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Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls

Franklin vacation home with kitchen

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2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Combined shower/tub, hair dryer, towels, soap
Outdoor dining
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Exterior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 493 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Franklin, NC
  • Place, Ruby City Gems & Minerals
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Cullasaja Falls
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
    ‪9 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Franklin

On river.A stay at this vacation home places you within half a mile (1 km) of Nantahala National Forest and 6 miles (10 km) of Harris Medical Park of Franklin. Ruby City Gems & Minerals and Scottish Tartans Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).
View more Vacation homes in FranklinOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Ruby City Gems & Minerals - 8 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Cullasaja Falls - 8 min drive - 9.9 km
  • Jackson Hole Gem Mine - 8 min drive - 10.2 km
  • Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum - 8 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts - 9 min drive - 10.0 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 82 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Caffe REL - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Bojangles - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Gondola’s - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls

Franklin NC vacation rental--cabin above Cullasajia River.

PLEASE NOTE: this listing is for the upper unit of a duplex property. There is a separate lower-level unit on the property with its own entrance.

Escape to the sounds of the river in this peaceful mountain getaway nestled between Franklin and Highlands. This cozy riverfront retreat is the perfect home base for waterfall adventures, hiking, scenic drives, fishing, or simply relaxing on the deck with coffee and mountain air.

Wake up to the rushing river, spend your days exploring the Smokies, and unwind under the stars at night.

Why Guests Love Staying Here

-Direct riverfront setting with soothing water views
-Convenient location between Franklin and Highlands
-Close to waterfalls, hiking trails, rafting, and scenic drives
-Private deck perfect for morning coffee or evening wine
-Peaceful mountain atmosphere with easy road access
-Fast Wi-Fi for remote work or streaming
-Ideal for couples, small families, and weekend getaways


The Space

This comfortable mountain retreat offers a warm and relaxing atmosphere designed for enjoying nature without sacrificing convenience.

Inside you’ll find:

-Comfortable sleeping arrangements for up to 4 guests
-Fully equipped kitchen for home-cooked meals
-Cozy living area with river views
-High-speed internet good for remote working.
-Clean, comfortable bedrooms and bathroom
-Heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort

Outside:

-Private outdoor seating overlooking the river
-Easy access to nature and mountain activities
-Quiet evenings with the sounds of the water
-Picnic and fire pit area
-Hammock and shaded deck space.

Perfect Location

You’re just a short drive from:

-Downtown Franklin shops and restaurants
-Scenic mountain drives toward Highlands
-Waterfalls, hiking trails, gem mining, and rafting
-Great Smoky Mountains adventures and gem mining.
-Local breweries, antique shops, and mountain dining
-Kayaking, tubing, fishing, and rafting.


Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a hiking trip, or a relaxing escape from the city, this riverfront mountain retreat offers the perfect balance of comfort, location, and nature.

Guest Favorites

✔ Riverfront relaxation
✔ Mountain adventure access
✔ Peaceful and quiet
✔ Great value near Highlands
✔ Easy self-check-in

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Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • RV/bus/truck parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • No elevator
  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: smoking permitted on deck, if kept clean

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,000 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
In Summer, Turn off AC. In Winter, set the thermostat to 55 degrees.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

--4 people and 2 cars maximum, RV or Trailor needs be approved by owner before you make a reservation. --NO SMOKING INSIDE OR ON THE PORCH.
Please avoid late check-out. Any late check-out will incur a fee of $30 per hour or any portion thereof.
Return the hammock and floats to the unit after you used.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed
4 guests max, 2 cars max

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking permitted on deck, if kept clean

Important information

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: 4 guests max, 2 cars max
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. 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. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. Note from host: 4 guests max, 2 cars max For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property

Frequently asked questions

How close is Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls to the airport?

This vacation home is 74.5 mi (82-min drive) away from the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls to downtown Franklin?

This vacation home is 3.6 mi away from Franklin.

Riverfront Smoky Mountain Retreat Near Highlands & Waterfalls Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 114 out of 144 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 23 out of 144 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 144 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 144 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 144 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Victoria C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful retreat

Outstanding place to forget it all
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Summer H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely getaway

The property was lovely and the owners were very accommodating.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time at your place.

Enjoyed this location. The beautiful mountains and leaves of autumn were the best. Thank you very much for sharing your home with us.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rick H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing getaway

This was our 3rd stay. We love that it’s on the water. It has the feel of being secluded with the bonus of being close to town. We plan on renting this property again in October .
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leo S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another great trip

Love sitting on the back deck and listening to the river. Property is very close to shopping, grocery store, waterfalls and hiking.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful River setting

Very peaceful and clean. We really enjoyed sitting on the patio in the mornings and having coffee while enjoying the River and the smoky mountain mornings. Will definitely be going back!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Charlena D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We had a great time it was really nice having the keys in the world life come in. However it would’v

Great time and be nice to have access to the River city nature raft.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Randall D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River view

Convenient location. Easy access. Well equipped for our needs.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Older home but well equipped and very clean. River makes a quaint sray.

Very nice place to stay. Well equipped with most everything needed. Would have lived a TV in the bedroom as we like to relax at night and watch the news. Otherwise-lived our stay. Very local to many small towns in the arwa. Beautiful mountains.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Lois L.

Nice area. Quite. The deck off the living room is very nice to sit out on. Needs new chairs.

Had a nice time. Very relaxing. Close to the waterfalls we wanted to hike to. Good to have two bedrooms with a bathroom for each room. It was just the two of us. It would be good for a family. Nice size table in the kitchen. Everything you need for cooking.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Glenda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Franklyn house

We are all seniors and had a great time. The house was clean and had everything we needed. The only thing was it did not list how steep the yard to the water and picnic tables in the yard was. As seniors we were unable to enjoy the yard. Would stay there again.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Victoria C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heaven at Riverdance

Centrally located in the town of Franklin,NC. Beautiful second level home with everything you need for a mountain get away. You are within driving distance of many waterfalls, hiking, whitewater rafting, and we tried zip lining in neighboring Highlands this time and this beautiful home is located down the street from an Alpaca farm a must see. We love the upstairs view. Thank you for our third visit to your lovely home.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023
Archival

8/10 Good

Lynn A.

Great location on the river

We enjoyed our stay in the upper unit of the house. It had everything we needed and was perfect for our dogs since there was no carpet. The sliding doors going out to the deck was a nice outdoor area to barbecue or sit and enjoy the river at the back of the property. The only negative was the renters downstairs spent their days on the lower deck and talked constantly, so it was impossible to have peace and quiet on our deck with people underneath us.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017
Archival

6/10 Okay

Heather G.

Nice place. Beautiful river.

The house was nice. Had just about anything u needed. Needs to get rid of the one recliner rocker that's broke and the towels and wash rags needs to be replaced. The main thing that was the worst of the stay was how u had to get to river. the stairs outside was steep and coming off onto and already steep yard was not good. Not suitable for elderly at all to go to river. Need to invest in building a walkway to the river. If that was built in would love to come back
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2016
Verified

6/10 Okay

Anna N.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Anniversary Trip

We did enjoy it. There is plenty of room and it’s a relaxing location. Beautiful view of the river. We enjoyed using the fireplace. Had some trouble and needed help figuring out the tv, but once we did we enjoyed the many options. When Yaling came to help with the remote, she was extremely helpful, patient, and very concerned that we were settled in properly. I struggled with the fireplace and she helped with that too. A few things we felt could use updates- The love seat was very stiff and uncomfortable. We didn’t use it. With both beds I felt like we needed to choose the better of the two, neither were that comfortable. We both had some back trouble with sleeping. We decided to cook in most of the time we were there. We brought some of our own utensils and a couple of pans. Some of the stuff in the kitchen was fine to use, but there were a few utensils that were in awful shape and needed to be replaced. Overall we did enjoy it. If some of the outdated stuff was replaced we’d return. For other vacationers that would plan to eat out a lot and don’t have bad backs like we do, these problems wouldn’t be a big deal.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Betty

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Friends Spring Break Redo

My best friend from high school (almost 40 years) and I planned a Spring Break trip to Western NC. She loves waterfalls and photography but had never been to the Smoky Mountains. Both my maternal and paternal families are from Graham County and I wanted to show her the BEST part of the NC mountains. Right from the beginning, Mike was very accommodating with me in making the reservations for our stay. Our original reservations were for April during Spring Break but with COVID-19 closures, Mike allowed us to reschedule our vacation with full credit before VRBO made the recommendations to property owners. And then... once my friend and I realized that we would probably be returning to our schools earlier than usual in August which would interfere with our August reservations, once again, Mike was very accommodating with our request and changed our reservations for June 18-21. We arrived a little early to the property and Yaling was there finishing up with preparations for our arrival. Yaling is so very sweet and made sure we had everything we needed. She even helped us unload our car! The cottage was adorable and clean. The kitchen had all the utensils, dishes, and appliances you would use in your own home, and the beds were very comfortable, especially after a long day of sightseeing. The owners were available and responded quickly to our questions. Staying at River Dance Lodge was very pleasant and peaceful. It's close enough to the necessities and plenty of things to do and see, but away enough to feel private and restful. I would recommend this property to anyone looking for a vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains. Thank you, Mike and Yaling for being wonderful hosts. I am sure I will be back in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
Archival

6/10 Okay

Melissa R.

Location is Key!

The best part of this home was the location on the river! The river itself was very peaceful and a good place for kids to play/tube and possibly some fishing (although they didn't seem to bite while we were there, we did SEE fish!) However, the home still sits a car length away from the road. It appeared to be residential (not a busy highway) but we could still hear vehicles from inside, especially the bedroom closest to road. If you're a hard sleeper, might not hear. The home is as described. Although we didn't go to watch TV, one child ended up not feeling well and wanted to rest and watch TV. The main TV came with instructions and 4 remotes. Never could get it to work. The gas fireplace was nice, but you do have to open a window or door to use it, because of the fumes. The master bedroom had a lovely view of the river. The deck overlooking river was nice, however, someone ended up renting the unit below us. (Which IS mentioned, so we could hear every conversation and in/out, etc) It made it feel more like a hotel atmosphere than a home, so I would recommend renting both units if you want solitude. The house was clean and had everything needed (utensils, coffee filters, extra blankets, tubes for river, etc) Appreciated the hardwood and tile floors and no carpet. There were small details that may not matter to some, like the bathroom had 3 different color fixtures. The electrical outlet in the master bathroom is recessed, so I could not use it for blow dryer and had to use the second bedroom instead. A shelving system made of plywood in the master in attempt to cover some water pipes. The second bedroom has no closet (does have dresser), and the recliner in living room was very outdated and made quite a noise every time it was sat in, there was a nice leather couch though! The beds were hard. The home, although nice, seemed to be "pieced" together through out time. Overall, it was a good value for the price. Great location, and clean! Maybe with some updating and new mattress would stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2016
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Courtney R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving Trip

We had a wonderful time and enjoyed our stay at the River Dance Lodge. Always enjoy our time there visiting family.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jim D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing "cabin" creek side

We had a very enjoyable stay - the location facing a wide stretch of mountain creek, between Franklin and Highlands were great. We enjoyed hikes, a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, visiting Franklin and its restaurants and seeing the leave change.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place to stay

The property was very clean and provided everything we needed. The patio was great sitting out there in the early morning with my coffee and listening to the River. Will go there again.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spectacular cabin on the river

We spent a week exploring the great smoky mountains. This house has everything we could need and then some. We were centrally located to everything from Pigeon Forge to Maggie Valley to Dillard Georgia. If you're looking for a place to stay where you can get to everything within an hour, this is your place! Communications were quick and informative. We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

susan P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great

Just overall great place. Great location very clean very roomy the view of the creek was awesome. Very cozy house. Definitely would stay again.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pretty view

The house was very clean and it was what we needed. Linens and furniture could use some update, but it was all good.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rick H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

October on the River

We really like the cabin and location, we also stayed here in May. If the owner could have stopped the rain we had all week that woulda been great. 😁We plan on renting this house again, maybe in May.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic trip.

The cabin is exactly what you would think of a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. Beautiful location right on the river and close to town. I will be staying there again very soon. The service was perfect and helpful. I would recommend this location and this property management for your stay in Franklin North Carolina John T.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2021