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Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

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Exterior
Kitchen
Upstairs Family Room
Upstairs Family Room Pic 2
Master Bedroom

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 142100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Maggie Valley, NC
  • Place, Tube World
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Cataloochee Ski Area
    ‪9 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

Bunk Room

2 Twin Bunk Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Bathroom 5

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

Tucked away off the beaten path on Maggie Valley’s Cataloochee Mountain, The Rusty Elk Retreat has every ingredient for a cozy and memorable stay with family and friends. This spacious, newly renovated property has 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths and comfortably sleeps 12-14 offering a peaceful setting to gather and unwind. Guests will find rustic charm with several comforting amenities including a fully stocked kitchen, multiple flat screen TVs, wireless access, two family rooms, Hot Tub and a game room featuring a billiard and air hockey tables. With plenty of room for everyone, this perfect getaway destination offers the ideal balance for guests to rest and play inside and out, and is just minutes from all the activities one could want!

All four seasons offer amazing views whether it's a soft magical snowfall, colorful autumn foliage or springtime blooms! Take in the sounds of birds chirping with the smell of clean mountain air from a large wrap around porch that overlooks an untouched Nature and Wildlife Game Land Area. Wildlife can often be spotted nearby grazing and perching among lush native plants of NC Maple trees, Evergreen, and rhododendron.

Nearby: only a few minutes from the Cataloochee Ski area, Cataloochee Valley and Maggie Valley. The quaint town of Waynesville is just a few miles further down the road. Opportunities are endless for skiing, tubing, snowboarding, horseback riding, hiking, trout fishing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, dining, shopping and seasonal craft fairs.

A little further down the road: Asheville, Biltmore Estate, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee Indian Village.


Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

About the neighborhood

Maggie Valley

Cataloochee Ranch, a neighborhood in Maggie Valley, is home to this vacation home. Tube World and Maggie Valley Gem Mine are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Fantasy Golf & Game Room and Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Traveling with kids? Consider Queen's Farm Stables and Waynesville Recreation Center.
View more Vacation Homes in Maggie ValleyOpens in a new window
Map
Maggie Valley, NC

What's nearby

  • Tube World - 4 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Maggie Valley Festival Grounds - 6 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Wheels Through Time Museum - 7 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Cataloochee Ski Area - 9 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Harrahs Cherokee Casino - 24 min drive - 28.5 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ben’s Backdraft BBQ - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Joey's Pancake House - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Swag Country Inn - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Butts On The Creek - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Catrina’s Cantina - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

As of Mar 24, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat on Mar 29, 2026 start from $375, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat located?

This family-friendly Maggie Valley vacation home is located in Cataloochee Ranch, within 3 mi (5 km) of Tube World, Fantasy Golf & Game Room, and Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Cataloochee Ski Area and Maggie Valley Gem Mine are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 140 out of 163 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 163 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 163 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 163 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 163 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carter S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Great stay
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Jeffery H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay

Needs a new grill but other than that it was just what we needed. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Britt M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house & Location

My husband and I and our two daughters chose this house based on the location and the amenities. It was perfect on both accounts!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joddie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for a Quick Getaway

Very clean and private.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Yolanda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very, very nice

We stay three days and everything so good is plenty of room we are a group and we have a lot of space
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachel W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mountain hideaway

The house is tucked in the mountains and feels very remote while also being so close to town you can't beat the location. Very spacious accommodations, perfect for families traveling with kids.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jerome R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mountain get a way

Unbelievable location and views we had a fabulous time Home has everything thing you need
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sidney M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Very peacful

This place is in a great area, relatively close to everything. Very quiet area and the house had plenty of room for my friends and I
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shannon s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving

Held thanksgiving dinner with the family. Wonderful accommodations for everyone.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Week

Our second time staying at this cabin. Plenty of room and equipped well. Very close in to restaurants and other sights. We even got to see the Elk wandering around in Maggie.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious for a big family

The property was nice but could use some cleaning up and mowing around the hot tub. The house is a good size for a big family.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home Base

We had a great time visiting Maggie Valley and Cherokee! Our grandkids were with us and loved the Rusty Elk, as we did! We were out and about all day, but it was nice to have such a comfy place to return to for the evening; all our needs were definitely met at this house.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Kasie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rusty Elk

Everything was good.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carrie U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place To Stay

Our family of six enjoyed a comfortable stay at this wonderful accommodation. With four kids in tow, we were thrilled to find ample space to spread out inside, and the two levels on the porch were an added bonus. The little ones had a blast playing on the skee ball machine, while I indulged in the luxurious hot tub and the fire pit with the pre-chopped wood provided. Plus, the convenience of a quick drive into Asheville, NC, as well as the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg made our stay even more enjoyable.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brittni V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We had the best time!

We really enjoyed our stay. It was very peaceful, clean, and comfortable. We used the firepit every night and the hot tub multiple times. The house was good size. It was just 3 of us, but had room for more if needed. Especially with family of kids. We'll definitely book here again if we come back to the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annie O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family ski getaway!

The Rusty Elk was absolutely perfect for what we needed. Eight minutes from Cataloochee ski area and 10 minutes from some local restaurants and stores. The hot tub felt great after a cold day on the mountain and our kids also enjoyed the pool table and air hockey. At first I was disappointed it didn’t have arcade games like some of the other houses, but this strategic move allowed us to have more unplugged family time. The check in process was easy, the host responded quickly to questions, the furniture was nice and new and the house was clean. We recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eunice S.

Wonderful Fathers Day getaway

Wonderful Father's Day weekend getaway for my husband and his father. House was clean and beautifully decorated. Equipped with everything we needed. Can't say enough good things about it. My son is already planning a get away with his friends and hopefully it will be available for them to rent. We were impressed and will definitely be returning.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Check-in, communication

Review

Like the house, but it needs some tender loving care.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Molly L.

Liked: Check-in, location

Nice Enough

The Rusty Elk was nice enough for our long weekend. However, it could really use some TLC. It was clean, but it needed some better upkeep. The location was nice - be aware the roads and driveway leading up to it are pretty steep, but they were manageable.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kim D.

Second time at this property was just as magical as the first. A great time was had by all… 6 kids and 4 adults. House was clean and very comfortable, a home away from home. The location cannot be beat if you are looking to ski. Hosts are gracious and easy to contact if any issues should come up. Definitely recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura M.

Beautiful setting

This is the perfect cabin for a family!! With two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs and two seperate living rooms. Everyone has their own space. Their is a steep grade to get to the house but was fully landed. We were on motorcycles and had no issues. Looking forward to staying here again.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joshua E.

A beautifully finished, quiet retreat in the Smokies!!

After a another house cancelled on us a week before arrival, Valerie got 9 of us for Thunder in the Valley. The cabin is fabulous, all of us were more than satisfied with our stay. The cabin is set up perfectly. More than enough room for 9 guys. The beds were amazing, pool table was beautiful and I could go on and on. We all said we will definitely be back to stay again if we're welcome!! Thanks for the great place to relax!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ari M.

Great house

The cabin was everything we hoped for. Clean and good quality. A FANTASTIC deal!! Hint: BRING FOOD!!! Maggie Valley does not offer much by way of food and the closest grocery store is 30 minutes away. Otherwise, great place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Troy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Cataloochie Ski Trip

First time personally renting a vrbo, but the check in/out seemed much easier than another trip with family. The owner was very nice and warned us about foul weather in the forecast. Very steep hills getting to the cabin and caraloochie skiing. Great location, we were able to get the kids introduced to skiing and the cabin provided plenty of diversion for four kids ages 7 to 11. Thanks!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Keith Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

The cabin was very clean and well decorated, the outside was very disappointing it was very overgrown with weeds and lots of poison ivy/oak growing up unto the bottom deck and around the hot tub and firepit,the outdoor furniture hadnt been wipe down in quite sometime, the ladders of the bunk beds had loose steps that were very dangerous we couldn't let the kids sleep up there because of that, these are the only reasons i didnt give 5stars
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

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