Cozy retreat in Damascus on the AT and Creeper Trail. Pet Friendly!
Enjoy quiet relaxation from either the front or back porches. Watch hikers coming down the mountain from TN on the AT while listening to the rolling waters of Beaver Dam Creek. Our cottage-style home is at the end of the Town Park next to the Damascus Library. You have a front row view of the Trail Days festivities, plus the many other fun, music and fall festivals. It is a short walk or easy bike ride to town and the Virginia Creeper Trail. Damascus has great eateries, a brewery and a distillery. There is a grocery store on your way into town, and bike rental shops galore like The Bike Station, plus much more!
Nearby Abingdon has the Barter Theater, great foodie destinations like The Tavern or 128 Pecan, and there is the Abingdon Vineyards with summer entertainment in Alvarado between Damascus and Abingdon!
Happy Trails Cottage is great for families or couples. There is a gas log fireplace, a smart TV for streaming, Wi-Fi, and a fully stocked kitchen. The third bedroom has a bunk bed with a double on the bottom and a single on top with a single trundled bed that pulls out, so there is plenty of room for families with multiple kids! HTC is Pet Friendly with a medium-size dog crate available.
The two main bedrooms (one upstairs and one downstairs) both have queen beds. There are extra linens, pillows and blankets available at all times. The washer and dryer will have some limited washing detergent and dryer sheets for a few rounds of laundry. Towels, washcloths, toilet paper are provided. There is an iron and ironing board set in the laundry room. There is a small library with puzzles and games for 'old school' family fun. The back porch has a picnic table and gas grill.
The kitchen has a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, an oven (electric), a microwave overn and a dishwasher. There are both K-cup and regular coffee makers.
There is a large backyard for family outdoor fun. Bring outdoor activities with you for there or the park. Bring water shoes for wading in the creek beside the park or at Backbone Rock just up the road a couple of miles. Fly-fishing is a thing, so check on the regulations, seasons and stocking times. Check out Virginia Highlands State Park (about 45 minute drive) and see the wild ponies and fabulous views. Mt. Rogers is fantastic for hiking or trail riding horses. Bristol has all kinds of fun on State Street and HTC makes a great place to stay for the NASCAR races and the drag races, as well a Bristol's Rhythm & Roots Festival in September. Nearby Shady Valley and anywhere in SWVa, including the Back of the Dragon between Marion and Tazewell, is great for bikers wanting to hit the curves on their Harley's and see the scenery! Football season at Emory & Henry, Virginia Tech or ETSU - even the University of Tennessee is only two hours away, come and use HTC as a home base.
NOTE - Please look at photos of both front and back as there are steps/staircase to enter the house.
Family vacations, couples retreats, Girls Weekend or Guys Weekend - Come see it all and stay at Happy Trails Cottage! - Russ & Erin
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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Cozy home in Damascus located next to River, Trails, Bike Shops, and Dining.
Damascus
Cozy home in Damascus located next to River, Trails, Bike Shops, and Dining.
Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
There is a medium size dog crate in 3rd bed closet
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
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
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Damascus
Damascus is home to this cabin. Adventure Damascus and Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Triplett Mill and Wolf Hill Shopping Center. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Fred Selfe Stadium or Fullerton Field.
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Damascus Visitor Center and Branch Library - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Damascus Town Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
Virginia Creeper Damascus - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
Damascus Town Hall - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
Getting around
Abingdon, VA (VJI-Virginia Highlands) - 24 min drive
Restaurants
The Damascus Brewery - 2 min drive
Abingdon Vineyards - 13 min drive
Damascus Old Mill - 10 min walk
Tipsy Bear - 15 min walk
Damascus Diner - 8 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Cozy retreat in Damascus on the AT and Creeper Trail. Pet Friendly! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Cozy retreat in Damascus on the AT and Creeper Trail. Pet Friendly!?
As of 10 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cozy retreat in Damascus on the AT and Creeper Trail. Pet Friendly! on 20 Jul, 2026 start from S$247, 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 at Cozy retreat in Damascus on the AT and Creeper Trail. Pet Friendly!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Cozy retreat in Damascus on the AT and Creeper Trail. Pet Friendly!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Cozy retreat in Damascus on the AT and Creeper Trail. Pet Friendly!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Cozy retreat in Damascus on the AT and Creeper Trail. Pet Friendly! located?
Situated in Damascus, this cabin is steps away from Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Damascus Town Park and Damascus Visitor Center and Branch Library. Virginia Creeper Damascus and Damascus Town Hall are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The cabin was clean and cozy and had everything necessary to host a Thanksgiving meal. The owner was helpful and easy to communicate with - recommend 10/10!
Excellent location and well-maintained property. Outstanding location for those wanting to day-hike the creeper and Appalachian trail. The kitchen is well-stocked and the house was well-cleaned. Would most definitely stay there again.
Scott F.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Oct, 2025
Fall is the best time of year to visit Damascus. Happy Trails Cottage is well located for hiking the AT or hiking/biking/horseback riding the Virginia Creeper Trail!
We loved our stay in Damascus. This house is beautiful and right on the Creeper trail. The bike rack outside was greatly appreciated and the playground across the street was a big hit.
We had an amazing stay at the happy trails cottage! It is one of the nicest places we have stayed through VRBO. Great location, very clean, and the owner went above and beyond to help us out with a last minute booking! 100 percent will come back in the future!!!
What a comfortable, clean, wonderful home in a perfect location! Damascus is the friendliest town, and it had absolutely everything you needed. With the AT literally out your front door, we could not have asked for a more perfect place to stay!
Kimberly J.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jul, 2025
Damascus it is truly the friendliest town on the AT. Happy Trails Cottage has it all, just walk out the front door and step into everything that Damascus has to offer.
Great location for enjoying the Creeper Trail and/or the Appalachian Trail. The house is very nice and clean, with comfortable beds and linens. Aslo, the property owner was very helpful, not only with the house details, but also information about the local area.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Damascus at Happy Trails Cottage. The kids enjoyed swimming in the creek across the street both afternoons, and we were able to walk to several restaurants for lunch and dinner. The home is cozy and had eveything we needed for our stay.
We had a great time! Happy Trails Cottage is in a great location and the host was extremely accommodating and easy to communicate with. When we got back to the cottage in the evenings after hiking/biking nearby, my children especially enjoyed the town park and creek, right outside the front door.
Kristi B.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar, 2025
Happy Trails Cottage is convenient to biking, hiking and wading in the creek! ‘Fido’ friendly, too.
Very clean, well furnished home. Very comfortable for three couples. Absolutely no complaints!
Peter and Jennifer D.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2024
Damascus and Happy Trails Cottage has so much to offer like this weekend’s Iron Mountain Race. HTC is located right on the AT and an easy walk or bike ride to the Creeper Trail or downtown Damascus.
Fantastic home, fantastic location. We've stayed in Damascus many times over the years. This is by far the best rental ever. The host has thought of everything. We wanted for nothing. I absolutely recommend this stay.
We had a lovely time at happy trails. So convenient to the creek, downtown Damascus, and the trails - right from the front door. We will 100% stay here again. The house was so cozy and clean, and had a couple of nice porches for outside seating in the evening. Just what we needed! Thanks for a wonderful time!
Shannon E.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
About the host
Hosted by Lawrence (Russell) Johnson
I am originally from Southwest Va, but have lived in East TN since graduating from college at Auburn - War Eagle! My wife and I have owned a house in Damascus since 2006. Happy Trails Cottage is our second Damascus home.
Why they chose this property
You can sit on the front porch a watch hikers coming from TN walk past and turn on the trail into the park. It is a front row seat for Trail Days and all of the events and festivals in the park. Beaver Dam Creek makes for a peaceful background of ripple water, sometimes rushing water.
What makes this property unique
HTC was custom built in 2010 so it is newer than most every house in town and it has the modern amenities, but a cozy feel with plenty of room.
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests