About Hiker’s Rest

Ten minutes to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Completely private. Surrounded by forest so dense you genuinely feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere — because you essentially are. Hiker’s Rest lives up to its name: this is a cabin that rewards people who want to earn their relaxation with a day on the river or trail, then come home to a hot tub on the covered deck, a rock fireplace in a soaring two-story great room, and a cold drink in the silence.

The floor plan is smart and comfortable. The main-level master suite has a king bed and a private bath. The second bedroom on the main level has a queen. Above, a loft overlooks the great room and has its own game area — a natural separation that works well for families with kids or two couples who appreciate a bit of their own space. The great room itself is a proper gathering space: log-wall interiors, hardwood floors, leather sofa and loveseat, gas-log rock fireplace, and a DirectTV system with premium movie and sports channels. The covered front deck and hot tub are just outside, and a gas grill rounds out the outdoor setup.

The kitchen is fully stocked for real cooking, with stainless steel appliances and raised bar seating so nobody misses the conversation while the food is being made. Bring the dog — Hiker’s Rest is one of Watershed’s pet-friendly properties.

Sleeping Arrangements

Main-Level Master Suite — King bed · Sleeps 2
Private full bathroom.

Main-Level Bedroom 2 — Queen bed · Sleeps 2

Loft — Futon · Sleeps up to 2
Open loft above the great room with game area.

Total: Sleeps up to 6

The Space at a Glance

• 2 Bedrooms · 2 Full Bathrooms · Sleeps up to 6
• Nantahala Gorge location — 10 minutes to NOC, private rainforest-like setting
• 2-story vaulted great room with rock gas-log fireplace and log-wall interiors
• Open loft above great room with game area and futon
• Covered front deck with hot tub
• Gas grill
• Fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances and bar seating
• DirectTV with premium movie and sports channels
• CD/DVD player and stereo with digital music channels
• Hardwood floors and leather sofa/loveseat throughout
• Washer and dryer
• Frontier DSL internet — basic connectivity available
• Pet friendly — pet fees handled at booking

Kitchen & Dining

• Fully equipped kitchen with all new stainless steel appliances
• Dishwasher, full-size refrigerator, oven/range, microwave, coffee maker
• Cookware, bakeware, dishes, glassware, and utensils provided
• Coffee maker with starter supply of coffee included
• Dining table seating for 6, plus raised bar seating for 2

What’s Provided

We stock the cabin with essentials to get you settled. The nearest full grocery store is Ingles Market in Bryson City (approximately 20 minutes away, closes at 10pm most of the year). We recommend stocking up before heading up the mountain.

• Trash bags
• Laundry detergent
• Dishwasher pods
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Basic toiletries
• Coffee (starter supply)
• Propane for gas grill, plus a spare tank

Please note these are starter supplies and may not be sufficient for your entire stay. Groceries, beverages, and specialty items are not provided.

Outdoor Features & Recreation

On the Property

• Covered front deck with hot tub
• Gas grill
• Deeply wooded, private setting in the Nantahala Gorge

Loft & Entertainment

• Open loft above great room accessible via stairs
• Game area in loft
• Futon for overflow sleeping or lounging
• DirectTV with premium movie and sports channels
• Stereo system with CD/DVD and dozens of digital music channels

Location & Nearby Attractions

Hiker’s Rest is located in the Nantahala Gorge near Bryson City, NC — deeply private yet remarkably well-positioned for outdoor adventure. The cabin is in the Cowee area of the gorge, just 10 minutes from the NOC. Exact directions provided after booking.

Good to Know

Getting Here: Hiker’s Rest is accessed via a mountain road in the Nantahala Gorge. The road has curves and elevation change — please drive attentively, especially in winter or wet conditions. In winter months, salt and plow service does extend up the road. Exact directions will be provided after booking.

Internet: Frontier DSL is available at the cabin, providing basic connectivity for casual browsing. For bandwidth-intensive needs, plan accordingly.

Windows: The cabin features large windows throughout that frame the surrounding forest beautifully. Note that some windows do not have blinds or coverings — light sleepers may want to bring an eye mask for early mornings.

Pets: Hiker’s Rest is pet friendly. Pet fees apply and are handled at time of booking. Please ensure pets are supervised at all times on the property.

What Our Guests Are Saying

Amanda  ·  October 2025

“We enjoyed our stay and loved how close it was to the NOC. Perfect for our family.”

Jen  ·  January 2026

“Great stay! Beautiful location and everything we needed. We were comfortable with the roads but if you aren’t used to driving on snow or ice the curves up and down the hillside may be an issue depending on weather. We were pleasantly surprised how far up the roads the salt/plow truck actually went. I would like to have had an option to close blinds on the windows without them, but it definitely didn’t dampen our stay. Would definitely stay again!”