There's a certain magic that only the Smoky Mountains of Bryson City, North Carolina can conjure — and this summer, our family set out to experience it all. Our week at 3 Little Bears Retreat was filled with breathtaking adventures, peaceful moments, and unforgettable family memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 1: Arrival & Nuwati Trail Wanderings

After settling into our cozy cabin, we headed straight for the Nuwati Trail on the Retreat. Winding through serene woods and following the gentle sounds of the mountain stream and Lands Creek, the trail offered the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. We paused along the way for a creekside picnic, developed some nature scavenger hunts, and simply soaked in the quietude of the lush ravine like our own private mountain paradise found. The kids enjoyed Hudson's Hideaway Playground, searching for salamanders in the stream and splashing in the stream-fed pond where we looked on from the hammocks and borrowed a book from the "little library" on a tree there to relax at the pond. That evening, we gathered around the fire pit, toasting marshmallows and sharing laughter under a blanket of stars.

Day 2: Fontana Lake Adventure

The next morning, we had a private yoga session and the Retreat helped us arrange to have Everett's Diner breakfast delivered to the cabin... amazing! Then we rented a pontoon boat at the Almond Marina and spent the day gliding across the crystal-clear waters of Fontana Lake. Hidden coves, refreshing swims, pulling the kids on a tube, a few fishing attempts, and endless mountain views made for a day full of joy. Back at the Retreat, the kids went right back to the Nuwati Trail and we later hand-crafted personal pizzas to bake in the Solo gas pizza oven, followed by a family game night that stretched late into the evening.

Day 3: Elk, Theater, and Cherokee Charm

We rented a Side by Side and ventured to Cherokee to witness the majestic elk grazing peacefully through open fields, a humbling and beautiful sight. Afterwards,  we journeyed deep into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including a sacred visit to Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) and exploring the Mingus Mill, Newfound Gap Trail, and others. Returning to Cherokee, we went to Native Brews, which was a good and relaxed brewery. As the sun set, we attended "Unto These Hills," a powerful outdoor drama telling the rich story of the Cherokee people. It was a moving cultural experience that left us all reflective and inspired.

Day 4: Horses and Hidden Trails

Our fourth day took us back to Cherokee horseback riding through the Smokemont area, where the steady rhythm of hooves and the rustling of the woods created a dreamlike experience. Afterwards, we visited Mingo Falls and then went tubing down the Oconoluftee River, which was a great longer tube ride with little areas to stop and play on the rocks, and some decent rapids for tubing! A few also went mountain biking on the Fire Mountain Trail systems near Cherokee! We spent the evening in downtown Bryson City and greatly enjoyed the farm to table dining at the Bryson City Brewery and then walked over to hear the band at Mountain Layers Brewery and finished meeting some locals at BCO - Bryson City Outdoors. 

Day 5: Deep Creek Fun & Bryson City Exploration

It wouldn't be summer without more tubing, and Deep Creek delivered! We floated past waterfalls and over gentle rapids, laughing and splashing the whole way. In the afternoon, we wandered Bryson City's charming shops and breweries, picking up local crafts and sharing small plates while the kids sampled handcrafted sodas. We also made reservations for dinner at the Fryemont Inn (make your reservations well in advance), and we shared an incredible meal in a truly authentic setting of the old, log built hotel with wavy floors, exposed beams, and a huge stacked stone fireplace... and the food was great and reasonable. 

Day 6: High-Flying Thrills, Mountain Rides & Fly Fishing

The fishermen in our group took the opportunity to go early to Nantahala for some fly fishing before the water release of the damn and then the adventurous chased thrills by ziplining through the Nantahala Gorge and braving the whitewater rapids of the Nantahala River — a highlight for the adventure seekers among us. For those of us who didn't go fishing early, we enjoyed a private yoga session and then curled up with a book in a hammock by the stream for the morning. 

Day 7: Hiking & Final Relaxation

In the morning, we hiked the Goldmine Loop Trail off the famed "Road to Nowhere," a beautiful and not to be missed drive that is pretty much right at the Retreat (the entrance to the Road to Nowhere of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is around the corner from the Retreat) discovering misty overlooks and quiet forest alcoves that is away from all the crowds and truly a more peaceful and rejuvenating area of the National Park than Deep Creek and definitely more so than all the traffic and tourism on 441 between Cherokee and Gatlinburg. If you want to experience the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the way it was intended, then stay at the Retreat and spend your time hiking and reconnecting to nature on The Road to Nowhere. It has a lot of trails, fishing creeks, and access to Fontana Lake with incredible views. For us, the Goldmine Trail lead down to a great spot on Fontana Lake to go swimming and have a picnic before hiking back up. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, we treated ourselves to the Retreat's spa offerings with in-cabin massages, and precious moments of quietude.  

The Little Moments That Meant Everything

Throughout the week, between grand adventures, there were countless little moments: competitive board games, late-night card tournaments, s’mores experiments, spontaneous hammock naps, and the simple joy of sharing homemade meals together.

3 Little Bears Retreat isn't just a place to stay — it's a canvas for unforgettable memories. We came seeking adventure, connection, and peace. We left with full hearts and stories we'll tell for generations.