Why Choose Three Little Bears Retreat?
When people ask what sets 3 Little Bears Retreat apart from other resorts or short-term rentals, the answer is simple but comes in different forms.
Philosophically, this nature resort was never built from the typical mold of vision and profit.
The Retreat was born from my life shaped by global adventures, rare experiences, and a deep love for nature, culture, and family. After traveling the world and living out moments many only dream of, I had a yearning desire to create a place where my own adventures could continue and instill in my children a sense of adventure, freedom, peace and harmony with nature. In doing this, I have, with the help of many, created a destination that draws people toward nature and a wider perspective, not away from it. The Cherokee ideal that there is one-ness with nature and that every part of it is important emanates throughout the Retreat and how we do things going forward.
I designed the Retreat as a place where my children could explore freely, discover adventure, and learn the values of stewardship and curiosity. I shaped it as a space where my wife could truly rest, disconnect from the demands of everyday life, and feel deeply rejuvenated. And I built it for myself too—a place where passion for the outdoors, heritage, and adventurous living could come together.
That spirit continues today. Every improvement we make at the Retreat serves a purpose: more peace and romance for my wife, more wonder and fun for my children, and better care for the land we’re privileged to steward. Our goal is always to deepen the experience—for ourselves, for our guests, and for generations to come.
I hope that 3 Little Bears Retreat brings the same renewal, joy, and connection to your life as it does to mine. And I hope it becomes a place you return to over the years—to recharge, to reconnect, and to write new chapters with the people you love most.
Practically, our nature resort sprung up out of relief of 1) finding Bryson City, which is the quintessential mountain basecamp town that is not overrun or overdone as the TN side has become. There is still peace in the mountains on the Carolina side of the National Park. 2) Our location is truly incredible as the Retreat feels worlds away secluded on its own mountainside, but our proximity to the "Road to Nowhere" entrance of the National Park is less than a mile and the park forms the rear property line of the Retreat! AND we are also only 3 miles on pretty much a straight shot into downtown Bryson City with all of its local shops, restaurants, the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and Hallmark movie charm. 3) The North Carolina side of the park boasts all of the best adventures of the mountains without near the crowds. We have more park accesses, more waterfalls, whitewater rafting, Cherokee culture, Elk, and more. 4) If the location of the Retreat wasn't enough, our Retreat boasts the strong creek at the bottom and we have built a nature and activity trail leading towards the top that includes waterfalls, mountain stream, mediation areas, hammocks, a stream fed hidden oasis and pond, and an adventure play area! 5) We have onsite staff who can handle all your needs as well as conduct guided nature hikes, kids activities, and organize other experiences at the Retreat. 6) Finally, all of our lodges, cabins, and glamping are luxurious, designed for both comfort and bonding fun, and have interior designs that are immersive and reflective of the local culture and area.
Overall, we offer private, luxurious cabins and lodges that have access to wider resort type amenities and staff services in a location that is all of incredibly picturesque, convenient to both the adventures of nature and comforts of town, and yet is still private, remote and secluded. With four mountain streams, beautiful ridgeline and long-range views, several small cascading waterfalls, and Lands Creek, we truly have a mountainside paradise with every element you would want for your mountain escape.
What are the cabin options and bedroom layouts?
On the Retreat, we have three large cabins, a smaller two-bedroom cabin, two mountain streams, the roaring Lands Creek at the bottom, long range views at the top, and several hundred feet directly bordering the National Park!
Our original Three Little Bears cabin is a large 4-bedroom cabin with a large, finished basement used as a bunk room. There is a master suite on the 3rd floor with spa type bathroom and reading loft. The main floor has 2 bedrooms with King beds, a large laundry room, one full bath, a large kitchen and open concept dining and living room as well as access to the wrap around outdoor balconies. The basement is heated and cooled and features 3 bunk bed sets, a movie area with a 65" tv, a workspace, a full bath and the adjoining garage has been turned into a game room with a pool table, foosball table, arcade console, and dart board. The garage area leads outside to the bottom floor deck that has swings, a sitting area to enjoy the view and enjoy the sounds of the roaring creek below.
Smoky Bear Lodge is a large 4 bedroom +bunk room /4 bath cabin with two large, finished living areas and a garage. Lands Creek can also be heard loudly from this cabin. The kitchen, main living area, balcony, and another king bedroom and full bath are located on the main floor, while the other two king bedrooms and the living/game room/deck with hot tub and fire pit are located on the lower floor. The 4th room is actually a suite of rooms with all single or bunk beds and a private bath.
Sky Bear Lodge is a classic cabin that has a historical feel and epic views from near the top of the Retreat. It has 5 bedrooms with 2 kings and a full bath up top, the master suite and a bedroom with twin beds on the main floor with the kitchen and main living area, and another king bedroom and bunk room with 5 single beds (no bunk beds) is on the bottom floor along with the game room, hot tub, and fire pit.
In process... hopefully Summer 2024, we will have an Airstream Barndominium and a one bedroom creekside cabin completed. Summer 2025, Luxury Glamping Tents!
How close is downtown?
3 miles down an easy, non-winding road
How close is the grocery store?
8 minutes
Do I need 4 wheel drive?
No, the 3 Little Bears Cabin is the most difficult because it is a steeper gravel road. However, I do not own a 4WD vehicle and have not had problems. The basics are keep up your momentum (dont stop) and make take the turns as wide as possible. Sky, Poppa and Smoky Bear are all on a paved asphalt drive.
Do I need to bring sheets and towels?
No
Do we allow pets?
Depends, the larger lodges are too difficult for our cleaning crews to turn between guests with pets as an additional concern to clean up after. We do allow pets at the smaller units.
What is the creek like?
The creek is generally about ankle to mid-shin deep. We do have an easy area to walk into the water and a picnic table down there as well. While people have caught fish in the creek, I would say the water is usually too low.
Are there trails on the property?
Yes, we have a trail that runs along a mountain stream from the creek up. If you are staying at Sky, Poppa, or Smoky, you can use the trail to get down to the creek. It's a beautiful spring fed stream that to most is more popular than the creek at the bottom. We also have a nature pond within the stream on the trail, hammocks to lounge in, places for quiet reflection and a playground.
Do you have a guide or tips?
Yes, when you book, you will get access to our Touchstay Digital Guide that is tailored to each property, and it will have a map with locations pinned, info on the cabins and much more.
Do you offer any services?
Yes, we offer custom-tailored, guided hikes in the National Park and elsewhere depending on your skill level. Please contact us ahead of time in order to coordinate with our guide who is close to completing his life goal of hiking all 1,000+ hikes in the national park! We can also help you coordinate onsite massages and spa-type therapies amongst other services.
Please reach out ahead of time and tell us what you would like, and we will see if we can help make it happen!
How do I set up Spa treatments, Yoga Sessions or Tai Chi?
Contact us prior to your arrival date so we can arrange this. While it may be possible to get short-notice services, it is not guaranteed if not arranged prior to your stay.
