The Cardinals Nest In The Smokies

09/04/2026

🍂🚗 SAVE this for your next Western North Carolina road trip!

Asheville may get a lot of the attention, but some of the BEST adventures in North Carolina are waiting just beyond the city. ⛰️❤️

Give me…

🌄 Mountain overlooks that make you pull the car over
💦 Waterfalls hidden in the forest
🥾 Trails leading to unforgettable views
🪜 Ladders and cables along the cliffs of Grandfather Mountain
🌅 Sunrises worth waking up at a completely disrespectful hour for 😂
🏊‍♀️ Mountain swimming holes on a hot summer day
🍁 And miles and miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Spend a few days exploring Pisgah National Forest, catch sunrise overlooking Linville Gorge, hike the beautiful balds around Roan Mountain, chase waterfalls, or simply drive with no agenda and stop whenever the view makes you say, “Okay…we HAVE to pull over here!” 😍

And don’t overlook Waynesville when choosing your home base! 🏡

The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies puts you close to some of Western NC’s best adventures—including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah, Cherokee, Maggie Valley, Sylva and countless waterfalls and hiking trails.

Explore all day…then come home to mountain views and a long soak in the hot tub. ♨️⛰️❤️

👉 Plan your Western NC road trip at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

📌 SAVE this for your next NC road trip and send it to the person who would wake up at 4:30 AM for that mountain sunrise with you! 😂🌅

09/04/2026

🫎⛰️ The majestic elk of the wild side of the Smokies… what a sight! ❤️

There’s something unforgettable about seeing these incredible animals roaming freely against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. Moments like this remind you just how wild and beautiful Western North Carolina really is. 🌲

Around Cataloochee Valley and the Oconaluftee area, you may be lucky enough to spot elk grazing in the fields or wandering near the forest. And as fall approaches, the bulls become even more impressive as rut season begins and their bugling echoes through the mountains. 🍂🫎

📸 Bring your camera or binoculars, but always admire them from a safe distance. Elk are wild, powerful animals—never approach or feed them.

🏡 Staying at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies in Waynesville puts you in a wonderful location for exploring the wilder side of the Smokies, from elk watching and waterfalls to scenic drives and mountain trails.

Then come home, relax in the hot tub, and start planning tomorrow’s adventure. ♨️🌄

👉 Plan your Smoky Mountain getaway at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

❤️ Would seeing a majestic bull elk in the wild be on your Smoky Mountains bucket list?

09/02/2026

🌊🚣♀️ Looking for a little adventure in the Smoky Mountains? This needs to be on your list!

📍 Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) — Bryson City, NC

Whether you want to tackle the rapids, soar through the trees, or simply relax by the river, the Nantahala area makes such a fun day trip while visiting Western North Carolina. ⛰️🌲

One of the biggest attractions is whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River. With mostly Class I–III rapids, it’s exciting without being overly intimidating, making it a popular choice for first-time rafters and families looking for an adventure. 💦

https://www.tiktok.com//video/7678451420932197663?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

And there’s more than rafting!

🚣♀️ Whitewater rafting
🌲 Ziplining and outdoor adventures
🥾 Hiking nearby mountain trails
🍽️ Grab something to eat after your adventure
🍺 Relax riverside and watch the rafters go by
📸 Take in some gorgeous Nantahala Gorge scenery

TIP: Summer weekends can get busy, so reservations are a good idea. Bring quick-drying clothes, secure footwear and a change of clothes because chances are… you’re getting wet! 😂💦

🏡 And the best part? The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies in Waynesville makes a great home base for adventures like this. Spend your day rafting the Nantahala, exploring Bryson City or hiking in the Smokies, then come back to the cabin, climb into the hot tub and relax with those beautiful mountain views. ♨️❤️

👉 Plan your Smoky Mountain getaway at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

Who are you taking rafting with you—the adventurous friend or the one who’s going to scream at every rapid? 😂👇

TikTok | Make Your Day

09/01/2026

🫎💤 Even the wildlife in the Smokies knows when it’s time for a nap! ❤️

There’s something so peaceful about catching a quiet moment like this in Cades Cove. One minute you’re taking in the mountain views, and the next you spot one of the Smokies’ residents enjoying a little afternoon rest. 🌲⛰️

It’s these simple moments that make Great Smoky Mountains National Park so special—and why you never know what you’ll see each time you visit.

🏡 Staying at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies puts you in a wonderful location for exploring the Smokies, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee, Maggie Valley and all the beautiful mountain adventures Western North Carolina has to offer.

Then after a full day of exploring, you can head back to the cabin and have a little “nap time” of your own. 😂❤️♨️

👉 Plan your Smoky Mountain getaway at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

📸 What’s the cutest wildlife moment you’ve ever seen in the Smokies?

TikTok | Make Your Day

08/29/2026

🫎💤 Even the wildlife in the Smokies knows when it’s time for a nap! ❤️

There’s something so peaceful about catching a quiet moment like this in Cades Cove. One minute you’re taking in the mountain views, and the next you spot one of the Smokies’ residents enjoying a little afternoon rest. 🌲⛰️

It’s these simple moments that make Great Smoky Mountains National Park so special—and why you never know what you’ll see each time you visit.

🏡 Staying at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies puts you in a wonderful location for exploring the Smokies, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee, Maggie Valley and all the beautiful mountain adventures Western North Carolina has to offer.

Then after a full day of exploring, you can head back to the cabin and have a little “nap time” of your own. 😂❤️♨️

👉 Plan your Smoky Mountain getaway at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

📸 What’s the cutest wildlife moment you’ve ever seen in the Smokies?

08/29/2026

❤️⛰️ Some days you just have to stop and realize how lucky you are to call a place like this home.

The Smoky Mountains never seem to get old. The mist settling between the mountains, waterfalls hidden in the forest, elk wandering through the valleys, wildflowers along the trails, and sunsets that make you stop whatever you’re doing just to watch. 🌲🫎🌅

Every season brings something different, but that peaceful mountain feeling is always here. ❤️

It’s one of the reasons we love sharing The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies with others. It gives our guests a little piece of the place we’re so thankful to call home. 🏡

Come hike the trails, chase waterfalls, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, explore our little mountain towns—or simply sit on the porch, breathe in that mountain air, and do absolutely nothing. Sometimes that’s the best part. 🥰

👉 Come experience the Smokies for yourself at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

❤️ I love these mountains. Who else feels a little more at peace when they’re in the Smokies?

08/28/2026

🌿🦋 Yesterday on the Oconaluftee River Trail felt like pure Smoky Mountain magic. ❤️

The beautiful orange and yellow jewelweed is blooming along the river right now, bringing hummingbirds and butterflies to the trail and adding little bursts of color everywhere you look. 🌼🦋

And as if that wasn’t enough… imagine walking beside the river and spotting elk along the trail AND a wild eagle overhead! 🫎🦅 Moments like these are exactly why this part of the Great Smoky Mountains is so special.

📍 Oconaluftee River Trail — Cherokee, NC

🌼 Jewelweed blooming along the river
🦋 Butterflies and hummingbirds feeding among the flowers
🫎 Elk often seen around the Oconaluftee area
🦅 Keep your eyes on the sky—you never know what you might spot!
🌊 Beautiful riverside scenery throughout the walk

Late summer heading into fall is such a wonderful time to explore this area. Soon those green mountains will begin changing color, and the elk rut will bring another unforgettable season to the Smokies. 🍂🫎

🏡 The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies makes a great home base for exploring Cherokee and Oconaluftee. Spend the day hiking and wildlife watching, then return to Waynesville for mountain views and a relaxing evening in the hot tub. ♨️⛰️

👉 Plan your stay at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

❤️ Wildflowers, hummingbirds, butterflies, elk AND an eagle… what more could you ask for from one walk?

08/28/2026

🫎❤️ The big bull elk are out in the Smokies!

Seeing one of these magnificent animals surrounded by the mountains is something you never forget. And as we get closer to fall, elk season in the Smokies becomes even more exciting. 🍂⛰️

One of the best places to look for elk in Western North Carolina is Cataloochee Valley, where you may spot large bulls, cows, and calves grazing in the open fields—especially during the early morning and evening hours.

🍁 Fall also brings the elk rut, when the bulls become much more active and you may even hear their unforgettable bugling echoing through the valley.

⚠️ Remember, these are powerful wild animals. Always keep a safe distance, never approach or feed them, and use a zoom lens for those amazing photos. 📸

🏡 And if you’re staying at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies, Cataloochee Valley is an easy mountain adventure from Waynesville. Spend the evening watching the elk, then head back to the cabin for a relaxing soak in the hot tub beneath the stars. ♨️✨

👉 Plan your Smoky Mountain getaway at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

Have you ever heard a bull elk bugle in the Smokies? 🫎🍂❤️

08/26/2026

🍂🛣️ A fall road trip you need to experience at least once in your life!

There’s driving through the mountains… and then there’s driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall. 😍🍁

The entire Parkway stretches 469 miles from Virginia to North Carolina, with roughly 250 miles winding through North Carolina past tunnels, waterfalls, hiking trails, and overlook after overlook of those famous layered Blue Ridge Mountains. ⛰️

And when fall arrives? It’s spectacular. ❤️

🍁 Stop at Waterrock K**b for sweeping mountain views
🥾 Hike to a scenic overlook
💦 Take a detour to chase waterfalls
🚗 Drive through tunnels surrounded by fall color
🧺 Pack a picnic and stop at one of the overlooks
🌅 Stay long enough to catch a Blue Ridge sunset

You could drive a huge portion in one day, but don’t. This is a road trip meant to be enjoyed slowly. Give yourself several days, pull over often, and explore the little mountain towns along the way.

🏡 And you don’t have to make Asheville your home base! Waynesville is one of my favorite locations for exploring the Western NC portion of the Parkway, and The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies puts you close to the Parkway while also giving you easy access to Maggie Valley, Cherokee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville, Sylva and more.

Spend your day chasing fall color, then come back to your mountain cabin, slip into the hot tub and enjoy a crisp autumn evening beneath the stars. ♨️🍁✨

👉 Plan your fall road trip and stay at The Cardinal’s Nest in the Smokies

🍂 SAVE this for October and SEND it to the person you’d take on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip!