Travelers, explorers, and nature lovers can reconnect with the outdoors at this minimalist mountain cabin. Located in Franklin, NC, the Appalachian Tiny Home (the ATH) is an ideal base camp for every adventure, and is only 20 min. from the Nantahala nat'l forest.
This tiny home has its own entrance as well as a deck, fire pit and fully-stocked wood shed. The nearby spring is a short walk down the hill, and it's the perfect place for foraging and rockhounding in the gem capital of the world.
The space
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Accessibility Note:
Please be advised that our property is located in a wooded, mountainous area with naturally steep and uneven terrain. Access to the home requires climbing a steep footpath, and the primary sleeping area is accessible only via a rolling library ladder.
While we welcome all guests, those with limited mobility or who experience difficulty walking, standing for extended periods, or climbing stairs or ladders may find this property challenging and potentially uncomfortable. We encourage prospective guests to carefully consider whether this unique layout aligns with their personal needs and comfort.
We’re happy to answer any questions about the property’s layout or accessibility in advance of booking.
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The ATH is in a quiet area "off the beaten path," located 20 minutes outside Franklin, North Carolina. It is between Franklin and Highlands, and is 20 minutes away from the Nantahala national forest. Just minutes from Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls the location is an excellent place to begin exploring the natural wonders through the Cullasaja River Gorge. If you travel a little further you can experience the hiking trails, river, and secluded waterfalls in Cashiers, NC. That's not to mention the Appalachian Train waypoint at Wayah Bald about 35 minutes away. There are endless opportunities to explore!
The ATH is fairly remote, and as such we do not have any rideshare services available in our location. There are a few options for Doordash and Instacart, however there is no Uber or other readily available public transportation.
The ATH isn't just tiny ... it's REALLY tiny. At only 120 sq. ft. it may be one of the smallest structures out there complete with a restroom and designated sleeping area. That said, the tiny space feels cozy and serene, and the outdoor lounging deck and fire pit give our guests the space they need to stretch their legs. The bed, in the loft accessed by rolling library ladder, has a Queen size Serta mattress so no need to worry about a uncomfortable, restless night of sleep. The loft has a nook instead of a nightstand, but in the nook is an outlet with two (2) built-in USB ports and a Qi wireless charging nightlight. We have also recently added a sleeper sofa to the main living area downstairs so guests can have a ground level bed to rest in as well.
Some other creature comforts you might not expect in such a small space include a Keurig coffee maker with K-cups, sweetener, sugar, and creamer, an 8,000 BTU window air conditioning unit w/ dehumidifier, a space heater with enough juice to keep you toasty in the winter and a 14" television for you to use. The TV has an HDMI to USB-C cable so you can cast from any phone, tablet or laptop with a USB-C output. It is flatscreen, lightweight, and wireless, so feel free to take it anywhere you want and enjoy streaming through your app of choice indoors or outside. The ATH has also recently upgraded to blazing fast Starlink internet. When combined with the outdoor Wifi mesh system you should be able to get very fast Wi-Fi anywhere on the property.
The ATH has a living area with a cold-water sink, small sleeper sofa/loveseat, and books and reference manuals to peruse during your stay. The bathroom has a shower with a 6 gallon water heater and a dry composting toilet. The water tank in the ATH is 21 gallons, which is on the larger side of average for water tanks found in RV's and campers, but please note it is still of a limited size. The showerhead in the bathroom is an Eco-smart fixture to assist with water conservation, but it would be wise to hustle as this tank setup will give you a MAXIMUM of 10 minutes shower time with the water at full blast. If at any time you run dry I would be happy to come and refill the water tank; simply shoot me a message and I can have it done in about 15 minutes.
The wood shed comes fully stocked with firewood, fire starters, and a lighter, as well as instructions on how to build a campfire for our less experienced guests. There is a fireproof mat to place beneath the fire pit for safety and to ensure any stray embers don't cause any issues. Guests are welcome to use the fire pit at any time, I only ask that you practice good fire safety and NEVER leave an unattended campfire.
Our guests have full access to the back side of the property and the spring that meanders along the side. There are many secluded areas designated for outdoor relaxing, and you will find benches, canopies, and hammocks ready for guests to enjoy.
I am not an investor, landlord, or property manager... This is my home, and I take great pride in maintaining a lovely space for myself and my guests so you may see me around the property doing yard work, maintenance, or basic upkeep, but I promise I will keep the noise to a minimum and will never be working outside of standard working hours. I live here with my two dogs, and it is not uncommon for the dogs to be out of the fenced area while I am out and about working on chores around the property; they can be a bit on the noisy side but are very friendly and would love to come up and say hello to you. If you are uncomfortable around dogs, or would prefer they not have access to your shared space, please let me know prior to your arrival so I can be sure to have them inside.
We live in a very rural area, so it is not uncommon to hear chainsaws, yard tools, tractors, and the like however overall I would say this is a very peaceful, quiet and serene place to be; and if there are people clearing trees or working nearby I can assure you they will not be in your space, and will be done by sundown.
Guest access
Guests are welcome to explore the entire back half of the property, from the rear property boundary (neighbor's driveway) down to the path behind the main house, and from the road to the spring on the opposite side.
Other things to note
it is highly unlikely that you will have any cellular service for the last 15 minutes or so prior to arriving at the property, so it is critically important that you download an offline map for your navigation before you lose your signal. there will, however, be a QR code near the parking area you can scan as soon as you arrive to connect to wifi and complete your check in.
We expect guests to check out on time as we frequently have someone else checking in the same day. Guests who stay more than 15 minutes past check out time will be charged $25 per hour for late check out.
READ THE SIGN IN THE BATHROOM. IF YOU USE THE TOILET WHILE STANDING IT WILL BREAK AND YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR IT
