Entire home

Private Lakefront Cottage on Lake Santeetlah

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Private Lakefront Cottage on Lake Santeetlah

Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Room
Room

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View map
Robbinsville, NC
  • Place, Santeetlah Lake
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Cheoah River
  • Place, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
    ‪13 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Main Floor Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Main Floor twin bedroom

2 Single Beds

Upstairs Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Main Floor Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Upstairs Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private Lakefront Cottage on Lake Santeetlah

Feel unplugged and remote at the Santeetlah Bear Den Cottage. It is a uniquely designed cottage situated at the end of a dirt road. The cottage backs up to 100s of acres of US Forrest Service property. You will be surrounded by trees and have a private dock a walk down the hill and then down the steps. There is not a view of lake from house.
During your days enjoy morning coffee or afternoon refreshments on the deck situated in the woods just above the dock. Go hiking right out the front door deep into the woods. Kayak, canoe, fish, swim, and enjoy the Lake all day long. Read and relax on the upstairs balcony or in the very private backyard. Enjoy grilling and eating outside on the backyard picnic table.

Endless adventures are close by: Visit Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and bring your mountain bike to tackle the Tsali mountain bike trails. Rent or bring your boat and ski and tube on the Lake. Visit the Nantahala Outdoor Center and zip line thru the woods or raft down the river. Shop, eat and listen at Stecoah Valley Center. If you are a motor cycle rider, you will be close the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway. Endless adventures of all sorts are available in Graham County.

During your evenings keep warm by the wood stove in the cozy living room. Listen to crickets, tree frogs, and other nocturnal creatures from the private upstairs balcony. Enjoy dusk watching the starlings flying overhead from dock side. Roast up a s’mores feast around the back yard fire-pit while telling stories and rehashing your day’s adventures. Wind down from the day’s activities watching a movie and then sleep soundly on brand new bedding in beautifully decorated bedrooms.

We hope you choose to stay at the Santeetlah Bear Den and enjoy the cottage and location as much as we do.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 26
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Young children should be supervised at all time.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
A non-refundable pet deposit of $125 required.
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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 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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Robbinsville

Located in Robbinsville, this cottage is in a rural area and on a lake. Junaluska Medicine Trail and Graham County Historical Association are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Fontana Village Resort Marina and Appalachian Rivers Raft Company. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Robbinsville, NC

What's nearby

  • Santeetlah Lake - 3 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest - 13 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Junaluska Medicine Trail - 17 min drive - 14.4 km
  • Fontana Lake - 49 min drive - 48.9 km
  • Fontana Village Resort Marina - 49 min drive - 49.6 km

Getting around

  • Alcoa - Knoxville Airport (TYS) - 110 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kin Cafe - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Papas Pizza - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Caffe De Olla - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Pacifico Mexican Restaurant - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Lakefront Cottage on Lake Santeetlah pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Private Lakefront Cottage on Lake Santeetlah?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Lakefront Cottage on Lake Santeetlah?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Private Lakefront Cottage on Lake Santeetlah located?

Situated on a lake, this cottage is within 1 mile (2 km) of Nantahala National Forest and Santeetlah Lake. Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 80 out of 97 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 97 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 97 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 97 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 97 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Marquette C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin was awesome for a long weekend getaway. We'll definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tristan W.

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

Bear Den

Our stay at the Bear Den cabin is always peaceful. It’s a great place to stay, relax, get away from the outside world, and to be on the water. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Abby G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
As advertised
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alain B., Cudjoe key, fl

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

Great Place

This property was perfect for our motorcycle trip.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jordan R.

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

Great home

We loved staying here, the location was fantastic. The water was very close to us and the kids loved swimming!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan K.

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

Great getaway

Very nice property with great lake access.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

David P.

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

Slice of heaven

We had a great long weekend. We tried to hit ‘peak leaf season” and we did. Everything was wonderful.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie K.

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

Smokey Mtn getaway

Great place! The lake was great for kayaking and fishing.The dogs were comfortable. Nice to be unavailable for a few days! Don't believe your GPS when driving in, the owner gave great directions. I loved being able to see ALL the stars at night!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

David K.

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

Wonderful Family Experience

We had a great family vacation and enjoyed this property, lake and surroundings. With a 6 year old and 8 year old we had lots of fun fishing, kayaking, swimming and when the rain storms came in family board games! Short trips to the Joyce Kilmer Forest, Yellow Creek Falls, and Cheoah Point Beach were great activities. The house met all of our needs and we highly recommend it and hope to return soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Becky B.

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

Family getaway

If you want somewhere to hide away from the noisy world this is it! If it’s been raining you’ll need 4WD to get up driveway to park beside cabin. Marty is very responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sae S.

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

Private quiet lakeside

I want to live there. Didn’t drive the car after arriving. Enjoyed being in the clean water of west buffalo creek and Santeetlah Lake by canoe, kayak, and paddleboard. Grilled out and had a nice fire (pit) in the back yard. Took some walks and then enjoyed the Santeetlah Lake Trail by mtn bike when we left. Rode at Tsali on the way to Bear Den. Host is very responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Neil S.

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

Fantastic property!

Had an amazing few days with friends staying at this lovely private property. Kayaking and canoeing right off the dock, hiking in the mountains on the trails and generally relaxing around the fire pit in the evening. The property is located at the end of a very private unpaved road, this makes it a little tough to get motorcycles in and out but it is definitely possible, you just have to take it slow. Only a 30 minute ride to the tail of the dragon, and there are plenty of lovely mountain roads on the way there and back.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Meaghan M.

Lovely place to get away from it all!

The mountains surrounding Robbinsville were absolutely gorgeous, and Lake Santeetlah was one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen. The water stayed a nice blue-green. The cabin was great, and we loved that it was nestled into the woods but just steps away from the water. The moth ball smell came back anytime we left the cabin for an hour or so, and I have to say the floors of the cabin and even the tubs were kind of dirty/dusty. But we may have stayed there after no one had been there for a few weeks. Otherwise, the kitchen was pretty well stocked, beds were fairly cozy, heat worked great and the quiet area was fantastic. The added amenities were AWESOME and included the canoe, kayaks, life vests, paddles, dog bed and fire pit out back — all perfect for getting away from busy life. Thank you for sharing your cabin, and we really appreciate a place to which we can bring our dogs! They are getting older, and we love being able to include them in our vacations :)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2016

10/10 Excellent

Pat D., Chapel Hill NC

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

A magical place

We had a wonderful time. From the dock we canoed, swam, and sat and watched. We saw the early morning mist dancing on the water and the sun gradually lighting up the colorful leaves. We saw wood ducks, pied-billed grebe, kingfisher, pileated woodpecker and several other birds. Fish were easy to see under the water. And we even saw two otters! The swimming was very refreshing. The canoeing provides a whole other way to appreciate the water and it’s shores. In the backyard, we enjoyed building fires in the fire pit, grilling meals, listening to the sounds of the woods (we heard 3 species of owls) and watching the stars come out. We hiked out the trail a short way and walked the near roads. I found a place in the woods to hang my hammock. We were barely getting settled in and it was time to leave. The week went by too fast. This place is very private. I plan to come back.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sarah E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent cabin in the woods. Great for a larger group of people.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

aaron c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time! Peaceful and secluded-friendly people in town.Cabin was everything you would want for a family retreat vacation!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ross P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoy this property!We have stayed here for several years now.Location, easy to be here/well equipped, and fabulous chill lake water amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Owner was extremely easy to work withHouse was spotless cleanRental was as described, NO over hype/ misleading description
Stayed 29 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tarah S.

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

Kayaking dream

Had an amazing time. The cabin is well equipped and owner was very responsive. We loved kayaking all day on the lake and sitting around the camp fire at night. We highly would recommend Bear’s den for a family get away.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

John B.

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

Better the photos

First off. Musty, there was other reviews saying property was Musty. I went in looking for musty and Did Not find the cottage musty at allPhotos do not refect how close the lake access is, the pictures seem to show a distance between front door and the lake. From the front door to the lake steps is a very short distance Steps to the lake and floating dock was in very good to like new condition The cottage is not fancy, but very clean, well appointed and in good conditionAcess on the private road was level, well graveled with minimum pot holesOverall very good value for the money
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Randall M.

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

Fall Family Stay

Overall this was a great stay. The house is off the beaten path but it was quiet and comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keith P.

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

Awesome

Great place
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Louis C.

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

Great spot

Nice clean cabin on a very private road Lots of Hiking and scenery within a 20 mile radius prefect place to decompress and relax
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ross P.

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

Peaceful lake recreation

Perfect fit for us- allows on site and nearby lake recreation and excellent trails for hiking and naturing! Comfortable and peaceful home and environs!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

About the host

Hosted by Marty Sullivan

Host profile image

Languages:

English