Just across the river from Chota, the original capital of the Overhill Cherokee Nation, are your comfortable accommodations at Once Upon A Time Wilderness Adventure Trips and Hostel.

As you sense the spirit of the great Indian nation, you will enjoy the serenity of our homeplace high atop a ridge on the Little Tennessee River between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. You can build your own adventure from a variety of activities: hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, biking, wildflower hikes, beginning rappelling, caving, sporting clays, tubing, horseback riding, and fishing. You can choose a weekend wilderness adventure, 3 or 4 days, or an entire week.

You will enjoy hearty, home-cooked meals. We grow most of our own fruits and vegetables right here. You can't get any fresher than that. We might even ask you to dig some potatoes for your supper! We can accommodate vegetarians and vegans.

Evenings are spent rocking on the front porch listening to the sounds of wildlife, learning from a Cherokee storyteller, visiting the Once Upon A Time furniture workshop, walking the 1-mile trail on the property, and enjoying mountain music.
A library contains books on Appalachian and Cherokee history and culture.

When not in use for wilderness adventure groups, the cabin is open to travelers as a hostel. See the Hostel page for more details. The facilities can also be rented by the day for family reunions, corporate retreats, church groups, quilting and scrapbooking clubs, etc.