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Explore Deerwoode Reserve

Property Details   |  Things to Know Before You Visit   |   Property Map & Trails

Deerwoode Reserve boasts a peaceful natural setting to escape the everyday and consists of 175 acres of conservation land, with trails, ponds, water activities and beautiful Mountain surroundings, promoting a natural habitat for wildlife. With over 5 miles of walking trails, spring-fed swimming hole, ponds for fishing, kayaks & canoes to paddle around the lake, 1.4 miles of French Broad River frontage, a bamboo forest, hammocks & fire pits, and rustic cabins for your guests, Deerwoode Reserve is the perfect place to help you channel those summer camp vibes.

Deerwoode Reserve | Green lawn chairs, house, pond.

Family & Dog Friendly 

Deerwoode is perfect for families, children of all ages, and we welcome you to bring your dog, too!  Pet policy allows for you to bring up to two dogs, for an additional fee. There is plenty of open space to play and there are dog waste stations located throughout the property.

Water Activities

Deerwoode Reserve has an 8-acre lake that’s great for paddling around in our canoes & kayaks. Enjoy a refreshing dip in The Swimming Hole…it’s spring-fed and has a jumping platform. If you like fishing, there’s plenty of great spots along the big lake or the many ponds on property. You’ll find bass, crappie, perch, bream and catfish. The French Broad River has native trout and muskie. Fishing is permitted on Deerwoode Reserve, and a fishing license is not required while fishing the lakes and ponds. We prefer that you catch and release, but if you choose to keep your fish, then the limit is 2 per person. For fishing the French Broad River, a valid fishing license is required for persons age 16+ (required by NC in public waters). For more information and to purchase a fishing license visit ncwildlife.org.

Deerwoode Reserve | canoe, dock

Deerwoode Reserve | Lake, trees

Nature & Wildlife

All 175 acres of this property is part of a Conservation Easement in partnership with Conserving Carolina. This means that we are mindful of the land and water features and act in the best interest to preserve the natural beauty of this property. This allows for some pretty amazing wildlife (like deer, coyote, red and grey foxes, beavers, otters, hawks, ospreys, egrets, herons, an occasional bald eagle, along with barn, horned and great grey owls), natural habitat settings and beautiful views. We are proud to be a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Unique Features & Activities

Discover all kinds of hidden gems around the property, like unique hand-made bird houses, the Old White Oak Tree (registered with the National White Oak Society) that’s over 300 years old, the magical Bamboo Forest–perfect for relaxing walks and meditation, and the Old Post Road & Historic Poplar Tree, that was once a post office drop in early Transylvania County times. 

Enjoy some family time with cornhole, horseshoes, and other yard games, available upon request, plus feel free to bring your own equipment and fun activities! Each cabin is equipped with a private fire pit, perfect for making s’mores and unwinding. 

Deerwoode Reserve | Bamboo forest.

Deerwoode Reserve | A dirt path in a wooded area. (keywords: dirt, wooded)

Trails

There are over five miles of trails across the entire 175 acres of Deerwoode Reserve, perfect for hiking and biking. Enjoy easy-going trails following over a mile of the French Broad River’s edge. There are several trails on flat areas where you can stroll or ride around the ponds, through pasture and even a Bamboo Forest, along with a few trails that meander through and climb to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Keep an eye out for the old Fish Camp and the Observation Tower where you can get an amazing aerial view of the property.

Take a Walk Through Deerwoode

Browse this gallery to explore the entire property, and discover all that our unique, natural oasis has to offer.
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Things to Know Before You Visit

SINGLE CABIN RENTAL:
Cancellations more than 30 days prior to arrival date – 100% refundable, minus 3.5% processing fee.
Cancellations between 7-30 days prior to arrival date – 50% refundable + 100% of the cleaning fee.
Cancellations within 7 days of arrival date – NON-REFUNDABLE, except for cleaning fee.

MEDIUM GROUP CABIN RENTAL (2-5 cabins):
Cancellations more than 60 days prior to arrival date – 100% refundable, minus 3.5% processing fee.
Cancellations between 30-60 days prior to arrival date – 50% refundable + 100% of the cleaning fees.
Cancellations within 30 days of arrival date – NON-REFUNDABLE, except for cleaning fees.

LARGE GROUP CABIN RENTAL (6-10 cabins):
Cancellations more than 90 days prior to arrival date – 100% refundable, minus 3.5% processing fee.
Cancellations between 60-90 days prior to arrival date – 50% refundable + 100% of the cleaning fees.
Cancellations within 60 days of arrival date – NON-REFUNDABLE, except for cleaning fees.

WHOLE PROPERTY RENTAL:
Cancellations more than 180 days prior to arrival date, 100% refundable, minus $500 admin fee & 3.5%
processing fee.
Cancellations between 90-180 days prior to arrival date – 50% refundable + 100% of the cleaning fees.
Cancellations within 90 days of arrival date: NON-REFUNDABLE, except for cleaning fees.

Deposit of 25% is due at the time of reservation.

Single Cabin Rental: Final Payment Due 30 days prior to arrival date

Small Group Cabin Rental (2-5 cabins): Final Payment Due 60 days prior to arrival date

Large Group Cabin Rental (6-10 cabins): Final Payment Due 90 days prior to arrival date

Whole Property Rental: Additional 25% Deposit due at 180 days prior to arrival. If reservation is made within 180 days of arrival date, then a deposit of 50% is due at the time of reservation. Final Payment Due 90 days prior to arrival date.

For pet-friendly cabins, up to 2 dogs allowed for $75/per pet. 75 pound weight limit per pet. No aggressive breeds. Must be up to date on shots & be free of fleas. All cabins, except for Big Log Cabin, are pet-friendly.

No pets on furniture or beds. Pets are to be leashed when outside. Owners must pick up pet waste & dispose of it in one of three waste stations on property. Pets are not to be left alone outside and should be crated when owners are not present in the cabin.

Additional fees may be assessed if pets cause damage to the property or cabin, if deep cleaning of comforters, furniture and/or rugs is needed for pet hair removal or if flea treatment is required.

Check in is at or after 3 p.m., and check out is no later than 10 a.m. There is no office for checking in or out, you can head straight to your cabin. You will receive detailed check in and check out information via email before your scheduled stay.

There is a 2-night minimum stay for all cabins and a 3-night minimum stay for the Coyote Lodge. During holidays, a longer minimum stay may be required. For the Thanksgiving weekend, there is a 4-night minimum stay. We do not allow anyone to check-in/check-out on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day.

Park in designated parking areas only. Each cabin either has a driveway or an area designated for guests to park. Parking may be limited depending on the cabin site, and additional parking can be found in front of the Coyote Lodge.

Children of all ages are welcome at Deerwoode, but please be aware that our cabins are not equipped with baby cribs, they are not child-proofed, and we do not provide any child-specific supplies. Please plan to bring everything you will need to care for your young children.

Motorized vehicles may only be driven on the paved and gravel road (unless to park in designated areas). No motorized vehicles can be driven off the roadway or on any trails throughout the property.

Guests should take bagged trash to the dumpster. The dumpster is located on an empty lot towards the entrance of the property, marked with a sign pointing up a dirt road. On the day of check-out, please bag all trash, and drop it off at the dumpster on your way out. Keep the dumpster doors closed and locked to prevent animals from getting into the trash. Do not place any trash outdoors at any time, as it may attract wild animals.

We offer special gift basket and floral arrangement add-ons when booking your stay. Celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday? Consider adding one of these unique gifts to your reservation. Your basket or arrangement will be waiting for you in your cabin when you check-in!

Each cabin is equipped with at least one TV that is either a smart TV or has Dish TV service. All cabins have a dedicated internet modem with high speed Wi-Fi service. 

There is no smoking allowed inside any of the cabins or buildings on the property. Smoking is permitted outside. Please be respectful of our natural setting and throw away your cigarette butts in the trash.

If you wish to swim or participate in activities in or near the water, use caution, as there are no lifeguards on duty or staff on-site at all times. Swim at your own risk and supervise children carefully. We recommend using life vests and floatation devices.

There is no hunting allowed on the property.

Fishing is permitted on Deerwoode Reserve and a fishing license is not required while fishing the lakes and ponds on the property. We prefer that you catch and release; however, if you choose to keep your fish, then limit 2 per person, per day. North Carolina requires persons age 16 and older fishing in public waters, which includes the French Broad River, to posses a valid fishing license. For more information and to purchase a fishing license visit ncwildlife.org.

We invite you to explore the many hiking trails, by foot or bicycle, on the property that follow the river, pass through the Bamboo Forest, and go up into Sugarloaf Mountain. Please be mindful of our neighbors and do not enter any private property outside Deerwoode Reserve or go into restricted areas on the property.

Guests should be considerate of other guests on the property and not be extremely loud or disruptive at any time. Additionally, we observe quiet time hours from 10pm to 9am.

In order to provide our guests the best experience during their stay, we must restrict access to the property to only those guests who have a reservation and their approved visitors. This is private property with no public access. It is peaceful, secluded and beautiful and we want to keep it that way for our guests to enjoy! Please complete the contact form if you’d like to make an appointment for a tour of the property for event planning.

Unless you have booked the whole property (cabins and event center) for your groups exclusive use, there may be other events or groups scheduled during your stay. Please visit our event calendar for see what’s happening during your stay.

Deerwoode Reserve | Tree house, bamboo forest.

Deerwoode Property & Trail Map

Detailed map of Deerwood Reserve showing private drives, trails, cabins, parking, river, and points of interest.

Easy, level walking trail that follows the West and. South edges of the property where the French Broad River flows and along the main road of the property. Enter/Exit points are located behind the Meadow and River Cabins, and at the exit of the Bamboo Forest Trail. There are several spots along the River Trail with cleared areas for viewing of the river, benches and picnic tables to rest. Pack a snack or lunch for a break along this trail.

The coolest trail you’ve ever walked! Easy to walk trail that meanders through the Bamboo stalks and by a stream. The entrance can be found at the far end of the Big Lake, past the Old Barn. It exits at the South-West corner of the property, near the far end of the River Trail. It’s cooler & a little darker while on this trail. Be sure to take a moment to meditate and celebrate your good fortunes!

Easy walking pathways from the garden, past the campfire, along the southern border of the Big Lake. This is the best spot to go fishing!

Easy trail system that weaves through the various waterways and ponds, down around the rows of trees, on the Southern end of the property between the River Trail and the Big Lake. Be on the lookout for The Fishing Camp, partially hidden in a patch of Bamboo. Climb on up and check out the view.

Moderate incline on this wide walking trail, maintained as a fire access roadway. The trail enter/exit points are located near the entrance of the property and at the start of the private driveway, where the trail will continue back behind the residence. Please keep out of the private residence yard.

More strenuous hike up to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. There are several intersecting paths that make up this loop. Enter/Exit points can be found past the old barn near the entrance of the Bamboo Forest, two trail heads are located between Sunset Cabin and Little Log Cabin, and behind the private residence driveway at the front of the property. Please keep out of the private residence yard. At the top, you’ll find a large rock marking the top and our property line, a picnic table and some great views of the city (mostly in the winter) and beyond!

View Deerwoode Property Map