Come experience nature on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee Indian Reservation in one of our custom tipis!
Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable mountaintop escape. Black Bear Lodge is located in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, bordering the Cherokee Indian Reservation. We offer a unique tipi glamping experience that boasts views of the mountains across Whitter, breathtaking sunrises, and nature at your doorstep while sleeping in an authentic Native American tipi.
Our tipis are equipped with new beds, linens, electricity, lights, AC/Heat, Keurigs, and a selection of coffee and teas. Our outdoor space has two firepits, and shared bathhouse, and an outdoor kitchen with a wooden shelter. We also enjoy providing fresh baked muffins for breakfast for our guests each morning.
The Vision for Black Bear Lodge
My name is Barbara, and my husband (Kevin) and I bought this property in 2021, intending to retire here. The otherworldly views and sunrises atop our mountain were the deciding factors that led us to move to Whitter. Being on top of this mountain it is quiet and relaxing. There are no busy traffic sounds, although we occasionally hear a helicopter. The only traffic we have are animals visiting us, such as wild turkeys.
After moving here, our friends and family said we needed to share our beautiful home with others. At first, we considered building cabins but cabins are everywhere in this area. Instead, we wanted something different. Since our property borders the Cherokee Reservation, we decided to enhance our location by putting up tipis.
Every tipi is unique, and I designed them myself. Artists from the Nomadics Tipi Company in Bend, Oregon, brought them to life.
When you stay at Black Bear Lodge, we treat you like family. We want you to relax and enjoy nature in a unique setting. Kevin and I fell in love with this area, and we want you to do the same.
Located in the Land of Adventure
Black Bear Lodge is located in Whitter, NC, in the middle of the land of adventure in Western North Carolina. We are located 20 minutes from Bryson City and Cherokee. We are less than an hour from beautiful Sylva, Waynesville, Franklin, and more. Approximately an hour from well-known locations such as Asheville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, TN. To learn more about adventures, you can have with your family in the area, visit our Local Attractions page.