Cabin

Emory Lodge located on West Buffalo Creek

Photo gallery for Emory Lodge located on West Buffalo Creek

View from across the creek
View from Creek
Exterior detail
Driveway/parking
Exterior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 10204.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Robbinsville, NC
  • Santeetlah Lake
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Cheoah River
    ‪36 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bunk bed room 1

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bunk bed room 2

1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Emory Lodge located on West Buffalo Creek

At Emory Lodge you will enjoy the magnificent mountain views of western North Carolina's National Forest. The cabin was built in 1982, and was an operating trout farm until 2002. There was a second cabin built on the property in 1985 and attached to the existing cabin by a large deck. This is the cabin we occupy when we are able to come up from Atlanta. We purchased the property in 2006 and started renovations the following year. We began offering the original cabin as a vacation rental in the fall of 2012. The total square footage of the cabin is 2200 sq. ft. The lodge has a large yard with West Buffalo Creek running through the middle of it. We have about 600 ft. of creek on the property. Trout fish right off the deck!
The area has several trout streams... stocked and native. Miles of well maintained hiking trails with magnificent views. Lake Santeetlah is only about 6 miles from the lodge, as is the Cherohala skyway and Joyce Kilmer national forest.
If seclusion, hiking, mountain streams and waterfalls, trout fishing, great mountain views, and relaxing is what you are looking for, this is the place. If you need to stay in touch with the rest of the world, we now have high-speed starlink internet.
Please be aware, the final 1.5 miles of road approaching the lodge is private gravel/dirt. It is very rocky and can be muddy after a rain. We suggest vehicles with medium to high ground clearance. If you are planning to ride street bikes, this is likely not for you.

Property manager

Scott Emory (Cassandra Emory)
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking allowed outdoors only
Although we are pet friendly, we do ask you keep your pets off the furniture and beds. We need to consider future guests who may have allergies.

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Robbinsville

Located in Robbinsville, this cabin is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Junaluska Medicine Trail and Fontana Village Resort Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Nantahala National Forest and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Robbinsville, NC

What's nearby

  • Santeetlah Lake - 13 min drive - 6.3 km
  • Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest - 26 min drive - 14.7 km
  • Cheoah River - 36 min drive - 26.9 km
  • Deals Gap - 52 min drive - 44.3 km
  • Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel - 70 min drive - 71.1 km

Getting around

  • Alcoa - Knoxville Airport (TYS) - 118 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tail of the Dragon Vacation Rentals - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Emory Lodge located on West Buffalo Creek pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Emory Lodge located on West Buffalo Creek?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Emory Lodge located on West Buffalo Creek?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Emory Lodge located on West Buffalo Creek located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is steps from Nantahala National Forest and within 9 mi (15 km) of Santeetlah Lake and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Junaluska Medicine Trail and Graham County Historical Association 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. 130 out of 148 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 148 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 148 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 148 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 148 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Isbany C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A place to relax
spend some beautiful days in contact with nature.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay.
If you love secluded, this is it. Great host, beautiful property.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Emory Lodge
Way off the beaten track, but just what we were looking for!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Jena W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great stay
The only problem we had was how the cabin was not cleaned at all.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

kyle t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing
Scott is first rate in all areas. And the place is unbelievable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peace
Peaceful place. Plenty of space to relax or fish whatever you may like!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great vacation
Great stay on West Buffalo Creek. Very quite & relaxing
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stacy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Remote Getaway
Great place to truly disconnect, fish, and relax!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

debra t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
great hideaway in woods
wonderful cabin in the woods....fully stocked......great decks.....overlooks super fun creek/stream............terrific...will be back
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Getaway
Wonderful as always. I could just sit on the deck all day.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very Cozy Cabin
This cabin was very cozy. It’s great for a small group or a larger group. The creek behind the cabin was beautiful and the outside spaces were wonderful. The owners are right there if you have any questions or need anything. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin McCallister G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Trip
Definitely remote , but just what we were looking for. Weather was great, fishing was good. Actually pleasantly surprised with the internet at the house. Get your groceries before you head out to the house!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jerem F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Emory Moose
Great place to stay in a beautiful & private location. We were there for 5 days and saw less than a dozen vehicles. Loved it!!! This is our second stay at Emory Lodge and will return again in the future! Thanks Scott!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

John C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Vacation
Property was nice but very remote. Took to long to get to property from town
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea P., Statesville

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Place
Emory Lodge is the most beautiful scenic place. The four of us really enjoyed our stay. It rained most of our stay but we never felt closed in with the views from all the windows. The creek sang us to sleep each night, and the birds woke us each morning. I think 3 vehicles went by during our stay. Very much a hidden away place to get away from it all. We all can't wait to return! Thank You Owners !!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ricky C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The greatest get away
It was Awesome, myself and adult children just had a great time grilling, fishing, around a fire on back deck listening and looking at the beautiful river and loving the outdoors and the beautiful lodge! Scott is so great and considered a friend with us all now! Had a lot going on for him, a bad storm came through, trees down, electricity off for a while but he made us feel safe, THANKS SCOTT ❤️ Can’t wait to get back 😊 God Bless!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Milia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring break retreat
We loved our stay at the Emory Lodge. Very quiet and cozy. Has everything you need to cook you just need to bring the food. I do suggest going to the grocery store before you come because of how long it takes to get back to town. That wasn’t an issue for us. We loved feeling like we had the mountains to ourselves. The kids played in the creek constantly. Great experience all the way around. Owner is awesome with communication and very helpful. We will stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leonard A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great get away spot
Everything just as described.. Little off the beaten path as stated but not that bad. If you follow the owner directions and go slow the last mile or so anyone can get there. My brother was in a little sports car and had no major problems getting there. The view and sound from the deck is fantastic. Fire pit on porch was very nice to have. We built a fire every night. Thanks to the owner for supplying wood. Very relaxing. Everything we needed plus was there. We will be back
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Karen R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Four Fabulous Sisters and Two Husbands celebrating 3 birthdays
Great experience. It drizzled most of Saturday and we didn’t get outside but that’s not a reflection on the property. We enjoyed our time together. It was remote and that was explained upfront with detailed directions. The kitchen was well stocked with utensils, etc. Lots of room to move around. The bed mattresses could be upgraded. There were a few towels left in the dryer and one towel in the downstairs bath looked used and dirty. Some of the towels were stained. I’m picky about a few things. We would probably go back.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Safe Retreat
First, let me start by saying this place was wonderful. Cozy, rustic (but with many amenities provided!), fantastic babbling stream. One of our party was going through some hard times and asked us to find something “isolated and with trees.” This delivered and more. Gorgeous scenery, very peaceful, and the cabin was even better in person than the pictures. Someone also has progressive MS, so a cabin with most features accessible on one floor was a must. Also fit the bill. A few things to note: -We totally got lost. Google didn’t take us the same route as the owner seemed to think it would (not his fault). We got there in the end, but it was good to get there during daylight. -Our car also got “herded” by two farm dogs shortly at the beginning stretch of the gravel road (both coming and going). Be aware you may have animal friends, also like… -There were quite a few yellow jackets enjoying the fall weather on the porch with us. As this is a natural setting, it’s not surprising (at least one of us got stung, though, so something important for those who might have allergies). -As we came the first weekend the heat got turned on (lovely weather!), there was a bit of a lingering gas (?) scent throughout the cabin. It was a little odd but would probably dissipate more after it’s been on longer. These are more things to be aware of than problems. We had a wonderful time and wouldn’t hesitate to come again! Beautiful place and very relaxing. Loved the stream noise.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joseph W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Winter Wonderland
Our family couldn't have asked for more when we arrived at Emory Lodge. It accommodated our party of nine, had supplies we needed, and entertainment galore. Though the internet was spotty and there was a minor hiccup with frozen pipes (thanks unexpected winter storm), we had a blast. Scott was phenomenal, travelling to fix the issue and ensure we all had what we needed to enjoy our stay. Though the weather was unexpected, it only added to the beauty of the property. The stream was frozen over, the trees covered in snow, the Christmas decorations keeping the holiday spirit churning. It was the best post-Christmas vacation we've ever had. Hell, it was the best vacation we've ever had! What an incredible experience this was. We have every intention of coming back to the Smokies and Emory Lodge.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jon C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice Getaway
We really enjoyed the property. Quiet, beautiful place with plenty of room for us and three adult children. Cabin was stocked well beyond expected. Owner was great.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Terry I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location
Beautif.ul location. Enjoyed the stay
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sharon C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Emory Lodge
We had a wonderful family trip. The scenery was amazing. The leaves on the trees were beautiful and the creek running by was a relaxing sound. We highly recommend this property if you want a quiet , peaceful vacation or a weekend get away. We would like to thank Mr. Scott for his warmth and kindness. The Shivers
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

christina p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just the outdoor retreat I was looking for
The property is gorgeous with a stunning rock-lined creek that creates small pools and "falls", foliage that was displaying its beautiful fall colors, and some flat green areas perfect for outdoor time. My daughter set up her hammock, the kids built a stick lean-to shelter, we had a pumpkin scavenger hunt with many great riding places on the varied setting of the property, and from the great decks we all enjoyed the view, the sight of leaves fluttering down, the sounds of the creek, the smell of the wood burning in the fire pit, and the fresh air. The kids didn't want to go inside! The property is well stocked and clean. Arriving in daylight is a must to navigate the gravel road to the site, but our cars managed fine without high clearance or 4-wheel drive. We lucked out with great weather, so the road was dry. Don't follow the GPS/ Google maps directions... follow the owner's directions. Grocery store is a good 20 minutes away, so come well stocked. If arriving in cold weather, give the house a few minutes to warm up after arriving. It was a little cold when we arrived, but we were comfortable for the rest of the time with the heaters, fireplace, and blankets that are available.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

About the host

Hosted by Scott Emory (Cassandra Emory)

Host profile image
Welcome to our site. We are Crystal and Scott Emory. We purchased the property in 2006. With encouragement from our neighbors and friends, we decided in the fall of 2012 to offer our escape from reality to others.

After Scott's passing in 2024, the property is now managed by their daughter, Cassandra.

Why they chose this property

We were looking for a weekend getaway in the Smokey mountains to ride our motorcycles. We found a property advertised as a former trout farm. After the first visit, we were hooked! We were not looking for two houses, but we could not pass on this property. It is remote, yet still on the grid with all the comforts of home.

What makes this property unique

Miles of old logging roads to walk, or ride ATV's. Located on a stocked trout stream if you like fishing, or just relaxing on the deck overlooking the stream. Nearby the scenic Cherohala Skyway, Joyce Kilmer State Park, Lake Santeetlah, Fontana Lake, and The Tail Of The Dragon.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests