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Shady River Retreat -- Your Riverside Paradise!

Riverside cabin with fitness centre and indoor pool

Photo gallery for Shady River Retreat -- Your Riverside Paradise!

Shady River Retreat
Exterior
Legion gate--important that all guest names are added for entry.
You will need to look for these somewhat hard to see signs for turning.
Private road, great for daily walks

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6193.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Gym
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View map
Ellijay, GA
  • Place, Gilmer County Fairgrounds
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Tabor House & Civil War Museum
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Ellijay Marketplace
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bunkroom

+1
5 Single Beds

Main Level Master Bedroom--Opens to Porch

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom in Loft

2 Queen Beds

3 bathrooms

Basement Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Main Level

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Shady River Retreat -- Your Riverside Paradise!


Sleeping arrangements--3 queen beds (2 queens in loft, 1 queen on main level), 2 sets twin bunks sleep 4, + 1 addn. twin lower level)

Our cabin is ideal for 1 or 2 families, and comfortable for up to 4 adults with kids, teens, and tweens. This is our personal property and is a labor of love. We do our best to build relationships with repeat guests who become friends for life. This cabin caters to families seeking time to unplug. We take pride in keeping our property maintained and enjoy recommending activities to help you make special memories. We are often asked about the following--stairs, proximity to the river, and traffic on the road in front of cabin. We do have stairs leading up to the main level. If stairs are a problem for anyone in your party, our cabin may not be the best for your relaxation and enjoyment. We are also not set up for large parties. The best fit is for 1 or two families, or a smaller group of adults looking for a weekend getaway. Our cabin is riverfront, and the river is just a few steps away from the cabin. The road directly in front of our cabin is a private gravel road with very little traffic. The location of our cabin is private, not secluded.

We would be delighted to help you plan your trip. Ask us for suggestions!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly

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Property grounds

The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort

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  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
8.8 out of 10, (279 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
NO cats, small dogs flea and tick up to date
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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
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ellijay

Located in Ellijay, this cabin is on the waterfront. Tabor House & Civil War Museum and Fort Mountain are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Engelheim Vineyards and Ellijay River Vineyards. Gilmer County Fairgrounds and Ellijay Marketplace are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Cabin rentals in EllijayOpens in a new window
Map
Ellijay, GA

What's nearby

  • Gilmer County Fairgrounds - 10 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Pig Hill of Fame - 12 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Tabor House & Civil War Museum - 13 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Ellijay Marketplace - 14 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Engelheim Vineyards - 17 min drive - 11.2 km

Getting around

  • Atlanta, GA (PDK-DeKalb-Peachtree) - 96 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Buffalo Luke’s - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Zaxby's Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Shady River Retreat -- Your Riverside Paradise! have a pool?

Yes, this property has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Shady River Retreat -- Your Riverside Paradise! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Shady River Retreat -- Your Riverside Paradise!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Shady River Retreat -- Your Riverside Paradise!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Shady River Retreat -- Your Riverside Paradise! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from Riverside Park and within 9 miles (15 km) of Gilmer County Fairgrounds and Cartecay River. Gilmer County Library and Tabor House & Civil War Museum are also within 9 miles (15 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. 161 out of 187 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 187 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 187 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 187 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 187 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Connie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ashley J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
FANTASTIC! Will stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A beautiful, quiet, and clean home next to the river. Enjoyed sitting next to the river, the screened in porch, and hot tub. Highly recommend that you bring water shoes if you want to get in the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan K.

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

Great property!

This was a great rental. Everything was as described, house was very clean and the beds were very comfortable. Loved the location to the river and lots to do on property. Will plan to come again!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janice W.

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

Holiday getaway

Rented a mountain cabin for our Christmas celebration. Wonderful river front location. Able to hike right out the door. Downtown Ellijay and golfing not too far away. Hostess was wonderful and great communication during our stay. Comfortable beds. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy K.

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

Amazing location!!!

Such a special place!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lizsa A M.

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

Peaceful escape

We enjoyed ourselves so much with the peacefulness of the river from our front porch and listening to nature. A wonderful place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Much needed rest

Original booking was for Spring Break with grandkids. Grandkids decided not to go. First let me say: DO NOT USE GPS TO FIND THIS CABIN! GPS takes you to a completely different location. There is a great need to update the directions given. But after hours of searching and racing an incoming severe storm… we made it!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adrienne R.

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

River retreat

Fantastic trip. My favorite family vacation we have had. Accommodations were perfect and owners thoughtful and kind.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Great Cabin!

This is a really great cabin! It is nicely decorated, extremely clean and well maintained. Beautiful view of the river with a great spot for tubing. Can't wait to go back!

10/10 Excellent

Will H.

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

We enjoyed our stay

We highly recommend this cabin and the location for everyone who loves nature and fresh air. The cabin is very clean and everything you need is there. Just bring enough food(the fridge is big enough).
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica G.

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

River Rekaxation

The river sounds were so relaxing. Great weather. Perfect secluded getaway
Stayed 4 nights in May 2020

8/10 Good

Stacey G.

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

Long Weekend Getaway

We had a great time renting this property. The large screened in porch overlooking the river was nice to sit on while having our morning coffee. The property had everything we needed for a relaxing long weekend with our family. Fire pit by the river for s’mores and the hot tub in the evening were great to enjoy. Also the beds are super comfortable!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kiera W.

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

Christmas stay

The most PERFECT get away! Beautiful house with plenty of room for everyone. Enjoyed reading every morning on the screened in porch while listening to the river. Great firepit set up near the water and having a hot tub was definitely an added treat! Our pup enjoyed going on daily walks, beautiful community.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jaime S.

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

Another amazing visit

This is our second year in a row visiting here. The cabin is fantastically located right on the river for endless fun. The owner is very friendly and helpful. If any problem or situation arise, she is there to assist. We look forward to staying again next year!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Beautiful cabin in the mountains

This was our second stay in this cabin and we loved it. We will probably stay with them again. We had a horrible car accident in Ellijay and the owner was so understanding and willing to work with us! Thank you for a wonderful vacation!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
If you’re looking to unplug, unwind, and share your morning coffee with deer that act more like curious neighbors than wild animals—this is your spot. This cabin on the Coosawatee River is a peaceful little pocket of heaven, nestled deep enough into the woods that your stress will have to work really hard to find you.The setting? Absolutely stunning. The river view is serene, and the sound of the water is like nature’s white noise machine—only better and without the monthly subscription. The deck is perfect for early mornings or lazy evenings, and the parade of wildlife is straight out of a Hallmark movie and the river is the main player Now, full disclosure: getting to this slice of paradise is…let’s call it an adventure. The last couple of miles could be straight out of a mountain rally course—tight switchbacks, narrow one-lane roads, and drop-offs that will make you question your life choices (and your tires). But if you take it slow and trust the process (and your brakes), the destination is 100% worth it.This cabin isn’t just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and maybe even remember what it’s like to just be. Whether you’re reading by the river, watching the deer, or just doing absolutely nothing, this place delivers peace in spades.Would I go back? In a heartbeat.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maria M., Orlando, Florida. USA

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

Amazing!

We had an amazing stay at this sweet little cabin! It held our family of five with ease and provided the perfect amount of coziness. We relaxed, played board games, watched movies, enjoyed a fire, and snuggled a lot. Thank you for sharing your home!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Debbie M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Apparently the dishwasher is not working properly , every dish had to be washed before use .

Great location .
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie S., Fort Myers, FL USA

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

Beautiful location

While the winding mountain road getting to the house is an experience, 😊 the location is beautiful right on the river. Everything was as described, and Jennifer was very responsive and helpful answering our questions. Thank you for sharing your house with us for the week!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gina D.

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

A little piece of heaven

This was a perfect spot for the week. We spent lot of time down by the river enjoying the view and watching the deer. The house had more than enough room and had everything we needed. The beds were very comfortable! There are great amenities available for the stay. We enjoyed the hot tub after floating around in the river and spent one afternoon at the community pool. We visited the downtown area several times which was super cute. This has definitely been one of my favorite VRBO stays and will definitely be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer E.

4/2007 We had a beautifu...

4/2007 We had a beautiful, relaxing weekend at the Shady River Retreat--The men loved fishing, the women loved relaxing, and the grandkids/dogs loved it all. --Guest comments posted by homeowners

10/10 Excellent

robert v.

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

A really nice place to stay.

This was our second time staying and it was just as good as we remember it. The place is spotless and check in/out etc was well documented and easy to follow. If its possible there were even more deer and geese than the last time. Hot tub was beautiful. Too hot for the fire in the fire pit but we sat around it right next to the river every eve. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Christine F.

Beautiful and very relaxing!!

We loved the cabin!! There was plenty of room for our party of 9. The pool table was a nice surprise! Our teens loved having their own space to hang out. We also enjoyed looking at the deer that were everywhere, not to mention the relaxing fire by the river at night! The cabin was much more than we were expecting~ we loved it, and cannot wait to return!

10/10 Excellent

Amy N.

Always great!

We love Shady River Retreat! The cabin is always spotless, cozy and has very comfy beds. Our favorite part is it’s location on the river. Not only can you hear the river from the cabin, there is a perfect spot to sit around the fire, right at the river. We have come as a family of four and I have come with my daughter and her friends for her birthday and either way, it was perfect! We will definitely continue staying at Shady River Retreat.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

About the host

Hosted by Jennifer Elwood

Host profile image
Our family consists of two Atlanta area professionals with three children who keep us busy. One of our favorite things to do is plan family vacations. One thing we know to be true in raising children is that the days are long, and the years are short. We are doing our best to fully enjoy this season!

Why they chose this property

The North Georgia mountains offers our family the respite we need to recharge. Our riverfront property is ideally suited for both relaxation and recreation. We enjoy spending time at Shady River Retreat and venturing out to Blue Ridge for shopping and entertainment.

What makes this property unique

You will love the swing on the oversized screened porch and the wide river frontage. The fire pit is a wonderful place for delicious s'mores and evening chats!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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