Gentle Bear Lookout | 2 Bed, 2 Bath

Gentle Bear Lookout exudes a rustic charm, with a wooden interior, a fireplace centerpiece, and plush leather sofas for comfortable seating.  Relax on the deck and take in the scenery and fresh mountain air. Gentle Bear is close to outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. You can also enjoy fishing, kayaking, or canoeing on the neaby lakes and streams.

Although Gentle Bear has a rustic feel, it is equipped with modern amenities such as a Tesla charger, Wi-Fi, and a fully equipped kitchen.  After a long day of outdoor activities, relax and unwind in the hot tub. Or sit around the fire pit, enjoy a bonfire and roast marshmellows under the stars.

The open living room, kitchen, and dining room is a great space to relax after a day of exploring, cook dinner together, or watch your favorite movie. There is also a full size washer and dryer off the kitchen.
Through the dining room, you will find a screened in porch. Perfect for gathering without the bugs!

Where You'll Sleep:
Downstairs you will find a Queen bedroom with ensuite full shower/tub combo bathroom
Upstairs, a King bedroom with ensuite walk-in shower
The upstairs loft and downstairs living room both have a Queen pull-out sofa for addtional sleeping

The road to Gentle Bear is on an incline but is paved. The road turns to gravel when you pull into the driveway. Across the road from Gentle Bear, there is additional parking for a trailer.

Additional Amenities:
• Sat TV. Local Channels, ESPN, Fox Sports, MLB XTRA Innings, SEC and Sports Alternate
• Wireless Internet - Able to stream movies on your devices
• Central A/C and Heat
• Ceiling Fans
• Wood Log Fireplace
• Open Deck and Screened in porch
• Charcoal
• Fire Pit
• Hot tub
• Tesla Charger

Fully Equipped Kitchen with Granite Counters:
• Mr. Coffee
• Kurig
• Toaster
• Electric Hand Mixer
• Colander

• Yes - Pet Friendly Dogs only
• Yes -Motorcycle Accessible (road to Gentle Bear is on a paved incline, but turns to gravel as you enter the driveway)
• Yes - Trailer access in lot across from driveway

To ensure you have a comfortable experience, we provide a starter supply of the following items:

Trash Bags
Laundry Detergent
Dishwasher Pods
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Toiletries
Coffee
Firewood
Propane for the gas grill
Please note that these supplies are intended to get you started and may not be sufficient for your entire stay. You may need to purchase additional supplies depending on the length of your stay and your usage needs. We suggest you visit the grocery store before arriving at your cabin. Bryson City’s main grocery store, Ingles, closes at 10pm most of the year but may close earlier in the Winter months.

Pet Policy

We must know in advance if you are bringing a pet. This cabin is pet friendly with a $100 non-refundable fee for up to 2 pets. Dogs only! We allow more than two pets only on a case-by-case basis. By bringing a pet, you agree to the terms of our complete Pet Agreement, which provides very specific rules for pets including: no pets on furniture (including beds and sofas), unattended pets in the cabin must be crated, and many other strict requirements. If we find evidence of pets on furniture, you will be charged $100. If we find evidence of pets damaging the property, including using the bathroom in unit, you will be charged $200. The Pet Agreement also provides that pets brought without advance notice will be charged $250 plus the normal pet fee. Pets brought to cabins that do NOT allow pets can result in immediate eviction with forfeiture of remaining paid stay.

Important Notice: Road Conditions in the Smoky Mountains
Please be aware that road conditions in the Smoky Mountains can be unpredictable and may change rapidly due to weather. Our cabin’s roads & driveways are either pavement or gravel or both. Depending on the season, you may experience road conditions such as heavy rain washouts, snow, sleet, roads covered in leaves, etc. We highly recommend using a 4WD vehicle to ensure safe travel to your cabin, especially during winter months or inclement weather. We also strongly recommend traveling in a vehicle with higher ground clearance to navigate the terrain more easily. Low clearance vehicles will not be able to access certain cabin roads including The Watershed Resort.

Please Note:

NO REFUNDS will be issued if you are unable to reach your cabin due to road conditions.
We advise checking weather and road conditions prior to your trip to ensure a safe and pleasant journey.
Your safety is our priority. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Water Conservation Policy

To ensure the sustainability of our beautiful mountain environment, we kindly ask all guests to use water mindfully during their stay. Please limit shower times, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and report any leaks immediately. We also encourage the reuse of towels and linens to reduce water consumption. These small actions help preserve our natural resources and keep the mountains pristine for future visitors.

Run the washer sparingly.
Only run the dishwasher when it's full.
DO NOT wash your car.
Thank you for understanding, and we look forward to your visit!

Attention: Active Wildlife in the Area

Our area of WNC is currently experiencing increased wildlife activity, particularly from bears. While it’s a privilege to share our environment with these magnificent creatures, it’s essential that we all take precautions to ensure our safety and theirs.

Please follow these guidelines:

Secure all food and garbage: Bears are attracted to strong smells. Do not leave food in your car and reattach bungee cords to trash can lids every time.
Be aware of your surroundings: Stay alert, especially during dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
Avoid close encounters: If you see a bear or other wildlife, maintain a safe distance and do not approach.
Travel in groups: When possible, hike or explore with others, and make noise to alert animals of your presence. Keep dogs leashed at all times.
Your cooperation is crucial in maintaining a safe and harmonious environment for everyone. Thank you for your attention and care.

Extra notes:

Planning your stay? Here are the distances in time and mileage from Gentle Bear Lookout to popular attractions:
• Harrahs Cherokee Casino is a 25 minute drive, or 20 miles
• The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a 20 minute drive, or 7 miles
• The NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) is a 24 minute drive, or 13 miles
• White Water Rafting is  a 20 minute drive, or 10 miles
• Deep Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a 20 minute drive, or 9 miles
• The Visitors Center (Oconaluftee) for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a 35 minute drive, or 20 miles
• The Biltmore Estate is an hour and 20 minute drive, or 70 miles
• Ripley's Aquarium Gatlinburg, TN 1.5 Hours or 51.3
• Alarka Boat Dock 20 Min or 7.9 miles
• Almond Boat Dock 20 Min or 10.7 Miles
• Cataloochee Ski Area 59 min or 36.5 miles
• Western Carolina University 40 Min or 29.1
• Tsali Trail Head 24 Min or 14.3 Min
​• Ingles Grocery Store - 23 min - 7.6mi