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Logo for Little Bears Retreat with mountain imagery and a welcoming tagline.
Bryson City, NC
828-538-0306
Logo for Little Bears Retreat with mountain imagery and a welcoming tagline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest airport to Three Little Bears Retreat?

The regional airport in Asheville is about 1 hour away.

Do you offer transfers from the airport or Asheville hotels?

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.

Do I need a rental car?

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.

How close is downtown Bryson City?

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

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

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.

Are tips included?

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.<

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

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

How close is Harrah’s Casino?

It is about 20 minutes away.

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.

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.

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.

Are the cabins and lodges private and secluded?

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.

How close is the grocery store?

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%.

Do I need 4-wheel drive?

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

Is there a pharmacy?

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

What is the closest hospital?

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

Do we allow pets?

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.

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. 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.