The sleek & modern interior boasts large windows that offer stunning mountain & woodland views throughout the home!

Receive a hearty greeting from the standing bear statue that lends the home its name on the covered front porch while taking in the stunning views!

Welcome sign & seating area on the covered front porch

Summertime views from the spacious backyard

Fire pit area down the hill from the home

Fire pit area w/bench seating & woodland views

Short but steep paved road leading to the home

Narrow & steep gravel road leading to the home

Gravel driveway leading to the home

Gravel driveway & parking area

Gravel parking area alongside the home

Living and dining area

Living area w/smart TV & spiral staircase

Living area w/smart TV

Spiral staircase in the main living area

Dining table w/seating for 6

Kitchen and dining area

Modern kitchen w/granite countertops & stainless appliances

Full hall bath w/claw foot tub

Main level bedroom w/queen bed

Upstairs loft area w/patio access

Lovely views from the covered porch upstairs

Covered porch accessible from upstairs loft

Lovely views from the covered porch upstairs

Upstairs loft area leading to bedroom

Upstairs bedroom w/king bed and full en suite bath

Full en suite bath

Full en suite bath w/walk-in shower

Lower level living area w/smart TV & twin sleeper love seat

Lower level hall bath w/walk-in shower

Lower level bedroom w/two sets of twin size bunk beds

Laundry area downstairs

Community waterfall access area

Community pavillion w/access to Lake George

Scenic waterfall access area

Private community waterfall

Interior

Long-range winter views of the mountains & countryside from the lower open air deck area

Virtual Tour

Standing Bear Retreat

Beds/Baths

3 BR

3 BA

Sleeps 6

Location

Old Fort

Featured Amenities

King Size Bed
Outdoor Fire Pit
Pet Friendly
Private/Secluded
View
Wireless Internet (WiFi)

Action Links

Add Favorite Request info Print Listing

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Description

Bedding

BR 1- King bed with en suite (upper level)
BR 2- Queen bed (main level)
BR 3- Two twin bunk beds (lower level)

Property Highlights

Tucked within the Gateway Mountain Nature Preserve that includes 3000 acres of woodland with hiking trails, picnic areas, a small lake, and a waterfall, this luxury timber-frame cottage is the perfect combination of architectural flair, rustic charm, and grand design finishes. Ideal for a family or a small group of friends, Standing Bear Retreat is filled with modern features throughout to ensure a stay that’s convenient as it is cozy. Before entering the home, you’ll be greeted by the standing bear statue at the door welcoming you to your mountain vacation. Protected from the weather, the covered front porch is the perfect spot to enjoy your coffee or espresso on those brisk mornings or tea on those rainy afternoons while taking in the long-range views of Lake Lure and the surrounding mountains.

Once inside, you’ll see the grand industrial spiral staircase along with an open floor plan that includes the main living area with mountain views visible from every window, a dining room with seating for 6, and a sleek kitchen complete with granite countertops, stainless appliances, smooth surface stove, dishwasher, and farmhouse sink. Also on this main level is a bedroom with a queen bed and full bath with a gorgeous clawfoot bathtub so you can spend your evenings soaking in a relaxing bubble bath after a full day of hiking, shopping, and exploring.

In the private loft upstairs, you’ll find the master bedroom with a king bed and en suite bath with a walk-in shower. Just across the way, there is access to one of two covered porches that offer breathtaking mountain views. Wander out onto that porch in the afternoon for some solo time to journal or read your favorite book while feeling the refreshing mountain breeze on your face. On the lower level, you’ll find two sets of twin-size bunk beds, a full hall bath with a walk-in shower, a laundry area, and an additional living area with a loveseat that transforms into a twin bed. Just outside, you’ll find an open-air deck with seating for two—the perfect spot to drink a glass of wine and watch the sunset before stargazing under the clear mountain sky.

Standing Bear Retreat is just a short 20-minute drive from the quaint town of Old Fort where you can enjoy a delicious burger and cold beer from Hillman Brewing and 35 minutes from the charming towns of Black Mountain and Marion. Spend your days exploring downtown Marion before enjoying some nightlife at Mica Town Brewing Company and Spillway Bridge & Co., or head over to the “Front Porch of Western North Carolina,” Black Mountain, which boasts 2 local breweries (Lookout Brewing and Black Mountain Brewing) along with even more novelty shops, art galleries, parks, and incredible restaurants like Fresh Woodfired Pizza & Pasta, Open Oven Brunch & Bakery, and La Guinguette. Remember that no trip to Asheville is complete without visiting the colorful, ever-eccentric River Arts District and America’s Largest Home ®, the Biltmore Estate, and luckily, these two destinations, along with Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, are just under an hour drive away.

Standing Bear Retreat embodies modern convenience and mountain charm with its impeccable features and gorgeous location—offering a true retreat where you can enjoy the excitement and tranquility of Western North Carolina!

Please note: This home is pet-friendly with an additional fee. During the colder winter months, icy and/or snowy road conditions and delayed snow plow operations are possible within the development. From December through March, please come prepared with AWD or 4WD vehicles. We also recommend travel insurance for those staying in the Gateway Mountain development during the winter months.

No parking is allowed on roadways or at gate entrances. No RVs, boat trailers, camping trailers, or trailers of any kind are permitted in the Gateway Mountain Community.

Amenities

Living

Air Conditioning
Linens
Washer & Dryer
Wireless Internet (Wifi)
No Phone
Pet Friendly
King size bed
Log/Timber Cabin

Outdoor

Deck
Charcoal Grill
View
Outdoor Firepit
Nearby Waterfall

Geographic

Secluded
Private
Creek/Lake
4WD/AWD Required

Kitchen

Full Kitchen
Refrigerator
Microwave
Toaster
Cookware
Dishwasher
Standard Coffee Maker

Entertainment

DVD Player
Roku/SmartTV

FAQ

WHERE IS THIS HOUSE LOCATED?

Standing Bear Retreat is located in Old Fort. This home is approximately 30 minutes to Black Mountain, 35 minutes to Marion, and approximately 50 minutes to Asheville. Click on the location tab above to locate this house on a map.

WHAT IS YOUR REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY?

If you need to cancel your reservation and the property you had reserved re-rents for the time which you had it reserved, you will be refunded all money you had paid minus an $89 cancellation fee. If you cancel and the property does not re-rent for your reserved dates, you will lose all money you have paid to that point. For this reason, we recommend that you purchase trip insurance. Please call 888-228-8008 before making a reservation if you have questions or concerns.

WHAT IS YOUR PET POLICY AND FEE?

Standing Bear Retreat is specified as "pet friendly" and dogs are allowed. Unfortunately, due to common allergy problems we cannot allow cats. For the privilege of bringing your dog, there is a minimum charge of $100 nonrefundable fee per pet. A maximum of two dogs are allowed unless you have received special permission from the property manager or homeowner. Any damage that may be caused by your pet during your stay will be paid for out of your security deposit or charged to the credit card we have on file. There is a county-wide leash law in place. When taking your dog outside of a gated area, please ensure that they are on a leash.

WHAT ARE CHECK-IN/CHECK OUT TIMES?

Check-in time is 4pm and check out time is 10am. It is important that we adhere to these times, because there is a chance that someone else will be checking out/in before or after you and we need sufficient time to ready the house for the next renter. If you wish to check-in early, there is a $50 early check-in fee that can be added on to your reservation. Early check-in is only available if someone is not checking out on the morning of your arrival.

WHERE DO WE CHECK-IN/PICK UP KEYS?

Standing Bear Retreat is located in a gated community. You must go to our Old Fort Office at 243 Catawba Ave S. to pick up your gate card. Driving directions to our Old Fort Office, along with access instructions will be sent out via email. Once you have picked up your gate card, you can proceed to the house. Please do not rely on GPS. We will provide you with driving directions to Standing Bear from our Old Fort Office.

Standing Bear has a keyless entry system. You will receive a unique access code within 3 days of your arrival.

WHAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY DURING OUR STAY?

If you are having a medical emergency, dial 911 from the phone in your rental home or cell phone.

We hope that your stay in the area will be relaxing and without incident, but should you need to get in touch with Greybeard, we have someone on call 24 hours a day. Just call our office at 828-669-1072 and select option 1, which will forward to the cell phone of the person on call. Please do not hesitate to call us if something needs immediate attention, but if your question or concern can wait, we ask that you call the office during normal office hours.

WILL THERE BE FIREWOOD AT THE HOUSE? WHEN ARE HOMES WITH GAS LOGS IN OPERATION?

Firewood is not supplied by Greybeard. Some houses will have a small supply of firewood for renter use; however, it is best to purchase your own small bundle of wood or Duraflame pressed logs at the local grocery store.

Cutting branches, limbs or trees on the property is strictly prohibited. You can use limbs found on the ground. Absolutely NO fires are permitted outside unless the property is fitted with a fire ring/fire pit. You cannot bring your own portable fire pit.

Gas logs are not in operation May through September due to the warmer summer months.

IS WIFI SERVICE INCLUDED WITH MY RENTAL RESERVATION? WILL I HAVE CELL PHONE SERVICE AT MY RENTAL?

Wifi is available at Standing Bear. Please note that Greybeard Rentals does not guarantee internet connectivity or speed. Each individual homeowner contracts directly with an internet service provider, and due to a variety of reasons, Greybeard does not guarantee service. Our Black Mountain and Asheville offices have wifi service available if needed.

Cell phone service is not guaranteed. You may check with your service provider to see if service is available.

Availability