Entire home

Spectacular Waterfront Retreat on Piney River in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Riverside cottage with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Spectacular Waterfront Retreat on Piney River in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Welcome view of the Piney River cottage
Glorious view of the Piney River from the deck
Sun room
Looking out from the front door
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View in a map
  • Place, Crabtree Falls
  • Place, Bold Rock Hard Cider Nellysford Cidery
  • Place, Wintergreen Resort

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Spectacular Waterfront Retreat on Piney River in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

High speed Wi-Fi added June 2023.
It’s mountain viewing and festival time in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Sycamore Shade is located on the banks of the Piney River in Roseland, Virginia. A short drive from Charlottesville, Lexington, Lynchburg and Staunton.

Our cottage is a great place to relax on the deck or read in the hammock. Native brook trout and wild brown trout populate the river. There are fishing tackle, snorkel masks and inner tubes for enjoying the river. The house is nestled between the Cardinal and the Little Priest mountains in the Blue Ridge Religious Range. The George Washington National Forest adjoins the property.

Excursions can include hiking the nearby Appalachian Trail, four-wheeling up the Shoe Creek jeep trail, or mountain- biking the gravel roads that follow the river. Wintergreen ski resort is a short 25 minute drive. There are numerous wineries, breweries and orchards nearby, and to check for festivals and tastings at these go to The Nelson County visitor’s website.

The trilliums laurel and jack-in-the-pulpits bloom in spring. Summer is just fun because the water is warm enough (but still mountain spring fed cool) to tube or swim. Fall is spectacular because the trees are ablaze with autumn color, and the brookies can be seen spawning from the deck. Watching a movie from the extensive library of DVDs with a fire going in the woodstove is the way to relax in winter after an afternoon of skiing at Wintergreen.

It is always about 10 degrees cooler at Sycamore Shade than it is in the city, and the river makes a tranquil sound splashing over the rocks any time of year. Regardless of the season, when you pull into the driveway at Sycamore Shade, you will decompress and feel the peace and calm that that this home by a running stream always produces.

This is a truly relaxing off the grid experience allowing vacationers totally unwind.

Keywords: relaxing, cabin retreat, bungalow, honeymoon, Lodge charming , fishing, waterfront, River, Quaint, cottage, mountains, hiking, Blue Ridge, Appalachian trail

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
No children under the age of 6
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Events

No events allowed
You must contact the owner.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
One With a 100.00 pet fee.
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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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: You must contact the owner.
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Roseland

Located in Roseland, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Woodson's Mill and Oak Ridge Estate are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at George Washington National Forest and Crabtree Falls. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Roseland, VA

What's nearby

  • Woodson's Mill - 18 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail - 22 min drive - 17.7 km
  • Bold Rock Hard Cider Nellysford Cidery - 39 min drive - 45.8 km
  • Wintergreen Resort - 48 min drive - 57.0 km
  • Sherando Lake Recreation Area - 62 min drive - 63.5 km

Frequently asked questions

Is Spectacular Waterfront Retreat on Piney River in the Blue Ridge Mountains. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Spectacular Waterfront Retreat on Piney River in the Blue Ridge Mountains. ?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spectacular Waterfront Retreat on Piney River in the Blue Ridge Mountains. ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Spectacular Waterfront Retreat on Piney River in the Blue Ridge Mountains. located?

This family-friendly Roseland cottage is located on the waterfront, steps from George Washington National Forest and within 9 mi (15 km) of Crabtree Falls and Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail. Woodson's Mill is 6.4 mi (10.3 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 131 out of 144 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 144 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 144 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 144 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 144 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Liz S.

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

Peaceful location!

We loved our visit to the mountains! The house was wonderful and we enjoyed playing on the river or just hearing it while we enjoyed coffee or roasting marshmallows. It was a peaceful getaway for the family.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Debra K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very quiet, relaxing, peaceful. Small Kitchen, but well stocked. All appliances worked well. Good selection of bowls, cutting boards, sharp knives, pots and pans. We cooked in five evenings. I would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Craig H.

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

Graduation weekend

What an amazing place. We celebrated our daughters from Liberty. We cooked and had camp fires. We caught brook trout. We had a wonderful time
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

sue b.

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

Great relaxing way to end the year

Great relaxing way to end the year We thoroughly enjoyed Unwinding in a quiet relax setting with a fantastic fireplace.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cindi R.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Sycamore Shade

Wonderful, beautiful! This was our 3rd visit and we’ve already booked for next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gail J.

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

Slice of Heaven

This property is everything the owners claim it is! The house is extremely thoughtfully laid out, fully stocked with just about anything you could need and the location!! The deck with the multiple one-step terraces, the babbling stream, the lovely trees and rhododendrons, just perfect. We so enjoyed getting away and just relaxing, sitting outside watching the water, inside watching movies - the perfect get away. Cannot wait to do it again next Spring!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Neil B.

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

Graduation Weekend

The location is lovely. The only challenge is the trash situation.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L.

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

Perfection

My second visit to this lovely property. The weather and surroundings were excellent and the fish were biting!! Would not change a thing. This is now a favorite place for us!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

stephen k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location

delightful home

Great kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms were perfect. Only two complaints: mosquitoes and it was a long way to the nearest grocery store and dumpster. Directions to the dumpster could have been much clearer. Great deck and reasonably private.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen N.

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

Secluded vacation home on the river

Beautiful home with lots of things to do on site, wonderful deck, well stocked kitchen, peaceful location. Large local dogs wander into the yard. Come prepared with your everything you need because it is a distance to any stores. Fantastic place to unplug and unwind!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Frederick P.

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

A small piece of heaven

We love this place. We vacation with our friends every year and this has been a great place for all of us to unwind. Our kids play in the river as we watch from the deck. The setting could not be more serene. The national forest is at the back door, literally. We spent a morning hiking the AT with our kids. If you need to disconnect and spend time in nature, this is your place.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Laurie L., Smithfield, VA

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

Beautiful Mountain Location

We enjoyed our stay at Sycamore Springs. The house was very accommodating and the fire pit by the river incredibly relaxing. We drove to pick apples and hike before realizing we could hike right from the house. We spent the next day enjoying the George Washington National Forest. You could do this by car or walking. The break from being connected was enjoyed by adults and teenagers. The owners were easy to work with and very helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Judy P.

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

Vacation 2023

The property is beautiful and we were very pleased that there were plenty of dishes, cookware linens etc. The owner was quick to respond to our questions and ensured that our visit was pleasant. The property is remote and is advertised as such. It was not an issue for us but I would suggest that you take this into consideration when planning your stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea D.

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

Just what we needed!

We visited during our children's Spring Break and loved our stay. The house was clean and cozy! The kids (human and four-legged)could not get enough of playing outside and though the water was still cold in early April they could not resist jumping in the river! The owner gave very clear opening and closing instructions and was very responsive to inquiries. The house had everything we needed to enjoy a wonderful family getaway. After the first few hours we forgot about our phones/internet and enjoyed some disconnected time hiking, playing games, reading, napping, and watching movies from the DVD collection at the house. It was perfect and we will definitely be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

6/10 Okay

Deirdre S.

Liked: Location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication

Lovely home with cleaning issues

Lovely location and home with comfortable beds. But very dirty on arrival-- muddy paw prints on interior doors maybe from the last guest's dog, pubic hair in showers, refrigerator filthy with enough dried on food spillage that the condiments left by previous guests were stuck in place. Kitchen drawers and cabinets had crumbs and stuck on food. Droppings in kitchen under sink and in corners. At one point, removed sofa cushion looking for misplaced remote and found popcorn, dried out candy, food wrappers and dirt. Judging from other reviews, this wasn't typical, so you may have better luck.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The sound of the creek was the best. The outside deck had lots of comfortable chairs to sit and listen to the sound of the river.Very clean house and private.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melody M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was as described in listing. Beautiful property both inside and out. My family & I enjoyed the stay. Water was a little cool for us in September but our pup thoroughly enjoyed the river as well. The sound of the running water is very peaceful. The only suggestion I would make is adding a television in the master suite (personal preference) and add a few more towels & wash cloths. Great home. I highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heath B.

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

Unique house and location - gorgeous property

My friends and I loved this house and property. It was bigger than expected and the 5 total bedrooms were perfect to fit everyone. It’s right by a beautiful creek and it’s lovely to hear all times of the day. You can tell the hosts care about the property because it was well stocked with various things and has all sorts of items to do/play/use while staying there. I love the decorations in the house as well. It was unique and had lots of personality. I would love to stay here again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bruce C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property located on the Piney River. Home has all the conveniences needed to make your stay enjoyable. This was our second stay here and we plan to return again in the future. Only recommendation would be to update the pots and pans provided in the cabin. They have been well used. Do not change anything else!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rosanne D.

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

Birthday At The River House

This was our fourth trip to the river house. This time we went to celebrate my granddaughter who turned 13 and my daughter who turned 30. It was a wonderful week full of fun, adventure, hiking, swimming/playing in the river, s’mores, food and games. This is the absolute best place in the world for quality family time. This place really feels like home. 🥰
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful home in a beautiful setting! Very comfortable beds and excellent amenities. Pleased that there’s wi-if now! Wish there is a better solution for trash disposal, as we had a hard time finding the dump and it was closed, even though the sign said it should be open. We had a great time and plan on returning for a 5th stay.
Enjoying the beautiful setting.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melanie F.

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

Time in Heaven

Serene, peaceful, just what us 4 mothers/wives needed. Time away from our kids and husbands.
Now this is comfortable!
Cup of Joe!
Cheers!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cindi R.

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

Love it

This was our fourth visit and we love the house, the property and the area. We are already booked for next year
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Whitney S.

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

Relaxing River Retreat

We absolutely loved our stay along the Piney River! Reading on the hammock, enjoying a family meal on the deck and roasting marshmallow by the fire all with the sound of the babbling river made for a truly relaxing and enjoyable weekend
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

C C.

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

Creekside vacay

Beautiful property. Great placee to rest and relax.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

About the host

Hosted by Cabell Gorman

Host profile image
My husband and I bought this house more than 20 years ago to share with our friends and family. Now that the children are grown, we choose to share it with others.

Why they chose this property

We chose this home for some remote off the grid location. The ambience of sitting outside, watching children play and swim in the river, well being adjacent to the George Washington national forest. Let your imagination run wild with all the amenities of a beautiful magical cottage.

What makes this property unique

Sitting on extensive deck with a campfire overlooking one of Virginia’s most beautiful trout streams the Piney River

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests