Unplug: Gated Mountain Lake A-Frame On Dragon

Entire home/flat

Entire home/flat
3 Guests
2 Bedrooms
2 Beds
1 Bathroom

Your phone goes quiet on the climb up. Then the gate closes behind you, the lake appears, and it is just you, the A-frame, and the mountains. This renovated cabin sits in a private gated lake community wrapped by national forest near Robbinsville, NC. No cell signal, but high-speed Wi-Fi and a landline if you need them. King loft, fireplace, latte maker, porch. The Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and Fontana Dam are close. One cabin, one lake, limited dates.

The space

Somewhere on the drive up, your phone stops buzzing.

You glance down and the bars are gone. No signal. And instead of panic, something unexpected happens: your shoulders drop. The road climbs through hardwood forest, the air turns cool and clean, and then the gate swings open to a quiet mountaintop lake. Tucked beside it is a little A-frame cabin, waiting for you.

This is the real deal. Not a cabin in a crowded resort with a view of the next cabin. This is a private, gated lake community high in the mountains of Swain County, North Carolina, surrounded on every side by protected wilderness: the Nantahala National Forest, the Cherokee National Forest just over the Tennessee line, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the north. Up here, the world cannot find you unless you let it.

DISCONNECTED BY CHOICE, CONNECTED WHEN YOU NEED IT
There is no cell service on the mountain, and that is the magic of this place. No pings, no notifications, no one tapping you on the shoulder. But you are never cut off. The cabin has high-speed Wi-Fi for streaming a movie, Wi-Fi calling, or a few hours of remote work, plus a working landline inside. Unplug completely, or plug in only when you choose. The off switch is finally yours.

LAND WITH A STORY
These mountains have been home to the Cherokee for centuries, and their story is still alive here. Robbinsville is the resting place of the Cherokee leader Junaluska, and the nearby Snowbird community remains one of the most traditional Cherokee communities in the region. Many of the place names you will pass, from Santeetlah to Cheoah to Cherohala, carry that history with them.

A century ago, this wild corner of the Smokies caught the eye of industry. Alcoa came here for the power of the rivers, building the Cheoah Dam through its Tallassee Power Company, the "Ta-Po-Co" in Tapoco. Around 1930, Andrew Mellon, banking magnate and Alcoa's major backer, built the Tapoco Lodge as a private hunting and fishing retreat for himself and his circle. The most powerful men in America came to these exact mountains to disappear for a while. Now it is your turn.

THE CABIN
Freshly renovated, cozy, and built for slowing down.

- The loft: a king memory foam bed at the top of a spiral staircase, tucked under the peak of the A-frame. Waking up here feels like waking up in a treehouse.
- The living room: a soft suede couch, an electric fireplace for chilly mountain nights, and a smart TV for a movie after a long day on the trails.
- The kitchen: a full kitchen with an island and a latte maker. Morning coffee on the porch, mist rising off the lake, nowhere to be.
- The reading nook: a quiet little corner behind the staircase for a book and a blanket. It also works as a spot for your laptop if work follows you up the mountain.
- The bathroom: a tiled walk-in shower to rinse off the trail dust.
- The bunk room: a single bunk, perfect for a child or a petite third guest.
- A stacked washer and dryer, so you can pack light.

YOUR BACKYARD IS THE SMOKIES
Spend your days exploring, then come home to the quiet:

- Tail of the Dragon: 318 curves in 11 miles on US 129 at Deals Gap, the most famous stretch of road in America for motorcycles and sports cars.
- Cherohala Skyway (NC 143): one of the most breathtaking drives in the Southeast, climbing past mile-high overlooks from Robbinsville all the way to Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
- Tellico Plains: a charming mountain town at the Tennessee end of the Skyway, with waterfalls on the Tellico River nearby.
- Fontana Dam: the tallest dam east of the Rockies, where the Appalachian Trail crosses right over the top.
- Bryson City: ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, raft the Nantahala, and stroll a classic mountain main street.
- Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest: walk among some of the largest old-growth trees left in the eastern United States.
- Endless trails, waterfalls, and overlooks in every direction.

WHY BOOK NOW
There is only one of these. One A-frame, one gated mountain lake, one place where the outside world truly cannot reach you unless you invite it in. The cabin sleeps just three, so it fills with couples and small groups who find it first. Fall color, spring wildflowers, and summer weekends go fast, and the mountains do not make more of these. If you already feel your shoulders dropping just reading this, take that as your sign. Claim your dates before someone else does.

The neighbourhood

This is a picturesque private gated lake community. This exclusive retreat offers a serene and tranquil environment for its residents. While guests are not permitted to use the lakes or any of the areas outside of the A Frame and its land for any activities, the community's natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere provide a relaxing backdrop for your stay. Take a leisurely stroll around the lake, soak in the scenic views, and enjoy the serenity of this private oasis. With its secluded location, This is perfect for those seeking a quiet and rejuvenating getaway in the mountains.

House rules

Driving slow is strictly enforced when entering the community gates. If you decide to speed in the community you will be asked to leave as it is very dangerous . This is not a party house. This is a peaceful retreat.

LINENS/SUPPLIES: The linens and supplies provided will not be replenished during your stay as housekeeping is not provided, you have the option to use the the washer/dryer provided (if the property includes in unit) or you can use the community laundry to clean linens which is normally coined check the house manual for codes. Consumables have already been provided for the duration of your stay. To maintain the quality and cleanliness of our linens & Towels, we kindly ask guests to avoid using them for any items that may cause stains or discoloration, such as makeup, hair dye, tanning products, or coloring sticks. Many of these substances cannot be removed easily, and in some cases, the stains are permanent. When this happens, the linens must be disposed of and replaced, which comes at an additional cost. If our cleaning team provides a photo report of stained or damaged linens beyond normal use, a replacement or cleaning fee will be charged to the guest. Thank you for helping us keep our linens fresh, clean, and comfortable for all guests.

CHECK IN: 4:00 PM
We kindly ask all guests to notify us of your expected arrival time at least 6 hours in advance. This helps us ensure the property is fully ready and any access arrangements are smooth.


CHECK-OUT: Check-out time is 10am. For the cleaner to have time to prepare for the next guest properly, we ask that guests have checked out by this time. Guests are to leave keys as required in the House Manual. Check-out is defined as all guests and personal property being entirely off of the property with keys in the required location. The guest agrees to pay a $50 fine if not checked out by the specified check-out time.

If late check-out is required, please confirm with the host prior to booking using the Airbnb app messenger. If late check-out is approved by the host, the Guest agrees to pay a $25 late check-out fee for each extended hour of stay.

MAINTENANCE REQUEST:
Your comfort matters to us. After check-in, we kindly ask that you let us know within 2 hours if there are any cleaning or maintenance concerns so we can help right away when possible. Items reported later will be handled as soon as we’re able the next day. We truly appreciate you letting us know.

PROPERTIES WITH STAIRS: Please use rails when using stairs, no running, or horseplay, children will need to be accompanied when using stairs, if there are any hazards please report them before using stairs.

PROPERTIES WITH BACKYARD/FRONT YARD: The yards are on a maintenance schedule however, there can be hazards like glass, cacti, sand spurs, construction debris, etc placed that has not been acknowledged. Please wear shoes and watch where you step. Please check yard for pets.

MAXIMUM OCCUPANTS: Only the specific number of guests noted in the booking are allowed on premises unless approved in writing by the host/manager. If Guest exceeds the occupancy noted in the reservation, all guests and/or visitors to the Property will be immediately evicted without refund for unused days remaining. Guest also agrees to pay a charge of $20 per person/ per day for every visitor not identified by Guest in the reservation.

AGE: You must be 22 years of age or older at the time of booking to reserve this Property. Guest confirms that he/she is older than 22.

SHOES: Guests shall remove shoes when inside the home.

WILD ANIMALS/PESTS: Some properties are near large bodies of water, swamp, or areas where wild animals roam. While visiting North Carolina please be mindful we do have tropical bugs — mosquitoes, palmetto bugs, wood roaches, no seeums, etc. While we do actively treat for pests you may encounter a few critters during your stay. If the doors are left open, you will most likely allow these creatures in the home. As much as we’d love a critter free home sometimes it’s just not possible. Let us know if you’ve encountered anything that may alarm you!

SMOKING FEE: Guest agrees to pay a $500 smoke Damage Cleaning Fee if any sign or smell of smoke is encountered by host/manager or cleaning crew after guest checks out. This fee will cover costs to remove odors from the home, and lost revenue during cleaning.

PETS: Pets are NOT allowed. Guests who bring a pet or pets without approval will be charged a $300 Pet Fee and immediately evicted from the Property without refund for the remaining days on reservation.

EVENTS/ VENDORS: No Events. Any vendors entering the Property are prohibited.

REPORTING DAMAGE: The guest agrees to keep the Property in the same condition throughout their stay. Any damage to furnishings, fixtures, furniture, or other notable conditions found upon arrival will be reported to the Host/Manager within one (1) hour of Occupancy. If guest fails to address these issues within (1) hour they forfeit the right to request a refund, as the guest did not allow the host an opportunity to correct issues. Host will attempt to correct issue, and if it's not correct the guest will have an option to move to another property suggested by host and if the host is unable to provide alternative housing, airbnb will assist.

HAZARDS: It's the guests responsibility to report hazardous items to avoid an accident (Water spills, Brokens steps/Rails etc)

CHILDREN: We do not child-proof any of our units. There may be chemicals in reach, outlets are not covered, dressers and stands are not mounted to the wall. It's the parents responsibility to child-proof anything that may cause harm to your child.

DAMAGE: Guest agrees to pay any damage made by guests or their visitors to the Property and Property furnishings, fixtures, or furniture. Guest agrees to pay for any damage made by guests or visitors.

ENTERING PREMISES: Host, or Host's Agent may enter the Property at any time, with no prior notice, in the event of an emergency, to perform necessary repairs and/or maintenance, and with 24 hours’ notice for normal maintenance.

ITEMS LEFT BEHIND: Host shall not be liable or responsible for personal items left behind, lost or stolen. If you leave an item after checking out and wish to have it returned, message Host/Manager as soon as possible and we will arrange for shipment. We will inform you of the shipping cost and with your approval, charge the credit card on file to cover the expense.

ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES: Illegal substances are strictly prohibited and grounds for immediate eviction from the Property. You, your guests and visitors, agree that any drug use on the Property, or using the Property for any unlawful purpose, or violation of any law or ordinance on or about the Property will immediately terminate your occupancy and be grounds for immediate eviction from the Property. You shall be liable for any and all costs incurred by Host and the refund will not be provided for the remaining balance of your stay.

LIABILITY: Host shall not be liable to Guest, its guests or invitees or any other person for any injury, loss or damage to any person or property on or about the Property. Guest shall hold Host harmless and indemnify Host from and against all loss, injury or damage occasioned by the use or misuse or abuse of any part of the Property and from or against any omission, neglect, or default of Guests, or invitees.

LOSS OF USE: Guest agrees to pay any documented loss of host income created by Guest violating house rules.

PROPERTIES WITH KEY (REPLACEMENT): Costs to replace any lost or damaged keys is $25 per key.

FOOD: We ask guests to kindly dispose of food in the available trash can. Garbage disposal is for small food remnants only. If garbage disposal is damaged or clogged by guest, Guest agrees to be charged for a plumber’s time to un-clog or install a new garbage disposal (if needed). We ask No eating of food in any bedroom to prevent pests and linen damage.

CHANGING OF LOCKS: Guest shall not re-key or change out door locks/ door hardware under any circumstances.

COMPLAINTS FROM NEIGHBORS: We want all of our guests are to be respectful of neighbors, and shall keep noise to a minimum while in back or front yards. Quiet time is 10pm to 8am. Any disturbance triggering a visit by police will require immediate eviction of all guests from Property. No refund will be given for the unused portion of the guests stay.

KITCHEN ITEMS: All items in kitchen including silverware, pots/pans, spices, flatware, etc. have been counted, and any item removed from premises will be charged to the guest.

LINENS: Please be respectful of bed sheets and towels. Makeup/foundation, face medications/creams, and tanning products will stain and/or bleach linens/towels. Please avoid using regular hand/bath towels with all skin products. Guests are not to wash laundry belonging to the home in order to hide stains. Housekeeping will wash all laundry. Un-salvageable linens/bath towels will be charged to the guest.

MOVING FURNITURE: Indoor and outdoor furniture is not to be re-arranged. Dragging chairs/tables on hardwood floors will leave scratches on hardwood.

ADDITIONAL CLEANING FEES: At sole discretion of host, an additional cleaning fee of double the cleaning cost, can be charged if additional cleanup is required that goes above the standard cleaning. If cleaning up after a party or damaged areas, actual damage and cleaning hours will be assessed.

Guest access

A Frame Cabin and yard around the circle driveway.

Guests are NOT PERMITTED TO UTILIZE LAKE OR LAND OTHER THAN THE CABIN AND LAND ATTACHED UP UNTIL THE CIRCLE DRIVE.

This is an ULTRA PRIVATE COMMUNITY, NOT AN EXTENSION OF THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON. THIS LISTING IS ALSO NOT FOR HUNTERS. The private road up to the cabin has a speed limit of less than 10MPH, if a guest is in violation of this, you will no longer have access to the property as speeding down a private road is enforced strictly and we do not tolerate unsafe driving, as children and local neighbors use this road regularly for daily walks etc. This property is used as a private sanctuary this space is to be used to bring peace and reset, if your intent is just to visit the tail of the dragon and race your vehicles, this place is NOT FOR YOU and there are plenty of other places for that purpose.

Keep in mind this space is perfect for anyone wanting to enjoy a PEACEFUL getaway. If you are a nature buff, and appreciate the outdoors, and are seeking a relaxing stay. The listing is for you.

EV Charger is a level 2 outlet - you will have to supply your own power cable!

Interaction with guests

This property is equipped with a state-of-the-art contactless entry system. Once you book, you will receive detailed check-in instructions along with your 4 digit access code granting you access the minute your reservation begins. We pride ourselves in offering our guests a seamless check in experience. As super-hosts, we are here when you need us but there is no need to be overwhelmed by us. We respect our guests time and know you are on vacation to relax and enjoy your getaway. We provide everything you need in order to do just that. Relax & enjoy your stay!

Other things to note

- There is NO cell service at the cabin or on much of the drive in. Download offline maps and your directions before you leave town.
- High-speed Wi-Fi is available for streaming, Wi-Fi calling, and remote work. Turn on Wi-Fi calling on your phone before you arrive.
- A working landline is inside the cabin for calls and emergencies.
- The king bed is in a loft reached by a spiral staircase.
- The bunk room has a single bed best for guests under 5'3".
- No housekeeping during the stay.
- A Minut sensor monitors noise, temperature, and humidity only (no cameras or audio recording).
- Guests must be 22 or older to book. No pets, no smoking, no events.

Amenities

Private entrance
Oven
Stove
Iron
Wireless Internet
TV
Air conditioning
Dishes and silverware
Cooking basics
Indoor fireplace
Body soap
Conditioner
Patio or balcony
Coffee
Smoke detector
Washer
Wine glasses
Bed linens
Hair dryer
Waterfront
Shampoo
Hot water
EV charger
Freezer
Carbon monoxide detector
Toaster
Fire extinguisher
Refrigerator
Garden or backyard
Essentials
Kitchen
Coffee maker
Microwave
Free parking on the street
Heating
Dishwasher
Long term stays allowed
First aid kit
Dryer
Property manager

Location