This beautiful and spacious log cabin is located within a private, gated community in a mountain wildlife preserve so guests can enjoy watching turkeys, rabbits, colorful birds, and more while taking in the stunning views of Mount Mitchell from the deck. This rental is pet friendly with an additional $100 pet fee per dog (maximum of 2 dogs allowed). Please include the number of dogs when making your reservation. The space Tucked into a wildlife preserve atop Gateway Mountain, Christmas Tree Cabin earns its name—surrounded by evergreens, long-range views of Mount Mitchell, and the kind of stillness that makes you forget your phone exists. A quintessential log cabin with three levels of living space, three outdoor decks, a wood-burning stove, and a dedicated game room, it's equally suited for a family Thanksgiving, a friends' retreat, or a couple looking to disappear into the mountains for a week. The Space The main level centers on a great room with vaulted ceilings, a wood-burning stove, and a Smart TV with Roku and YouTube TV. A full kitchen opens to a dining area, and a main-level bedroom with a full bed and shared bath rounds out the floor. Step through the screened porch (complete with a swing) and onto the back deck, where bistro and lounge seating face an unobstructed view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Watch the sun rise over the mountains in the morning and linger in the evening for excellent stargazing. Upstairs, the primary king bedroom feels like a treetop retreat, with its own Smart TV and a private en-suite featuring a soaking tub and walk-in shower. The loft sitting area, just outside the bedroom, is a quiet perch for afternoon reading or lively conversations over cocktails. The lower level offers a second king bedroom, a den with a Smart TV, a full bath with a walk-in shower, and a laundry room. It functions well as a private suite for a second couple or older kids. Above the detached garage, the game loft is a highlight for groups: air hockey, foosball, ping pong, and a Smart TV make it the kind of space that fills itself. Outdoors Three decks — including two covered — give everyone a place to land. The screened porch is a favorite for rainy days and morning coffee alike. Wildlife is also abundant: past guests have spotted wild turkeys, deer, black bears, and hummingbirds right from the deck! The Gateway Mountain Community offers a community waterfall (Standing Rock Falls, a 60-foot cascade adjacent to the community park) and hiking trails, all of which are walkable from the cabin. The Location Christmas Tree Cabin sits about 25 minutes from downtown Old Fort, 40 minutes from Black Mountain, and roughly an hour from Asheville. Catawba Falls, Andrews Geyser, and Lake Lure are all within a 35-minute drive. Winter travel note: December through March, AWD or 4WD is strongly recommended due to steep roads and possible ice. GPS can be unreliable, but our team at Greybeard will provide driving directions from our Old Fort office, where gate card pickup is required. Community guidelines: No trailers, RVs, or boats permitted in the Gateway Mountain Community, and no parking is allowed on roads or near gate entrances. Pet policy: Dogs welcome (max 2, $100/pet fee). A kennel is provided and required when pets are unattended. Guest access All of our homes are private residences so you have access to the entire house unless otherwise noted in the description (the owner may not allow use of the garage, etc). Free parking at all homes. After you make your reservation, you will receive an email with instructions for access, including a keyless access code if your home has keyless entry. You will hear from one of our local rental staff members and we will be available to assist you in whatever way we can!