★ A couples’ safari tent on a wooded hillside, with the deck wrapped all the way around.
Shakonohey (pronounced Sha-Kon-O-Hey) is a Cherokee term meaning “Land of Blue Smoke,” for the mist that rises through the Smokies. Dolly Parton has a song of the same name about that idea of home, and the tent leans into it: a calm, romantic retreat with subtle nods to Cherokee heritage, turquoise and warm-orange tones, and a log king bed.
This is glamping, not camping. The walls are canvas, but the comforts aren’t: a full kitchen with granite counters, a spa-style bath, heat and AC, strong WiFi, and keyless entry. You’ll fall asleep to the woods through wraparound windows, or draw the curtains for full dark.
The bath is the slow-down room. A private hot tub on the deck looks into the trees, and inside there’s a soaking tub positioned for mountain views, plus a walk-in tiled rain shower with a bench, big enough for two. Soak under the stars, soak out of the weather, soak twice in a day.
🛋️ INSIDE
➝ Open living area under one big canvas, with a loveseat, chair, and Smart TV
➝ Three large front doors and wraparound windows for light and forest views
➝ Full kitchen: granite counters, gas range, oven, microwave, dishwasher, live-edge table for two
➝ Strong WiFi, a desk, heat + AC year-round
🛏️ WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
➝ Log-style king bed with a quilt, luxury linens, and mattress warmers for cool nights
➝ Soaking tub with mountain views
➝ Walk-in tiled rain shower with a bench, room enough for two
★ Sixty-plus five-star stays call it immaculate, and the bed one of the comfiest they’ve slept in
🌲 OUTSIDE
➝ Massive wraparound deck that surrounds the whole tent, perched on a hillside with panoramic forest views
➝ Covered lounge with cushioned swivel chairs and string lights for evening
➝ Private hot tub, open year-round
➝ Fire pit nearby for s’mores under the stars
➝ Gas grill for sunrise coffee or dinner under the trees
♥ WHO IT’S FOR
Couples. Anniversaries, honeymoons, birthdays, or a quiet reset for two busy people. It sleeps two and is built for romance, not for groups or kids.
🚗 GETTING HERE
The road in is steep and gravel, so we recommend AWD or 4WD and arriving before dark on your first trip; take the climb slow at night. From parking, you step down about 11 steps to the wraparound deck. Five minutes from downtown Bryson City, with the Deep Creek trails less than a mile away.
➳ GOOD TO KNOW
It’s a canvas safari tent, so you’ll hear the rain, the birds, and a bit more of the outdoors than a cabin. It’s peaceful and wooded, though not fully isolated: a couple of neighbouring tents are visible from the deck and windows, so you may see other guests. It’s glamping with a full kitchen, spa bath, and heat and AC, not roughing it, but the canvas and the steps are real and worth picturing before you book.
