Outdoor Enthusiasts 3 Bdrm retreat Blue Ridge Mountains Jefferson National Frst

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Entire home

Screened porch with cedar gliders and picnic table for outdoor meals

Open layout dining room in between the kitchen and living room.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6223.0 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available
Dryer
Barbecue grill
Washer
Air conditioning
Kitchen

Explore the area

Bland, VA

Claytor Lake State Park
‪42 min drive‬
Claytor Lake
‪43 min drive‬
Virginia Tech University
‪63 min drive‬
Dublin, VA (PSK-New River Valley)
‪29 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Office

Separate dining area

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Don't let the name fool you!! This beautifully remodeled ranch cabin in the woods is the perfect escape for you, your family and even your horses or mules (go long ears). The cabin boasts high end finishes throughout with custom woodwork in the kitchen and dining areas. This large yet cozy home is within walking distance to the Dismal Falls, Appalachian Trail, Flat Top horse trails and all that surrounds, in the Jefferson National Forest. This is the best of both worlds! Finally, you don't have to choose between a great place to trail ride, hike, mountain bike, cycle or adventure ride and a nice place to stay! This lovely three bedroom one bath cabin has every comfort of home. It accommodates it's guests with 1 king, 1 queen, and a bunk bed for the kids! There is also a pull-out sofa bed in the living room if required. The kitchen is fully equipped and linens are provided. The cabin also has a cedar, screened front porch with room enough for everyone to relax and listen to the creek flow by. The cabin, however, is merely a place to rest, it's the outside that has it all to offer. Whether you ride a horse, mountain bike or just like to get out on your own two feet and hike it's all just out the front door, literally. The Appalachian Trail runs parallel to the cabin and is accessible in several areas. The Flat Top Horse Trail System is a combination of forest roads and woodland trails that make up miles and miles of trail riding fun! Unlike the horse camp located a mile or two up the road, this cabin does accept reservations and is not affected by a government shutdown! If you love the trail but also like getting clean and putting your feet up in real comfort and style this is the perfect place for you! The property consists of approximately 2.5 acres and adjoins the Jefferson National Forest in the rear and Dismal Creek (a Virginia fisheries stocked trout stream) runs through the front yard. We offer approximately an acre of cross fenced corral for your horses or long ear friends. We also welcome hunters and fisherman seasonally for world class deer, turkey and bear hunting and trout and bass fishing. Motorcyclists on or on/off road find Bland County a beautiful and exciting place to ride.
Come stay with us and explore!

Property manager

Matt Birdsall

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Mountain view

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Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

There is a $50 cleaning fee for over night stays. Please leave hiking packs and muddy shoes on the porch. No parties

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 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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Bland

Located in Bland, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Thorn Spring Golf Course and Draper Valley Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Jefferson National Forest and Claytor Lake State Park. Stone Mountain General Store and Draper Mercantile are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with water tubing and rafting nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hunting.

Bland, VA

What's nearby

Claytor Lake State Park - 42 min drive - 44.5 km
Claytor Lake - 43 min drive - 46.7 km
Radford University - 47 min drive - 48.0 km
Lane Stadium - 61 min drive - 61.6 km
Virginia Tech University - 63 min drive - 59.7 km

Getting around

Roanoke, VA (ROA-Roanoke Regional) - 86 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Outdoor Enthusiasts 3 Bdrm retreat Blue Ridge Mountains Jefferson National Frst pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Outdoor Enthusiasts 3 Bdrm retreat Blue Ridge Mountains Jefferson National Frst?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Outdoor Enthusiasts 3 Bdrm retreat Blue Ridge Mountains Jefferson National Frst?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Outdoor Enthusiasts 3 Bdrm retreat Blue Ridge Mountains Jefferson National Frst located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Jefferson National Forest and within 25 miles (40 km) of Giles County Historical Society and Mercer Mall. Carilion Giles Community Hospital and Giles Country Club are also within 25 miles (40 km).

Exceptional

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

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth M.

16 October 2023

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

Excellent

An amazing location.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Londeree R.

18 May 2023

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

College Graduation Weekend

The cottage was quiet, clean, functional, and furnished. The owner was easy to communicate with. We really enjoyed the screen porch. We had a very peaceful pleasant stay.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Teresa L.

20 October 2020

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

Excellent, relaxing, beautiful stay

We met up with my in-laws halfway between Ohio and Georgia for a socially distanced weekend outdoors. Matt's place was everything we could have asked for. Very comfortable (especially the king bed!), lots of space to maintain distance on property, tucked in a gorgeous outdoor setting, with a communicative/accommodating host. Already looking at the possibility of staying here again - really can't say enough nice things. A wonderful weekend hiking in beautiful Jefferson National Forest, building a firepit, watching the stars, and having a very comfy home to stay in. Also, really appreciate having some toddler-friendly considerations (all outlets covered, chemicals behind locked cabinets, playsets our little one really enjoyed!). Thanks so much, Matt!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Victoria B.

1 June 2021

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

Spotless cottage close to fishing and the App Trail

My husband and our two children ages 13 and 15 really enjoyed our stay in this 3 bedroom cottage in Bland, VA. The property had everything we were looking for and the owner, Matt, went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. He even brought us fresh asparagus from his garden and supplied dry firewood after the original wood he left for us got soaked by rain. The entire place was spotless and the beds were super comfortable. We cooked one meal in the well stocked kitchen and grilled out on the large charcoal grill for the rest of our evening meals. The weather wasn't great and we didn't have much luck catching fish on the part of the stream where the house sits. However, the short walk to the falls was well worth it. Just a short drive away there is another fishing spot where we caught a good sized brook trout and hopped on the AT for a strenuous afternoon hike. All in all, this was a great place to stay and I highly recommend it for outdoor enthusiasts!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

GARNETT N.

7 July 2022

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

Peace & Quiet

If you are looking for a remote location with lots of peace and quiet, this is the place. It is only 30 minutes to get back to shopping or sites that put you back into civilization. Beautiful mountain scenery and a beautiful location at Dismall Falls. Great hosts and we enjoyed our stay in July 2022!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emily G.

17 October 2021

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

Fantastic get away!

This was our 2nd time here. Peaceful and quiet. Great for meditation. Easy access to the falls.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Murray B.

24 September 2021

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

TRUE OFF THE GRID PARADISE

If you are looking to unplug from technology and really experience the beauty that surrounds you........COME HERE! This was exactly what we needed and the National Forest (Dismal Falls) was breathtaking. Hugh Thank You to our Host. MATT.....you were nothing short of amazing. The campsite at the river was way more than we expected and a much needed romantic spot for our anniversary. We will be back.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ashley M.

22 August 2021

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

Great customer/host service

We enjoyed our stay! Main takeaways: - Secluded location - Enough car parking for 4-5 compact cars - Close walking distance to Dismal Falls - Great host customer service (very friendly, great communication, gave us fresh farm eggs, always asked us if we needed anything, allowed us to extend our check out time for a few more hours) - Fire pit, charcoal grill and outdoor picnic table seating (host provides wood, lighter fluid) - Enclosed porch, with outdoor seating and picnic table - Kitchen is stocked with pots, pans, grilling utensils, silverware, knives, etc. - Close distance to some local grocery stores and a gas station - Walls are very thin unfortunately (3 bedrooms are all next to each other and everyone can hear each other in the rooms even with white noise machines on) - There were 5 of us, all with Verizon, and barely any signal (land line available for use in the house which helped) - Wifi was limited to only 10gb - only good for emails and searching - really did not like this since I had to unexpectedly login for work (couldn’t use to check emails since it wasn’t a secure wifi line for my work laptop) Overall, great experience and great customer service. Felt safe and clean throughout the trip. Thanks again Matt!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

LisaRose C.

24 July 2021

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

Incredible getaway

This property is a short 2 minute drive to dismal falls. The inside is gorgeous with antiques in certain areas. Huge open concept for kitchen to eating areas. Two bar top areas. The owner was fantastic & super nice. You should rent this place.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christine K.

20 May 2021

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

Family Getaway

We rented this peaceful cabin at Dismal Falls. The setting was perfect for our intended purpose which was time away from the hustle and bustle of suburbia to reconnect with nature and each other. We could not have asked for a better experience.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Leah N.

1 December 2020

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

Nice stay

We had a great time staying at this property for Thanksgiving. Well kept, clean and kitchen had everything we needed. Lots of room inside. Location was great- plenty of outdoor things to do. Matt reached out to us just to let us know we could give a yell if we needed anything. We didn't- all was good. My only issue was with the Vrbo website. For some reason it wouldn't let me answer Matt.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Emily G.

27 October 2020

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

Wonderful get-a-way! Great place to unplug and enjoy nature!

Extremely easy booking, great location, lots of nature to explore. Wonderful host. Attentive to our needs and requests. Great place and will book again!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lincoln M.

14 October 2020

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

Good place to stay

Well maintained property, great host, and great location near stream and mountain.

10/10 Excellent

Cristi G.

11 October 2020

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

Dismal falls

Beautiful cabin

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rob M., CHAPEL HILL, NC USA

5 October 2020

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

Absolutely perfect!

What a wonderful spot in the mountains close to Va Tech! The house was terrific and gosh did we enjoy the sound of the creek flowing right in front of the house, plus just a perfect easy walk to the beautiful waterfall. Completely exceeded our expectations. Matt, our host, was incredibly accommodating. Without us even asking, he got nice dry wood for us to make a fire in the fire pit. House was SO clean. Really homey and nice. Thank you!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Marlena W.

15 September 2020

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

This property is absolutely amazing!!

My family loved our time here so much they had to be forced to get in the truck to come home. We will definitely be renting this property again but for longer!! Very beautiful inside detailed woodwork! Very clean, most of all the host was the best and very helpful to us!! Thank you Matt The Wheelers

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Leslie, Wake

30 August 2020

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

great property, cool area

We enjoyed our stay on Dismal Creek very much. The house was spotless and very comfortable. The house is close to trails, creeks, fishing, and other fun activities. We very much enjoyed exploring the area and Matt is a great host.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rose B.

26 August 2020

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

Don't miss this, it is wonderfully relaxing and beautiful!!

Matt is the best host I've ever encountered in many travels! He's very helpful, friendly, and willing to do whatever it takes to help you find what you came here for. He knows this beautiful part of the Blue Ridge by heart and offers excellent ideas. The place is better than the pictures - bigger! Really comfy, really spacy, plus, the location, the landscaping, the blackberries!!!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Millie D., Corinth, MS

15 August 2020

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

Spacious, remodeled, very clean

This cabin is spacious and has been remodeled. The living room, kitchen, laundry room, and bedrooms are all big and well stocked. The beds are so comfortable! We loved the screened in porch. Appalachian trails are very nearby and a beautiful waterfall is within walking distance. Matt checked in with us regularly to ensure we had everything we needed. We definitely recommend!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Elaine M.

10 August 2020

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

Beautiful mountain stay!!!

We loved visiting Matt’s house,our family had the best time and his home was so relaxing and beautiful!! We will definitely be back!!!

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Linda P.

4 August 2020

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

Best of Both Worlds: Modern Inside and Rustic Outside

We chose the Dismal Falls Retreat for our 6th wedding anniversary and could not have picked a better place. The cabin is located at the Jefferson National Forest and was the perfect nature experience we wanted. There is a lovely stream located right across the road you can hear from the screened in front porch – where we stayed a lot of the time. The cabin has all the modern conveniences, comfortable, and neat as a pin. Fresh spring water right out of the tap was incredible! The host, Matt, was easy to connect with and was very hospitable. He made us feel welcome and appreciated. We would recommend Dismal Falls Retreat to anyone looking for a peaceful get away in a very beautiful part of the country.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Gina M., Sewell, NJ

1 August 2020

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

This place is anything but Bland!

What a beautiful place to get away and unplug from it all! The retreat at Dismal Falls was exactly what our family needed. Matt was a great host and very accommodating. He was close by to answer questions about the area and took the time before we arrived to ask about our interests so that he could have brochures available for us when we got there. He even shared some delicious blueberries from his farm with us! We enjoyed the short walks up to the falls, the amazing mountain views, and sitting on the screen porch for hours listening to the sound of the creek flow by. There are so many hiking opportunities in the area. We had a great time tubing at the New River’s Edge. If you’re looking to get away from it all and just enjoy nature this is the spot for you!

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ryan R.

22 July 2020

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

Serenity Now

This property was fantastic in all aspects. Matt was very attentive and helpful. Such a peaceful place to recharge from life (with a 5 year old). We plan to come back very soon!

10/10 Excellent

Lee W.

14 July 2020

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

Family getaway

The area is gorgeous, with the lovely creek across the road and beautiful Dismal Falls close by for wandering and rock hopping and swimming. Access to AT is convenient, and we did day trips to kayak on the New River, hike to Chestnut Knob overlooking Burke’s Valley, and fly fish. Ate at Palisades in Eggleston one night which was great, but we especially enjoyed grilling/cooking at the cabin and eating on the awesome screen porch. Had a big fire and s’mores one night and star gazed. Kitchen is stocked with all we needed, and Matt gave us some charcoal for the grill and brought us 2 big bowls of blueberries fresh from his crop. He is very responsive and accommodating, and more respectful of our privacy than he needed to be. Cabin is super clean and spacious and beds comfortable. We felt like we had the area to ourselves except for some traffic going to the falls and horse camp, but that never bothered us. The screen porch is delightful for reading a book and listening to the creek. Our family of 4, including 2 adult children, loved this as a quiet but adventure filled getaway. Thanks Matt!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jonah E.

11 July 2020

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

Bland and Dismal? Hardly! Best vacation ever.

My partner and I were looking for a very specific place: equidistant from our homes in Nashville and Washington, D.C.; secluded and close to nature; and, most critically during this pandemic, a host with a heightened awareness of issues around cleaning. With my immunosuppression and my partner's history of respiratory ailments, we were nervous to go on vacation at all. Other hosts said they were cleaning thoroughly as always - but this is not a time for as always. Matt shared the CDC guidelines he was following to try and keep the rental as safe as possible. It was reassuring and a taste of his generous, thoughtful hospitality. We had one of the best weeks of our lives renting with Matt! Breathtaking vistas and rhododendron forests, the Appalachian Trail and refreshing plunges into the Falls of Dismal are all less than a mile away. Longer drives in the surrounding farmlands and forests are just gorgeous. Don't miss the hair-raising curves on Rte. 16 outside of Tazewell! We spent long stretches relaxing in the screened-in porch, listening to Dismal Creek at the edge of the yard & we slung our hammock next to the creek. The kitchen was shockingly well-apportioned - I expect so little of rental kitchens, but we had tons of cookware and modern/new appliances. We cooked some phenomenal meals and really enjoyed the spacious kitchen. The king-sized bed was the most comfortable I've ever experienced in a rental. The linens and towels were higher quality than many hotels! The house has a ton of other improvements - a great shower, lots of custom woodwork and beautiful floors (floors can get cold, bring slippers!). Matt has attended to every detail. We didn't have cell service at the house (though we did a mile down the main road) and internet was spotty/slow when available - I don't recommend depending on it and audio/video streaming is not possible. BUT being able to step away from the world made the week that much more special. The break from technology helped me relax to a much deeper and more satisfying level. The spring-fed water did go out briefly, but Matt worked quickly until it was fixed. He'd already supplied us with some fresh water in case of issues. The beautiful bonfire Matt built for us to apologize for the inconvenience more than made up for it - we returned from a frigid dip in the falls to be warmed by the fire. We're already talking about when we can return to this special place! Thanks, Matt, for taking such good care of us.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

About the host

Hosted by Matt Birdsall

Languages:

English

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Outdoor Enthusiasts 3 Bdrm retreat Blue Ridge Mountains Jefferson National Frst

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

About this property