Charlottesville, VA (CHO-Charlottesville-Albemarle)
75 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)
The Forest Animals Twin Room
2 Single Beds
The Southwest Room
1 King Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Eagle Log Cabin at Mountaintop Ranch bordering Shenandoah National Park
400 acres of unique and private Mountain Beauty for your enjoyment! This authentic Log Cabin overlooking Skyline Drive is only 17 miles from Massanutten Resort. Rustic Farmhouse Decor with an Equine theme. Enjoy the ambiance of the hi-rise deck with its beautiful views. Take advantage of the many Hiking Trails, Fishing, Horseback Riding, Skeet Shooting or just relax to the Peaceful and Tranquil sounds of nature. Mountain Views, Ponds, Streams, Waterfalls and more! Pets Welcome!
Property manager
Helen Hewitt
Premier Host
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Breakfast available
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Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets
Pets allowed: limit 2 total
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 10
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 and a first aid kit
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Elkton
Located in Elkton, this cabin is in a rural area and in the mountains. Miller-Kite House Museum and Town of Shenandoah Museum & Welcome Center are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Massanutten Water Park and SoLace Studios Fine Handcrafts. Travelling with kids? Consider Jordan Hollow Stables, or check out an event or a game at Shenandoah Speedway. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Elkton, VA
What's nearby
Shenandoah National Park - 37 min drive - 24.7 km
Swift Run Gap Entrance Shenandoah - 40 min drive - 29.5 km
Massanutten Water Park - 41 min drive - 29.8 km
James Madison University - 54 min drive - 48.0 km
Dukes of Hazzard Museum - 56 min drive - 46.8 km
Getting around
Charlottesville, VA (CHO-Charlottesville-Albemarle) - 61 min drive
Restaurants
Mr Garcia's Mexican Grill & Cantina - 22 min drive
Big Meadows Wayside - 58 min drive
Big Meadows Lodge - 61 min drive
Mamma Mia Pizza Pasta & Subs - 22 min drive
The Coffee Pot Cafe - 22 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Eagle Log Cabin at Mountaintop Ranch bordering Shenandoah National Park pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).
What time is check-in at Eagle Log Cabin at Mountaintop Ranch bordering Shenandoah National Park?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Eagle Log Cabin at Mountaintop Ranch bordering Shenandoah National Park?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Eagle Log Cabin at Mountaintop Ranch bordering Shenandoah National Park located?
Located in the mountains, this family-friendly cabin is within 12 mi (20 km) of Miller-Kite House Museum, SoLace Studios Fine Handcrafts and Stonewall Memorial Park. Elkton Spring and Town of Shenandoah Museum & Welcome Center are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had an amazing stay for a weekend out of the city. The location was awesome and staff was so friendly - Helen was super easy to get in touch with and so nice! The cabin was really clean and comfy! We had a blast out on the ranch and also loved the horseback riding which was a really unique experience. I would definitely rebook.
Everyone in my group was a big fan of the cabin. There is a terrific porch with a beautiful mountain view, a cozy sitting area with a wood stove, a functional kitchen, and perfectly comfy bedrooms. Jess was a very welcoming host who told us all we needed to know about the property. There is another cabin just a few yards away from this one, but we didn't find that it killed the secluded mountaintop vibe in any way.
Don't be afraid of the long, windy, gravel road up. It's well maintained and, at least in fair weather, any car should make it up easily.
Justin C.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
6/10 Okay
Stephanie S.
4 June 2024
Liked: Communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Enjoyable but needs Upgrades
This property is in a beautiful place, but the physical cabin needs attention. The back deck is quite narrow and there are several holes in the wood planks which my small Yorkie's paw went through. Many surfaces in the cabin are painted a matt black which felt somewhat creepy. We had a plumbing problem in the bathroom toilet. There are many carpenter bees at the entrance and the back of the cabin. The beds were comfortable and everything was clean. The young caretaker was very nice as well as the gent in charge of the horses.
Overall great! The cabin was rustic, charming and clean. Only complaint was a minor ladybug infestation, but we were grateful it was only ladybugs and not roaches.
Property owner was very kind and communicative. However, the host could not be reached so we opted to call the owner to tell her we were on the way.
Property is absolutely beautiful, but very difficult to find. We lost cell service and had to navigate narrow backroads at night to find it. The road up the mountain is also bumpy, rocky and treacherous. Directions provided in Vrbo were very helpful.
Overall amazing stay. Beautiful scenery, authentic lodging and perfect mountain vibes.
Based on some reviews I was picturing very rustic/not very comfortable but I was pleasantly surprised! The Cabin, while rustic, was very comfortable. Beds/pillow were very comfy. Heating system was sufficient plus there was a wood burning stove (it was rather warm the weekend we were there). Internet service wasn't great but it was good enough to do check-ins with family, recipe lookups, mapping, etc..
Jess made the check in easy and took care of us when we needed wine glasses (even delivered some chocolate).
The road up to the cabin was steep but my Ford Edge did perfectly fine, even after a rainy day.
We hiked around the property and got some company from a very friendly ranch dog.
Since this was a last minute trip I didn't look up what activities were available at the ranch. I'd love to go back to go horse back riding and my husband and to do some skeet shooting.
Overall, I would highly recommend this cabin!
Esther L.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
6/10 Okay
Robin A.
14 Aug 2020
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
What I would have liked to know
The cabin itself is very quaint. The Wraparound porch is a great feature for dining outside, relaxing, and just enjoying the view. It was a convenient location and a great experience to be up on a mountain. There is a DVD player you could operate manually. The 1 mile road up to the cabin is a gravel road, very windy and steep. Know in advance that you want To drive up in second gear, or even better with a 4 wheel drive. Our kitchen had a bunch of baby ants that were harmless. No mosquitoes or spiders. There were a few minor upkeep issues (exhaust fan in bathroom didn’t work, some lights were out, Some cracked blinds, Outside Railing had some missing pieces), the fire pit is shared with another cabin. They provided firewood, not kindling.
That being said, we still would have stayed here, just might have been helpful to know some of this in advance.
Great place to get away from it all, with plenty to do. Quaint, cozy, and clean. Staff is fantastic. Matt went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. We will definitely be back.
We had a great time on the ranch. Lots of outdoor adventures to get into and a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The hosts were extremely friendly and helpful. The equine center was beautiful too. We would definitely go back
The property is listed as rustic, and it is indeed rustic. It is an old cabin/shack that had nothing fancy, but we were aware of that going in. It is secluded and there is certainly no outside traffic, but the other cabin is VERY close by, so you don’t really have any privacy. That is not visible from the pics, but we did later see that called out in another review. Fortunately the other guests who were there when we were there were very friendly, but you don’t really get any sense of privacy.
The hosts were very nice and very amenable/helpful; no complaints at all there.
The secluded location is just what we were looking for as a home base to do some hiking on the weekend while we were there. It was great for that.
We had also planned to work from the cabin, but unfortunately the WiFi in the cabin is just not strong enough to support two people working. So we ended up cutting our stay short by a couple of days so that we could get back to work.
Would only recommend this cabin if you are planning to go totally off the grid while you are there.
The mountain top ranch is an excellent place to stay if you are seeking beautiful views and peace and quiet. The cabin is rustic enough to give you a country living feel, yet has enough modern amenities (Wi-Fi, TV) for the folks that need them. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and the location is superb. One word of advice for those looking to stay, do not drive a vehicle with low ground clearance and summer tires. The owner will provide you with ample warning about the driveway leading up to the cabins. We made it work with a vw passat on winter tires, however; I would suggest driving a truck/suv/crossover.
We booked the Eagle cabin through this page, but ended up being assigned to the Skyline cabin next door (https://www.vrbo.com/9426234ha) upon arrival. The floor plan and condition are similar, except that the Eagle has a washer/dryer in the basement and the Skyline has a walk-up basement apartment instead. This seems like something that needs to be mentioned in the Skyline ad, as we didn't expect to have to tip-toe around at night.
The Eagle is right next door to the Skyline, which is discretely left out of the pictures/video. The hangout spots on the porches still allow plenty of privacy, but it would have been nice to know before arrival that another cabin was going to be a few yards away.
The location is perfect for exploring Shenandoah National Park. It's ~25 mins to the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station, which allows you to go north and explore the middle of the park, or south and explore the southern end. Both had excellent hiking trails, and were low on crowds. We also had fun tubing/canoeing on the Shenandoah river, just a few miles down the mountain in the town of Shenandoah.
We enjoyed having coffee on the porch in the morning, petting the horses, and grilling out at night. They have the essentials, but definitely bring your own things; especially if you are high maintenance. A crock pot, toaster, salt/pepper, additional silverware, and a fresh sponge would make the kitchen more vacationer-friendly. We filled up the hummingbird feeder using some sugar brought from home, and had a fabulous time watching hummingbirds come to our porch to quench their thirst. The views are more lush greenery than spectacular mountaintop, at least in summertime, but lovely nonetheless.
The property is definitely in need of some maintenance. Wasps maybe half the size of the hummingbirds appeared to be eating the exterior wood on the cabins, but they weren't aggressive. Full trash cans, a car in the parking area with busted-out windows, and a blue-green sludge covering the pond contributed to a creeping sense of neglect.
Inside was clean enough, though. We didn't see any creepy crawlies, and slept well. I didn't expect to be asked to sweep up our everyday mess on the way out, when a cleaning fee is charged and a basket is left for gratuity.
If you want a solid, quiet spot to enjoy nature and lay your head, then this is the spot. Thanks Mountain Top Ranch. We had a blast!
Remote, Less Than Basic and Somewhat Uncomfortable
We were expecting something different. While the few people from management that we encountered were very nice and the cabin was for the most part clean, and the location was as advertised--remote and secluded--there was much to be desired.
The management team was responsive when we asked for help, however, much of the check-in information was not correct including the internet code at the main house and other details on the welcome sheet. The small map we were provided for hiking was very confusing and hard to read. We got lost a few times while trying to use it....but that could have been because the trails were overgrown and not well marked.
The kitchen didn't have sufficient utensils and the ones that were provided were sloppily strewn into one cabinet drawer. There were no sponges to clean dishes in the kitchen. The hot water continued to conk out and we had to go into the cellar multiple times to turn on the breaker to get the hot water back on. The stove has seen better days and one of the burners was coming apart and didn't seem safe to use. There were only a few pots and pans (without tops) and around the oven and on the floor was refinements of previous tenants' crumbs.
Finally, there were notes regarding the hikes stating that we could get shot by neighbors if we ventured down the wrong trails...but seemed to be made up and only a ploy to make money on paid hikes and keep us off certain trails. We didn't appreciate feeling unsafe when we went venturing around for hikes.
Overall, while we thought the location was as advertised being remote and secluded, we ended up leaving a day early as we didn't feel 100% comfortable and frankly...we were sick of the kitchen situation.
Win E.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
About the host
Hosted by Helen Hewitt
Mountaintop Ranch is owned by The Cunningham Family. This ranch has been a premier horse training center and enjoyed by many as a trail ride facility . Mountaintop Ranch offers the best high mountain meadows views in the Blue Ridge. Mountaintop Ranch is bordered by the Shenandoah National Park on 3 sides. Visit our website at Mountaintop Ranch to view more information and see a list of activities offered.
Why they chose this property
Mountaintop Ranch lives up to its name as we are quite literally a Ranch atop a Mountain! We are a 400 acre property bordered by the Shenandoah National Park on the Northwestern portion of the Ranch. We have spring-fed pond, wildlife, and all of the beauties of nature that are part of this unique destination. We have an Equine Center located on the western part of the Ranch, which offers rides available at additional costs.
We also offer Guided Hikes to our 65 ft Waterfalls, Skeet Shooting, Target Shooting, Meals and more. Please inquire for details.
What makes this property unique
Where else can you stay in an authentic log cabin secluded in the middle of a breathtaking, serene and wildlife-filled 400 Acre Ranch? Mountaintop Ranch is the ultimate place to reset, relax and get back to nature. You may also find yourself enjoying a new favored adventure during your time here as well with the limitless exploring opportunities and activities available.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests