Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

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Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

3 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 10195.1 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available
Dryer
Hot tub
Washer
Fireplace
Kitchen

Explore the area

Maggie Valley, NC

Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
‪7 min drive‬
Wheels Through Time Museum
‪8 min drive‬
Cataloochee Ski Area
‪10 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Bunk Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

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 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and comfortably sleeps 8-10 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.

Property manager

Val Michael

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

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Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

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

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Maggie Valley

Cataloochee Ranch, a neighbourhood in Maggie Valley, is home to this holiday home. Tube World and Maggie Valley Gem Mine 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 Queen's Farm Stables and Waynesville Recreation Center.

Maggie Valley, NC

What's nearby

Tube World - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
Maggie Valley Gem Mine - 6 min drive - 3.5 km
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds - 7 min drive - 4.5 km
Wheels Through Time Museum - 8 min drive - 5.0 km
Cataloochee Ski Area - 10 min drive - 4.8 km

Getting around

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

‪Joey's Pancake House - ‬5 min drive
‪Guayabitos - ‬7 min drive
‪Pop's Place Biscuits, Burgers & BBQ - ‬7 min drive
‪Pop's Butts On The Creek - ‬10 min drive
‪Waterrock Knob - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

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

No, pets are not allowed at this 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).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

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9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Britt M.

2 March 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Annie O.

12 February 2025

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

Perfect family ski getaway!

The Rusty Elk was absolutely perfect for what we needed. Eight minutes from Cataloochee ski area and 10 minutes from some local restaurants and stores. The hot tub felt great after a cold day on the mountain and our kids also enjoyed the pool table and air hockey. At first I was disappointed it didn’t have arcade games like some of the other houses, but this strategic move allowed us to have more unplugged family time. The check in process was easy, the host responded quickly to questions, the furniture was nice and new and the house was clean. We recommend!

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carter S.

11 January 2025

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

Great stay

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yolanda S.

3 December 2024

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

6/10 Okay

Molly L.

23 February 2024

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

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

5 November 2023

Liked: Check-in, communication

Review

Like the house, but it needs some tender loving care.

Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joddie P.

30 October 2023

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

Great for a Quick Getaway

Very clean and private.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jerome R.

19 October 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Brittni V., winchester

10 October 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Sidney M.

17 August 2023

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

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

9 August 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

24 July 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Rachel W.

29 June 2023

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

8/10 Good

Kasie D.

19 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rusty Elk

Everything was good.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Keith Y.

6 June 2023

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

Family vacation

The cabin was very clean and well decorated, the outside was very disappointing it was very overgrown with weeds and lots of poison ivy/oak growing up unto the bottom deck and around the hot tub and firepit,the outdoor furniture hadnt been wipe down in quite sometime, the ladders of the bunk beds had loose steps that were very dangerous we couldn't let the kids sleep up there because of that, these are the only reasons i didnt give 5stars

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Jeffery H.

31 May 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Carrie U.

16 April 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Kim D.

21 February 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Troy K., Moncks Corner, SC

20 February 2023

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

Great Cataloochie Ski Trip

First time personally renting a vrbo, but the check in/out seemed much easier than another trip with family. The owner was very nice and warned us about foul weather in the forecast. Very steep hills getting to the cabin and caraloochie skiing. Great location, we were able to get the kids introduced to skiing and the cabin provided plenty of diversion for four kids ages 7 to 11. Thanks!

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

William H.

31 October 2022

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

Great views, Convenient and spacious

The house was comfortable and convenient to town but with great views of the mountain floral. The manager was attentive to an issue and provided a quick resolution.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jerome R.

19 October 2022

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

Best view in mountains

Rented two years in a row view off front porch is breathtaking

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

6/10 Okay

Nick D.

16 October 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy

Rusty Elk

Property was overall okay. Would stay again.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

John G., Mount Holly, NC

25 September 2022

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

Right on the mark

Guys trip. Good location, short drive to restaurants. Nice deck, patio, fire pit areas. Good TVs but not a lot of channel selection. Kitchen was functional. Good communication with property manager.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa N.

5 September 2022

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

Absolutely wonderful

The actual rental process was above and beyond excellent. Location, ambiance, availability. So awesome. Hope to stay with you again and often.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Julie T.

17 August 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Cozy cabin, nice area

Cabin had everything we needed. Kids enjoyed the play room. We went out everyday and enjoyed the area. Host was very responsive. Downside is the downstairs porch needs to cleaned up. Area by hot tub and fire pit needs attention. Master bed was very uncomfortable. Overall we had a good time

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Val Michael

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Peaceful mountain vacation at The Rusty Elk Retreat

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Master Bedroom

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Master Bath

Spaces

About this property