Watch for rattle snakes on trails during the summer. Someone left sparklers in the cabin--please respect the no fireworks policy. Before booking a cabin on public land read the policies. If you are unable to respect the policies for using these public resources reconsider if this is the right experience for you. I love how bare bones this cabin is. To help mitigate the mouse problem I threw away food people left behind. The NFS keeps the grass well cut. I suggest the window screens be repaired; open windows help circulate the air in the summer. There is plenty of adventure to be found in the area. If you can afford it please shop at local businesses. The Food City in Independence is closed for the time being, plan accordingly. The cabin is a lovely no frills respite.

Watch for rattle snakes on trails during the summer. Someone left sparklers in the cabin--please respect the no fireworks policy. Before booking a cabin on public land read the policies. If you are unable to respect the policies for using these public resources reconsider if this is the right experience for you. I love how bare bones this cabin is. To help mitigate the mouse problem I threw away food people left behind. The NFS keeps the grass well cut. I suggest the window screens be repaired; open windows help circulate the air in the summer. There is plenty of adventure to be found in the area. If you can afford it please shop at local businesses. The Food City in Independence is closed for the time being, plan accordingly. The cabin is a lovely no frills respite.

This is a breathtaking place with a gorgeous cabin. It's well kept, clean and the beds are hard but adequate. The only reason we wouldn't rate it 5 stars is the lack of a shower...even without one, it's still a wonderful family vacation spot.

This is a breathtaking place with a gorgeous cabin. It's well kept, clean and the beds are hard but adequate. The only reason we wouldn't rate it 5 stars is the lack of a shower...even without one, it's still a wonderful family vacation spot.

The cabin has a mouse problem. We removed one and saw others. There were mouse droppings everywhere. Nothing I haven't experienced before like sleeping in the Appalachian Trail shelters, but just a heads up to others. We were the first ones there this season and were greeted by a blizzard and temps in the teens. We were very thankful for the 3 space heaters. The campground had not opened yet so we filled out water buckets at a natural spring coming out of the side of the hill walking up to Hale Lake. We visited Grayson Highlands one day, mountain biked the rarely driven FS roads and trails another day, we soaked up the sun in the large yard of the cabin, etc. Bottom line: we would definitely go there again!

The cabin has a mouse problem. We removed one and saw others. There were mouse droppings everywhere. Nothing I haven't experienced before like sleeping in the Appalachian Trail shelters, but just a heads up to others. We were the first ones there this season and were greeted by a blizzard and temps in the teens. We were very thankful for the 3 space heaters. The campground had not opened yet so we filled out water buckets at a natural spring coming out of the side of the hill walking up to Hale Lake. We visited Grayson Highlands one day, mountain biked the rarely driven FS roads and trails another day, we soaked up the sun in the large yard of the cabin, etc. Bottom line: we would definitely go there again!

Stayed 10 days. Second time there. Loved it, as usual.

Stayed 10 days. Second time there. Loved it, as usual.

Like everyone else, my experience has always been a good one. It's a little spooky being there alone sometimes, but I slept like a baby all week. The place could really use a little TLC. The place is fairly dark inside, except for the kitchen. I mopped the entire place with Pine Sol and cleaned the furniture. The kitchen is a great old country kitchen. I'm heading back in November.

Like everyone else, my experience has always been a good one. It's a little spooky being there alone sometimes, but I slept like a baby all week. The place could really use a little TLC. The place is fairly dark inside, except for the kitchen. I mopped the entire place with Pine Sol and cleaned the furniture. The kitchen is a great old country kitchen. I'm heading back in November.