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Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

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A hot tub outdoors surrounded by a wooden deck and a wooden fence.
A two-story wooden cabin with a balcony, surrounded by trees.
A kitchen with white cabinets, a black refrigerator, a microwave, and a coffee maker. There is a window with a view of trees and a door with a green light.
A cozy living room with a sectional sofa, a leather armchair, and a coffee table. There is a fireplace with a mantel, a framed deer picture, and a window with a view of greenery.
A wooden staircase in a forested area with dense trees and a ground covered in fallen leaves.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade/game room.
5 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 14

Popular amenities

  • Spa pool on site
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Maggie Valley, NC
  • Place, Tube World
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Cataloochee Ski Area
    ‪10 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

Bunk Room

2 Single Bunk Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Bathroom 5

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

Tucked away off the beaten path on Maggie Valley’s Cataloochee Mountain, The Rusty Elk Retreat has every ingredient for a cozy and memorable stay with family and friends. This spacious, newly renovated property has 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths and comfortably sleeps 12-14 offering a peaceful setting to gather and unwind. Guests will find rustic charm with several comforting amenities including a fully stocked kitchen, multiple flat screen TVs, wireless access, two family rooms, Hot Tub and a game room featuring a billiard and air hockey tables. With plenty of room for everyone, this perfect getaway destination offers the ideal balance for guests to rest and play inside and out, and is just minutes from all the activities one could want!

All four seasons offer amazing views whether it's a soft magical snowfall, colorful autumn foliage or springtime blooms! Take in the sounds of birds chirping with the smell of clean mountain air from a large wrap around porch that overlooks an untouched Nature and Wildlife Game Land Area. Wildlife can often be spotted nearby grazing and perching among lush native plants of NC Maple trees, Evergreen, and rhododendron.

Nearby: only a few minutes from the Cataloochee Ski area, Cataloochee Valley and Maggie Valley. The quaint town of Waynesville is just a few miles further down the road. Opportunities are endless for skiing, tubing, snowboarding, horseback riding, hiking, trout fishing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, dining, shopping and seasonal craft fairs.

A little further down the road: Asheville, Biltmore Estate, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee Indian Village.


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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1192908vb
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 are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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

Maggie Valley

Cataloochee Ranch, a neighbourhood in Maggie Valley, is home to this holiday home. Cataloochee Ski Area and Tube World are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Fantasy Golf & Game Room and Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Travelling with kids? Consider Waynesville Recreation Center and Santa's Land Family Theme Park and Zoo.
View more Holiday homes in Maggie ValleyOpens in a new window
Map
Maggie Valley, NC

What's nearby

  • Tube World - 4 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Maggie Valley Festival Grounds - 8 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Wheels Through Time Museum - 8 min drive - 5.7 km
  • Cataloochee Ski Area - 10 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Harrahs Cherokee Casino - 27 min drive - 31.5 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Catrina’s Cantina - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Joey's Pancake House - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Ben’s Backdraft BBQ - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Guayabitos - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Maggie Valley Restaurant - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

As of 2 Oct 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat on 12 Oct 2026 start from AU$1,690, 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 Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat located?

This family-friendly Maggie Valley holiday home is located in Cataloochee Ranch, within 3 mi (5 km) of Tube World, Fantasy Golf & Game Room and Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Cataloochee Ski Area and Maggie Valley Gem Mine are also within 3 miles (5 km).

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. 144 out of 170 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 23 out of 170 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 170 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 170 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 170 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely beautiful place excellent for entertainment
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an amazing time at the cabin!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Overall perfect for our family needs to give everyone the space we needed. Driveway was a little difficult to climb in a front wheel drive vehicle when the road was wet. Did have a few water pressure issues when multiple things going, but nothing major. Would recommend to others and stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Beautiful home that comfortably housed our family of 8 adults for a week. The house was very clean and nicely furnished. The kitchen was well stocked for cooking and we loved the outdoor seating areas - especially the upstairs. The road up to the house was a bit challenging but manageable. A little more space to turn cars around would have been helpful but we figured it out. The Host was very quick to reply to and fix an AC issue. We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was as advertised and the host communicated well with us. It was spacious and comfortable for our group of 10. Very close (1 mile) to the main road which has all the restaurants. The driveway was a little steep and a little bit of a challenge for our motorcycles and trailer. But hey, you are in the mountains. Would stay at this property again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This spot is amazing. Right up the mountian from Maggie Valley. It’s clean, the bedrooms are nice, the decks overlook the valley and mountains in the distance. It’s super quiet up there and very relaxing. We will be back for sure!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay

Great stay
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Great place to stay

Needs a new grill but other than that it was just what we needed. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 June 2023
That’s for the feedback, a new grill has been purchased!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great for a Quick Getaway

Very clean and private.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Mountain hideaway

The house is tucked in the mountains and feels very remote while also being so close to town you can't beat the location. Very spacious accommodations, perfect for families traveling with kids.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Mountain get a way

Unbelievable location and views we had a fabulous time Home has everything thing you need
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great house & Location

My husband and I and our two daughters chose this house based on the location and the amenities. It was perfect on both accounts!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very peacful

This place is in a great area, relatively close to everything. Very quiet area and the house had plenty of room for my friends and I
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very, very nice

We stay three days and everything so good is plenty of room we are a group and we have a lot of space
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Thanksgiving

Held thanksgiving dinner with the family. Wonderful accommodations for everyone.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Week

Our second time staying at this cabin. Plenty of room and equipped well. Very close in to restaurants and other sights. We even got to see the Elk wandering around in Maggie.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious for a big family

The property was nice but could use some cleaning up and mowing around the hot tub. The house is a good size for a big family.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Home Base

We had a great time visiting Maggie Valley and Cherokee! Our grandkids were with us and loved the Rusty Elk, as we did! We were out and about all day, but it was nice to have such a comfy place to return to for the evening; all our needs were definitely met at this house.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rusty Elk

Everything was good.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Place To Stay

Our family of six enjoyed a comfortable stay at this wonderful accommodation. With four kids in tow, we were thrilled to find ample space to spread out inside, and the two levels on the porch were an added bonus. The little ones had a blast playing on the skee ball machine, while I indulged in the luxurious hot tub and the fire pit with the pre-chopped wood provided. Plus, the convenience of a quick drive into Asheville, NC, as well as the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg made our stay even more enjoyable.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

We had the best time!

We really enjoyed our stay. It was very peaceful, clean, and comfortable. We used the firepit every night and the hot tub multiple times. The house was good size. It was just 3 of us, but had room for more if needed. Especially with family of kids. We'll definitely book here again if we come back to the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful Fathers Day getaway

Wonderful Father's Day weekend getaway for my husband and his father. House was clean and beautifully decorated. Equipped with everything we needed. Can't say enough good things about it. My son is already planning a get away with his friends and hopefully it will be available for them to rent. We were impressed and will definitely be returning.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar 2020
Thank you for your kind review! We would love to have you visit again!
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication

Review

Like the house, but it needs some tender loving care.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Kim D.

Second time at this property was just as magical as the first. A great time was had by all… 6 kids and 4 adults. House was clean and very comfortable, a home away from home. The location cannot be beat if you are looking to ski. Hosts are gracious and easy to contact if any issues should come up. Definitely recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, location

Nice Enough

The Rusty Elk was nice enough for our long weekend. However, it could really use some TLC. It was clean, but it needed some better upkeep. The location was nice - be aware the roads and driveway leading up to it are pretty steep, but they were manageable.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

About the host

Hosted by Val Michael

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English
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