Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
Kettle Cove
A lake cottage with its own dock, at the quiet end of a mountain lake.
Swim off the dock, paddle to the islands, eat dinner on the porch.Peak color in late October, a fire every night and the lake to yourself.
The house
The lake is the whole point
Kettle Cove is a 1950s cottage on a no-wake cove of Lake Santeetlah, surrounded by national forest. There are more herons than boats.
We kept the old pine floors and the stone fireplace and added a good kitchen, real beds and a sunroom that faces the water.
- Private dockA canoe, two kayaks and life jackets for everyone.
- Stone fireplaceFirewood stacked and ready, plus a fire pit by the water.
- Lake-view sunroomCoffee, a book and the whole cove in front of you.
- Dogs welcomeUp to two, with a fenced side yard.
Room by room
Inside Kettle Cove
The best seat on the lake
Two leather chairs, a wall of windows and a door straight out to the lawn. This is where everyone ends up in the morning.
Built around the fireplace
Deep sofas, a stack of blankets, a record player and a stone fireplace that draws well. Firewood is on the porch.
A cook's kitchen in a small cottage
Butcher-block counters, a gas range, a farm sink and every pan you need for a fish fry.
Three quiet bedrooms
A king upstairs with forest views, a queen with the plaid quilts and a bunk room for kids.
Sleeping
Where everyone sleeps
- Loft bedroomKing bedForest views, reading lamps
- Plaid roomQueen bedMain floor, next to the bath
- Bunk roomTwo twin-over-full bunksSleeps four, night lights
Amenities
What's here
On the water
- Private dock
- Canoe
- Two kayaks
- Life jackets, all sizes
- Fishing poles
- Swim ladder
- Fire pit
Inside
- Stone fireplace
- Record player and records
- Starlink Wi-Fi
- Smart TV
- Washer and dryer
- Books and board games
Kitchen
- Gas range
- Farm sink
- Dishwasher
- Pour-over and drip coffee
- Grill on the porch
- Cast iron and a fish fryer
Good to know
- Dogs welcome, up to two ($75)
- Gravel drive, fine for any car
- Cell service is spotty, Wi-Fi is strong
- No parties or events
Book direct
Pick your dates
Rates from $295 a night. 2-night minimum. Book here and skip the service fee.
- BusyJune to August
Warm water, long evenings, boats out by nine. Book early.
- BestSeptember and October
Cool mornings, warm afternoons and peak color in late October.
- QuietNovember to May
Fires, fog on the water and almost nobody else on the lake.
Choose a check-in date, then a check-out date.
You won't be charged yet.
The area
Around the lake
- Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest20 min
An easy two-mile loop through some of the biggest old-growth trees in the East.
- Cherohala Skyway25 min
A mountain drive with overlooks every few miles. Best at sunset.
- Fontana Dam40 min
The tallest dam east of the Rockies, with the Appalachian Trail crossing the top.
- Nantahala Outdoor Center45 min
Whitewater rafting for first-timers and pros.
- Snowbird Mountain Lodge15 min
Dinner with a view. Reserve ahead.
- Tapoco Lodge30 min
Burgers and a porch over the Cheoah River.
- Robbinsville15 min
Groceries, a hardware store and a good breakfast spot.
- Junaluska Memorial and Museum15 min
Cherokee history and a short medicinal plant trail.
- Museum of the Cherokee People1 hr
Worth the drive. Plan two hours.
- The record shelfIn the house
Old vinyl, a fire and a puzzle on the table.
Reviews
4.96 from 142 stays
"We came for the leaves and stayed on the dock. Waking up to mist on the lake was unreal."
"Kids swam all day and we paddled to the little island every evening. The cottage is cozy and spotless."
"The sunroom is the reason to book. That and the fireplace."
"Our two labs loved the fenced yard and the swim ladder. Very dog friendly."
"Quiet, beautiful and well stocked. The hosts thought of everything."
"No cell signal, great Wi-Fi, no neighbors in sight. Exactly what we wanted."
Your hosts
Hi, we're Ellen and Ray
Ray's grandfather built Kettle Cove in 1954. We restored it over three summers and still spend a few weeks here every fall.
Send us a note
Already booked?
Open the guest guide
Wi-Fi, check-in steps, how everything works and our favorite spots, all on one page. There's a QR card in the kitchen that opens it too.
Open the guideQuestions
Good to know
Can we swim off the dock?
Yes. The water is about 12 feet deep at the end of the dock and there is a swim ladder.
Do we need a boat?
No. The canoe and kayaks are included. You can rent a pontoon in town if you want one.
Is the road okay in winter?
The paved road is plowed. The last quarter mile is gravel and fine for any car in most weather.
How do we check in?
Self check-in with a lockbox code. Check-in is 4 p.m., checkout is 11 a.m.
Are dogs allowed?
Up to two dogs for a $75 fee. Please keep them off the beds.
Get first pick of open dates
A few emails a year with open weeks and returning-guest rates. No spam.