Old Chestnut Cabin; walk to Lake Junaluska

Experience ye ole` piece of history when you call Old Chestnut Cabin your homestead away from home! This 1800s cabin in Waynesville is best of both worlds; modern convenience with old-school charm. Just a few minutes walk through mature growth trees takes you to Lake Junaluska which includes outdoor activities like kayaking, swimming, golf, a fire pit and much more! Outdoor adventures abound and a cozy cabin awaits you when you choose Old Chestnut Cabin as your retreat to simpler times.

Originally located in Tennessee, Old Chestnut cabin was moved to Lake Junaluska in 1977. Search for the tags on the logs that helped aid the reassembly process. Have a history lesson while discovering the antiques from the 1800s that are thoughtfully placed in the cabin and dream of simpler times.

Access to the cabin from the street is up a hill via over 40 stone stairs which could be slippery when wet or icy depending on weather. The interior stairs between the two floors are very steep and ladder-like. They are shallow which may be too steep for young children, dogs or those that are unsteady on their feet to navigate. We would recommend dogs, children and those that are unsteady remain on the main level floor during your stay.

There is room for the parking of 2 cars directly in front of the cabin on the street. There is no driveway, only designated street parking. Overflow parking is steps across the street on Oxford.

Inside, rustic charm prevails! Sit and sip on cups of coffee in front of the stone fireplace. Cook intimate meals for 2 or a feast for 8 in the full kitchen. Gather around the wooden dining table for a meal by the fire. Following dinner, carry your after-dinner drinks out to one of two balconies overlooking the old growth trees and natural landscape with mountain views in the distance.

This level also has a private bedroom with a Queen bed and a full bathroom. The couch by the fire also pulls out to a Queen sofa bed for additional sleeping. Follow the steep stairs to the second level and you will find 2 bedrooms, one with a Queen bed and one with a Twin XL bed. You will also find a second full bathroom with a free-standing clawfoot bathtub! Take a nice soak in the tub and dream of simpler times. This level also has a second living area which doubles as an office (computer not included). The sofa in this room pulls out to a full bed. Before turning in, take one last glance at the sunset from the second level balcony where you will find comfy seating and mountain views in the distance.

Please note due to the cabin`s age, there is a thermostat on the main level, but there are no vents or thermostat on the upper level. The fireplace and space heaters make the upper level nice and cozy during the winter and during the summer open the windows to get the best mountain breezes coming across the lake to cool you down!

Outdoor adventure is abundant very close by! We are half an hour from Cataloochee Ski Area! Pack your parka and ski poles for an epic ski adventure and then meander back to Old Chestnut to warm your feet by the fire while sipping hot cocoa.

From the cabin, walk less than a mile to discover the gleaming shoreline of Lake Junaluska where you`ll find recreational activities such as hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, birding and fishing (valid NC fishing license required).

This is where a lakeside pool is located open Memorial Day through Labor Day Weekend. You can reserve a lake cruise while learning a little history aboard the Cherokee IV. Lake Junaluska also offers mini-golf, shuffleboard, and cornhole. Bring a friend and get a workout on the communal tennis and pickleball courts or inside the fitness center and then brush up on your s`mores skills over the flames of the Shackford Fire Pit.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Flat Laurel Creek, and the Black Balsam Knob are also minutes away. The Cataloochee Ski Area is 23 miles up the road and you are also conveniently located near the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, and Cherokee.