Riverfront Hideaway in East of Franklin, Easy Access, Close to Waterfall Trails
Escape to RiverDance Retreats, a peaceful riverfront getaway nestled between Franklin and Highlands NC, in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Located just 4 miles from downtown Franklin, and less than 30 minutes from waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic mountain drives, this cozy retreat offers the perfect balance of convenience, privacy and natural beauty.
Relax on the shaded porch, listen to the soothing sounds of the Cullasaja River, or unwind in the hammock surrounded by mountain air and wildlife. With 300 feet of river frontage, guest can enjoy fishing, wading, birdwatching and unforgettable river views right from the backyard.
This upper-level unit comfortably sleeps up to 4 guests and is ideal for couples or families. The home features paved easy access, high-speed internet, Roku TV, air conditioning, heating, and a cozy gas fireplace for cooler mountain evenings.
Outdoor adventures are everywhere nearby: * Waterfalls including Dry Falls. Bridal Veil Falls & Cullasaja Falls * Hiking, gem mining, fishing & scenic drives * Cliffiside Lake Recreation Area * Downtown Franklin shops, restaurants and greenways * Easy day trips to Highlands, Cherokee Casino, Smoky Mountain Railroad & more.
Whether you're enjoying colorful fall foliage, cool summer riverdays, or peaceful winter mountain escapes, RiverDance Retreats offers a relaxing Smoky Mountain experience year-round.
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Charming 2-bedroom cottage in Franklin, NC in the Great Smoky Mountains
Franklin
Charming 2-bedroom cottage in Franklin, NC in the Great Smoky Mountains
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
In Summer, Turn off AC. In Winter, set the thermostat to 55 degrees.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
--4 people and 2 cars maximum, RV or Trailor needs be approved by owner before you make a reservation.
--NO SMOKING INSIDE OR ON THE PORCH.
Please avoid late check-out. Any late check-out will incur a fee of $30 per hour or any portion thereof.
Return the hammock and floats to the unit after you used.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 436100vb
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: 4 guests max, 2 cars max
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Franklin
Located in Franklin, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Jackson Hole Gem Mine and Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at The Factory and Franklin Golf Course. Ruby City Gems & Minerals and Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts 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 cycling and mountain biking nearby.
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts - 9 min drive - 10.0 km
The Factory - 9 min drive - 10.0 km
Getting around
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 82 min drive
Restaurants
Caffe REL - 7 min drive
McDonald's - 7 min drive
Starbucks - 9 min drive
Bojangles - 6 min drive
Gondola’s - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Riverfront Hideaway in East of Franklin, Easy Access, Close to Waterfall Trails pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Riverfront Hideaway in East of Franklin, Easy Access, Close to Waterfall Trails?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Riverfront Hideaway in East of Franklin, Easy Access, Close to Waterfall Trails?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Riverfront Hideaway in East of Franklin, Easy Access, Close to Waterfall Trails?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Riverfront Hideaway in East of Franklin, Easy Access, Close to Waterfall Trails located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Nantahala National Forest and within 6 mi (10 km) of Harris Medical Park of Franklin and Ruby City Gems & Minerals. Scottish Tartans Museum and Angel Medical Center are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was our 3rd stay. We love that it’s on the water. It has the feel of being secluded with the bonus of being close to town. We plan on renting this property again in October .
Very peaceful and clean. We really enjoyed sitting on the patio in the mornings and having coffee while enjoying the River and the smoky mountain mornings. Will definitely be going back!!!
Older home but well equipped and very clean. River makes a quaint sray.
Very nice place to stay. Well equipped with most everything needed. Would have lived a TV in the bedroom as we like to relax at night and watch the news. Otherwise-lived our stay. Very local to many small towns in the arwa. Beautiful mountains.
Susan I.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2023
The property was built in 1997, with many upgrades. Prime riverfront location, near waterfalls, with sat tv, wifi, climate controlled hvac, surrounded by beautiful mountains.
Verified
8/10 Good
Lois L.
30 Sept, 2018
Nice area. Quite. The deck off the living room is very nice to sit out on. Needs new chairs.
Had a nice time. Very relaxing. Close to the waterfalls we wanted to hike to. Good to have two bedrooms with a bathroom for each room. It was just the two of us. It would be good for a family. Nice size table in the kitchen. Everything you need for cooking.
Lois L.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2023
Nothing wrong with the deck chairs. It has resin chairs for sitting at the porch table, plus a rocking chair. Great for a bbq, or viewing the river, and enjoying the day. Usually a cool breeze. We offer a double hammock by the river for lounging.
We are all seniors and had a great time. The house was clean and had everything we needed. The only thing was it did not list how steep the yard to the water and picnic tables in the yard was. As seniors we were unable to enjoy the yard. Would stay there again.
Centrally located in the town of Franklin,NC. Beautiful second level home with everything you need for a mountain get away. You are within driving distance of many waterfalls, hiking, whitewater rafting, and we tried zip lining in neighboring Highlands this time and this beautiful home is located down the street from an Alpaca farm a must see. We love the upstairs view. Thank you for our third visit to your lovely home.
Victoria C.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023
Archival
8/10 Good
Lynn A.
4 Aug, 2017
Great location on the river
We enjoyed our stay in the upper unit of the house. It had everything we needed and was perfect for our dogs since there was no carpet. The sliding doors going out to the deck was a nice outdoor area to barbecue or sit and enjoy the river at the back of the property. The only negative was the renters downstairs spent their days on the lower deck and talked constantly, so it was impossible to have peace and quiet on our deck with people underneath us.
Lynn A.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2023
Guests are aware that they are booking a unit of a duplex from the start. It is unfair to downgrade the property because they hear others talking from the deck below.
We must get 5 star reviews to stay competitive in this market. No other property on the river in this prime location, offers so much at such a low rate.
Archival
6/10 Okay
Heather G.
19 Sept, 2016
Nice place. Beautiful river.
The house was nice. Had just about anything u needed. Needs to get rid of the one recliner rocker that's broke and the towels and wash rags needs to be replaced. The main thing that was the worst of the stay was how u had to get to river. the stairs outside was steep and coming off onto and already steep yard was not good. Not suitable for elderly at all to go to river. Need to invest in building a walkway to the river. If that was built in would love to come back
Heather G.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2023
The listing photos clearly show the stairs. Homes built along a river in the mountains must be elevated to be safe, for the river could rise suddenly in heavy rain. We feel this review is unfair, for the great value received.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Anna N.
23 Nov, 2022
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Anniversary Trip
We did enjoy it. There is plenty of room and it’s a relaxing location. Beautiful view of the river. We enjoyed using the fireplace. Had some trouble and needed help figuring out the tv, but once we did we enjoyed the many options. When Yaling came to help with the remote, she was extremely helpful, patient, and very concerned that we were settled in properly. I struggled with the fireplace and she helped with that too.
A few things we felt could use updates-
The love seat was very stiff and uncomfortable. We didn’t use it. With both beds I felt like we needed to choose the better of the two, neither were that comfortable. We both had some back trouble with sleeping. We decided to cook in most of the time we were there. We brought some of our own utensils and a couple of pans. Some of the stuff in the kitchen was fine to use, but there were a few utensils that were in awful shape and needed to be replaced.
Overall we did enjoy it. If some of the outdated stuff was replaced we’d return. For other vacationers that would plan to eat out a lot and don’t have bad backs like we do, these problems wouldn’t be a big deal.
Anna N.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2023
We do our best to offer amazing vacations for folks, offering more amenities than most, in a prime location.
All reviews for this property were 5 Stars this year except for this guest. Maybe it rained, and they took it out on the host.
They messed with the tv settings, we went there to return it to operation. Plus they needed help on two other things.
The pots and pans are stainless steel, not sure why they faulted them.
Both beds are fairly new queen size, with excellent mattresses, that most compliment us on.
It is unfair to ruin our business with a 3 star review, causing dissatisfaction on both sides with nit-picking.
They are not welcome back.
My best friend from high school (almost 40 years) and I planned a Spring Break trip to Western NC. She loves waterfalls and photography but had never been to the Smoky Mountains. Both my maternal and paternal families are from Graham County and I wanted to show her the BEST part of the NC mountains.
Right from the beginning, Mike was very accommodating with me in making the reservations for our stay. Our original reservations were for April during Spring Break but with COVID-19 closures, Mike allowed us to reschedule our vacation with full credit before VRBO made the recommendations to property owners. And then... once my friend and I realized that we would probably be returning to our schools earlier than usual in August which would interfere with our August reservations, once again, Mike was very accommodating with our request and changed our reservations for June 18-21.
We arrived a little early to the property and Yaling was there finishing up with preparations for our arrival. Yaling is so very sweet and made sure we had everything we needed. She even helped us unload our car! The cottage was adorable and clean. The kitchen had all the utensils, dishes, and appliances you would use in your own home, and the beds were very comfortable, especially after a long day of sightseeing. The owners were available and responded quickly to our questions. Staying at River Dance Lodge was very pleasant and peaceful. It's close enough to the necessities and plenty of things to do and see, but away enough to feel private and restful. I would recommend this property to anyone looking for a vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains. Thank you, Mike and Yaling for being wonderful hosts. I am sure I will be back in the future!
Betty
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
Archival
6/10 Okay
Melissa R.
28 Oct, 2016
Location is Key!
The best part of this home was the location on the river! The river itself was very peaceful and a good place for kids to play/tube and possibly some fishing (although they didn't seem to bite while we were there, we did SEE fish!) However, the home still sits a car length away from the road. It appeared to be residential (not a busy highway) but we could still hear vehicles from inside, especially the bedroom closest to road. If you're a hard sleeper, might not hear.
The home is as described. Although we didn't go to watch TV, one child ended up not feeling well and wanted to rest and watch TV. The main TV came with instructions and 4 remotes. Never could get it to work. The gas fireplace was nice, but you do have to open a window or door to use it, because of the fumes. The master bedroom had a lovely view of the river. The deck overlooking river was nice, however, someone ended up renting the unit below us. (Which IS mentioned, so we could hear every conversation and in/out, etc) It made it feel more like a hotel atmosphere than a home, so I would recommend renting both units if you want solitude. The house was clean and had everything needed (utensils, coffee filters, extra blankets, tubes for river, etc) Appreciated the hardwood and tile floors and no carpet.
There were small details that may not matter to some, like the bathroom had 3 different color fixtures. The electrical outlet in the master bathroom is recessed, so I could not use it for blow dryer and had to use the second bedroom instead. A shelving system made of plywood in the master in attempt to cover some water pipes. The second bedroom has no closet (does have dresser), and the recliner in living room was very outdated and made quite a noise every time it was sat in, there was a nice leather couch though! The beds were hard. The home, although nice, seemed to be "pieced" together through out time.
Overall, it was a good value for the price. Great location, and clean! Maybe with some updating and new mattress would stay again!
Melissa R.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2023
Some people see only negativity, they don't see the good. Most of the furniture is new. They cannot figure out a tv that has extra features, if it has more than 1 remote, they are confused. This guest did not see the thermostat on the wall, they tried to heat the place with the fireplace. They thought the humidifier was a closet.
Easy access on a paved road is a big plus to folks who had once booked a cabin high up a steep muddy road before.
A proper review tells was it as described, and how does the property compare to other riverfront property in the same location and rate.
We are proud to offer a nice riverfront property in a prime location, at an affordable rate, and most of our guests agree that its true.
We had a very enjoyable stay - the location facing a wide stretch of mountain creek, between Franklin and Highlands were great. We enjoyed hikes, a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, visiting Franklin and its restaurants and seeing the leave change.
The property was very clean and provided everything we needed. The patio was great sitting out there in the early morning with my coffee and listening to the River. Will go there again.
We spent a week exploring the great smoky mountains. This house has everything we could need and then some. We were centrally located to everything from Pigeon Forge to Maggie Valley to Dillard Georgia. If you're looking for a place to stay where you can get to everything within an hour, this is your place! Communications were quick and informative. We will be back!
We really like the cabin and location, we also stayed here in May. If the owner could have stopped the rain we had all week that woulda been great. 😁We plan on renting this house again, maybe in May.
The cabin is exactly what you would think of a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. Beautiful location right on the river and close to town. I will be staying there again very soon.
The service was perfect and helpful. I would recommend this location and this property management for your stay in Franklin North Carolina
John T.
John T.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2021
About the host
Hosted by Yaling White
We retired to this wonderland, and are pleased to share it with others.
Why they chose this property
We chose this area due to its great climate, awesome mountain views, waterfalls all down the scenic road, sweet water, many hiking trails, and gemstone mining. Riverfront living at its finest! It has modern conveniences, set in a rural mountain area, small town country feel Relaxed, and laidback.
What makes this property unique
- Ideally located in the Nantahala National Forest, and the Cullasaja river gorge. This property has easy access, with prime river frontage, with great views from almost every window, and extensive decks. Cabin is off of Scenic highway 64, with several Waterfalls nearby along the road. Property is easy to find!
- Best rates on the river, in this prime location! You will regret it, if you book a poor location, with difficult access, and no river - to save a few bucks!