildlife in the area;
- community pool access Memorial Day through Labor Day;
- direct owner communication through Roaring Bear Cabins.
You are close to town, but you are not staying in town.
That is the tradeoff, and for most guests, it is the reason they book.
A Note About The Drive
Both cabins are at the top of the mountain. The last stretch of road is steep, narrow, and winding. That is normal for upper Gatlinburg and part of what makes the views possible.
In normal dry weather, a standard vehicle can usually handle it fine. In winter weather, snow, ice, or freezing conditions may require all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, tire chains, or a change in travel plans.
If you are not comfortable with mountain roads, it is better to know that before booking.
If you are, the view is the payoff.
Booking Both Cabins
If you are traveling with a larger group, family reunion, or two families who want to stay close without sharing every room, booking both cabins can work well.
Haus of the Rising Sun and Haus of the Setting Sun are directly across the street from each other. Together, they sleep up to 12 guests with separate living spaces, separate kitchens, separate hot tubs, and the same mountaintop location.
That can be a better setup than trying to squeeze everyone into one large house.
Which One Should You Book?
Book Haus of the Rising Sun if your group needs more sleeping space, more flexibility, two decks, and morning/valley views.
Book Haus of the Setting Sun if your group is smaller and you want sunset views, city lights below, hot tub time, and a quieter stay.
Book both cabins if your group needs room for up to 12 but still wants separate spaces.
Either way, you are staying above Ober Gatlinburg, close to town but away from the rush, with the mountain doing most of the work.
Ready to compare dates?
Check availability for Haus of the Rising Sun and Haus of the Setting Sun, or reach out if you are trying to decide which cabin fits your trip.