Our Mission: At Three Little Bears Retreat, bathed in the ethos of Nuwati, we go beyond what is “just right” to create life-defining and regenerative experiences in the most biodiverse temperate forest on earth in the “back of beyond” of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Our Vision and Purpose: Build world-class adventure experiences that provide life-defining moments of accomplishment, self-renewal and connection through the perspective of stewardship and regeneration. In this process, our guests will experience the elation of self-fulfillment while their stay and contributions fund the preservation of lands for conservation and establish refuges for wildlife support.

"If you are seeking a place apart, where the trails are faint and the world is forgotten, you are heading for the Back of Beyond." --Horace Kephart, Founding Father of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains matter because they are one of the last places in the East where space still exists—space to breathe, to wander, to be quiet, and to remember who we are.

Long before screens, schedules, and cities claimed our attention, people lived by seasons, weather, daylight, and instinct. The Smokies still speak that older language. Their ridges soften the noise of the modern world. Their forests ask us to slow down. Their creeks remind us that movement does not need urgency to have purpose.

Horace Kephart believed these mountains were a necessary refuge—not from hardship, but from excess. He came here seeking what he called a “Back of Beyond”: a place beyond expectation, beyond distraction, beyond the pressures of modern life. What he found was renewal. What he fought for was preservation—so others could find it too.

The Smokies matter because they are wild, yet welcoming. Vast, yet intimate. They are not conquered by visitors; they are entered with humility. Adventure here is not about speed or spectacle—it is about attention. Noticing light through leaves. Listening for life in the woods. Learning how little is truly needed to feel whole again.

At 3 Little Bears Retreat, we believe the Smokies are not a backdrop—they are the purpose.

Our safari-style expeditions are designed to reconnect people with something elemental:

• The freedom of going afoot

• The confidence that comes from preparedness

• The joy of discovery that feels almost childlike

• The quiet pride of earning an experience rather than consuming one

The Smokies matter because they decouple us from stress and recouple us to meaning. Because here, phones go quiet, conversations deepen, and days are measured by light and weather instead of notifications. Because adults remember the little kid still inside them—the one who once went outside and played until dark.

These mountains matter because they teach stewardship. What is loved must be protected. What is experienced with reverence is carried forward. The Smokies do not belong to us—we belong to them, briefly, and responsibly.

This is why we guide rather than rush. Why we gather rather than isolate. Why we explore with intention, and rest without guilt. Why luxury here is defined not by excess, but by access to something rare: time, space, and wildness.

The Smokies matter because the world still needs places that give back what modern life takes away.

And because once you have walked their trails, breathed their air, and felt their quiet power—you understand that some places are not meant to be visited.

They are meant to be remembered.

Founder

A Vision Born from Wanderlust, a Love for the Mountains, and a Commitment to Sustainability

Three Little Bears Retreat was inspired by a lifelong love for nature, adventure, and connection. As an avid backpacker and hiker, I’ve had the privilege of exploring the far corners of the world—from the remote mountain trails of Patagonia and Kilimanjaro to vibrant cultural hubs in Brazil and Thailand, and from rustic cabins to luxurious lodges and resorts. The experience I gained from these places and cultures instilled a dream to one day create my own eco-retreat, and I believe that the inspiration of the warmth of a remote village guesthouse in the Himalayas, the thoughtful design of eco-lodges in Central America, and the communal spirit of a safari camp in Africa all have their place in the design and creation of this Retreat. 

However, the Retreat really came into existence as I settled into a career, got married, had family and yet longed for the adventures of the wilderness and desired to share that spirit, connection to nature, and freedom from exploring with my children. Three Little Bears Retreat started with one cabin and grew from that idea--a place where I could share the lessons of nature with my family and open our doors to guests from all walks of life, fostering a shared appreciation for connecting to nature, starting new adventures, promoting the conservation of the wild, and preserving ancient cultures.

By carefully stewarding this land and sharing its stories, we aim to inspire guests not only to enjoy its beauty but also to care for it. Whether it’s witnessing the release of rehabilitated wildlife, exploring trails surrounded by native flora, or staying in thoughtfully designed spaces built with the environment in mind, every moment at Three Little Bears Retreat connects you to nature’s richness and resilience.

Whether you come for adventure, relaxation, or connecting with loved ones, Three Little Bears Retreat offers an experience as diverse and enriching as the land it calls home. We welcome you to be part of our story—and to make your own here in the heart of Western North Carolina in Bryson City, the basecamp of the Smokies and center of the Cherokee culture.

"In the wilderness, a man can find rest for his soul and healing for his wounds." --Horace Kephart

Seek beyond the skyline to the back of beyond, 

Matt McGee

Founder, Keeper of the Bears