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Get Up and Away & Take a Break in the Safety of the Mountains!

Photo gallery for Get Up and Away & Take a Break in the Safety of the Mountains!

Laughing Waters Lodge Buddy Morrison Photography
Handicapped Accessible Buddy Morrison Photography
Hickory Nut Creek in the Back Yard Buddy Morrison Photography
Interior
adrianetheridgephotography.com

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Gerton, NC
  • CMLC Florence Nature Preserve
    2 min walk
  • Chimney Rock State Park
    9 min drive
  • Chimney Rock Village Riverwalk
    13 min drive
  • Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    31 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 5

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Get Up and Away & Take a Break in the Safety of the Mountains!

Safety and Sanitation updates: Our housekeepers use extreme caution and have been provided with a list of supplies that include disposable cleaning materials to prevent any spread of any bacteria. Only CDC approved antibacterial and sanitation products are used and we wear masks and gloves at all times while navigating the property.
All guidelines are being followed to ensure the safety of our staff and our guests.
Thank you for your understanding and for your help in keeping Laughing Waters a healthy environment!
We also give at least 3-5 days in between our guests to ensure safety for housekeeping and for upcoming guests.
This is a beautiful hand crafted lodge with its own private deck overlooking a beautiful waterfall on the cascading Hickory Nut Creek. The lodge is nestled at the base of Little Bearwallow Mountain next to 200 acres of natural forest with five miles of hiking trails. It is located only 25 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC in the heart of the incredible Hickory Nut Gorge. The lodge contains a great room/living room, kitchen, loft, four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and a large downstairs room for yoga and movement. Laughing Waters is located in the Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community. It is a very special place for a peaceful, quiet retreat in these beautiful sacred mountains!

WIFI We will do our absolute best to provide WIFI however this a wilderness wedding venue and sometimes coverage is poor.

Our Creekside Cottage located upstream from the lodge overlooks two waterfalls that sleeps two people and can be rented separately. (see listing #3565363)

Property manager

Julia Considine
Premier Host

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Air conditioning
Parking available

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Kitchen
Washer
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10.0 out of 10, (151 reviews)
LUXURY! AMAZING OUTDOOR SPACE W/FIRE PLACE, TV, WATER FALL, FIRE PIT, PROXIMITY

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
You will be provided a key to control the thermostats in the lodge, please keep all thermostats within 2 degrees of each other on each floor
You will be provided with a blue key for the downstairs half bath, please follow rules closely posted on the wall above toilet
Follow wood stove rules posted by the woodstove

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
This property uses solar energy
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Gerton

Located in Gerton, this lodge is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Chimney Rock State Park and Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Entrance. Chimney Rock Gemstone Mine and Chimney Rock Adventure Golf are also worth visiting. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking, mountain climbing and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Map
Gerton, NC

What's nearby

  • CMLC Florence Nature Preserve - 2 min walk
  • Chimney Rock State Park - 9 min drive
  • Lake Lure Beach and Water Park - 16 min drive
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Entrance - 21 min drive
  • Biltmore Estate - 37 min drive

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Turgua Brewing - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪The Local Joint - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Point Lookout Vineyards - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Whistle Hop Brewing Company - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Geneva Riverside Lodging and Tiki Bar & Grill - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Get Up and Away & Take a Break in the Safety of the Mountains! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Get Up and Away & Take a Break in the Safety of the Mountains!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Get Up and Away & Take a Break in the Safety of the Mountains!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Get Up and Away & Take a Break in the Safety of the Mountains! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this lodge is steps from CMLC Florence Nature Preserve and within 6 mi (10 km) of Chimney Rock State Park and Hickory Nut Gap Farm. Chimney Rock Village Riverwalk and Chimney Rock Gemstone Mine are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 33 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 33 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 33 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Neal S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
This was our second stay. All great. The place was clean and well stocked. The grounds are beautiful and well kept. The hiking right outside your doorstep is amazing. Perfect for our family of 5 plus granddad.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frederic S., St Petersburg

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Gateway
Very nice home located on a nice wooded property with a nice stream. Located in a secluded area, walk to nice hiking trails and enjoy the peaceful environment. Our family gateway was very enjoyable! It would be a place to consider for a future family reunion or small wedding.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Jodi L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Moms 80th birthday
The property is beautiful - the creek, the porches are all amazing. We stayed for my moms 80th birthday celebration
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
PERFECT Mountain House
This house and property are absolutely amazing, beautiful and stunning. I knew it was going to be a special place for our family trip over Memorial Day weekend. However, it was way better than I expected. The house is really spacious and nice. The beds are the most comfortable you will sleep on. And, the location is private but only 10 minutes from the really cool village of Chimney Rock, 25 minutes from Lake Lure and 25-30 minutes from Asheville. However, the best part was the incredible mountain creek and wilderness right in the backyard! The Hickory Nut creek is literally right off the deck and it is spectacular. We did a family cold plunge in it and it awesome. The sound of the rushing water is beautiful music that you can always hear from the house. The Wildcat Rock trail is off the back of the house as well and is a heck of a hike. It leads to a spectacular rock climbing wall and waterfall and then goes on to another point with a view (we did not go past the first stop as it was a pretty strenuous hike but talked to people who did). Book this house and you can literally not leave the property if you choose and still have a super memorable mountain experience.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Laughing Waters
Breathtaking. The property is absolutely gorgeous! Wonderful accommodations! We hope to return for another visit. The only suggestion from our group was to either improve internet service or add a landline for emergencies.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
AMAZING
If you are considering a trip to this area look no further. The description and pictures don't even come close to doing this property justice. The rich history of the house and the location can't be beat. It was such a nice break from city life. Amazing hiking starts right from the door of this property. No reason to ever get in the car. A huge bonus for us was the empty room downstairs where our kids 7 and 10 had the best time playing and being kids. The outdoor firepit (bring your own firewood) next to the raging creek was amazing. The creek is so loud you can hear it inside the house and the sound is so relaxing to fall asleep too. The house is spotless, beds are comfortable, layout is perfect. The kitchen is fully stocked to be able to cook great meals. Don't hesitate - RUN to enjoy this slice of heaven.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Neal S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place
Amazing place for a family to enjoy being outside without having to travel constantly. We hiked, saw waterfalls, streams, and picked berries all without leaving the property.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place
Awesome place for family

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful
We had a wonderful stay! The location was beyond amazing and the sound of the water was the most relaxing thing in the world. We ended up here because we had to cancel a trip to Canada and I can say this rental more than made up for it! There was a storm at night and the WiFi was down. It really wasn’t a big deal at all for us, but the property manager, Julia, and the owner did more than I ever would have expected. They went above and beyond. I highly recommend this rental!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Heather M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unbelievable!
Great communication with property manager. The pictures and words online cannot possibly tell the whole story of how beautiful this property is. If looking for a place to checkout of the day to day clutter, this is the place!

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nature Paradise
The property is perfectly placed in nature. It is like being in a tree house! A lot of space. Beautiful construction with exposed beams and stained glass. Highly recommended. Very relaxing and clean. No need to look elsewhere.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Erin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise Found!
This property is amazing. Photos do not do it justice!
Stayed 23 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great time away
My wife and two young kids had an amazing vacation over Memorial Day. My 4 year old did two different hikes from the property. My 19 month old and wife loved walking around the orchard area. Having a fire by the creek with s’mores was a highlight for all. We would definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jack M., Newport, North Carolina

Peaceful
This place is truly peaceful and relaxing. The cabin is very well laid out and nicely appointed with everything you would need for your trip. Our family gathering was awesome! We really enjoyed our stay and plan to return soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Stacy W.

Fun Thanksgiving!
We stayed over Thanksgiving week and had a great time. Cozy and comfortable. One of the best things about it is being able to walk out the front door and hike many nearby trails.

10/10 Excellent

Chris W., Beaufort, South Carolina

Sublime
Need way more characters to even come close to truly describing this place, it is as advertised and more, opening the window to listen to the backyard waterfall at night for sleeping was incredible! Can’t wait to return another stay very soon!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Dhanesh J.

Great Location, Fantastic House
The location for this property is great. Nice stream, falls and trails bahind the house. Nice pond, old mill, and beautiful landscaping. The House is fantastic. Lot of glass windows and lot of deck space to enjoy outdoors. Very big main room and dinning table. We all had great time. Additional small sofa in main room would be nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Amy S.

College buddies & bridesmaids 1991
We had not see eachother for over 15 years! This house was perfect for those groups.....not certain of there still being a connection. We all had our own bedrooms and our own bathrooms in the bedrooms! The house is clean, beautiful and spacious. The grounds are gorgeous with wild flowers everywhere. In the back, on a small sandy "beach" we had a little fire one night- the waterfall is just the right size; you can hear it all night from your open bedroom windows - great sleeping! Had my kiddos been with me, they would have played outside all day in the river/large stream and wooded area- which is maintained enough to make for safe playing and photo opportunites too. The kitchen had everything needed for quick or fancy dinners. However, Asheville proper is not as far as I thought - we were able to scoot into the downtown area in less than 20. One warning is: do not rely on Uber to pick you up from this house - it's too far out - I live in Ashville and Uber is not reliable outside of the downtown anyway. So if brewery hopping is on your mind for one night - just hire a driving service ahead of time. The hike from the back yard is medium strenous - pretty uphill and then you are at an overlook - bring a blanket and a lunch - it's quite pretty. If you climb - half way up the hike (or less) there is an enourmous granite wall... a few climbers were scrambling up. It's a perfect large group house for those wanting to be in nature one minute and eating, shopping and drinking in Asheville the next!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Trisha M., Charlotte, NC

Relaxing mountain escape
The mountain home at laughing waters was beautiful, spacious and uncluttered, we had such a relaxing stay! The waterfall is right in the backyard, so nice for a cool dip. We took a short afternoon walk in the property and found several other waterfalls and streams along the lovely nature trail. The owner was prompt and gracious to answer all my questions, even during our stay. Wish we could have stayed longer... would love to go back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Michele T.

Amazing
A peaceful retreat
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Robb W.

Great
Very restful and an overall great weekend
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leigh H.

Amazing property! Wonderful stay!
This is such a beautiful location and home. It was such a pleasure to watch and hear the creek rush over the rocks from the wrap-around deck. The property also had so many other beautiful areas to explore. We used it for a family vacation but can see why it would be an excellent event location. It was clean, comfortable, and everyone we spoke with were friendly and accommodating. The drive into Asheville was beautiful as well. Highly recommend!!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kelly F.

Wonderful!
This place is AMAZING. We were there with toddlers and enjoyed how clean and un-cluttered the cabin was. The waterfall and stream in the back were spectacular; so much fun to play in.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ian C.

Luxurious and Peaceful for a Lot of People
Great property for a bachelor weekend and close enough for a cheap-ish uber to Asheville. Peaceful area that is quiet and the perfect spot to relax after a night out on the town.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shannon B.

Absolutely fabulous!!
Laughing Waters is AMAZING!! Totally exceeded my expectations! The lodge is so beautiful in every aspect, and the waterfalls literally are your backyard! Just remote enough to make you feel like you are secluded, but still close enough to town that you feel free to come and go. Heidi, the property manager, was a joy to work with! Wonderful experience!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2017

About the host

Hosted by Julia Considine

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

We don’t feel we 'own' this land. Rather, we feel more aligned as stewards, here to protect it. We are full of wonder and awe at nature’s intricate beauty. Living here is about discovering mysteries and miracles: the springtime sprouting shoots on the forest floor, the blooming of delicate wildflowers, the soaring trees spreading green leaves in a summer canopy, the magical transformation into vibrant fall colors, and the reappearance of the distant mountain vistas in winter.

We have kept the most special places wild for all to enjoy: the cascading streams, tumbling waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and distant vistas. Residents and visitors can enjoy miles of hiking trails on our land, in the adjoining 600 acres of the Florence Nature Preserve, and down the gorge in Chimney Rock State Park.

If you love the outdoors, this is magical place!

What makes this property unique

We are deep in the heart of the Hickory Nut Gorge, a steep valley carved out of the mountains starting at the continental divide dropping down to Chimney Rock State Park and Lake Lure. From your lodge overlooking two beautiful waterfalls, you can hike up to the top of Little Bearwallow Mountain through 200 acres of natural forest with amazing views. The cottage is part of the Laughing Waters Retreat Center in Hickory Nut Forest. This sustainable eco-community includes organic gardens and apple orchard, conserved lands, renewable energy, and solar-green homes. Guests are welcome to hike, swim, bird watch, enjoy the gardens, go mountain biking, or just relax on the deck and listen to the sound of the rushing water. Enjoy dining in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, or make your own feast in the cottage kitchen. And we are only 25 minutes from all the music, restaurants and culture in Asheville.

Come experience a special place for a peaceful, quiet retreat in these beautiful sacred mountains!

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They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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