The Scratching Post Cabin

04/26/2026

What a great capture! Thanks to the talented photographer for sharing.

Check out this great shot by Eddie Johnson Photography of the same mama bear and cubs in the video we posted earlier this week from Cades Cove. Cheers to all the photographers who make the investment in equipment and put forth the effort to capture real beauty and authenticity for us to enjoy.

04/24/2026

Exciting event!

✨ Synchronous firefly season is almost here! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host its annual synchronous firefly viewing at Elkmont May 20–27.

🎟 Lottery opens tomorrow, April 24 at www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/233374 (closes April 27 | $1 to enter)
🚗 120 vehicle passes per night
📧 Winners notified by May 6

This magical event is limited to protect the fireflies—so plan ahead!

✨ Didn’t get a pass? You may still catch synchronous fireflies at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, about an hour from Bryson City.

Photo by P. Driessche

03/26/2026

Spring has officially arrived in the Smokies 🌸
The mountains are turning green, the flowers are popping, and our cabins are calling your name. Escape to Bryson City for a peaceful (or adventure-filled) getaway! The Scratching Post Cabin
www.greatsmokyscabinrentals.com
828-488-4630

03/10/2026

The mountains are calling you!

Learn about the top ways to commemorate your visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including keeping a detailed journal of your amazing adventures!

01/09/2026

Experience the magnificent night sky in the Great Smoky NP and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

✨🌌 Stargazing in the Smokies is pure magic 🌌✨ And there’s no better place to look up than the Bryson City area of the Smoky Mountains. Our destination’s remote location, higher elevations, and minimal public lighting create ideal conditions for unforgettable nighttime stargazing. https://brys.onl/stargazing

From iconic spots like Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) and scenic overlooks throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to pull-offs along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the stars shine brighter here. On clear nights, the Milky Way stretches across the sky—quiet, awe-inspiring, and unforgettable. 🌠 Bring a blanket, let your eyes adjust, and create memories under one of the darkest, most beautiful skies in the Southeast.

Photo by Up N' Adam Adventures

01/06/2026

Rent The Scratching Post Cabin for your next vacation. It's located in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Western North Carolina, and borders the Nantahala National Forest.

Book The Scratching Post Cabin: 3bed/4bath with hot tub, sauna, firepit, private deck, and Starlink

01/02/2026

Happy New Year, may you be blessed in all you do in 2026. Remember to take time to see and appreciate the beauty surrounding us.

12/29/2025

🐌Slow Sunday mornings in the Nantahala Gorge are an invitation to pause and notice. Hidden in the cliffs lives the noonday globe snail, a species found nowhere else on Earth. It survives only on these cool, north facing slopes, tucked among moist rock, leaf litter, and deep forest shade.

Moments like this remind us the gorge is a living community. One shaped by balance, patience, and our collective care for what belongs here.

10/27/2025

10/25/2025

View from Kuwohi's (formally Clingman's Dome) parking area in Great Smoky National Park. It was a beautiful sunny day but windy and 39° this past Thursday afternoon.