Cabin

The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC

Photo gallery for The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC

A wooden cabin with a covered patio area featuring outdoor seating and artwork.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a sink, and a countertop. There is a window with a view of greenery outside.
A wooden bridge with metal railings leading over a concrete barrier into a wooded area.
A compact kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stainless steel dishwasher, a coffee maker, and a sink.
A rustic log cabin with a wooden staircase leading to a balcony, surrounded by trees.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Nantahala National Forest

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View map
Franklin, NC
  • Place, Nantahala National Forest
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Place, Harrahs Cherokee Casino
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Number of living rooms
Outdoor play area
Garden

Add dates for prices

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  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (178 reviews)
Glory Days Riverfront Authentic restored 1800s log cabin near Gem mines

About the area

Franklin

Located in Franklin, this cabin is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and Ruby City Gems & Minerals are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Mason Mountain Mine and Whistle Stop Mall. Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts and Parker Meadows Park are also worth visiting. Kayaking and rafting offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and horse riding nearby.
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Map
Franklin, NC

What's nearby

  • Nantahala National Forest - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 24 min drive - 33.0 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 28 min drive - 37.8 km
  • Western Carolina University - 36 min drive - 50.6 km
  • Harrahs Cherokee Casino - 38 min drive - 55.3 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 93 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tokyo Japanese-Thai Sushi Bar - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Duffell Hideaway - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪The Bend - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Two Brothers Cafe - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Tellico Enterprises - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC?

As of 31 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC on 9 November 2026 start from NZ$688, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The River Joy - Amazing Riverfront Cabin in Franklin NC located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is steps from Nantahala National Forest and within 6 mi (10 km) of Mason Mountain Mine and Sheffield Mine. Old Cardinal Gem Mine and Rose Creek Mine 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. 22 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay, nice and clean, good location. The beds were very comfy. The shower nice and hot. Good facilities, TV, kitchen, and right by the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Response from Management on 10 October 2026
Thank you Craig for being such a Great Guest! We are so glad that your time at the River Joy! Please come back again anytime. I hope the fish were biting! Thanks, Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a wonderful place—a cozy house perfect for a family getaway. It features a private, well-equipped access point to the river for fishing or launching a kayak. Within a 30–40 minute drive, there are amazing waterfalls, rafting spots, and other attractions. I highly recommend it to a small family looking to spend a weekend or a short vacation there.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Response from Management on 10 October 2026
Thank you Alexsandr, for the great review! We are so glad that you got to enjoy the grounds and surrounding area of our Ruby River. Please come back again anytime, Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We truly enjoyed our stay at this cabin. Even though there are cabins right next to this one, it was as though we were there by ourselves. It was absolutely peaceful and sitting on the first floor patio looking out over the water each morning sipping coughing was very relaxing. The cabin was very clean and had all the amenities we needed. My husband enjoyed casting his fishing line off the little cement pad. We enjoyed the location and the convenience to several great places to eat.Unfortunately, we were in town for a memorial service, but staying at the cabin allow us to relax and enjoy the beauty around us.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 10 October 2026
Thank you Kimberly for the great review! We are so glad that you enjoyed the cabin and grounds. Please come back again anytime, Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
The house was perfect for what we needed! Just keep in mind that there is no cellular service in the area. Once we connected to the Wi-Fi, everything worked fine. I highly recommend writing down the access code before you arrive. I planned to access it through my email once we got there, but without cell service, I couldn’t open the email. Thankfully, our neighbors were kind enough to let me connect to their Wi-Fi so I could retrieve the code and get inside.The driveway was a little challenging. One side has a very sharp turn, while the other is quite steep and has a bush that makes maneuvering a little tricky. Thankfully, there is a mirror across the road that helps you see oncoming traffic before pulling out.Overall, the house worked perfectly for our needs!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great river spot !
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 7 August 2026
Thank you, so much for the Great Review! Please come back again anytime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location

It was very clean and had all the necessities and things that needed to stay and cook
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 16 September 2025
Thank you David, For the Great Review. The River Joy is such a Special place and we are so glad that you got to enjoy it. Please come back again anytime, Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect setting

Beautiful place. Has everything you need. We got a lot of use out of the fire pit and the patio was our favorite spot to relax and watch the geese. We hope to visit again
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 May 2025
We are so glad you had a great stay at the cabin. Thank you for leaving the place so clean. We look forward to having you again in the future. Best wishes.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Excellent getawY

Had a great time, spent the entire weekend at the cabin. Fishing, grilling, and just sitting in the nice patio downstairs
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 August 2025
Thank you Colin, for your Great Review! We are so glad that you got to enjoy The River Joy and all it has to offer. Please come back again and be part of our guest family. Again thanks, Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great visit

We really enjoyed our stay. The house was clean and just like it was described. Thank you 😊
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 17 April 2024
Thank you Elizabeth for being our guest! We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay and we hope that you can come back again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Father's Day get away

Just what we needed,to relax and unwind
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 July 2023
Thank you so much for being such great guests! We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay at Playful Paradise and we sure hope that you can come back again. Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome stay

Beautiful little cottage. Clean and comfortable. Ben and Angelina were nice to meet.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 July 2023
Thank you for your review Karen. It was a pleasure meeting you and we are so glad that you had a great time. Hope you can come back again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect riverside getaway!

Beautiful setting, very clean home and well stocked kitchen/bath. There were plenty of indoor and outdoor games, bag chairs to sit in, a swing and a really cool covered patio downstairs for relaxing- LOVED IT!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2024
Thank you Ann for the Great Review! We are so glad that you enjoyed the cabin and we hope that you can come back again, Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

29th Anniversary Trip

This place is an absolute gem! The photos do not do it justice as to just how beautiful it actually is. You couldn't possibly get bored here as there is a plethora of activities to engage in.10/10 would stay again and we are already looking to book in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Friends getaway

We really enjoyed this cute cabin. 4 adults came to ride motorcycles around the mountians. It was close enough to everything we wanted to see. Parking was a little tight dor our truck and trailer but having 2 professional drivers with us helped.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The great escape

Beautiful,clean cabin, well equipped, (loaded)says our teen. Teens are hard to please but this one was!!Thank y'all for that great experience. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 April 2025
Thank you Dwana for such a Great Review! We are so glad that both you and your family enjoyed their stay. We look forward to having you all back again. Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect!

We had family in town for Thanksgiving and needed more room - we actually ended up cooking at this lovely property instead of home because the kitchen we better equipped 😆, the spaces were perfect for visiting, and the view of the river was superb! So many homey touches - couldn't have loved it more.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a fantastic trip. If only we could of stayed for longer, a week, maybe two! This place was a paradise. Quiet, secluded even with the cabins next door. The cabin was spotless, well stocked with everything you could possibly need. Drop coffee pot, pots pans, silver wear, plates, mugs, cooking utensils, and even a small pantry of spices and basic pantry supplies. Beds were passable, not bad by any means, one was firm with memory foam it seemed, and the other was slightly softer. Pillows were okay as well. Beds are so personal to preference it's hard to rate them. The River was amazing! We walked down toward an old kayak slide and were able to access the river to swim, fish, tube. I will tell you to use this access you need to be in decent shape, it was a steep hill, slippery when wet, having said that, my 9 year old daughter had no problems, along with my 60 year old dad (who is in good shape). We waded the river all the way to the small rapids up stream and road the rapids down. Fishing is a a must here! We used rooster tails and caught some small mouth and sunfish. Early morning and evening was the best. I really can't sing enough praises about this rental, we loved it, and we cant wait to come back and are already looking at booking it again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 28 July 2026
Thank you, Chelsea for the Fabulous Review! We are so glad that you got to really enjoy The River Joy!! Please come back anytime, BTW there is a wonderful cement entrance to the river right behind the cabin with steps. So next time please take advantage of it. It has a landing area where you can sit and just watch the river pass on by. Again, thanks so much, Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great spot on the River!

Great place for a getaway with the family! We rented the spot because it is close to my Uncle’s house and we had a great time. Includes most anything you could need. My one complaint would be the internet service but we weren’t there to play on our devices anyway! We had so much fun we booked it for another stay! Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 July 2023
Hi Joey, We are so glad that you enjoyed Playful Paradise. We welcome you into out guest family! Wait till you spend July at the River. You will be forever hooked! We found that the internet wasnt working at full capacity while you were here. We have since had it rebooted and hopefully it will be much better. However, wifi in the Mountains is a different breed. Glad to have you back. Thanks, Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Nice!

Quiet along the river. Our second stay. Will be back. Friends first time. They enjoyed it. Needs screen door fixed. Bird flew in bedroom while bringing in luggage.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2024
Thank you Bruce for being part of our guest family! We are so appreciative! Screen door is fixed and we hope you can come back this way again, Belinda
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Enjoyable

This was a short weekend get-away with long-time friends and served our purposes. Kitchen is very well stocked--refreshing from other VRBOs we've stayed at. Beds very comfortable. Front room was warm due to no AC in that area, but if you put the AC down and left bedroom doors open, it cooled pretty quickly. My friend and I enjoyed sitting on the swing facing the river. It's a great place for catching up after dinner or talking about your plans for the day with coffee in the morning. Location is nice -- close to Bryson City and outdoor recreation activities. Neighbors friendly. Road traffic was a bit loud, but not too disruptive. We really only had 3 "complaints". 1. It sleeps 6 and we had 4 adults yet we could not all sit in livingroom to talk because there was only a sofa and one chair in that space. Kitchen table & 4 chairs was not a comfortable option to watch a movie together or just to chat. We adjusted but not ideal for 6 people to sit together to enjoy each other's company. 2. Top and lower deck sitting space was not cleaned up & full of cobwebs. Would have been nice to have that swept & cobweb free to enjoy more time there as we grilled. 3. Cabin is smaller than photos imply, but clean. Tight fit if you have 6. Host was very responsive. Did not use rec area. Instructions to strip our beds & start laundry with sheets & towels left a poor last impression. Don't mind stripping beds, but doing laundry should be covered by cleaning fee.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 September 2023
Hi Sue, So glad that you found spaces within our cozy river cabin to enjoy your time. The cabin holds up to 6 people. Most of our guests are 2 to 4 but if 6 are needed there is a new comfy queen sofa bed in the living room that will accommodate them. Each bedroom has a TV and great High speed Internet ( which is so rare in the mountains) for streaming. Wish we would have been notified about the cobwebs as we would have been down there in a heartbeat. We want all of our guests to have the best time ever. Not sure if you are aware but most airbnbs and vacation rentals request that you strip the beds and start a wash. It helps both the guest and Host from paying high priced cleaning fees. Again thank you for being our guest. Belinda
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy
The cabin was beautiful! What they don't mention is a busy road behind the cabin. Traffic kept me up from around 10:30 almost until 1am and started again around 5:30 am. Not a restful sleep!. Besides the sleep issue, perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 7 August 2026
Hi Joy I'm so sorry to hear that your sleep was disrupted at the cabin.I hadnt heard that before. The road is a country 2 lane.on the weekend that you were here it was such a busy weekend. Franklin hosts a 1980s Event and Downtown is closed for music and dancing. There were thousands of people attending this year. The biggest group ever and I'm sure it made a difference in traffic. Again, sorry you lost sleep and we sure hope you can come back again to one of our many cabins. Thanks so much. Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cabin had everything you needed and even things you didn't know you would need. So we'll stocked and such a beautiful property. Host was very helpful as well. We had a great time and would love to come back again in the future. Thank you so much for a great Father's day getway!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 10 July 2026
Thank you, Staci for the Great Review! We are so glad that you enjoyed The River Joy and we sure hope that you can come back again. Belinda
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 7 August 2026
Thank you, so much for the Great review! Please come back again anytime.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 24 July 2025
Thank you Laurie. Please come back again anytime!
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