Location: Asheville, Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, USA (10 minutes from Weaverville, 20 minutes from Asheville) View Map
Accommodations: Cabin, 1 Bedroom + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-3)
Keywords: Cabin,cottage,island
Rent an island for your vacation! This one of a kind camp style cabin, situated on a beautiful private island in the French Broad River, offers a unique opportunity to "get away from it all". Restored one room (plus modified bath) rustic cabin with large partially covered porch to enjoy the "middle of nowhere" feeling of being on an island. Our Island Retreat is designed for the adventurous. This rustic retreat provides the ideal quarters for fishermen, authors, bikers, hikers and the free spirited looking to get close to nature… but not too close!
Fish the French Broad, cook your catch over on the open fire pit grill, experience an outdoor rain fed shower, and watch the fireflies light up the mountainside. Bring your bike and enjoy the level ride along historic Old Marshall Highway. Catch some rays on your private riverfront beach or just relax in the porch hammock. Spend evenings by the campfire toasting smores and listening to the wildlife serenade. Day trip to kayak, whitewater raft, tube the river, hike or horseback ride. Explore history with a visit to the Biltmore Estate, Grove Arcade, historic downtown Asheville or the Vance Birthplace. Drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and have lunch on top of Mount Pisgah.
This is the only cabin on the island with incredible privacy and isolation, but just 15 minutes from Asheville, 10 minutes to Weaverville, and 10 minutes to the historic town of Marshall.
PLEASE scroll down to view all of our photos, click on "comments from previous guests" to see what visitors think, and view our WEBSITE (see link below) for more details!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning : Portable room air conditioner available for additional fee.
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Stove : Winter heat source
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed : Twin cot available for parties with 3 guests.
- Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided : Grill tools, cast iron cookware, tableware and serving utensils for cooking on fire pit grill or wood stove. Induction burner in cabin for rainy day cooking.
- Refrigerator
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : Fire pit grill - burns wood
- Deck/Patio : With hammock, picnic table
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details : Private island surrounded by French Broad River, accessible by private suspension bridge
- Mountain View
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : Available on grounds of property.
- Other Amenities
- Private island, fire pit with grill, outdoor rain barrel fed shower
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : One dog allowed on premises with qualifications, additional cleaning fee, and additional deposits. NO bird dogs, aggressive dogs or unvaccinated dogs permitted.
- Not Suitable for Children : Children over 12 years only permitted. Children over 12 must be accompanied by and directly supervised by an adult at all times
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : Children under 12 not permitted!
- Smoking Not Allowed : Smoking allowed outdoors only.
- Activities
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Campfire, 20 minutes to Appalachian Trail, 20 minutes to Biltmore Estate, 15 minutes to Vance Birthplace, 15 minutes to Blue Ridge Parkway, 20 minutes to Hot Springs
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Apr thru Oct. $250/2 nights..$350/3 nights..$450/4 nights..$750/7 night week + tax
Nov & March $195/2 nights..$295/3 nights..$375/4 nights..$500/wk + tax
Minimum Three Night Rental During Holidays & Bele Chere
$25 cleaning fee, 7.75% North Carolina sales tax
We accept CREDIT CARDS through PAYPAL
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
-
Credit Cards Accepted:
-
-
-
-
Map & Owner's Profile
Private Island *** Cool Rustic Cabin on French Broad River
Year Purchased: 2006
Why the Owner Chose Asheville
The French Broad River is a spectacular river meandering through a spectacular town. "Broad" is a descriptive name for this large, majestic river which is largely unspoiled by development. Yet, just down river, Asheville offers all of the excitement, arts, fine dining, nightlife, and eclectic culture that anyone could seek. The Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail and so many other natural gifts are just a short drive away. Madison County offers some of the beautiful whitewater rafting locations, unspoiled mountain land, and even snow skiing in Wolf Laurel. Our location is ideally located just north of Asheville and south of Madison County. It is truly the best of both worlds.
The Unique Benefits at this Cabin
Riverside Escapes offers the only island vacation rental in the area and one of just a few riverfront properties. Guests are encouraged to walk the swinging bridge, fish from the shores, sit by the riverside campfire, and generally immerse themselves in the incredible natural beauty of the property. There is something for everyone here. For the more adventurous type, our island cabin offers the feel of remote camping, but none of the hassles. For those seeking more luxury, our mainland cabin has all the comforts of home and more with a hot tub, custom tile showers, coffee bar, wireless internet access, and more.
Owner's Map of Asheville
Paul and Liz Wiederhold moved to "the river" in 2006 to follow their dreams. Their incredible new riverfront location begged to be shared... and "Riverside Escapes" was born. More than vacation rentals, the future of Riverside Escapes will include riverfront weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, and more. The Wiederholds were married on the property's island and live onsite where they provide personal service for their guests. The property is full of animals; Diamond - our very friendly campus mascot dog, a flock of very pampered free range chickens, a pair of mallard ducks who have taken up voluntary residency, and lots of other birds and critters. Paul owns a high end roofing company specializing in slate, tile, copper and metal roofs, and copper gutters. When not working, Paul loves to fish, kayak and generally enjoy the river. Liz enjoys hostessing and working "hands on" at Riverside Escapes including fixing and building things, as well as designing, decorating, sewing and landscaping.
Property Photos
-
- Americana Cabin from the River - Private Smoky Mountain Cabin
-
- French Broad River from Riverside Escapes' Private Island - Private Smoky Mountain Cabin
-
- Cabin sleeping area with wood stove - Private Smoky Mountain Cabin
-
- Sitting area with hot/cold water dispenser, refrigerator, & convection cooktop
-
- Shady hammock on cabin porch overlooking the river
-
- The outdoor shower fed by rain barrel water collection
-
- Riverfront firepit and adjustable "campfire grill"
-
- Visitors enjoy the view from the bridge to the island
-
- Fall on the island trail
-
- The incredible French Broad River
-
- Fishing for the big one...
-
- The big one caught!!
-
- Private Island!
-
- Frequent visitors!
-
- Kayaking the French Broad near the cabin!
Traveler Reviews (28)
Amazing in Every Way!!!
Guest: Jo Jo and Larry
(Florida)
Date of Stay: 10/19/11
Review Submitted: 11/13/11
Our time spent at the American Cabin was amazing in every way! We enjoyed hiking the nature trail during the day and campfires at night by the river. Nothing can compare to leaving the door open throughout the night and falling asleep to the sound of the river outside. We enjoyed being "disconnected" from the hustle of everyday life for the first time in many years. It was pretty chilly while we stayed at the Americana but the wood burning stove kept the cabin warm and toasty throughout the weekend. Paul and Liz are wonderful hosts making sure we had everything we needed. We are looking forward to our second trip to the Americana!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Honeymoon Getaway!
Guest: Van & Kara
(Myrtle Beach, SC)
Date of Stay: 07/13/11
Review Submitted: 07/18/11
When discussing our honeymoon, we decided that we wanted to find a rustic cabin in the woods on a lake or river. When we arrived at the suspension bridge to the island, we realized that we had found the perfect spot! This was further proven when we made our way down the trail to the cabin. It was a wonderful little cabin and very clear that Liz and Paul treasured this spot as well. It looked just like the pictures-cute, quaint, cozy, well maintained, and had all of the necessary comforts of home...yet allowed us to get a break from the hustle and bustle. We spend our days sight seeing in Downtown Asheville and at the Biltmore Estate, and our evenings at the cabin cooking on the campfire and lounging in the rafts on the beautiful French Broad River. We knew that Liz and Paul were just a suspension bridge away if we needed anything, but we felt like it was just the two of us! We had a wonderful stay and can't wait until our next trip to the private island and the Americana cabin.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
We love this cabin!
Guest: Shine
(Asheboro NC )
Date of Stay: 06/16/10
Review Submitted: 07/13/11
My husband and I stayed here for our anniversary. The cabin is quiet and relaxing. It doesn't matter that it doesn't have A/C. We stayed in mid June. We pretty much stayed gone during the day and the nights were a little chilly. LIz even provided two light jackets to wear, which I did. We remembered to bring our OFF and didn't even need it, no mosquitoes, didn't get bite once. My husband enjoyed fishing by the river. I enjoyed lying in the hammock and cooking by the campfire. The cabin is convenient to downtown Asheville and the Blueridge Parkway. We would love to come back again, hopefully soon.
Owner response:Thanks! We really enjoyed having you visit! We hope you do come back again soon. Liz and Paul.
Recommended for:Age 55+, pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, families with young children.
Perfect Anniversary
Guest: KSMatsui
(Lexington, SC)
Date of Stay: 10/21/10
Review Submitted: 11/01/10
We had a wonderful three nights at the rustic cabin. Everything we needed was provided including firewood, makings for s'mores and a special anniversary treat! We arrived after dark on Thursday evening and were completely awestruck by the beauty when the sun rose Friday morning. You definately have a piece of heaven here on the French Broad and we could not have picked a more unique or special place to spend our tenth anniversary! Thank you Liz and Paul!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.
DELIGHTFUL DECOMPRESSION - EVEN THE HUMMINGBIRDS ARE LAID BACK!
Guest: JIM & JERI & ROSIE THE WOLFHOUND
(BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH GEORGIA)
Date of Stay: 08/17/10
Review Submitted: 08/25/10
MY LADY & I JUST RETURNED FROM A FEW DAYS LAZIN' BY THE RIVER ~~ WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO DECOMPRESS AND RELAX. LIZ & PAUL MAKE IT AN EASY EXPERIENCE WITH ALL OF THE NECESSITIES RIGHT AT HAND - FROM FRESH EGGS TO CHOCOLATE & MARSHMELLOS FOR SMORES! THE CABIN IS CLEAN, NEAT AND COMFORTABLE, AND THE HUMMINGBIRDS WILL DELIGHT YOU AS THEY BUZZ BY THE HAMMOCK ON THEIR WAY TO THE FEEDER! IF YOU ARE TIRED OF THE COOKIE CUTTER MOTELS / HOTELS / RESORTS AND WANT TO ENJOY A RELAXING GET-A-WAY WITH YOUR TOES IN THE WATER & YIOUR BUTT IN THE SAND, LISTENING TO BIRDS CALL AND WATER TUMBLING OVER THE ROCKS IN THE RIVER - THIS IS THE PLACE! WE CAME WITH OUR WOLFHOUND ROSIE, AND EVEN SHE ENJOYED WATCHING THE RIVER FROM THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE. THERE WAS A PROPER DOWNPOUR THE SECOND NIGHT OF OUR STAY - I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW RELAXING THE SOUND OF RAIN ON A TIN ROOF CAN BE. WE HAVE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD, JUST TO FIND THAT THERE IS A HIDDEN JEWEL RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACK YARD! TRY IT - YOU WILL END UP WITH A SERIOUS GRIN! JIMMY JERI & OUR WOLFHOUND ROSIE!
Recommended for:Pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.
Three Canadian Sisters Celebrate Island Style
Guest: FranO
(Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10
Review Submitted: 06/05/10
We three had a great time in the cabin! It was just a perfect few days of relaxing and being together. We commented a number of times of how just very nicely Liz had thought of details in the cabin: the binocs, the fluffy white sheets, the super clean bathroom, well stocked cabin with cultery, corkscrew and other essentials (incl the coffee perk!). We were very impressed... Of course, we were curious about that toilet beforehand, and joked about the incinerator burning our butts and jumping in the river to cool off! It all worked out just fine, and floating down the river one hot afternoon was a highlight!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Perfection on The French Broad river
Guest: Ozarks Willy
(Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 04/28/10
Review Submitted: 05/07/10
Where do I start? Being originally from The Ozarks, but now living in Boston - I've been missing the woods. Three of us converged on the Asheville area from different parts of the country and stayed at Riverside Escapes Americana Cabin. This was the best 6 nights I've had in a long time. The host, Liz is a peach (and a Realtor to boot - so she has tons of area information). You'll begin your mornings to the sound of the rushing river punctuated by the family rooster. He clucks orders to the hens to get crackin' - and they do. We had some of the most beautiful eggs all week. Those are the hardest working chickens in show business. Seriously though, it's perfect and bucolic on the island. Warning: the river makes it almost impossible to avoid midday naps! Heed my warning - or you will succumb to the River! It only takes about 15 minutes to get to the island from Asheville and there is parking right on the street. The 100ft suspension bridge is a few hundred feet from the parking. it's a ton of fun to walk across. It becomes a little more challenging with a good buzz - but just hold on to the rail. The island is in total seclusion - which is nice. There's an outdoor shower fed by rain barrels (tip: pump the pedal about 5 times real slow to get the water warm) which is so much fun! There's also a beautiful firepit with grate for cooking and enjoying the fire. The owners supply good wood. Way off in the distance on the other side of the river a train passes a couple times a day. It's such a neat, fun place. It's really special. We felt like Huck Finn hiding out on the Mississippi. Don't miss an opportunity to stay at Riverside. Oh yeah, everything is close. We hiked Max Patch Bald, Mount Cammerer and Mount Mitchell. Also white water rafting out of Hot Springs, kayaked through the Biltmore Estate and went to Asheville a lot.
Recommended for:Age 55+, adventure seekers, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.
Guest: Konnie and Steve
(Kernersville, NC)
Date of Stay: 07/28/09
Review Submitted: 07/28/09
Thank you for sharing your private and peaceful island cabin with us! It is the perfect mixture of modern conveniences and a rustic cabin. We hope to escape there again, soon! If only real life could be this simple and relaxing!! Konnie and Steve P.S. We named all the hummingbirds.
Recommended for:
Guest: Tanya 5
(Wilmington, NC)
Date of Stay: 07/04/09
Review Submitted: 07/04/09
I was thrilled with my stay at this cozy island cabin! Even though the cabin is "rustic," it is beautifully decorated and contains everything needed for a tranquil escape. I was lulled to sleep every night by the sound of the Broad River...lovely! I highly recommend it!
Recommended for:
Guest: Chris and Carol Tennant
(Central Ohio)
Date of Stay: 06/01/09
Review Submitted: 06/01/09
What a great place!!! We came with a plan to visit many surrounding attractions and do some hiking but found ourselves wanting to spend more time at the cabin. This is a great retreat within 25 minutes of downtown Ashville, Biltmore, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The amenities were certainly unique (e.g., rain water shower, incinolet toilet, etc) but only added to the aluring atmosphere. Liz and Paul were great hosts and provided just the right amount of "extra's" including S'more supplies and fresh eggs from their own chickens while allowing us to enjoy the cabin, French Broad River, and camp fire.
Recommended for:
First (10) of (28). View all Reviews | Write a Review
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #138512
There have been visitors to this page since the counter was
last reset in .
This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - Monday, July 11, 2011
