Entire home

Ship Shak on the River

Photo gallery for Ship Shak on the River

Exterior
River View from the Front Door
Fire Pit area with swing-over grill top
River View from the Queen Bed
Room

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchenette
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Explore the area

View in a map
Bryson City, NC
  • Place, Tuckasegee River
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Smokey Mountain Trains Museum
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Place, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
    ‪18 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

0 bedrooms (sleeps 2)

Studio

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Full Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchenette
Garden

About this property

Ship Shak on the River

Stay “inside the box", at our unique 20' shipping container. This studio space boasts gorgeous sweeping views of the Tuckasegee river. You may not want to leave the sounds and views of the river, even with charming downtown Bryson City less than one mile away and the entrance to the Great Smokies National Park with its walking trails and waterfalls only minutes away!

Set on a beautiful river view property, our Shipping Container Studio home is the perfect location for your Bryson City getaway. Watch the river go by from the comfortable chairs on the covered porch or fire pit area. The Great Smoky Mountains train, a scenic passenger train ride, also passes by a couple of times per day!

Step inside the Ship Shak to discover a well appointed space, while small, has all the touches you expect: a queen bed, kitchenette, flat screen internet TV, and a spacious bathroom with a shower.

What to Bring:
Firewood
charcoal
coffee for drip coffee pot
coffee condiments

*We provide a starter amount of toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags etc. These are meant to last a day or two. If you're booking a longer stay, you will want to bring more of these items.

* The kitchenette is equipped with dishes, utensils toaster oven, microwave, hot plate and some cookware.

*New queen mattress installed January 2023:)

*Updated hot system as of Spring 2023 to provide longer showers ;)

The best way to be in touch with us is through the platform messaging center, but we are available via text or phone. Access for the Ship Shak Container home is through keypad door lock and allows for check in after hours.

Ship Shak is located in the town of Bryson City but feels more remote and removed from town life. You have access to Deep Creek, which is part of the Smoky Mountains National Park, in minutes. AND! this location is less than a mile to the heart of downtown Bryson City. It's really the best of both worlds! The house is located on the Tuckaseegee River with the Smoky Mountain Scenic Railroad and Old River Road fronting the property. Guests enjoy watching the tourist train pass by, especially in November and December when it's decorated for the Polar Express! Old River road is also a great resource offering prime river access or take a leisure walk down the long dirt road!

Getting Around: We recommend driving. Biking and walking into town are options. Be aware that there are not sidewalks between the house and town. However, people do walk this section along the side of the road. Traffic can be heavy along this stretch of road and the side of the road isn't well maintained.

1. We have smart television which allows you to login to your favorite internet streaming provider. We do provide You Tube TV service or you can watch the TV Plus app for free without a login.
2. We do allow 1 dog for a fee. Please read and adhere to our pet rules while staying in our house. Once you add your dog to the guest count, the pet fee will be displayed in the summary of charges. We have strick pet rules: No dogs on the furniture/bed(s) for any reason. No dogs running loose on our property. Pickup dog waste. Hair found on furniture or in linens will incur an addition charge beyond the pet fee.
3. The kitchenette has a microwave, toaster oven and hot plate for cooking inside. The fire pit area outside contains a small charcoal grill and grilling grate that swings over the fire pit for cooking. You'll just need to bring along charcoal and firewood to complete the experience!
4. The Great Smoky Mountains railway runs in front of the property. This is a scenic tourist train that runs during the day/evening/early night and is a big reason why people visit Bryson City. It does not run during the night when people generally are sleeping.
5. There are two other vacation rental dwellings on this property. Each house has its own private outdoor space.

Traveling with others? Check out our other homes located on this property.
*Time Flies on The River
and
*Rivers Edge

Looking for something within walking distance to Town? Check out our downtown properties:
*Bryson City Tiny House
*The Bryson City Flat
*City View

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About the area

Bryson City

Located in Bryson City, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Nantahala Brewing Company and Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Pond are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and Smokey Mountain Trains Museum are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and horse riding nearby.
Map
Bryson City, NC

What's nearby

  • Tuckasegee River - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Smokey Mountain Trains Museum - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Nantahala Brewing Company - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • The Cottage Craftsman - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 18 min walk - 1.6 km

Getting around

  • Alcoa - Knoxville Airport (TYS) - 137 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Bryson City Brewing - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Anthony's Italian Resturant - ‬13 min walk

Reviews

10

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. 35 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 36 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sherry T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Love this tiny house. Will definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tiah R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic location! Super cute place to stay with excellent views.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

penny d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So convenient to town and just the right amount of room for a couple! Will definitely be staying here again on future trips! Loved it!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shannon M.

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

Great spot

Great place to stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diana N.

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

Wonderful stay

Perfect for what we needed for overnight stay
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelsi M.

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

We loved Ship Shak!

Cozy, perfect for a couple for a weekend! Has everything you need and location was perfect. Such a unique stay, definitely recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tammy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was so much fun to stay in a container home! The layout was great and we had good space for 2 people. Luckily the weather allowed for sitting outside since there is nowhere to sit inside. We enjoyed it and would definitely come back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

heather n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved the shipping container!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Harley B.

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

Vacation

Nice place to spend the night.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandy B.

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

This place was so cozy!!!

The Ship Shak was exactly as described ! We loved it and would definitely recommend it’
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tim h.

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

Peaceful nliss

We enjoyed the view and spent time at fire pit spent alot of time 9n porch and qalking gravel rd along river the tiny home was set up perfect for 2 we loved our stay
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John K.

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

Great

Great place near town , very clean
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John K.

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

Great

Very clean and close to town
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D.

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

The Perfect Weekend Getaway

The Shipshack is amazing! It was perfect for our long weekend getaway. The property is gorgeous and well kept. It was actually hard for us to leave, we loved it that much! We greatly enjoyed sitting on the porch in the evenings. Book this place! You will not regret it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

William H.

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

Nice & private

Polar Express runs right by thr cabim & view of the river
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason K.

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

Independence Day

Great stay for a long weekend. Will definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Leah B.

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

Ship shak

We had a great stay at the Shak. My only suggestion is that I'm not a memory foam bed person, and it was too soft.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lianne P.

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

Perfect crash pad!

Quiet, clean, and cozy! Exactly what we needed for a night in Bryson City.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kellie E.

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

Perfect

This property was perfect for a one night stay after our train ride. The property was exactly as described.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Holly Q.

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

Perfect little space

Perfect amount of space for one person. The space was clean and inviting. Comfy bed. It was fun to watch the passenger train go by.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicole S.

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

Super cute little house

My husband and I stayed here for an after Christmas getaway. The house was super cute and very clear . We loved sitting on the porch watching the trains go by. House is located super close to everything Bryson city has to offer
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lee

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Went for the Polar Express. Train runs right by the location, so it added to the experience.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer F.

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

Perfect Location

This little shack on a hill is so cute and perfect for a short stay. It is conveniently located near downtown Bryson City but its also not too far from cherokee. We felt like we were out of town but were actually very close. The view of the river was a great view and it was enjoyable sitting out on the front porch. Being summer and a short stay we didnt use the fire pit for any reason.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

kevin o.

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

Excellent place

We stayed for 3 days. It’s basically on the river with nice views. The bonus was the train passes by out front but it’s a slow scenic tourist train and everyone waves at you. It just runs twice a day so no disruptions. It’s also very close to the town. I highly recommend this place. Also they did a great job with interior and amenities. Very cozy
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
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