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Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

Family-friendly stay near Cataloochee Ski Area

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Photo gallery for Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

A hot tub outdoors surrounded by a wooden deck and a wooden fence.
A wooden staircase in a forested area with dense trees and a ground covered in fallen leaves.
A two-story wooden cabin with a balcony, surrounded by trees.
A cozy living room with a sectional sofa, a leather armchair, and a coffee table. There is a fireplace with a mantel, a framed deer picture, and a window with a view of greenery.
A kitchen with white cabinets, a black refrigerator, a microwave, and a coffee maker. There is a window with a view of trees and a door with a green light.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 14195 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Maggie Valley, NC
  • Place, Tube World
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Cataloochee Ski Area
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Maggie Valley

Cataloochee Ranch stay.Your stay at this Cataloochee Ranch vacation home places you within 3 miles (5 km) of Tube World and Maggie Valley Gem Mine. Fantasy Golf & Game Room and Maggie Valley Opry House are also within 3 miles (5 km).
View more Vacation homes in Maggie ValleyOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Tube World - 4 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Maggie Valley Festival Grounds - 8 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Wheels Through Time Museum - 8 min drive - 5.7 km
  • Cataloochee Ski Area - 10 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Harrahs Cherokee Casino - 27 min drive - 31.5 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Catrina’s Cantina - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Joey's Pancake House - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Ben’s Backdraft BBQ - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Guayabitos - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Maggie Valley Restaurant - ‬8 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.

Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

Tucked away off the beaten path on Maggie Valley’s Cataloochee Mountain, The Rusty Elk Retreat has every ingredient for a cozy and memorable stay with family and friends. This spacious, newly renovated property has 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths and comfortably sleeps 12-14 offering a peaceful setting to gather and unwind. Guests will find rustic charm with several comforting amenities including a fully stocked kitchen, multiple flat screen TVs, wireless access, two family rooms, Hot Tub and a game room featuring a billiard and air hockey tables. With plenty of room for everyone, this perfect getaway destination offers the ideal balance for guests to rest and play inside and out, and is just minutes from all the activities one could want!

All four seasons offer amazing views whether it's a soft magical snowfall, colorful autumn foliage or springtime blooms! Take in the sounds of birds chirping with the smell of clean mountain air from a large wrap around porch that overlooks an untouched Nature and Wildlife Game Land Area. Wildlife can often be spotted nearby grazing and perching among lush native plants of NC Maple trees, Evergreen, and rhododendron.

Nearby: only a few minutes from the Cataloochee Ski area, Cataloochee Valley and Maggie Valley. The quaint town of Waynesville is just a few miles further down the road. Opportunities are endless for skiing, tubing, snowboarding, horseback riding, hiking, trout fishing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, dining, shopping and seasonal craft fairs.

A little further down the road: Asheville, Biltmore Estate, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee Indian Village.


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The Dogwood
Maggie Valley
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
4.7 out of 5, Exceptional, 73 reviews
The price is CA $183
CA $203 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 14 - Oct 15
The Dogwood

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 4.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • No elevator
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Foosball table

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,100 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
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:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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 professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. 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. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Peaceful Mountain Getaway Rusty Elk Retreat House Maggie Valley
Peaceful Mountain Getaway Rusty Elk Retreat House
Peaceful Mountain Getaway Rusty Elk Retreat Maggie Valley
Peaceful Mountain Getaway Rusty Elk Retreat
Peaceful Mountain Getaway Rus
Peaceful Mountain Getaway at The Rusty Elk Retreat Maggie Valley

Frequently asked questions

How close is Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat to the airport?

This vacation home is 41.6 mi (50-min drive) away from the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Harrahs Cherokee Casino (25-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat to downtown Maggie Valley?

This vacation home is 1.4 mi away from Maggie Valley.

Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 144 out of 170 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 23 out of 170 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 170 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 170 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 170 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was as advertised and the host communicated well with us. It was spacious and comfortable for our group of 10. Very close (1 mile) to the main road which has all the restaurants. The driveway was a little steep and a little bit of a challenge for our motorcycles and trailer. But hey, you are in the mountains. Would stay at this property again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This spot is amazing. Right up the mountian from Maggie Valley. It’s clean, the bedrooms are nice, the decks overlook the valley and mountains in the distance. It’s super quiet up there and very relaxing. We will be back for sure!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay

Great stay
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Great place to stay

Needs a new grill but other than that it was just what we needed. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great for a Quick Getaway

Very clean and private.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Mountain hideaway

The house is tucked in the mountains and feels very remote while also being so close to town you can't beat the location. Very spacious accommodations, perfect for families traveling with kids.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Mountain get a way

Unbelievable location and views we had a fabulous time Home has everything thing you need
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great house & Location

My husband and I and our two daughters chose this house based on the location and the amenities. It was perfect on both accounts!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very peacful

This place is in a great area, relatively close to everything. Very quiet area and the house had plenty of room for my friends and I
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very, very nice

We stay three days and everything so good is plenty of room we are a group and we have a lot of space
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Thanksgiving

Held thanksgiving dinner with the family. Wonderful accommodations for everyone.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Week

Our second time staying at this cabin. Plenty of room and equipped well. Very close in to restaurants and other sights. We even got to see the Elk wandering around in Maggie.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious for a big family

The property was nice but could use some cleaning up and mowing around the hot tub. The house is a good size for a big family.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Home Base

We had a great time visiting Maggie Valley and Cherokee! Our grandkids were with us and loved the Rusty Elk, as we did! We were out and about all day, but it was nice to have such a comfy place to return to for the evening; all our needs were definitely met at this house.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rusty Elk

Everything was good.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Place To Stay

Our family of six enjoyed a comfortable stay at this wonderful accommodation. With four kids in tow, we were thrilled to find ample space to spread out inside, and the two levels on the porch were an added bonus. The little ones had a blast playing on the skee ball machine, while I indulged in the luxurious hot tub and the fire pit with the pre-chopped wood provided. Plus, the convenience of a quick drive into Asheville, NC, as well as the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg made our stay even more enjoyable.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

We had the best time!

We really enjoyed our stay. It was very peaceful, clean, and comfortable. We used the firepit every night and the hot tub multiple times. The house was good size. It was just 3 of us, but had room for more if needed. Especially with family of kids. We'll definitely book here again if we come back to the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful Fathers Day getaway

Wonderful Father's Day weekend getaway for my husband and his father. House was clean and beautifully decorated. Equipped with everything we needed. Can't say enough good things about it. My son is already planning a get away with his friends and hopefully it will be available for them to rent. We were impressed and will definitely be returning.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication

Review

Like the house, but it needs some tender loving care.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Kim D.

Second time at this property was just as magical as the first. A great time was had by all… 6 kids and 4 adults. House was clean and very comfortable, a home away from home. The location cannot be beat if you are looking to ski. Hosts are gracious and easy to contact if any issues should come up. Definitely recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, location

Nice Enough

The Rusty Elk was nice enough for our long weekend. However, it could really use some TLC. It was clean, but it needed some better upkeep. The location was nice - be aware the roads and driveway leading up to it are pretty steep, but they were manageable.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

A beautifully finished, quiet retreat in the Smokies!!

After a another house cancelled on us a week before arrival, Valerie got 9 of us for Thunder in the Valley. The cabin is fabulous, all of us were more than satisfied with our stay. The cabin is set up perfectly. More than enough room for 9 guys. The beds were amazing, pool table was beautiful and I could go on and on. We all said we will definitely be back to stay again if we're welcome!! Thanks for the great place to relax!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect family ski getaway!

The Rusty Elk was absolutely perfect for what we needed. Eight minutes from Cataloochee ski area and 10 minutes from some local restaurants and stores. The hot tub felt great after a cold day on the mountain and our kids also enjoyed the pool table and air hockey. At first I was disappointed it didn’t have arcade games like some of the other houses, but this strategic move allowed us to have more unplugged family time. The check in process was easy, the host responded quickly to questions, the furniture was nice and new and the house was clean. We recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great house

The cabin was everything we hoped for. Clean and good quality. A FANTASTIC deal!! Hint: BRING FOOD!!! Maggie Valley does not offer much by way of food and the closest grocery store is 30 minutes away. Otherwise, great place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Cataloochie Ski Trip

First time personally renting a vrbo, but the check in/out seemed much easier than another trip with family. The owner was very nice and warned us about foul weather in the forecast. Very steep hills getting to the cabin and caraloochie skiing. Great location, we were able to get the kids introduced to skiing and the cabin provided plenty of diversion for four kids ages 7 to 11. Thanks!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023