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OUR STORY
Where the Mountains
Meet the Lake

More Than a Rental.
A Place That Stays With You.

Nestled among the hemlocks and hardwoods of western North Carolina, Stay Nantahala Cabin Rentals & Luxury Yurts is a collection of handpicked lakefront cabins, mountainside retreats, and luxury yurts — each one chosen for the way it makes you feel the moment you arrive.

We're not a hotel. We're not a resort. We're a place where the only agenda is the one you set: maybe that's kayaking at dawn, sitting on a dock with your coffee, or spending three days doing absolutely nothing at all.

Every cabin and luxury yurt we offer sits within reach of Nantahala Lake — one of the most pristine and undiscovered lakes in the Southern Appalachians. At over 3,000 feet in elevation, the air is different up here. The pace is different. And guests tell us, again and again, that they leave different too.
Lake Nantahala - Tranquil Haven Yurt

WHAT'S WAITING FOR YOU

Signature Experiences Across Our Properties

Every cabin and yurt in our collection is different — but certain things run through all of them. These are the experiences guests come back for.
Hot Tubs with Mountain View Icon

Lakefront Access & Private Docks*

Our lakefront properties sit directly on Nantahala Lake — one of the highest elevation lakes east of the Mississippi, with roughly 90% protected national forest shoreline and some of the cleanest freshwater in the country. Several properties include private docks*, perfect for swimming, floating, or launching a rental boat right from your door.

  • Private docks* at select lakefront cabins
  • Easy boat rental pickup with Lakes End Boat Rentals & Marina
  • Guest discounts through Lakes End Boat Rentals & Marina
  • Ideal for boating, fishing, swimming & water sports
Hot Tubs with Mountain View Icon

Hot Tubs* with Mountain Views

There's something about a hot tub* at elevation that hits differently. Soak under the stars with ridge lines silhouetted against the sky, or ease into a morning with mist rising off the lake below. Hot tubs* are a signature feature across our cabin and yurt collection — not an afterthought, but a centerpiece.

  • Available* at most cabins and luxury yurts
  • Panoramic lake and mountain views at select properties
  • Year-round use — magical in every season
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Fire Pits & Outdoor Living

Evenings here are meant to be spent outside. Multiple fire pits, expansive decks, and thoughtfully designed outdoor dining and lounge areas make the outdoors an extension of every room — not just a view.
Fully Equipped Kitchens in Cabin Rentals

Fully Equipped Kitchens

Every property is stocked to cook real meals — whether that's a lakeside breakfast at sunrise or a big group dinner after a day on the water. No hunting for essentials. 
Panoramic Views

Panoramic Windows & Views

Some properties feature floor-to-ceiling windows that make the lake and mountain landscape a living part of every room, from sunrise to stargazing.
Space for Groups and Families in our cabin rentals

Space for Groups & Families

Our collection ranges from cozy two-person yurts to large lakefront homes sleeping 10+. Properties include large gathering areas, bunk rooms, and multi-bathroom layouts designed for everyone to be comfortable — together.
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Lakes End Cafe, Marina & Boat Rentals — Next Door

One of the best-kept secrets of staying at Nantahala: the Lakes End Cafe & Grill and Boat Rentals & Marina is right next door. Full lunch and dinner service, dockside pizza delivery, catering for large groups, and boat rental coordination — all without getting in your car.
  • Full-service lunch & dinner with something for everyone
  • Dockside pizza delivery to your cabin or dock
  • Catering available for groups, events & reunions
  • Boat rental coordination & watercraft pickup/drop-off
Land of the Noonday Sun

Adventure at Your Doorstep

Nantahala means "land of the noon-day sun" in Cherokee — and the landscape lives up to the name. From the cabin door, you're minutes from some of the best outdoor experiences in the Southeast.

  • Barton & Appalachian Trail hiking nearby
  • World-famous Nantahala River rafting & ropes courses
  • Waterfalls, wildlife viewing & mountain drives
  • Cherokee Casino & Sequoyah National Golf — 45 min away
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Game Rooms*

Select properties feature dedicated game rooms* — a favorite for families and groups. Whether it's a rainy afternoon or a late night in, these spaces keep everyone entertained without leaving the property.
Washer and Dryer

Washer & Dryer

Each cabin rental & luxury yurt includes an in-unit washer and dryer for your convenience. Whether you're staying for a quick getaway or an extended mountain & lake retreat, fresh clothes are always just a cycle away.
* Review the amenities section when booking your cabin, as some cabins do not include this amenity.
WHERE ARE WE

Deep in the Great Smoky Mountains

Stay Nantahala sits at the crossroads of wild and accessible — remote enough to feel a world away, close enough to Asheville, Atlanta, and Charlotte that you don't need to fly to get there.

We're tucked into the Nantahala National Forest, between the towns of Franklin and Murphy, North Carolina. Nantahala Lake — our backyard — is one of the few lakes in the region still free from overdevelopment. That's not by accident. We'd like to keep it that way.

  • Over 3,000 ft elevation
  • 1.5 hours west of Asheville, NC
  • 2.5 hours northwest of Atlanta, GA
  • 530-acre Nantahala Lake on your doorstep
  • Surrounded by Nantahala National Forest
  • Between Franklin and Murphy, North Carolina
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GET IN TOUCH

We'd Love to Help You Plan Your Stay

Whether you're booking for a weekend escape, a family reunion, or your wedding day — our team is here to make sure you find exactly the right spot.
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Call Us
(828) 321-3001
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Our stay at the Nantahala Yurts was simply amazing. The comfort and furnishing of the Yurt really exceeded our expectations! The yurt amenities provided all the comforts of home, with extremely comfortable bedding and pillows. We felt like we were in a hidden oasis. Listening to the stream running behind the property while sitting on the deck or relaxing in the hot tub was truly mesmerizing. We also greatly appreciated how clean and well-stocked the place was with kitchen supplies, snack basket, toiletries, dish soap, hand soap, and shampoo. The internet connection was excellent!!!! Great Value!! We cannot wait to return!
VP
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My wife and I stayed at the spring creek yurt 6 nights and it was amazing. You are closed by an amazing creek that makes for some nice background noise. The place was clean and very functional to cook meal or make coffee. The hot tub was nice as well. No cell pone service but they provide satellite phone. The internet is somewhat slow but ok to plan our next leg of the trip. It was nice to experience this and would definitely be back.
David L
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My husband and I stayed in the Spring Ridge yurt this past weekend with our 2 young boys and absolutely fell in love. It's beautiful inside and comes fully equipped with everything you'd want and need. We loved the hot tub and the fire pit outside and this is close to parks and waterfalls in the area. Although I think the other yurts had guests staying while we were there, we never saw or heard any of them. We will absolutely be returning.
Katie Henderson
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They were very responsive during the booking process and helped to resolve questions to my satisfaction. I would highly recommend working with stayNantahala and hope to have the opportunity to do so myself in the future!
Elliot Hirshorn
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We stayed for a week at the stayNantahala Yurt. It was a MAGICAL experience for my family! The setting was beautifully landscaped, like a mossy fairyland with a shallow (but loud) creek running through! My children had hours of fun playing in the creek, while I watched with my champagne from the hot tub! We also enjoyed hours of water fun (we rented the pontoon boat and paddle boards), as well as many meals (we ate that the picnic benches by the water) at the marina! The staff were very quick and accommodating when I was unable to light the gas firepit for s'mores. Thank you so much for our magical week and we can't WAIT to come back!
Whitney Baker
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This was our 3 year in a row staying at one of their properties. The location is great. the southeast side of the lake takes a bit more time to get into town, but I love being in the mountains with a beautiful clear lake centrally located to all the cabins. All three of the cabins we have stayed in we're private residents that are managed by the company and are in great condition. Any time we had an issue, we'd reach out to management and have a prompt response and resolution. these are mountain homes and the driveways are usually tricky to navigate for flatland people like me from Florida, but you get the hang of it. If there is bad weather, you might just have to park at the bottom of the driveway because the unpaved sections can be slippery. I cannot say enough good things about the area, the people, and the lake is truly a little piece of heaven and I could totally see myself purchasing a home in this area one day.
Dan Duecker
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Such an amazing experience! Absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. The grounds and yurts were very well kept and clean! We rented all four for a family getaway and it was perfect!
Deseray Depyper
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