Laurel Lodge / Single-Story 4BR Creek Cabin / Hot Tub / Pet-Friendly / Sleeps 10

Laurel Lodge is a single-story four-bedroom cabin on 6 private acres bordering the Nantahala National Forest, with Little Laurel Creek running along the property line and a trout pond as you drive up. Perfect for three generations under one roof, all on one level (no stairs to navigate inside, ever). Twenty minutes from downtown Bryson City, twenty-five from the Deep Creek entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and thirty from the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Family gatherings, three-generation reunions, and dog-friendly weeks away. We've been hosting here for four years.

Inside the cabin, everything is on one level. No stairs between bedrooms, bathrooms, or living spaces. The great room is the hub of the house, with a cast-iron wood-burning fireplace that's the heart of the cabin in fall and winter.

Sleeping is set up for groups that need real bed math:

- Back King Suite: king bed, ensuite bath. The quiet retreat for whoever called dibs.
- Middle Bedroom: queen bed.
- Bunk Room: two twin-over-twin bunk beds, sleeps four kids comfortably.
- Front King Bedroom: king bed plus a single and an ensuite bath. Perfect for parents + one kid.

Traveling with a little one? We've got a pack-n-play ready when you need it

The kitchen is fully equipped: full-size fridge, dishwasher, electric range, pots/pans and cooking utensils, and a dining table the whole family can sit around, plus a small side table that works as overflow seating or a kids' activity table. Fast WiFi reaches every room, so the working-parent who insisted on a vacation can still take that Wednesday call.
Outside, there are three covered porches (front, side, and back), so there's always somewhere to sit out of the rain or sun. The back deck has the mountain view; the side porch has the sound of the creek; the front porch is for arrivals and goodbyes. A seven-person hot tub with therapeutic jets sits off the back deck, and our cleaners refresh it between every stay.

It would be hard to miss the private trout pond as you drive up. Feed the fish, bring the kids, count the dragonflies and fireflies. Just past the pond, a small bridge takes you over the creek where there is a trail that leads into Nantahala National Forest and ends at a 100-foot waterfall. Not many cabins in this market put you that close to a national forest trailhead.

You'll have the entire cabin and the full 6 acres: all three porches, the hot tub, the pond, the creek frontage, and the trail up to the waterfall.

The only thing off-limits is the marked storage sheds (just tools and supplies, nothing you'd want anyway).

Check-in is self-service via smart lock from 4:00 PM.

We'll share out welcome guide 24 hours before your stay that includes step-by-step directions on how to get to the cabin.

The Neighborhood
Bryson City is the quiet side of the Smokies; fewer crowds than Gatlinburg, just as much to do. From the cabin:
• Downtown Bryson City - 20 min. Restaurants, the
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot, the Cottage Craftsman.
• Deep Creek (GSMNP entrance) - 25–30 min. Easy waterfall hikes, whitewater tubing in summer.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) - 30 min. Whitewater rafting, zip lines, riverside restaurants, great place to relax
• Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 20 min. The Polar Express runs Nov–Jan; book early.
• Cherokee / Harrah's Casino - 25–30 min. Main entrance to GSMNP.
• Fontana Lake - 30–35 min to the closest boat ramp; 50 min to the dam. Beautiful lake!
• Tsali Recreation Area (mountain biking) - 35 min.
• Clingmans Dome / Kuwohi - 75–90 min, road open April–November.
• Alarka Falls trailhead - 5 min drive + short hike. Great waterfall just down the road

A grocery store (Ingles) is in town. Stop on the way in so you can start your relaxing vacation with family and friends as soon as you arrive.

Getting inside
Three small steps lead from the yard up to the front door: easy for most visitors, worth mentioning if anyone in your group has serious mobility limitations. Once you're inside, everything is on a single level: no stairs between any bedrooms, bathrooms, or living spaces.

The Drive In
Downtown Bryson City sits at 1,752 feet. Laurel Lodge sits at roughly 3,100 feet, so the roads up are steeper, narrower, and curvier than what flatter country drivers are used to. The last half-mile is a well-maintained gravel road with small water bars to prevent erosion; go slow and you'll be fine.

Winter Access
From mid-November through March, we strongly recommend AWD or 4WD. We'll let you know in advance if weather is going to be a factor, and we're flexible if you need to reschedule because of an ice storm.

WiFi
Fast WiFi throughout the cabin; work calls, streaming, the kid's iPad, all fine.

Pets
Two dogs welcome with a $25 pet fee. Please let us know in advance. No cats, please.

Hot tub
Children must be supervised. Lift the cover using the built-in cover lift rather than stepping on it (covers aren't designed to support weight).

Security
Two exterior cameras: one over the front porch (for the protection of the cabin when no one's here), one at the pond overlook (so we can keep an eye on the trout). Neither is anywhere a guest would expect privacy.

The Pond
Please no swimming or fishing. We want our trout to stay healthy so they're there for every family that visits. There's a container of fish food on the porch, though, and we encourage you to toss a small handful in. The fish stay happy, and the kids love watching them come up to feed.

Notes on the Property
A mountain creek (Little Laurel Creek) runs along the property line guests cross a small bridge on arrival. A smaller seasonal creek runs through the front of the property next to the root cellar, and a small seasonal spring runs along the edge of the backyard. The 100-foot waterfall is up Little Laurel Creek and is about a half-mile hike (but it is steep).

Notes about Safety
Laurel Lodge is a working mountain property with features that come with the territory: a hot tub, a trout pond, a creek, a gravel road, and the occasional surprise wildlife. We do our best to keep everything well-maintained, clearly marked, and ready for you. Please use the hot tub and pond with care, supervise children around water and the firepit, and drive the gravel road slowly. Per our insurance policy, by booking your stay you and your guests acknowledge that use of the property and its features is at your own risk, and that the owners aren't responsible for accidents, injuries, illness, or loss of personal belongings during your visit.

We know what makes a Smokies trip great; and what makes it stressful. Message us with any question. We answer fast and are always happy to help you make some wonderful memories.