You can look forward to a firepit, laundry facilities and a hot tub at HOT TUB, Swimming/Fishing Lake, Mountain Views
The Happy Appalachian. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Reviews
8.48.4 out of 10
Very good
Entire home
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning
Add dates for prices
About this property
HOT TUB, Swimming/Fishing Lake, Mountain Views
The Happy Appalachian
The Happy Appalachian mountain cabin on Birch Trail is overlooking Tobacco Branch Valley and a beautiful mountain lake. Take in the view from the deck or enjoy a wood burning fire or a soak in the hot tub while relaxing from the day’s adventure. It is only minutes to Lake Fontana, Nantahala whitewater rafting, Tsali mountain bike trail system, Cataloochee Ski Area, the famous Dragons Tail motorway, Harrah’s Casino, Smoky Mountain National Park and the quaint mountain town of Bryson City.
This Tobacco branch retreat has 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths with all the amenities you need to feel right at home, including a full kitchen and a gas grill. Three TVs and an XBox One with several games for all ages are perfect for relaxing day in. Rental includes access to the community lake with dock and pavilion, excellent for fishing and swimming.
The owners of the Happy Appalachian welcome bikers, however there is about 1/4 of a mile of gravel road, with an incline, to get to the cabin. In addition, the paved driveway is fairly steep.
Bryson City 20 min Dragon’s Tail 15 min Tsali trail system 5 min Nantahala Whitewater 15 min Great Smoky Mtns. Nat. Park 20 min Cherokee/Harrah’s Casino 30 min Smoky Mountain Railway 15 min Catahoochee Ski area 30 min Panther Creek trout pond and hiking less than 1 mile Lake Fontana less than 1 mile
****NOTE: WE USE EXTERIOR CAMERAS FOCUSED ON THE DRIVEWAY AND FRONT ENTRANCE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR TENANTS AND THEIR GUESTS****
Property amenities
Pool/Spa
Hot tub
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Limited on-site parking
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Smart TV
Stereo
Video games
Video library
Outdoor areas
Dock
Firepit
Gas grill
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
6 steps to reach entrance
Area rugs in public areas
Hardwood flooring in public areas
Smooth flooring in public areas
Thin carpet in public areas
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In the mountains
Things to do
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Rafting nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Swimming nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
About the area
Located in Almond, this holiday home is in the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Junaluska Medicine Trail and Fontana Village Resort Marina. Bryson City Gem Mine and Smokey Mountain Trains Museum are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and rafting nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cycling. Visit our Almond travel guide
Is HOT TUB, Swimming/Fishing Lake, Mountain Views
The Happy Appalachian pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at HOT TUB, Swimming/Fishing Lake, Mountain Views
The Happy Appalachian?
Limited spots are available.
What time is check-in at HOT TUB, Swimming/Fishing Lake, Mountain Views
The Happy Appalachian?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at HOT TUB, Swimming/Fishing Lake, Mountain Views
The Happy Appalachian?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is HOT TUB, Swimming/Fishing Lake, Mountain Views
The Happy Appalachian located?
Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is steps from Nantahala National Forest and 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from Fontana Lake. Tuckasegee River and Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center are also within 6 miles (10 km).
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HOT TUB, Swimming/Fishing Lake, Mountain Views
The Happy Appalachian Reviews
Reviews
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We had a lovely stay. The cabin was close to everything we wanted to see. We took advantage of all there was to do in the short week we were there. Smoky Mtn Railroad Moonshine train, ziplining at Nantahala Gorge and boat rental at Almond Marina. We loved the hot tub at the cabin and relaxing top deck. Driveway a little tricky.
My roommates, partner, & I had the pleasure of staying at this cabin for a short weekend getaway while attending the Classic Hondas on the Dragon event earlier this month & I wish every day since then that I could be back there! The rooms were coz & we loved the amenities (hot tub & propane fire table for s'mores) & enjoyed the common areas a great deal. Brooke, the host, was incredibly kind & communicative throughout & before our stay about any information we needed & I truly appreciated it so much! Hopefully, we'll be able to book again for next year's trip 😉
The house was gorgeous, and a great location! However, the house had a musty smell on arrival, the coffee pot needs to be replaced, the grill turn on switch was not working, the Wi-Fi password was different than the one provided, no cabin book to reference, not really any views due to the beautiful trees, and the neighbors were very unfriendly. Make sure you have four wheel drive for the driveway. Getting in and out was questionable the first day, but easier to achieve after the initial shock…lol. Overall the stay was amazing! The hot tub and fishing at the private lake was an enjoyable treat, and the views to all the locations were absolutely stunning!!!!
This rustic home in the woods had plenty of space for our family of six. We loved reading out on the deck, and my husband caught several fish in the pond below. The hot tub was nice, and there is a washer and dryer in the attached garage. The narrow gravel roads and steep driveway were a little tricky, but we managed with a minivan.
We did have an issue that came up with the house (due to previous tenants not following the rules.) Brooke was quick to respond and work out a solution that we found satisfactory.
This house has games, books, movies, and a guitar as well as dishes and cookware. If you're staying more than a weekend, you'll want to bring extra toilet paper and soap.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review
8/10 Good
Juanita P.
23 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Long weekend with friends
This home was the perfect size for our weekend with another couple, and the location was great. The property has so much potential that doesn’t seem to be taken advantage of. Upon arrival, we had issues with the door lock, when I contacted the host about my husband replacing it, she was contacting the property manager, and we never heard back. The house seemed clean enough, but there were cobwebs in lots of places, and lots of lightbulbs out, a leaky faucet in one bathroom, and several deck boards are rotting. The driveway offers it’s own challenges, especially with a friend with a bum knee…
We did enjoy the view of the ducks in the pond. Would definitely not say we wouldn’t stay here again. Just wish the owners would bring this charming cottage up to its full potential!
We really enjoyed our stay and things were as shown and advertised. Enjoyed the quiet neighborhood. The home was nice and would definitely stay again. Enjoyed the grill, fireplace, and hot tub.
Our family of 5 enjoyed our stay here! Cozy home, well apportioned and nicely decorated. New decks and new hot tub. Having access to the fishing/swimming pond was a bonus. Host promptly attentive to all communications. Pay attention to description of driveway - it is steep!
Nice little place in the mountain. Bathrooms are small. Toilets on all bathrooms sit very low. They are some wasp nests outside that need to be taken care of too...The male neighbor next door is NOT courtesy at all and is not friendly too.
The hot tub was okay, we had to add water, it was so low. The cabin was cute, old for sure, but definitely needs a cleaning. There were spiders webs everywhere. The last morning a spider crawled across my husband's face while still laying in the bed. Investigated, the whole under the bed,spider webs galore! Same in windows.The washing machine doesn't work, either. Overall was an okay experience. We made due and made it work.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Darrell H.
11 Jul 2024
Liked: Communication
3 Night Stay
Our stay started out with not being able to get into the cabin because of a lock malfunction, but once inside we found a pretty nice little cabin although not the cleanest we have visited in the past, it has issues that needs to be addressed like some pretty week looking boards on the deck, grill has to be light by hand, no ac in the living room area, not enough bathroom supplies, no dish towels or dish clothes that we found, had a couple bathroom flushing issues, could not get the washer to work, it filled with water but that's all it would do. I rate the cabin itself a 8 out of ten and the amenities maybe a 6 out of ten, although we had a great time just visiting with family.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review
4/10 Poor
Sheree J.
11 Nov 2024
Liked: Communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Police women get away
I was very disappointed in the cabin it was nothing that I seen on line. We are all police women you gets away once a year to the mountains. We try to stay in different areas each year. The parking was horrible, when trying to get luggage in. It was a lot smaller than we thought it would be. And there was not enough toilet paper for 6 females!! But we made the best of it. Thanks for sharing your space with us. !!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Ann Marie M.
15 Apr 2023
Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Mountain Vacation
It was just lovely being in the mountains and having such nice views of the lake.
I had no response from the contact person after repeated tries (messaged and called). The home is in general disrepair … screens broke or torn, carpet old, deck boards starting to rot, windows dirty, leaky sinks, toilet kept running after flush, dryer didn’t work, hot tub felt slimy …. it’s really too bad because it’s such a great location … so close to all the most beautiful places on earth.
The Happy Appalachian was just what we were looking for. It was peaceful, relaxing and restful. My kids enjoyed fishing and swimming in the private lake. The neighbors that we ran into were very, very welcoming and friendly. There was plenty of space for our family of 6 to spread out. The hot tub was lovely.
Several of the reviews mentioned that the cabin was in need of a good cleaning. We thought the cabin was as expected for a rustic cabin on a dirt road. All of the appliances worked for us as well.
The cabin was about 40 minutes from the southern end of Smoky Mountain NP. We were surprised by the distance but very grateful for the peaceful area especially after driving through the craziness of Gatlinburg.
Overall a great stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review
2/10 Terrible
Joe B.
9 Apr 2023
Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Not satisfied
Property was very dirty. I spent more time fixing things to manage for the week. Dryer didn't work, light fixtures didn't work. Was not satisfied at all
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Danielle C.
29 Mar 2023
Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication
Could’ve been better
The location is great, we have stayed in this neighborhood before. Relaxing in the hot tub after long days of hiking was amazing! The cabin could use a good cleaning, some updating and new appliances. The dryer was not working when we were there. We reached out to the host through the app, phone calls & texts and received no response. We also called the local guy that was listed as a contact and he said he hasn’t worked on the property in 2-3 years. Not having a dryer for a week was not fun. There was no where to hang clothing and not many hangers. Because of the lack of response I cannot recommend this rental.
Pros:
Very quiet neighborhood
Plenty of space for the family to hang out
Bedroom and bathroom on every level
New hot tub
Cons:
Needs a good spring cleaning
Beds not the greatest
Appliances need to be replaced
This property is so close to being a top rental. It is decorated adorably, the couch is super comfy, the split space is awesome.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review
4/10 Poor
Jeremy B.
15 Jun 2023
Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Not what was expected or paid for.
The cabin could be great. But very dirty upon arrival. I thought perhaps the handful of poor reviews were just people nitpicking as they sometimes do. However immediately noticed the beds had been slept in with all linens on the floor and dirty. It looks like it hasn’t been vacuumed in ages. There were dishes in the sink. There were food crumbs all over the floor in the kitchen. Found two cockroaches. Amongst many other bugs. When messaging them about the dirty linens to see where we could find clean ones so we could get to bed after our 12.5 hour drive, we never received a response from host. I give two stars because the property could be very nice. It’s a beautiful home in a beautiful quiet location in need of some real good TLC. But spending good money and getting shafted on a clean place is insane. I paid a cleaning fee for the filthiest place I have ever stayed. Hopefully the host gets it together and doesn’t continue pocketing renters cleaning fees and never cleaning a thing. I understand sometimes things come up and happen, but this level of not caring about guests and cleanliness is unacceptable.
Everything is as described it's a very nice location in the mountains of North Carolina. It is an older house and you can tell but it's great condition. The hot tub is very nice.