Three Little Bears Retreat Opens Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Three Little Bears Retreat has opened near Bryson City, bordering one of the quieter entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The privately owned property includes more than 65 acres and five private mountain retreats.

Accommodations range from creekside units for couples to mountain homes for families and groups of up to 14 people. Each residence includes private hot tubs, outdoor fire features, decks and views of surrounding mountains and forests.

The property’s Three Little Bears Expedition Lodge is used for chef-prepared meals, expedition briefings and evening gatherings. Programming includes stories related to Horace Kephart, George Masa and conservationists associated with the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Stays are organized around a retreat-planned adventure calendar led by professional guides. Expedition offerings include Smoky Mountain Wildlife Safaris in vintage Land Rovers, local waterfall hikes, kayaking on Fontana Lake, Road to Nowhere e-bike expeditions, scenic mountain summits and fire towers, Cherokee cultural exploration, and Appalachian wilderness skills.

The retreat also offers limited-capacity Signature Expedition Weekends throughout the year. The multiday programs focus on wildlife, fly fishing, mountain summits, photography and family exploration. Guests’ activities are recorded in a Wilderness Passport.

A Private Expedition Guide option pairs guests with a guide for the duration of their stay. The offering includes private guiding, transportation, equipment, logistics and expedition planning. Itineraries are designed around guests’ interests, pace and goals.

Dining is provided through the Camp Cookery program, which includes chef-prepared open-flame dinners, Southern camp breakfasts and outdoor cooking demonstrations. Meals incorporate farm-to-table ingredients and Cherokee influences.

The property’s Nuwati Spa is planned to open soon. Offerings will include massages using regional botanicals, a sauna, cold plunge, yoga, forest bathing, tai chi, breathwork and quiet spaces. While the spa is being completed, the retreat offers spa services in individual accommodations, including private saunas and cold plunge setups.

Three Little Bears Retreat is available for destination weddings, executive retreats, family reunions and full-property buyouts. The Expedition Lodge can host celebrations for up to 50 guests. The property also offers mountaintop and creekside events with tented receptions and production arrangements.

A portion of every stay supports wildlife rehabilitation, habitat restoration, environmental education and stewardship initiatives throughout the Great Smoky Mountains.