A New North Carolina Retreat Just Opened in the Great Smoky Mountains With Luxe Tents, Log Cabins, and a Tree House

Elk & Embers, a new retreat in Waynesville, North Carolina, opened in April at the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The 108-acre property is home to luxury safari tents, rustic log cabins, and a tree house—all with soaking tubs, outdoor showers, mini bars stocked with local beer, wine, and cocktails, and complimentary breakfast.

Each accommodation is further customized with special touches, like a wood-burning fireplace or electric stove. The Tanager Tent, for example, is outfitted with an outdoor swing overlooking mountain vistas, while the Goldfinch, Tanager, and Nuthatch tents have personal firepits for keeping warm while stargazing. The Creekside Cabin, originally built in 1872 and carefully reconstructed using the same hand-hewn logs, sits alongside a secluded creek with an indoor/outdoor rain shower and an oversized tub with forest views.

For those seeking the ultimate mountain escape, the 400-square-foot Hemlock Treehouse is suspended among pine and birch trees with unparalleled views from every angle, including the deck, the king-sized bed, and the outdoor shower.

“Elk & Embers was born from a simple dream: To create a place where people can slow down, reconnect with nature, and feel the quiet magic of the mountains,” says Susan McLean, who founded the resort with her friend Kristina McLean.

“Kristina and I have been traveling here for decades with our families, and our ancestries can be traced back to North Carolina and Tennessee. We wanted to build more than a resort; Elk & Embers is a retreat where every sunrise, every firelit evening, and every shared moment becomes part of the story our guests take home with them.”

The resort’s prime location in the Great Smoky Mountains puts countless outdoor adventures within easy reach, from hiking to white water rafting and fly fishing. A dedicated concierge team can help arrange activities, and the resort will even deliver a packaged lunch to take along on your outing, also included in the rate.

While Elk & Embers doesn’t have a restaurant, complimentary take-and-bake pizzas and ice cream are available at the Market Shed, situated at the heart of the resort. There, guests can also find a communal firepit and lawn games like cornhole.

Elk & Embers is only about 40 miles west of downtown Asheville, home to the Biltmore Estate, local breweries, and a celebrated dining scene.

Nightly rates at Elk & Embers start from $435, and you can book your stay at elkandembers.com.