The view from the Teddy Frontier Lodge Retreat, one of the five lodges that make up Three Little Bears Retreat. Photo courtesy of the property
Meeting planners looking to swap boardrooms for backcountry adventures have a new option in western North Carolina: the newly opened Three Little Bears Retreat near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
On 65 acres about an hour from Asheville Regional Airport, the property is near downtown Bryson City and one of the national park's lesser-visited entrances. Inspired by safari camps, Alaska wilderness lodges and historic national park properties, the retreat features five private mountain lodges.
Cabin living
Accommodations range from intimate cabins to mountain homes that can host up to 14 guests — all of which include a private hot tub, outdoor fire pit and mountain views — but the retreat's mix of outdoor adventures and group activities might be its biggest draw for planners.
The property can host groups of up to 50 guests at the Three Little Bears Expedition Lodge, with programs built around guided excursions, wellness activities, group dining and outdoor experiences. Full-property buyouts provide exclusive access to accommodations and amenities, allowing organizations to create customized executive retreats, incentive trips and team-building programs.
Heading outside
Guests can choose from guided experiences, such as wildlife safaris in vintage Land Rovers, waterfall hikes, kayaking on Fontana Lake, e-bike excursions along the Road to Nowhere and Cherokee cultural programs. Other offerings include visits to mountain towns, brewery tours, Appalachian wilderness-skills workshops and guided trips to scenic summits and historic fire towers. Additionally, groups can work with a guide to build customized itineraries or join a daily signature expedition.
On-property programming, for its part, includes dining inspired by regional and Cherokee culinary traditions, with experiences ranging from open-fire dinners to Southern-style breakfasts. A planned spa will incorporate local botanicals and Indigenous wellness practices.
Sustainability also is a major focus, with a portion of every stay supporting wildlife rehabilitation, habitat restoration, environmental education and conservation efforts throughout the Great Smoky Mountains region.