Paddlers Retreat Toggle favorite

We were very impressed with “Paddler’s Retreat”. The place matched the pictures and the description and was in a good location as a central base. Kitchen had everything you need and the beds were very comfortable. Enjoyed the hot tub everyday and also enjoyed the peaceful setting. We would stay at this place again.

Our stay at Paddlers retreat was nothing short of spectacular!! From the coziness of the cabins inside to the amazing views from the hot tub on the deck. We could not have picked a better place to stay during our visit.

Loved the place! Would definitely stay again. It was a bit difficult for my sedan to get up the driveway so I would recommend a bigger car or four wheel drive but otherwise the place was perfect. Cozy with a great view and a wonderful kitchen.

Paddler's Retreat served as a great base for all our activities for the week. The location is close and quiet. Close to NOC and Tsali and really quiet compared to other places we have stayed in the Nantahala gorge. Rental company is top notch.

The house was perfect for our stay and close to NOC.

Can't wait to go back, couldn't have scripted better weather, low crowds, great views, etc. The 'shoulder' season between spring break and Memorial Day is great! Yes, the driveway is a bit steep with a switchback but our pickup had no problem - slow and steady and you should be good even in a car. We had perfect cell service (Verizon) so we just turned the ringers and alerts off to 'disconnect' (and told everyone we were in the mountains and spotty service lol). House internet is satellite, and it is slow, so as the listing says - no streaming and basic downloads are very slow. But that was no problem for us. Grab your basics for checkin at the store in town and then go back - there were discount cards in the kitchen for our visit. The cabin is centrally located to so many things! It sits on a ridge and there are houses directly below but we rarely heard anything and enjoyed the quiet. If you are looking for a cabin with no neighbors at all, in the middle of nowhere, this isn't it. Were very surprised to even see fireflies in mid-April! We enjoyed it so much we didn't turn the TV on until the last night and we able to add extra time to our week stay because we just didn't want to leave. Then just after we left we heard about the elk heard that went wandering through downtown Bryson City and right past the bar that we had grabbed lunch at during a visit to town. Bummed we missed that! Kitchen is well stocked, dig in the cupboards and you will find what you need.

First impression was how wonderfully CLEAN this place was. We truly appreciated that! The layout worked so well for us being two couples. Well stocked with linens and toiletries, cooking needs. Super comfortable beds. It was cool out and we loved using the fireplace. Pretty view off the back porch, the rocking chairs were a nice place to settle and relax at the end of the day. Great proximity to Bryson City area where we spent our time enjoying all the sights and activities. This home is outstanding!

The view was nice, especially from the hottub where we enjoyed relaxing and enjoying the sounds of nature.

We have rented many cabins over the years and this is one of our favorite spots! The owner have us all the info we needed to get last minute groceries and go right to the cabin. The cabin is beautiful! It was very clean and inviting and was perfect for our family. We enjoyed sitting on the back porch watching the hummingbirds and many other varieties of birds that flitted from tree to tree right in front of us! Beautiful view of the sunrise! Everything we needed to make us feel at home was provided. The hot tub was especially welcomed at the end of busy days of gem mining, walking for hours checking out the sights, horseback riding, etc. Very relaxing! We will be back in the area next year and hopefully this cabin will be available again! We had a wonderful time!

Great location and beautiful home

The house was everything we wanted for a relaxing getaway.

This was our first trip to Bryson City. We really enjoyed the area...the cabin was wonderful for 2 couples & we loved the secluded location. We enjoyed the train ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad & the town. We had great coffee at Mountain Perks & dinner at Anthony's.

The cabin was exactly what we needed. Perfect place to unplug. Secluded enough that we didn't see anyone else until we ventured out. Close enough to attractions and places of interest within a 15 minute drive. We are already planning a return visit.

Cabin was very clean and as described. Everything was thought of. The view from the porch was beautiful and I got some great sunrise pictures.

Met expectations. Secluded, quiet, peaceful. A great escape for our family to relax and reconnect.

Great location and place to stay!

We loved the house and the view. Can't wait to go back.

A dream place!!! ❤️

This was our 3rd year in a row staying here. You absolutely cannot beat the location if you're planning on spending a lot of time at the NOC, Fontana Lake, Bryson City, etc. This is one of our favorite vacation spots. Book it! You won't be disappointed!

Extremely clean and very peaceful. We loved sitting on the huge deck overlooking nature. We loved the fire pit and the hit tub. It was wonderful to have the large latch and living room area, along with two separate/beautiful bedrooms.

Had such an amazing experience at the paddlers retreat. The whole atmosphere was beautiful. Great views of the mountains and some cows. The hot tub was so nice. Very close to activities. Definitely a home away from home. We will definitely come back. Super clean and hospitable.

Kathleen’s place made for a great getaway! Great jacuzzi and firetable on the back patio, plus a great view and private trail down to a creek.

Pictures do not do this place justice. Clean, perfect location and views for days! Jacuzzi was absolutely perfect. Super private. Highly recommend!

Love this easy access But so private cabin

Awesome place! We had an amazing time and was so pleased-with this amazing place!

This property was just as described. The house was perfect for my husband and myself with our 2 dogs. We love the huge porch with rocking chairs and the hot tub. It was a very comfortable home. The short drive off the main highway was well-maintained and easy to traverse. The driveway is just a short distance up to the house but wide and well-maintained, also. We loved the ease of getting to the house and the total privacy once there. We truly enjoyed our 2 weeks at this home and hope to return.

Wonderful space, great views, and a cozy living room. Would definitely stay again!

Super cozy spot with a great view! We thoroughly enjoyed our time here.

A beautiful place to stay, you will have all you need to enjoy and relax! Highly recommended! Family of five

This house was a perfect fit for our needs. N.O.C is just down the road and very close to Fontana Lake. We had ample room to park our truck and jet ski and the hot tub and view were amazing. To top it off it was CLEAN!! Would definitely stay here again.

Fantastic time!

Owner's Response:
Hello Jason, We are so glad to hear y'all enjoyed Paddlers Retreat and GAF!

For those unfamiliar with GAF, every year the N.O.C. (Nantahala Outdoor Center) hosts a "Guest Appreciation Festival" and people come from all over the Country to attend. This Cabin is within 5 minutes of the N.O.C. (all 12 of our Cabins are within 5-20 minutes of the N.O.C.), so book early!

Kathleen and The NCMR Family

This cabin was just what we needed; it was private, quiet, clean, and comfortable. The view was amazing! It was close to so many attractions. We had a great time. We will definitely be back.

Secluded with beautiful views. Don't have to drive up step mountains to get there or have a 4x4 vehicle. We loved the privacy and amenities. Great cabin!

Great adventure had by our group. The cabin was perfect. The sound's of the wildlife were remarkable. The view in the morning on the back porch was something I'd love to have everyday.

We enjoyed our stay at Paddlers Rest. The location is great for daily adventures and excursions! You can spend hours on the back porch. The views are wonderful

Location, location, location. This is the perfect cabin to play at the NOC and explore Bryson City and surrounding area. We've stayed at this cabin twice, and we love it. We hope to be back next summer as well. You can't beat this location at this price for the amenities you get. Love this place!

We couldn’t have asked for a better mini vacation. Even with the rain, our time spent was exactly what we needed!

We've staying in many cabins in the past 2 years and Paddlers Retreat has become our favorite!

If you want to relax, this is the place to go! The location is wonderful – right in the heart of the Nantahala Forest and gorge area and just a short drive to Bryson City. The views from the back porch are wonderful and we so enjoyed going back to this place every evening after our daytime adventures. The kitchen is beyond fully stocked, the beds are comfortable and the morning and evening views are so relaxing. The host also provides a book with local recommendations, activities and other points of interest. We had a fantastic time and would definitely stay here again!

Hot tub is awesome Nordic style. The propane fireplace outside is perfect for keeping the bugs away as well as the chill. Internet was fast enough for Netflix. The oven/stove is propane and awesome.

Great space, great views, great hot tub, great location, and very clean!

This place is amazing. The view was gorgeous - got to watch cows graze and listen to the creek below! We had the best time and would love to come back again!!!

The property was everything it said and more. All the reviews were right. It's a great wonderful clean Place. It's actually bigger than the pictures. I will stay again.

Simple lovely little place in a great location between all of the hikes we wanted to do in three days.

Loved it! The pictures don't do it justice! We will be back!!

Place is like a little slice if heaven! Extremely clean, super relaxing and picturesque views. We will definitely be staying with Kathleen again. Levy-Crisp family

Wonderful cabin that is close to everything!

Overall the cabin was wonderful and we had a wonderful time! Perfect location for anyone wanting to spend time at the NOC or Bryson City!

The cabin is on a secluded hill top surrounded by the woods. Very clean and cozy! It was very nice to have two master suites with their own bathrooms. The hot tub and fire pit were great. We enjoyed the town and surrounding area as well.

My husband and I are always looking for a getaway that is secluded. As we have stayed many places we were always in satisfied with our previous trips. This place was just as described. We will be visiting this place again and again.

Great private cabin. Close to NOC and Bryson City

The secluded location of this cabin allows you to feel like you've gone to another world, far away from the crazy pace of the real life. Breathtaking view, cozy fire pit and relaxing hot tub says it all.

The mountain view and the hot tub on the back porch were soothing and brought us back to Paddler's Retreat each evening. The house was spacious, clean and had everything we needed. We enjoyed watching the smoke/mist over the mountains and the cool air was great! The house is convenient for riding the Tsali Mt. bike trails. I also appreciated the charcoal grill. The deep fill washing machine is excellent. The house is very private but you don't feel isolated. If we'd return to the area, we'd stay here again.

Great place to stay while visiting the NOC!

The place was wonderful! Beautiful view, easy to access, and very clean and comfortable stay. It was the perfect place for a mountain get away.

Beautiful cabin, had a great stay.

We were looking for a cabin for 2 couples, and Paddlers Retreat was perfect. We each had our own King Suites, and our own full Bathroom, with maximum privacy between the bedrooms! We especially liked being so close to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and took kayaking classes during the day, and relaxed in the Hot Tub in the evenings.
We will absolutely be back in the future.

Well worth it. No doubt about it.

We truly believe we will be returning customers, my family loved to explore and we are very big into hiking and such. Naturally we stay in different area to explore other trail and such, but we must definitely stay in this beautiful cabin again it truly felt like Home. We stayed 6 night for Christmas and it was great, the Christmas tree was set up, the kitchen had everything imaginable for our Christmas dinner, it was great.

The cabin was immaculate! The location was perfect! Just minutes away from NOC & Deep Creek! Fontana Lake & View from Fontana Dam was Beautiful! Was so nice returning to cabin after spending the day in the mountains! We especially loved the view, hot tub, & rocking chairs on the large deck! There's even a fire pit on the deck & picnic table!! 2 King Size suites on each end of the cabin! The bed was very comfortable! It was nice having TV in each bedroom plus the living room! Walked on the trail on the property twice! We really loved r stay in this cabin & it was very easy to get to! And there was a really nice grocery store close by! Kitchen was well stocked! We ate out 1 time while staying there! Cooked most meals in the cabin! There is so much to do but we ran out of time! Can't wait to return & stay in this cabin again! We Love staying in the mountains! Oh I forgot to mention the lovely gas log fireplace that made it so cozy @ night!!

Paddlers Retreat was a well maintained, clean and lovely escape in the Smokey Mountains. The Front Porch looks over a quiet serene mountain view with a pasture, complete with grazing cows , in the foreground. The home offers privacy, yet only a short drive to Bryson City. Great Smokey Mountains National Park offers amazing panoramic views of the Smokey Mountains and Valley Pastures. We saw three Elks which are more apt to be viewed in early morning and at dusk. We however happened to be lucky and saw them in late morning by the first visitors center and entrance to the Park. Cherokee is busy and offers quite a bit to do. The home, as I mentioned is well equipped with 3 TVs, 2 King Beds and a Hot Tub ! Lovely time, beautiful area ! Enjoy !

The little cabin was nestled on the side of the mountain in a picturesque and quiet setting. It was clean and well maintained and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our little getaway. My only regret was that our stay was too short. We will definitely return, hopefully very soon!

The little cabin was nestled on the side of the mountain in a picturesque and quiet setting. It was clean and well maintained and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our little getaway. My only regret was that our stay was too short. We will definitely return, hopefully very soon!

This cabin by far was the most wonderful with the morning view as well as the peacefulness of Gods country but yet with never ending outdoor things to do just around the corner! This was the perfect cabin with duel suites , everything you could possibly want right there ! To rock on the back porch and soak in the hot tube as we watched the stars from the hot tub... laughing and chatting about the wonderful family day we had far away from the normal stress of life was absolutely awesome! Don't forget to turn off all the lights and experience more stars than you could have ever experienced seeing, feeling ... almost touching right here in your private oasis!!

Our family of four thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Paddler's Retreat. The cabin was roomy, clean, and comfortable. The children enjoyed playing on the wii, the hike in the back yard, and hanging out with mom and dad in the hot tub. We also enjoyed sitting and dining outside on the porch with the fire pit. The cabin is in close proximity to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and Deep Creek

We can't express how perfect Paddlers Retreat was. Absolutely beautiful inside and our morning view with coffee, stunning. This wasn't a cabin this was a home and we felt for us it was perfect. Everything we wanted to see and do was right within less than an hours drive or less. We had to call once on the hot tub, they were there within 30 mins. The staff is amazing, Kathleen worked with us so hard when an emergency came up and we had to postpone a year, they go above and beyond, you don't find that often anymore. We will be going back over and over. I wish I could give a higher rating than 5, it's a 10 plus. Thank you so much for helping make our vacation everything we dreamed of.

We have rented many properties through VRBO and this was, by far, the best so far! It was conveniently close to the NOC where we engaged in a variety of activities, but still remote and private. The cabin was not only well-supplied with all of the items one would need for even an extended stay, but also equipped with a variety of comfortable seating options both inside and out perfect for just hanging out. Finally, and arguably the most important, it was spotless! We will definitely be visiting the Paddler's Retreat again in the future!

Our family of four thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Paddler's Retreat. The cabin was roomy, clean, and comfortable. The children enjoyed playing on the wii, the hike in the back yard, and hanging out with mom and dad in the hot tub. We also enjoyed sitting and dining outside on the porch with the fire pit. The cabin is in close proximity to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and Deep Creek

We loved staying here! The house was bigger than we expected and was so clean and fresh. The kitchen was well stocked and the view from the porch was breathtaking. We spent every evening enjoying the sunsets! The hot tubs gave the paddlers in our group lots of comfort. Thank you for a great family vacation!

My fiancee and I went away for my birthday weekend and picked the perfect place! The cabin is pet friendly, so we were able to bring our 2 dogs. It rained on and off most of the weekend, so we stayed in, but were never bored. They had Wii, board games, TV with cable, and then of course the hot tub which we sat in and watched it rain. We can't wait to return later this summer for another getaway!

We keep returning to this fabulous cabin because of the comfort and convenience of two king master suites, the proximity to the NOC, the great view and the excellent customer service NC Mountains Realty provides. We're looking forward to a return visit when we can.

Beautiful place to stay. Woke up to snow on the mountain

We really enjoyed out stay at the Paddler's Retreat. It was perfect for our family of 5 to have enough space without being on top of each other. The porch with a beautiful mountain view was wonderful to utlilize in the early morning with coffee and in the evening to relax afer a busy day of touring the area. My girls were able to hang their hammocks on the porch posts to relax and read a book. We very much enjoyed the more quiet area of Bryson City and touring the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has been almost 2 months since our stay and I miss it so much. I would definitely recommend staying at Paddler's Retreat if you enjoy peace, quiet and relaxation. We stayed by Gattlinburg a couple of years ago to tour the Smoky Mountains which had been a wonderful time, but we really enjoed staying in this area as it was less touristy.

It was very peaceful and secluded but not that far from Bryson City.

Excellent Get-Away. We had to be out of our house due to some construction work, so we packed up all of us (2 adults, 2 children, 1 dog, 1 cat) and headed to the Paddler's Retreat. It was the perfect place for us to hang for a couple days. The hot tub was relaxing, the house immaculate, the yard perfect for our dog. We loved everything about it and would definitely recommend it 🙂

My Response

Dear Nicolette, Thank You so much for the 5 star review and for taking such great care of the cabin. Our housekeeper said she would never have known there was a "full house"! Kathleen (Property Manager)

Cozy clean cabin, beautiful view. My husband and I spent a long weekend in early November in this cabin. This home is very well-maintained inside and out. For a cabin in the woods in NC, we were so very impressed with how immaculately clean it was when we arrived. We met Kathleen's husband on our last day while he was blowing the leaves from the property- the care that goes into this property is obvious, there aren't even spiderwebs on the porch!! The layout of the house is great with two master suites on either end and a large open living space in between. It would easily accommodate two couples (or more if you opt to use the two futons in the living room). The living space has the gas fireplace (easy and safe to operate and throws a great deal of heat if you want), plenty of seating, and tons of windows for great natural lighting. The kitchen is well stocked with newer appliances. The back porch is covered and spans the entire length of the house- we spent a lot of time here with the rocking chairs around the gas fire pit and the hot tub (which was also very, very clean). The backyard is flat and has an incredibly beautiful view of the mountains with a valley below that is pasture space for cows!! The house is private but not creepy or remote- the nearest neighbor sits tucked below the backyard of this property about 50ft down the mountainside - you cannot see them although we did meet their dog "Odie" every day! The pink trail to the hammock and small creek is well marked, but we found it to be too steep and slippery (wet leaves!!) to use on a regular basis. There are plenty of hiking trails and things to do in the area and during season, I'm sure the white water rafting is a huge attraction! We very much enjoyed our stay and we hope to return soon!!

Literally 5 minutes from NOC. We have stayed in quite a few cabins in this area and this one gets our highest rating. We loved having two master suites with king-sized beds! The common area - kitchen, dining and living room - were roomy and comfortable. There is a gas fireplace that kept us cozy and warm. And the view looking out to the back of the property through the two double French doors was just beautiful. This is our new favorite place.
Recommended for: Pet-friendly, Sightseeing, Girls Getaway, Age 55+

Perfect for NOC lovers! This was our third time to the area and our first stay at Paddlers Retreat. The home is a great location if you want to be close to the action of the NOC but also want to be far enough from the road to have peace and quiet. The property manager Kathleen was very responsive with reservations and questions. The house had a split floor plan with 2 master bedroom suites on opposite sides with the kitchen, large dining area and livingroom in the center. Two sets of French doors lead out to the large porch with chairs, fire pit and hot tub. We loved the picnic table and ate all our meals outside enjoying the sunset and the sounds of the birds and frogs in the evening. So Peaceful! Paddlers retreat is centrally located between zip lining, white water rafting and mountain biking in Tsali. If you're around for a weekend, check out the Kudzu bar just down the road for great bluegrass music and dancing. We found our clean, comfortable home away from home!
Recommended for: People with Disabilities, Families with Young Children, Pet-friendly, Sightseeing, Girls Getaway, Adventure Seekers, Age 55+, Romantic Getaway

This cabin is Brand New to my Vacation Rental Program, so I thought I would write a review of my own! I was at "Paddlers Retreat" waiting for the Hot Tub to fill, and the Satellite TV service to be installed, so I took advantage of the Beautiful Day to relax in a Rocking chair on the covered back porch. It was so quiet, I could have heard a "pin drop". I was enjoying the Mountain Views just beyond a pasture where the cows were grazing, and some wild turkey were exploring! It was a lovely afternoon! There are so many Deer in that area, I expected one to run by any second... Kathleen