Top 10 Ranches in North Carolina, United States

April 19, 2023 Veronika Gaddis

North Carolina has something for everyone, with the highest mountains in the eastern U.S., 300 miles of pristine coastline, quaint towns and vibrant cities. From the mountains to the sea, explore the natural, scenic beauty, discover outdoor adventure or try one of 500 golf courses, including the legendary Pinehurst No. 2. Discover a favorite among 100 wineries and 60 craft breweries, tour historic and cultural treasures, sample farm to table delicacies and get the thrill of motorsports in the "home" of NASCAR.
Things to do in North Carolina

1. Log Cabin Motor Court

330 Weaverville Rd, Asheville, NC 28804-1229
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 282 reviews

Log Cabin Motor Court

Tucked away near a main artery to downtown Asheville is one of the most unique accommodations the area has to offer - authentic log cabins built in the 1930's and recently added to the National Register of Historic places. PET FRIENDLY. Located 5 1/2 miles north of Asheville, the cabins offer the same quaint charm and romance that tourists to Asheville have enjoyed for years. One and two bedroom cabins and a four bedroom lodge are available. Some cabins have fireplaces and kitchens. All are fully equipped with linens, cable TV and wireless internet. Picnic tables and grills are available.

Great cabins

Reviewed By Joseph S

This is a great place nearby Asheville and Weaverville, NC. I cannot recommend it enough. My wife and I stayed here in January and the place was perfect. The owners are very accommodating and helpful.

2. Valle Crucis Farm

159 Creekstone Dirve, Banner Elk, NC 28604-7083
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 29 reviews

Valle Crucis Farm

Valle Crucis Farm offers mountian cabin rental, fishing, tubing, hiking, parties, wedding venue, sledding, and more. Valle Crucis Farm is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and it is North Carolina's first Rural History District. Valle Crucis Farm is conveniently located near The Mast General Store, The Mast Farm Inn, Taylor House Inn, Valle Crucis Convention Center, Apple Farm, Boone, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Appalachian Mountain, Appalachian University.

"Immaculate Cabin"

Reviewed By D1856IWbobj

My wife and I have never seen any accommodation cleaner than this one! Also, it was well equipped with anything and everything one might need. The very attractive decorations tied in well with the area. The bed was very comfortable. The area around the cabin was exceptionally quiet and peaceful. Alfredo was very kind, available, and helpful. He, the cabin, the nearby surroundings and the people who live there made us feel much more like honored guests than tourists. An added and unforeseen bonus was the absolutely beautiful Valle Crucis Community Park! It is hard for us to imagine going back to the area and staying anywhere else other than the Valle Crucis Farm!

3. Highland Hills Motel & Cabins

2748 Highway 105 South, Boone, NC 28607-5707
Excellent
13%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
21%
Terrible
42%
Overall Ratings

2.5 based on 53 reviews

Highland Hills Motel & Cabins

Roach motel.

Reviewed By H6320WCjohnf

First thing we saw entering the room was a roach crawling up the wall. We killed three more over our two night stay. This "non-smoking room" smelled of smoke and there were cigarette stains on the tub which also had several places were the enamel was cracked or missing. There were also cracked ceramic tiles in the entry and sink areas so don't take your shoes off. It was dingy and dated. On the plus side the folks were very nice and there was plenty of hot water.

4. Ocean Side Court

6401 S Virginia Dare Trl, Nags Head, NC 27959-9113
Excellent
32%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
13%
Terrible
29%
Overall Ratings

3 based on 38 reviews

Ocean Side Court

Do not stay here!

Reviewed By reviewoutlaw

Found a huge cock roach in my room and found other bugs under my bed as well, when I called they would not give me a refund, I left even though it cost me over $1000 for the stay, I do not want this thing crawling on my while I sleep!

5. Hawkesdene

381 Phillips Creek Rd, Andrews, NC 28901-7347
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 115 reviews

Hawkesdene

54 acre Private Mountain Estate for your perfect destination wedding for up to 150 guests Luxurious onsite accommodations with 25 – 30 bedrooms for up to 90 onsite guests complete with the highest quality furniture, bedding & amenities Transportation to offsite accommodations located within a 4-mile radius for your overflow guests Talented in-house culinary team featuring local fresh & creative farm-to-fork cuisine Professional & courteous staff to assist and handle all of the details Complete wedding planning & coordination services included Open Air Pavilion situated above the rushing waters of Phillips Creek complete with custom furniture, a massive stone fireplace, bar, sound system and smokehouse Llama & Alpaca Stable with our own heard of resident llamas & alpacas Direct access into the Nantahala National Forrest with trails for hiking, walking and biking Onsite activities include coordinated group hikes, daily llama & alpaca feeding, corn hole tournaments, horse shoe courts, basketball, campfires and quality time with family & friends Hawkesnest Pavilion located 1/2 mile to the top of our mountain offering stunning sunsets & mountain views Close proximity to numerous activities including White Water Rafting, Horseback Riding, Zip lining, Casino, Golf and day trips to the Biltmore House and surrounding areas

Dream Wedding Venue

Reviewed By RedHeadTraveler15

My husband and I got married at Hawkesdene on Saturday April 30, 2022. We arrived on site the Thursday prior and from the moment we arrived, we knew we had chosen the best place for our wedding. We picked Hawkesdene because we really wanted an intimate venue that allowed us to spend more time with our friends and family instead of rushing around from location to location throughout our wedding weekend. Hawkesdene was just that. Check in on Thursday was a breeze. We unloaded our trailer and did our final meeting with Jami. She went over all of our checklist, down to specific décor selections and table layout designs. We hired a day of coordinator for Saturday but trust us, you do not need that! Jami is absolutely amazing and so great to work with. She will make sure everything is perfect. She was even able to locate a local babysitter for our flower girl and a dog sitter for us so we could make sure our dog, Macy, did not accidentally get let out of our cabin on any night. Thursday and Friday night we had not planned much of a décor and table layout and just told Jami to arrange things as she sees best. When we walked over for dinner on Thursday and Friday, the tables were beautifully set and decorated, along with high top linen covered tables outside the pavilion next to the corn hole boards that our guests just loved. For Saturday's reception dinner, we asked that the tables be simply decorated with floating candles and greenery and they were exactly that and looked more beautiful than we could have imagined. In addition to the dinner tables, Jami and her team decorated the driveway for our ceremony and they did such a beautiful job that both of our moms (and maybe us too) teared up when they saw it. Now the Food. Every single piece of food that Hawkesdene prepared for our wedding weekend was absolutely delicious. We were slightly hesitant during the planning stages since we weren't able to taste the food prior but after reading numerous reviews, we felt much more at ease and trust us, you will not be disappointed. We chose the Mexican in the Mountains for Thursday's welcome dinner. The queso and guacamole on the appetizer bar was unbelievable! Hawkesdene also worked with us to upgrade the ground beef to sliced flank steak for the dinner portion of the meal and it was cooked perfectly. Friday we chose the BBQ menu and that was a huge hit. We were so busy running around on Friday talking to guests that we didn't get to eat as much of the BBQ as we had hoped, but Jami prepared 2 to-go plates and put them in the fridge in our cabin for us to enjoy later that evening. Saturday we chose three proteins (grilled chicken, beef tenderloin and the Carolina mountain trout) and after tasting all three, we could not decide on a favorite because all three of them were equally delicious. In addition to the dinners, Hawkesdene prepared breakfast and lunch on Friday and an incredible brunch on Saturday that did not disappoint in the slightest bit. They were also so accommodating and worked with us to adjust menus or add in additional items that we wanted including cooking additional pork on Friday so we could have a BBQ slider bar for our late night menu on Saturday. Hawkesdene's pastry chef baked us the most beautiful red velvet wedding cake that was absolutely delicious and incredible (Our flower girl probably had about three pieces!). Trust us when we say, the food at Hawkesdene is absolutely incredible and you will not be disappointed! All in all, Hawkesdene created our dream wedding. The venue was more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. The food was more delicious than we ever would have thought and the Hawkesdene team was so kind and such a joy to work with. Between afternoon hikes, lounging by the creek and then ultimately, our wedding day, there was not a single moment that we would have changed. If you are planning a wedding weekend and looking for the perfect location, you have found it with Hawkesdene (Just invite us because we really really want to go back!)

6. Mountain Lake Cottages

801 N Lakeside Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28739-4613
Excellent
89%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 88 reviews

Mountain Lake Cottages

The Mountain Lake Cottages is a place where you can come to relax and find peace in today’s hectic world. A lovely gathering of eleven one-bedroom cottages, circa 1920. Our pleasing cottages look out on beautiful Lake Osceola. The lake presents 1.6 miles of shoreline to explore. We encourage guests to use our canoe to enjoy the water. Fishing is permitted with a license. Rise early in the morning and let the mist on the lake take your breath away, or find an unfrequented place to sit, read and enjoy the quiet. Being only minutes from Main Street in Hendersonville you will be able to take advantage of all this charming town has to offer. Enjoy browsing our boutiques, antiquing or spend an evening on Main being entertained by live music at one of the many street dances. There are a wide variety of chef-owned restaurants to choose from for your dining pleasure. Day excursions to many waterfalls, hiking trails and Asheville’s eclectic interests are a must.

Summer Camp for all Ages

Reviewed By BryantSQ

Stayed for 5 days over July 4th weekend. Was only supposed to stay 3 nights but I extended my time because the place is great. Wonderful experience. The lake is so peaceful. I didn't fish but the guy in the cabin next to me was pulling them out and cooking them on the BBQ. It's close to everything, couldn't do everything I wanted. Looking forward to coming back!

7. Broadwing Farm Cabins

545 Berry Wills Rd P.O. Box 125, Hot Springs, NC 28743
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 68 reviews

Broadwing Farm Cabins

Located in historic Hot Springs, in beautiful and mountainous Western North Carolina, Broadwing Farm Cabins provides 3 unique rental cabins for nightly rental each with a private hot tub filled with only fresh, naturally warm mineral water. Our Poplar, Pine, and Cedar Cabins have full kitchens, WiFi, are dog friendly and are surrounded by our beautiful 85 acre organic farm. We invite our guests to harvest fresh vegetables from our gardens during the growing season. Hot Springs and Broadwing Farm offers plenty of R and R, or you can choose to spend your days rafting on the French Broad River, hiking on the Appalachian Trial, horseback riding, or taking a day trip into funky and eclectic Asheville, NC.

Comfortable, private and beautiful cabin

Reviewed By Kjcolvard

A private cabin with a beautiful view not far from the charming town of Hot Springs, an hour northwest of Asheville. These three cabins, isolated from each other, each have a deck out back with a hot tub fed by the natural springs. At 100 degrees, this was cozy in the mornings when the air was a bit nippy. In the fall or spring it would be even more luxurious. I stayed in Pine Cabin, with a front porch overlooking woods and water. The cabin’s kitchen was better equipped than mine at home, but except for coffee, tea, and sugar, bring your own provisions. There’s a double bed upstairs and a futon bed downstairs. I slept comfortably on the futon. I chose it because there isn’t a bathroom upstairs. I had occasion to speak with both the proprietor and the proprietress, and both were friendly and helpful. Contactless check in and out. I had a lovely time, thanks!

8. Lake Eden Events & Lodging

377 Lake Eden Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711-8709
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 21 reviews

Lake Eden Events & Lodging

Whether you're just staying a few nights, or planning a week-long escape, Lake Eden has several pet and family friendly options. All rentals include linens and towels as well as personal recreational use of the Lake Eden grounds and 24 hr access to our guest amenity area featuring a computer station, wifi and satellite tv. Cleanings are done after each rental and are included in the base price. Additional cleanings may be added mid-stay if desired for a fee. The Asheville area offers many exciting opportunities from fine dining & live entertainment to outdoor activities like golf or hiking, many of which you will find listed in your in-room guidebook. Lake Eden is close to everything Western North Carolina has to offer, yet feels amazingly remote and private. Stay once and we feel confident you'll be back again!

An incredible Experience

Reviewed By welcomet361

We stayed at Meadows loft for the month of March and I don't know what words would give the experience the justice it deserves. To see the beginning of spring come to life from the last snow fall to the blooming daffodils and blossoming trees. As an artist I was constantly observing all the colors to bring to life into my paintings. I was even bursting with poetry for the first time since I was a teenager, the grounds are just breath taking. The loft itself is spacious my favorite was standing beside the large kitchen window with my coffee and admiring the mountain and lake view while the sun heated me up for the day like a flower.

9. The Cataloochee Ranch

119 Ranch Dr, Maggie Valley, NC 28751-8509
Excellent
65%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
5%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 141 reviews

The Cataloochee Ranch

Set a mile high on Fie Mountain, Cataloochee Ranch offers spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains. We're known for horseback riding for novice to expert riders, along trails of uncommon beauty. Take ambitious hikes or leisurely walks on our 800-acre mountaintop, fish in our trout pond, enjoy a wagon ride, or swim in our heated outdoor pool. We're adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which has 500,000 acres to explore. Weekend evenings during spring, summer, and autumn at the Ranch are filled with cookouts, music, storytelling, and other entertainments with a mountain flair. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding at nearby Cataloochee ski area, less than a mile away. Lodging choices include six comfortable rooms in the main Lodge, 12 cabins that sleep from two to eight people, and six rooms in the Silverbell Lodge for larger gatherings. Breakfast is included in the daily rate, and a dinner package is available. Some of our cabins are pet-friendly.

Know before you go

Reviewed By Eye4Art

We were excited to book a room at this lovely lodge perched on a beautiful mountaintop as a getaway on a mother/daughter road trip from Florida . We arrived past 8:30pm due to heavy traffic . A kind person called to see if we were still checking in for the evening and to offer directions. They let us know that they were closing and a key at front desk for us upon arrival . When we arrived we found our room which was tidy and with the rustic authenticity we sought. A fire was burning in the main lodge which was really beautiful . It looks like a set from the TV shoe “Heartland”. We could not locate any bottled water . Did not know until we read the rules that this is only offered for sake in gift shop . A kind guest showed us where cups were located to get something to drink and we also used cups in room for water from the tap. Bring your own bottled water. We were exhausted and decided to hit the hay early . When we pulled back the sheets they were really wrinkled and had hair and a very large door colored stain. As the office was closed , we put the top sheet over and slept with a blanket . We were very cold and I figured out how to turn on the walk Discs heater to warm up and we found one more blanket in the drawer . The settings of max and min kept me up every 2-3hiurs to regulate our room temp . Next morning the breakfast was served buffet style . It was fantastic . Went to the front desk to explain about sheets and was told housekeeping could do after 1pm and that was it . Debated about checking out but they offered to wash our clothes also that were soiled in car trip. Super nice . We left and went on a long trail ride with anazing views . This along with pictures of hayrides and live music are the lure to splurge for this ranch experience . Unfurunatejy we are informed that fire outs required an advance reservation and there were no activities at all for us during this off time . As we did pay 216.00 per night we did not consider that reflective off an off time . We enjoyed that the breakfast was included but the riding was an additional 130.09 and a paid activity . Ski slopes wre open but tubing closed . I think a lot of people stay here different times and maybe like it then when things are offered . Unfortunately , we will not go back to try . Disappointed .

10. Cabins On Laurel Creek

2900 S Laurel Fork Rd, Laurel Springs, NC 28644-8689
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 46 reviews

Cabins On Laurel Creek

The Cabins offer light and airy decor, satellite tv, DVD, fireplace, a/c, efficiency kitchen, outdoor grills and fire pits for campfires. Each cabin accommodates 4-6 people. Two are pet friendly. All linens included. Property has 10 acres with stocked fish pond.

Gorgeous Getaway

Reviewed By Karen K

This beautiful property includes 3 identical knotty pine cabins with all the amenities, sitting on several grassy acres with a pond. It's about a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway and about an hour from some of the best horseback riding in the country! We rode at Grayson Highlands State Park (wild steer, wild ponies, endless views) and Moses Cone Park (beautifully maintained trails, meadows of waving grass and wildflowers, and more endless views). The cabins are beautifully decorated and cozy, and each has its own porch with swinging bench to enjoy the views from. There are picnic tables and fire pits, a water hydrant in the field, and lots of room to corral your horses. If you have Verizon, you have cell and internet service. This is THE place to experience all that the mountains in NC have to offer.

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