Cabin

Smawlie: A Secluded Tiny Home Log Cabin w/ HOT TUB + Amazing Mountain Views

Photo gallery for Smawlie: A Secluded Tiny Home Log Cabin w/ HOT TUB + Amazing Mountain Views

Outdoor spa tub
It's a secluded, peaceful, and adventurous place  at night under the stars
You simply can't beat soaking up this view in the Hot Tub!
Our boys daring each other at the secret swimming hole.  We'll share directions.
Living area

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 437.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Topton, NC
  • Nantahala Lake
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Lakes End Marina
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Appalachian Rivers Raft Company
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Master bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Sleeping loft

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Smawlie: A Secluded Tiny Home Log Cabin w/ HOT TUB + Amazing Mountain Views

We can't adequately describe how peaceful it is to soak in the Hot Tub on the deck of our little Tiny Home Log Cabin and listen to the birds and the wind rustle through the trees, while watching the sun set turn the sky pink and purple over the Smokey Mountains. Not having cell reception or wifi allows our guests to truly "disconnect in order to reconnect" with their loved ones. With the Nantahala National Forest literally as our back yard, this little log cabin is the perfect secluded nature getaway! After getting one of the best night’s sleep you've ever had in our pillow top bed, you'll have the energy to go Hiking, Fly Fishing and White Water Rafting on the Nantahala River, or Water Skiing on the glassy waters of the Nantahala Lake. Hikers will love the easy access to the Appalachian and Bartram Trails as well as discovering a secret Swimming Hole and Cliff Diving oasis. Other local activities also include mountain biking, kayaking, hunting, golfing, swimming, sight-seeing, and more. Our guests are also welcome to use our kayaks and canoe to explore Nantahala Lake! And when it rains, we've got some DVD’s and games at the cabin to enjoy.

The cabin is stocked with everything you'd have at your own kitchen, including a coffee pot, basic spices, and a propane grill on the deck (propane provided). The quaint little towns of Andrews and Murphy are just a short drive away if you don’t want to cook your own meals, or if you forget your favorite fishing lure. While you're welcome to scour the woods around the cabin for firewood to enjoy at the brick firepit - you're not going on vacation to become a lumberjack - so we recommend you pick up a bundle of dry wood at the Ingles Grocery store in Andrews on your way to the cabin.

Our amazing guests continually tell us how peaceful and therapeutic it is to stay at our cabin. They mention having great plans to visit touristic attractions and outdoor adventures - but are so lured by the peace and beauty of the surroundings of the cabin and the hot tub that they end up spending most the day kicked back on the deck enjoying the view or sitting around the fire pit fascinated by the stars that illuminate the night sky.

NOTE: While mountain roads are sometimes steep and curvy they are well maintained paved roads and completely accessible all the way to our driveway. From there, we have gone to great lengths to make the cabin as accessible as possible, but our GRAVEL driveway is EXTREMELY steep. Therefore, we REQUIRE all guests to either have 4WD or AWD vehicles in order to drive up the driveway! If you don’t have such a vehicle, not to worry, you will enjoy the adventure of parking at the bottom and hiking up. This is a typical request for mountain cabins and not an unreasonable expectation, unless you're unwilling to hike our 800 ft. driveway. NOTE: IF YOU CHOOSE TO IGNORE THIS WARNING, YOU WILL PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO THE DRIVEWAY AND YOUR VEHICLE, BECAUSE YOU WILL GET STUCK!

Renting Online: If you're reading this then you're ahead of the game when it comes to online renting. We have tried to make the process as simple as possible. Feel free to call us at any time if you have any questions about the process. If you're ready - just continue with the INSTANT BOOKING option. Once we have received confirmation of the payment you will receive a detailed set of directions to the cabin which also include the 'key box code' for entry into the cabin and a VERY detailed guide to all of our favorite activities in the area.

Final note: This cabin is REMOTE by US standards - so be prepared for no cell service, no TV, no WIFI, and no one bothering you! It's the way a vacation should be!!!

Property manager

Mike Henrie

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
No pets
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
If you don't have a 4x4 or AWD vehicle you must park at the bottom and HIKE the last 800 feet of our extremely steep gravel mountain driveway.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Topton

Located in Topton, this cabin is in the mountains and on a lake. Wilson Lick Ranger Station and Wayah Bald Lookout are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Nantahala National Forest and Nantahala Lake. Ferebee Park and Bryson City Gem Mine are also worth visiting. Waterskiing and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and cave exploring nearby.
Map
Topton, NC

What's nearby

  • Nantahala National Forest - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Nantahala Lake - 5 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Lakes End Marina - 16 min drive - 14.4 km
  • Nantahala River - 25 min drive - 20.2 km
  • Appalachian Rivers Raft Company - 31 min drive - 29.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Lakes End Marina - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Lakes End Roofing - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Fire Ant Grill - ‬22 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Smawlie: A Secluded Tiny Home Log Cabin w/ HOT TUB + Amazing Mountain Views pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Smawlie: A Secluded Tiny Home Log Cabin w/ HOT TUB + Amazing Mountain Views?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Smawlie: A Secluded Tiny Home Log Cabin w/ HOT TUB + Amazing Mountain Views?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Smawlie: A Secluded Tiny Home Log Cabin w/ HOT TUB + Amazing Mountain Views located?

Situated on a lake, this cabin is steps from Nantahala National Forest and 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Nantahala Lake. Lakes End Marina and Ferebee Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 72 out of 81 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 81 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 81 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 81 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 81 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kyle L.

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

Absolutely wonderful!

Truly a wonderful property and little house to get away from everything and enjoy some peace and quiet! Would come back here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joshua K.

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

Perfect Escape From Society

Cannot put into words how accommodating the host was and how quickly they responded. The driveway was no joke and must be treated with respect. The cabin is better than you can imagine and it’s 20 minutes to the closest cell service. This will be our destination to unplug and unwind from here on out. Cannot recommend it enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate M.

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

Great Stay

Great stay for NYE!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Phil B.

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

Great comfy stay

It was a nice stay. Peaceful and well recommended.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Secluded

Great little getaway!! Views are amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

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

The best birthday/vacation by far!

The Smawlie cabin was such a beautiful get away! We loved every bit of it. The cabin is very well stocked and was exceptionally clean upon arrival. The view from the porch will make you want to sit and stare off in the mountains all day long! It did rain here and there during our stay, but it didn’t stop us from being able to enjoy relaxing in the hot tub and taking in the greatest view from the porch that I have personally seen. The Henries definitely made this cabin feel like home. We appreciated every single moment and even had a candle lit birthday dinner on the porch (once the rain cleared for a bit). The only complaint we could ever come up with in regards to the Smawlie cabin would be that a four day trip is not enough! We took the hiking trail and although we drove the driveway (we had a 4x4 vehicle) we found ourselves at the bottom of the driveway after taking a little adventure on the trails. I have to admit, the drive way is definitely an experience of it’s own! I got half way up( I’m no hiker by any means) and I almost convinced my other half to run up and get the truck to come save me.. haha! Luckily though he laughed me all the way up the drive way and it felt good to accomplish it by foot. On another note, the Lakes End Marina is a great place to dine in while staying at Smawlie! We had lunch there and rented a pontoon boat and it was a great experience!! Thank you to the Henries, we are so thankful that you shared this beautiful cabin in the mountains with us!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Allison S.

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

Total Escape from Reality

My boyfriend and I wanted to truly get away from everything and this cabin was more than we could have imagined. It was immaculately clean and had plenty of supplies for us to cook our own meals. Thank God the weather was dry and we had 4 wheel drive, the driveway is no joke. The hot tub was wonderful and we enjoyed sitting g by the fire at night. The complete privacy and stunning views made it one of the best vacations ever. Cannot wait to go back. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie V.

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

Secluded relaxing cabin

We really enjoyed our short stay at this cabin for my husbands birthday. It was so nice to unplug and get away from all the craziness of normal life. The hike was adventurous—-and a great workout. 😊 The house was clean and well stocked and the owner was very nice and answers questions quickly. Would love to come back here one day.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte P.

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

Weekend get away

Such a nice weekend in the mountains! The cabin was perfect and is in the perfect area
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christopher K.

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

AMAZING!!

Awesome place to stay!! Incredible views! Cabin was clean and welcoming!! Definitely will be coming back soon
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nina P.

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

Tiny, Charming Cabin For Those Who Want to Get Away from Everything

This charming small cabin is not for everyone. As the description says, it is so isolated and remote that it does not have cell phone service. For those who really want and need to get away from it all--including all phone and social media contacts--you can do exactly that here. This place is perfect if you want peace from the fast pace of life and constant interruptions and pings from your devices, if you want to just sit quietly and listen to the majestic wind in the trees and maybe read a book, if you enjoy conversations with real humans in cool outdoors air around a roaring fire under the stars far more than texting. Although the cabin is small, it can theoretically sleep five people, especially if two of the people are rather small (the loft is tiny and accessed by ladder, but has twin beds and toys). In some seasons the hot tub is out on the porch (this was so for our late October trip) and all you need do is set it to the right temperature. The grill on the porch was perfect for steaks and the view from the cabin, perched as high as it is, is spectacular, particularly in the Autumn. Take the warnings seriously: the road up is very steep and rough, so, as the description says, you will need an all-wheel-drive to get there (the option of parking at the bottom of the hill exists, but it's a long trek up that winding, steep road, especially with luggage or supplies). This place is warm and cosey! There is one bathroom with a full bath/shower and plenty of cabinets that contain extra blankets. There are several heating units. We were comfortably warm. There is also a TV and some kind of external media player which we have not explored. The cabin has a small but fully supplied kitchen, stove, toaster, dishwasher, washer/dryer, etc. The shelves contain many seasoning spices, but they might not be what you like, so check them carefully before making a grocery run. The cabin overall is charming, warm, wood-paneled, and very homey. It's perfect for a couple, but, as mentioned above, it can sleep up to five. It's a great place to get away from urban culture and enjoy nature in all its splendor and surprises. For those who want a bit more than just nature, you are about a 20-mile drive from Cherokee, NC, which is quite the tourist destination! The Nantahala river is a bit longer drive but also worth a visit, especially if you like to raft.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

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

Stunning view

We had an absolutely amazing weekend, spent in silence, no phones!!! We loved the hiking and all of the sights to see close to the cabin with a book inside telling you how to get to everything. Very clean, secure and peaceful cabin. It was the perfect anniversary trip for my husband and I.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ceilia P.

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

Honeymoon

Absolutely beautiful scenery. The cabin was clean and had everything we could need. The driveway is no joke.....but totally worth it!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

4/10 Poor

Jeffrey M.

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

Uncleaned, hot tub which was highly touted was filthy and 1/2 full and only 58 degrees.

Trash has not been emptied; grill was uncleaned; broiler pan was filthy; hot tub was unusable - looked more like a septic tank. Location, directions, etc, were excellent, In spite of all of this we tried to enjoy ourselves - never to return.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Laura G.

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

Amazing view

We enjoyed staying here so much. The view was breath taking. Definitely follow their directions with the car. It's a straight incline but worth it.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Charles C.

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

Hidden Slice of Heaven

My wife and I had an absolutely incredible time staying at Smawlie. Nantahala itself is truly a secret little piece of heaven in the hills of North Carolina. The cabin itself was everything we were hoping for; it was very private and secluded, very clean, and very cozy. If you’re looking to just shut in and relax away from the tides of life it is the perfect little cabin. If you are more of an adventurer it is still the perfect cabin! There is so much to do in the surrounding area, from boating, fishing, hiking, to white water rafting and gem mining! We even made our way to the casino in Cherokee one night! We brought our boat along and it really made the trip incredible. If you go when it’s warm out I highly recommend renting a boat from lakes end marina and spending at least a day on the lake, the water is absolutely incredible, the views are breathtaking, and if you look hard enough you can find your own little coves to anchor down and have your own private swimming hole. Speaking of swimming holes you HAVE to check out the secret swimming holes the owner shares about after reserving your stay. We went to both and had them all to ourselves for an unbelievable romantic evening. If Smawlie is not available the owners have some other cute cabins nearby but it is definitely my favorite. We drove our 4x4 truck and we were super glad we did! The driveway itself was an awesome experience. Regardless if you choose to stay at Smawlie, you HAVE to go to Nantahala, it is now my favorite place in the world and I promise you, you will not regret visiting yourself, it truly is heaven on earth!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nicole G.

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

Hilltop heaven

Just what we hoped it would be! Perfectly located to enjoy any of the outdoor adventures Nantahala has to offer. Need to unwind? Recuperate from life's demands? Stay in @the cabin, build a fire, soak up nature's sights&sounds, & stargaze from the hottub. We spent the week exploring, dreaming & reconnecting- it was the perfect anniversary vacation.

8/10 Good

Jenny M.

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

Owner is great but sometimes life happens😅

Looked like a great place for honeymoon or a getaway from any sort of civilization and cell service. We showed up place and location is beautiful but the cleaners for the property hadn't shown up and there was a miss communication between them and owner so we showed up to dirty linen and all that ended up not staying because it was our honeymoon and we weren't planning on cleaning anything. Other than that we got all our money back with no hiccups and we might return in the future. Life just happened and it wasn't the owners fault but would recommend it to friends and family for sure.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jody M.

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

Excellent stay!

Being able to disconnect and explore nature was amazing. The Henries gave some really good recommendations for trails to explore; definitely follow those. Property was clean and tidy and perfect. You’ll definitely need that four-wheel drive to make it up the driveway!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jeanette S.

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

Moreland Honeymoon

Beautiful private cabin atop a steep driveway! Seclusion and Gorgeous views surrounding every direction. Detailed trip choices to take in the area via attractions, trails, food and drink and the best part the scenery!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Allison M.

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

Great spot!

My boyfriend and I loved this spot! It was clean and had a beautiful view. It was the perfect little getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chris A.

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

Great getaway

Nice cozy cabin with a great view!

10/10 Excellent

Malinda K.

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

Beautiful view

Loved the view & the hot tub!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

William J.

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

Wonderful Weekend Getaway

This was just the weekend I needed. Everything was absolutely perfect! Thank you for the opportunity to stay in your cabin. I will be back.

10/10 Excellent

mark s.

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

Secluded Getaway

My partner and I had a wonderful stay. We had to make the hike up the driveway, but made it the view from the cabin all the more worth it.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2021

About the host

Hosted by Mike Henrie

Host profile image
Enchanted by the stories of her childhood, our family loved visiting my mother's Ferguson relatives at their "sacred grove" and hiking the mountain trails with my Uncles. My mother was raised on the property when there was no running water or electricity. When my Grandfather passed away in the 1989 our family inherited a parcel of the property that had been passed from one generation to another in our family since the 1830's. I embraced my father's vision of developing and building cabins for our family on our 'family' land in North Carolina and shared that vision with my wife when we first got married. Even as we were finishing our degrees at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah we began saving. In 2003 I joined the Air Force and was stationed at Warner Robins, GA. We practically raised our boys on the weekends hiking up and down the mountains trying to find the right spot for our first cabin. In 2005 my Uncle Frank granted us 4.88 acres of his inheritance and we eventually built the cabin you see here. In 2007 we were transferred to Alaska. After 6 heavenly years there we received orders, and in 2013 made the epic 45 day journey from Alaska to Virginia - via 17 National Parks, to Langley AFB, VA. In January 2017 I purchased my Uncle Frank's remaining parcel which now is enjoyed by our guests staying at "Frank's Landing" - another Log Cabin next to a stream in the field below Smawlie. In 2019 we added another Tiny Home named "Little Red" between the other cabins. Our plan is to further develop the "backside" property with more cabins as our family is growing faster than we can finance and build cabins!

Why they chose this property

If you want to watch TV, talk on your Cell Phone, check your Email, and surf the Internet then you should look for a different cabin. If you'd like to get away from all of that - then this is the PERFECT cabin for you! Read the reviews. Look though the photos (I took them) and then, book your vacation to start enjoying the life changing memories you'll make in the Mountains.

What makes this property unique

Rest, Relaxation, Serenity, Calm, Quiet, Secluded, Inspirational. Tiny Homes, Log Cabins, Hiking, Fishing, Exploring, Star Gazing, and SECLUSION.

Languages:

English, Spanish