Secluded Nature-Lover’s Retreat in North Carolina On 17.4 Acres: Wooded Views, Private Sauna & Scenic Outdoor Spaces

Daniel Whitaker

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September 21, 2025

This exceptional custom home in Bryson City, NC, offers a rare blend of historical charm and modern comfort, nestled amidst 17.4 private, wooded acres overlooking Queens Lake and the Nantahala Gorge. Built under the guidance of renowned builder Bill Baxter, its treetop design with panoramic glass, stone hearth, and custom stonework embodies a blend of rustic and contemporary architecture, perfect for families seeking tranquility and connection to nature. The open floor plan enhances livability, featuring a master bath with sauna, hydronic floor heating, and unique amenities like a koi pond, terraced gardens, and deck-ready hot tub. With end-of-the-road privacy, direct access to Nantahala National Forest, this 2023 listing is priced at $600,000.

Rooftop Deck

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

A secluded rooftop deck is nestled high among lush green treetops, providing a tranquil view of a mountainous forest landscape shrouded in morning mist. The house, blending into its surroundings with earthy brown and red tones, features multiple levels connected by exterior staircases. The design embraces natural light and offers expansive outdoor areas for family gatherings and play. Safety railings and spacious platforms are present, making it suitable for children and adults alike. The environment exudes both adventure and serenity, allowing families to enjoy both privacy and panoramic views from the elevated deck above the treetops.

Treehouse Decks

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

A spacious series of decks and outdoor living spaces are nestled harmoniously among dense, vibrant green treetops, offering both privacy and a retreat into nature. The reddish-brown decks connect several levels of the home and create multiple areas for relaxing, play, and family gatherings. The design maximizes outdoor enjoyment, featuring wide terraces and stairways well-integrated with the surroundings. The natural wood color accents complement the lush environment, evoking a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With ample open space atop the decks, this setup is perfect for safe children’s play and family activities, while also providing tranquil forest views for all ages.

Mountain View Deck

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

This spacious outdoor deck features beautifully finished wooden flooring and a matching built-in bench positioned to take in the sweeping mountain views. Surrounded by mature, lush green trees, the deck offers a peaceful and private setting ideal for family gatherings or quiet evenings. The sturdy wooden handrails and simple, open design maximize safety and visibility while allowing plenty of room for kids to play or adults to relax. The rich, reddish-brown wood tones complement the natural landscape, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for both entertaining guests and everyday family enjoyment.

Backyard Pond

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

A tranquil backyard oasis features a natural stone-lined pond surrounded by lush greenery and mature trees, offering a serene view ideal for relaxation and family enjoyment. The pond sits nestled at the base of a terraced garden wall, layered with stacked stones and planted with various shrubs and ferns for added privacy and beauty. Adjacent to the pond, a sturdy wooden deck extends from the house, providing ample seating and gathering space for family activities. The rich brown tones of the deck and home’s exterior blend seamlessly with the forested setting, creating a harmonious and inviting outdoor retreat perfect for children and adults alike.

Front Exterior

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

Nestled among lush, mature trees, this inviting home features a warm, wood-paneled exterior with a welcoming peaked roof and charming architectural accents. The front of the house is elevated and includes a single garage underneath, with a stone retaining wall bordering the driveway, adding rustic character and practical family-friendly space for outdoor activities. Generous windows allow natural light to spill into the interior, enhancing the cozy feel. The surrounding greenery provides privacy, a safe environment for children to play, and an overall peaceful, nature-inspired atmosphere ideal for family living. The setting is both serene and picturesque, perfect for creating lifelong memories.

Backyard Retreat

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

This tranquil backyard features lush green surroundings and a multi-tiered layout framed by rustic stone and timber retaining walls. The yard offers a spacious open area covered with soft leaves, ideal for children to play or families to gather. A charming small wooden structure, possibly a doghouse, sits in the foreground, while a propane tank and gardening space occupy the upper tier. Mature trees and dense shrubbery provide shade and privacy, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Earthy tones of browns and greens blend seamlessly with natural stone and wood, emphasizing a harmonious, nature-inspired design perfect for outdoor family living.

Wooden Deck

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

A spacious wooden deck stretches out from the house, surrounded by lush green trees that create a soothing and private canopy. This outdoor area features a sturdy wooden railing for safety, making it ideal for children to play or families to relax together. The deck offers ample space for outdoor furniture, grilling, or gathering, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The natural wood tone of the floor and railing beautifully contrasts with the vibrant green foliage, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s a perfect retreat for enjoying nature, hosting family meals, or unwinding after a busy day.

Wooded Exterior

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

This photo showcases the exterior front of a family-friendly home nestled among tall, mature trees, blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings. The house features rich brown wooden siding and decorative stonework at the foundation, complimenting the lush greenery around it. Large, arched and rectangular windows invite ample sunlight inside while offering serene treetop views. A staircase to the left leads up to the main living area, with a covered entryway providing extra protection from the elements. The attached garage and extended stone retaining wall add both practicality and rustic charm, ensuring safety and accessibility for families.

Dining Area View

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

A cozy dining area featuring a wooden table with four matching chairs occupies a corner of the home, surrounded on two sides by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook lush green forest. Warm wood tones dominate the scene, with exposed wooden beams and a natural tongue-and-groove ceiling creating a rustic yet welcoming atmosphere. Soft pendant lighting hangs above the table, adding to the inviting ambiance. The floor is covered with a neutral area rug that blends well with the tile entryway leading to an open doorway and covered porch. Large windows and open space foster a family-friendly environment filled with natural light and stunning views.

Front Porch Entrance

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

A spacious wooden front porch features wide steps leading up to a glass-paneled front door with a soft arch window above, inviting natural light inside. The porch continues around the corner, offering a built-in bench perfect for families to sit and enjoy the outdoors. Large floor-to-ceiling windows line one side, blending the indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a bright, airy atmosphere. Surrounded by lush mature trees, this entryway feels private and tranquil, ideal for children to play safely or adults to relax. The earthy brown siding and clean lines offer a modern cabin aesthetic, making it warm and welcoming.

Kitchen Island

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

Warm and inviting modern kitchen features spacious cabinetry, a central island with integrated sink, and two cushioned barstools for relaxed family gatherings. Earthy wooden tones complement the cream-colored cabinets, creating a cozy yet contemporary aesthetic. Large picture window, framed by a dramatic arched transom window above, bathes the room in natural light and offers a tranquil view of lush greenery. A handy pot rack with hanging cookware maximizes organization, while upper and lower cabinets provide ample storage. The open layout and ample counter space are ideal for meal preparation and shared moments, making the space highly functional for everyday family living.

Bedroom Retreat

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

A cozy, sunlit bedroom features a warm wooden ceiling with exposed beams and light cream walls accented by natural wood trim around the windows and doorway. Large windows on two walls bring in abundant natural light and offer lush, tree-filled views, making the space feel connected to nature and ideal for a family seeking peace and tranquility. The room is furnished with a classic wooden bed adorned with a colorful quilt in geometric patterns, perfect for comfort and relaxation. Family-friendly details include soft carpeting, ample natural light, and an inviting, serene environment for restful nights or quiet time.

Bedroom Retreat

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

Spacious bedroom featuring warm, natural wood accents and an inviting atmosphere perfect for families. The vaulted ceiling is finished in knotty pine, adding a cozy cabin feel, while neutral beige carpeting gives a soft, comfortable touch ideal for children. Large windows fill the room with natural light and offer tranquil views of mature trees. The wooden bed frame and matching dresser provide ample storage and consistent style, complemented by a bedside lamp for soft evening lighting. An interior window and open railing let you overlook a lofted sitting area below, keeping family spaces connected and accessible.

Bathroom Vanity

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

Spacious bathroom featuring a single-sink vanity with a light-hued, square-tiled countertop and matching cabinetry edged in warm wood trim. A large mirror above the sink, bordered with the same wood, reflects ample natural light streaming through a sizable window, offering a serene view of leafy green trees. The neutral palette of beige walls and gray flooring gives the room a clean, calming atmosphere. A sturdy tub-shower combination with sliding glass doors provides convenience for all ages, while ample floor space allows for easy movement, a family-friendly aspect. Minimal, open shelving and a practical towel rack complete the design’s functional appeal.

Loft Workspace

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

A cozy loft workspace under a sloped wooden ceiling with two skylights that bathe the area in natural light. A large wood desk with organized compartments and a matching chair creates an inviting spot for studying, hobbies, or remote work. The neutral carpeted floor and wooden accents throughout add warmth and comfort. A unique stained glass window adds a splash of artistry and a view of greenery outside, enhancing the tranquil vibe. The open railing overlooks the floor below, making the loft feel connected and accessible for families, ideal for homework or creative projects while parents supervise below.

Bedroom Interior

Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City

Warm, inviting bedroom featuring high vaulted wooden ceilings and exposed beams, with a striking floor-to-ceiling stone chimney as a central architectural element. The room is furnished with sturdy wooden armoires, a large chest of drawers, and a cozy bed covered in a geometric quilt. Natural light filters through two windows, illuminating the neutral carpet flooring and creating a comforting, homey environment. There’s an en suite area visible with tiled floors and cabinetry, making this space functional for family living. The layout and soothing color scheme enhance relaxation and provide ample storage and personal space, ideal for a family-oriented home.

Listing Agent: Craig Parks of Keller Williams Great Smokies – Bryson City via Zillow 

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