Modernized: The Cottage, mountain-views! 1BR/1BA & Sofa Bed. Sleeps 2 adults & 2 kids. Refinished floors//woodsy pine paneling. Full kitchen. Smart TV/WiFi. Bath w/ shower. Washer/Dryer. (Historic Girl Scout Camp, now a mountain retreat!) Shared Amenities: Hot Tub, Fire Pits & Recreation Room (foosball/ping pong) Tryon Equestrian Center is 20 mins away (15 Miles). 10 mins to Lake Lure beach area & Chimney Rock Village. Want to water ski? Abel Ski School adjacent. No Pets!
The space
Overview of The Cottage
This beautifully modernized, historic 1950s Girl Scout Cabin sits on a quiet, forested hilltop with mountain views. The Cottage has an open design; two rooms, kitchen/dining/living and a spacious bedroom, connected by a bathroom. This cabin is ideal for couples or small families.
The interior glows with timeless mountain charm. Space is maximized and simplicity celebrated in this sunny, woodsy cabin. Guests will cherish interior details such as beautifully refinished original pine floors, warm-tone pine paneling, and stylish recessed lighting. Large windows allow plenty of natural light.
Breathe in the fresh air! Rustic Blue Ridge charm evokes the simplicity of old-fashioned summer memories—days spent swimming, boating, hiking, archery, and horseback riding. Wake to sunshine and birdsong; fall asleep to the peaceful sounds of crickets and whip-poor-wills as fireflies flash in the mountain scenery.
The Kitchen:
The fully stocked kitchen has a vented, 4-burner gas stove and an oven, a large, double basin sink with a new pull-down sprayer faucet, refrigerator, a microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and plenty of dishware, glassware, pots, pans, utensils, and cutlery. New cabinets accommodate your staples, along with new countertops.
Dining:
The open design kitchen area has a round, hardwood dining table with seating for four. There are additional folding tables beside a TV sofa.
Living:
The main kitchen/dining/living room has been updated with golden-hued pine paneling. This living area has a plush sectional sofa, a Roku TV, as well as a dining table with four chairs. Enjoy the comfort of central air conditioning, or curl up on the sofa under throw blankets as you dive into a good book, or stream your favorite shows and movies on the SmartTV. Need to work remotely? WiFi is superfast!
Bedrooms & Baths:
The Cottage has a spacious bedroom with one queen bed and one full-size sofa bed. The bedroom has a hardwood bureau, a work desk and chair, and a wall-mounted Smart TV.
The Cottage bathroom has a step-in shower, a beautifully designed double-sink vanity, and two stylish well-lit mirrors. The bathroom has simple shelving, as well as a stackable washer/dryer. The bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer and basic toiletries. Extra beach towels are provided for the Hot Tub.
Outdoor Spaces & Shared Amenities:
Recreation Room:
Follow a footpath down a hillside beside the cabin, and you will find the “Recreation Shack”. This open barn-style building has a pool table and a foosball table on the upper floor, as well as colorful murals of mountains painted by Girl Scout campers from ages past.
The lower level of the “Rec Shack” has a large, screened-in porch, a ping-pong table, and an arcade-style basketball hoop shoot. There’s also a large movie screen, a projector, and bean bag chairs, perfect for enjoying an evening of popcorn and movies.
A grand, stone fireplace in the Rec Shack adds to the charm. (This fireplace is non-functional and fires are not permitted.) Challenge loved ones to a friendly game of pool, or gather around the card table for board games or puzzles. This versatile space is perfect for making memories and enjoying quality time together.
Hot Tub:
The “Soak Shack” is a screened-in, covered building with a Hot Tub. Relax after a day of hiking or ziplining. Enjoy the steamy spa on a cool night. Had a long day of waterskiing? This hot tub will soothe sore muscles! Enhance the ambiance with jets and colored lights.
Fire Pit:
The fire pit is built on the original footprint of a former Scout cabin that could not be salvaged—its spirit now honored in flame. Dug into the protective curve of a wooded bank, the pit is naturally sheltered from wind, creating a quiet, cozy nook. Framed by large boulders, stone, and softened by moss and pine needles, it invites guests to gather where stories were once told, now warmed by firelight instead of walls. Roast marshmallows and search the skies for shooting stars.
Convenient Parking & Play:
Our central parking area provides ample complimentary parking just steps from The Cottage’s front door, ensuring an easy arrival and effortless access throughout your stay. A basketball hoop adds a playful touch—feel free to bring a ball and shoot a few hoops between adventures.
Add-on Services to Elevate Your Stay!
On-Site Massage Therapy & Private Water Ski Lessons
Massage Therapy with Lighten Up Massage & Bodywork:
Elevate your stay with on-site massage and bodywork services through Lighten Up Massage & Bodywork. The massage therapy business is housed in a separate cabin on-site. Guests can choose from Relaxation Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Lymphatic drainage, Cupping, Gua Sha, Fascial Activation Techniques, Sports Massage, Warm Himalayan Salt or Volcanic Stones, and more. By Appointment Only
Water Ski Lessons through Abel Ski School
While Lake Lure is closed for the 2025 season due to Hurricane Helene, guests can book water skiing lessons on the pristine, private Mystic Waters just down the hill from Scout’s Honor Cabins. Access to Mystic Waters is exclusive to those booking lessons through Abel Ski School. Advance ski school reservations are required.
After more than a decade coaching elite skiers around the globe, Austin Abel has found his home in Western North Carolina at Mystic Waters. Whether you're strapping on skis for the first time or chasing a world championship dream, Austin brings a dynamic, intuitive coaching style tailored to every level, rooted in experience, passion, and a deep love for the water.
History of Camp Occoneechee:
Camp Occoneechee Opens, 1957:
Perched atop a quiet, forested hill just minutes from Lake Lure’s south shore and Chimney Rock State Park, this lovingly restored 1950s-era Girl Scout camp offers a unique mountain retreat. The property features three separate cabins, perfect for families, friends, or group getaways. These cabins include: The Lodge, The Tiny Cabin and The Cottage Guests renting any of these three cabins can enjoy shared amenities, including a hot tub, a well-equipped recreation room, and firepit areas.
Opened in 1957, Camp Occoneechee was a beloved Girl Scout haven nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills near Lake Lure. Named for the Siouan Native American word meaning "Tribe of the River" or "Maiden of the Misty River," the camp thrived during the golden age of Girl Scout camping. It was built and operated by the Mecklenburg County Council of the Girl Scouts. During the 1950s and '60s, Camp Occoneechee offered more than summer fun—it fostered freedom, resilience, and sisterhood, where girls learned to paddle, build fires, and share stories beneath the stars.
New Stewardship:
In 2011, the historic Camp Occoneechee found new stewards, who were instantly captivated by its storied past and rustic charm. Drawn to the authenticity of the original Scout-era buildings and the quiet magic of the land itself, a family purchased the property and set out to preserve the camp’s legacy as a place of connection, exploration, and renewal.
Since acquiring the property, the family has lovingly restored and modernized the camp while honoring its scouting roots. Today, it stands as a welcoming retreat for families, reunions, multi-family vacations, youth and hiking groups, book clubs, and nature lovers alike—a timeless gathering place tucked in the beauty of the Blue Ridge foothills.
