Q: Are there daily linen service and touchup cleaning in the cabins and lodges?

A linen change and touchup clean can be arranged on request.

Q: Are there any golf courses nearby?

Yes, Sequoyah National is a championship-rated course and is considered to be one of the top mountain golf destinations on the East Coast.

Q: How far away are whitewater rafting and the Nantahala?

The Nantahala Gorge is about 20 minutes away, which includes whitewater rafting. This can be one of your included activities . For the more advanced, you can do a ducky or go whitewater kayaking there. For a more advanced whitewater rafting experience, you can go to the Ocoee, which is about 1 hour away.

Q: How far is Lake Fontana and how can it be accessed?

The lake is less than 10 minutes and can be accessed via hiking off the Road to Nowhere or there are marinas with pontoon rentals at Alarka or Almond. Both are about 20 minutes away.

Question 1

What is the closest airport to Three Little Bears Retreat?

Accepted Answer

The regional airport in Asheville is about 1 hour away.

Question 2

Do you offer transfers from the airport or Asheville hotels?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We will do transfers but recommend having a rental car or working with us to rent a UTV/side-by-side during your stay to get around Three Little Bears Retreat and into and around Bryson City during your leisure time.

Question 3

Do I need a rental car?

Accepted Answer

Yes, (or a UTV/Side-by-Side that can be rented locally) mainly because Three Little Bears Retreat is mountainside with our common lodge at the top, which can be a tough hike to do regularly.

Question 4

How close is downtown Bryson City?

Accepted Answer

3 miles down an easy, non-winding road. Less than 10 minutes.

Question 5

How close are your cabins & lodges to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Accepted Answer

Less than a mile and less than one minute. The Lakeview Drive or “Road to Nowhere” entrance is around the corner from the Retreat. Deep Creek and the waterfalls are about 8 minutes away. 441 up to Kuwohi and route to Gatlinburg is 20 minutes away.

Question 6

Are tips included?

Accepted Answer

Gratuities are not included, as many adventures are led by trusted third-party guides. Tipping is optional but customary—guests often consider ~$20 per person for half-day trips, and more for full-day and more intensive experiences, based on service and duration. Your guide will always focus on delivering a memorable, safe, and enriching experience—gratitude is simply a personal way to say thank you. If you would like to leave a tip for a guide or staff member but do not have cash or an app that they use, please let us know and we can arrange that for you and add it to your bill.<

Question 7

Are there daily linen service and touchup cleaning in the cabins and lodges?

Accepted Answer

A linen change and touchup clean can be arranged on request.

Question 8

How close is Harrah’s Casino?

Accepted Answer

It is about 20 minutes away.

Question 9

Are there any golf courses nearby?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Sequoyah National is a championship-rated course and is considered to be one of the top mountain golf destinations on the East Coast.

Question 10

How far away are whitewater rafting and the Nantahala?

Accepted Answer

The Nantahala Gorge is about 20 minutes away, which includes whitewater rafting. This can be one of your included activities. For the more advanced, you can do a ducky or go whitewater kayaking there. For a more advanced whitewater rafting experience, you can go to the Ocoee, which is about 1 hour away.

Question 11

How far is Lake Fontana and how can it be accessed?

Accepted Answer

The lake is less than 10 minutes and can be accessed via hiking off the Road to Nowhere or there are marinas with pontoon rentals at Alarka or Almond. Both are about 20 minutes away.

Question 12

Are the cabins and lodges private and secluded?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Retreat is set in a small valley with Lands Creek at its base and several mountain streams bordering the National Park. A ridgeline separates our valley from the lower valley of Bryson giving an incredible sense of being in the middle of the mountains with nothing else around. The cabins and lodges also all have very private and secluded outdoor areas without interference from other cabins and guests.

Question 13

How close is the grocery store?

Accepted Answer

8 minutes: Ingles is located in Bryson City along with a local IGA and farmers’ markets. Meals are all-inclusive, but we can stock the fridge with your desired items as well for an additional grocery delivery fee, which is the cost plus 20%.

Question 14

Do I need 4-wheel drive?

Accepted Answer

No, all of the lodges and cabins are accessible with 2WD.

Question 15

Is there a pharmacy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have a Walgreens in Bryson City along with a couple of local pharmacies.

Question 16

What is the closest hospital?

Accepted Answer

There is a local hospital in Bryson City along with a regional one in Sylva and a large hospital in Asheville.

Question 17

Do we allow pets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Three Little Bears Retreat offers pet-friendly lodging. Well-mannered, people-friendly dogs will enjoy the trails, dips in the creek and fresh mountain air. The pet rate is $50 per night for up to two dogs. All dogs must be crate trained and be crated if left unattended in an accommodation. Dogs are not allowed in any inside dining areas. Leashes are necessary near wildlife, so animals must be on a leash at all times on property. Please be aware of wildlife when bringing pets to the Retreat.

The pet fee applies to all animals that are not protected under the ADA for public access. There are no fees for service animals protected under the ADA laws.

There will be a damages fee charged for any pet damage including urine or excrement in accommodations.

The pet fee applies to all animals that are not protected under the ADA for public access. There are no fees for service animals protected under the ADA laws.

There will be a damages fee charged for any pet damage including urine or excrement in accommodations.

Question 18

What is the creek like?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 19

Are there trails on the property?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have a trail that runs along a mountain stream from the creek up. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions