River House - Trout, Trails & Mountain Towns

The River House | Your Private Trout Fishing Escape

Welcome to The River House, a peaceful waterfront retreat tucked along the East Fork of the Pigeon River in beautiful Cruso, North Carolina.

With generous river frontage, mountain surroundings and some of Western North Carolina’s best destinations within an easy drive, The River House gives you the best of both worlds. Spend your days fishing, hiking, golfing, shopping, chasing waterfalls and exploring mountain towns, or simply stay home and enjoy the river.

Perfect for fishermen, families, couples, girls’ weekends, guys’ trips, golfers and adventure seekers looking for a mountain getaway with plenty to do and plenty of reasons to slow down.

Fish From Your Front Door

Bring your fly rod and waders because the East Fork of the Pigeon River is just steps from the house.

The East Fork flows down from the mountains surrounding Pisgah National Forest and the Shining Rock Wilderness, an area known for cold, clear mountain water and trout fishing. Native trout can be found in the watershed, and the area also offers stocked trout fishing opportunities.

There is something special about waking up, pouring a cup of coffee and heading straight to the water without ever getting in the car. Whether you are an experienced angler or simply enjoy casting a line, fishing here can become part of your vacation instead of an excursion you have to plan.

A Front Porch Made for Mountain Mornings

Some of your favorite moments may happen without ever leaving the house.

Start your morning on the front porch with coffee and the sound of the East Fork. After a day of exploring, come home, grab your favorite drink and settle in for the evening.

When the sun goes down, gather around the outdoor fire pit, tell stories, make s’mores with the kids or simply enjoy the cool mountain air.

There is no schedule here unless you want one.

Something for Everyone

You definitely do not have to be a fisherman to fall in love with The River House.

Within easy reach you will find charming mountain towns, shopping, restaurants, golf, waterfalls, hiking, skiing, snow tubing, river tubing, rafting, breweries, art galleries, scenic drives, Pisgah National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

That variety makes The River House perfect for groups with different interests. Fish, golf, shop, hike, explore or simply stay home and enjoy being together.

Springdale Resort | 2 Miles

Bring your golf clubs because Springdale Resort is practically around the corner.

Set among the Blue Ridge Mountains, Springdale offers a beautiful mountain golf experience only a couple of miles away. Fish in the morning, play a round in the afternoon and still have plenty of time to enjoy your evening.

Waynesville | 14 Miles

Make time for downtown Waynesville, a charming mountain town perfect for an afternoon of wandering.

Stroll Main Street, browse locally owned boutiques, shop for clothing, gifts and home décor, visit galleries, grab a coffee and find a great spot for lunch or dinner.

It is especially fun for a girls’ getaway, while couples and families will love the relaxed small town atmosphere and easy access from The River House.

Pisgah National Forest & The Blue Ridge Parkway

Outdoor adventure is everywhere.

Explore Pisgah National Forest, hike in the Cold Mountain area, venture into Shining Rock Wilderness, visit Graveyard Fields, discover waterfalls or pack a picnic and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.

During warmer months, enjoy hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting and tubing. Families can spend the day exploring waterfalls and mountain streams, while more experienced adventurers can tackle the rugged trails surrounding Cold Mountain and Shining Rock.

Not a hiker? Some of the most spectacular scenery can be enjoyed from the car with stops at overlooks along the way.

Brevard & The Land of Waterfalls | 26 Miles

One of our favorite day trips is Brevard, and getting there is part of the adventure.

The spectacular drive takes you through Pisgah National Forest along Highway 276, passing mountain streams, waterfalls, towering forests and some of Western North Carolina’s most iconic attractions.

Stop at the Cradle of Forestry in America, experience Sliding Rock during warmer months and take in beautiful Looking Glass Falls. If you want a hike, explore Moore Cove Falls or one of the many surrounding trails.

Then continue into Brevard, known as the Land of Waterfalls. Explore the walkable downtown filled with locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants and cafés, and keep an eye out for Brevard’s famous white squirrels.

For even more adventure, nearby DuPont State Recreational Forest offers waterfalls, lakes, hiking and mountain biking. Music lovers may also want to check the schedule at Brevard Music Center.

For families, it is a day of waterfalls, swimming, hiking and exploring. For a girls’ trip, combine the scenic drive with shopping and lunch. Guys can take advantage of mountain biking, fishing and hiking, while couples can turn the entire trip into a beautiful mountain day date.

Do not rush the drive. The journey to Brevard is one of the experiences.

Maggie Valley | 23 Miles

Spend a day exploring this classic Western North Carolina mountain town.

Visit beautiful Soco Falls, stop by the famous Wheels Through Time Museum or enjoy the shops, restaurants and scenery.

Winter visitors can head to Cataloochee Ski Area for skiing and snowboarding or Tube World for snow tubing, making The River House a fun mountain getaway throughout the year.

Asheville | 31 Miles

Enjoy everything Asheville has to offer without having to stay in the middle of the city.

Tour the Biltmore Estate and winery, shop Tanger Outlets, browse downtown boutiques, explore the River Arts District and Biltmore Village or experience Asheville’s restaurants and famous brewery scene.

It is an easy day trip for shopping with the girls, a Biltmore date day for couples, a family adventure or a brewery afternoon with the guys.

Then leave the city behind and come home to the mountains.

Cherokee & The Great Smoky Mountains | 40 Miles

Plan a day in Cherokee for an entirely different adventure.

Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, search for elk around Oconaluftee, visit Mingo Falls or spend a summer day tubing the Oconaluftee River.

Families can explore the Smokies and learn about Cherokee history and culture at the Museum of the Cherokee People and Oconaluftee Indian Village. Fishermen can discover even more Western North Carolina trout water.

For an adults’ night out, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort offers gaming, dining and entertainment.

A Family Vacation Made for Memories

Teach the kids to fish. Go waterfall hunting. Slide down Sliding Rock. Pack a picnic and explore Pisgah. Look for white squirrels in Brevard and elk in Cherokee. Tube a mountain river. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. Spend a winter afternoon snow tubing. Make s’mores around the fire.

Or have a lazy day where nobody has to be anywhere.

These are the simple mountain experiences families remember long after the vacation ends.

Girls’ Getaway

Grab your favorite people and make The River House your home base.

Shop and have lunch in Waynesville. Drive through Pisgah to Brevard and stop at waterfalls along the way. Spend another day enjoying Tanger Outlets, Biltmore, galleries, restaurants and shopping in Asheville.

Then come home, pour a glass of wine, light the fire and enjoy having nowhere else to be.

Guys’ Getaway

Pack the rods, golf clubs and hiking boots.

Fish the East Fork, play a round at Springdale, mountain bike or hike around Brevard, explore Pisgah or head into Asheville for breweries and dinner.

With trout water at the house and outdoor recreation in every direction, it is easy to build a weekend around fishing, golf and adventure.

Couples’ Mountain Escape

Sleep late. Make coffee. Take a scenic drive. Explore Waynesville or Brevard. Stop at a waterfall. Visit Biltmore. Find a great restaurant. Come home and sit by the fire.

Fill your days with adventures or barely leave the house. Either way, the mountains provide the backdrop for a completely different pace of life.

A Getaway for Every Season

Spring brings rushing waterfalls, wildflowers and beautiful hiking weather.

Summer means trout fishing, Sliding Rock, tubing, rafting and long days outside.

Fall transforms the Blue Ridge Mountains into spectacular color and makes every scenic drive an adventure.

Winter brings skiing, snow tubing, crisp mountain air and cozy evenings around the fire.

So Much to Explore

Springdale Resort | 2 Miles

Waynesville | 14 Miles

Maggie Valley | 23 Miles

Brevard | 26 Miles

Asheville | 31 Miles

Cherokee & Great Smoky Mountains | 40 Miles

Perfect For

• Family mountain vacations

• Trout and fly fishing trips

• Guys’ fishing and golf weekends

• Girls’ shopping and mountain getaways

• Romantic couples’ escapes

• Multi generational family trips

• Hiking and waterfall adventures

• Brevard and Pisgah adventures

• Asheville and Biltmore weekends

• Great Smoky Mountains trips

• Fall foliage getaways

• Ski and snow tubing weekends

The Best Part May Be Staying Home

There is a lot to do around The River House, but you do not have to do any of it.

Wake up without an alarm. Make coffee. Step onto the porch and listen to the East Fork moving past the house.

Fish for a while. Read a book. Take a nap. Light the fire pit when evening arrives.

Some vacations are about seeing how much you can fit into a few days.

The River House is about having the freedom to choose.

Adventure when you want it.

Quiet when you need it.

And a beautiful mountain river waiting right outside your door.

Welcome to The River House.