Perched on a beautiful river view property, Ship Shak offers a unique retreat with sweeping views of the Tuckasegee river. Watch the river flow from the covered porch or fire pit area and enjoy scenic passenger train rides passing by. Inside, discover a cozy space equipped with essentials like kitchenette and flat screen internet TV.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 217 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue
The current price is AU$249
AU$249
includes taxes & fees
1 June - 2 June
Add dates for prices
About this property
Ship Shak on the River
Stay “inside the box", at our unique 20' shipping container. This studio space boasts gorgeous sweeping views of the Tuckasegee river. You may not want to leave the sounds and views of the river, even with charming downtown Bryson City less than one mile away and the entrance to the Great Smokies National Park with its walking trails and waterfalls only minutes away!
Set on a beautiful river view property, our Shipping Container Studio home is the perfect location for your Bryson City getaway. Watch the river go by from the comfortable chairs on the covered porch or fire pit area. The Great Smoky Mountains train, a scenic passenger train ride, also passes by a couple of times per day!
Step inside the Ship Shak to discover a well appointed space, while small, has all the touches you expect: a queen bed, kitchenette, flat screen internet TV, and a spacious bathroom with a shower.
What to Bring: Firewood charcoal coffee for drip coffee pot coffee condiments
*We provide a starter amount of toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags etc. These are meant to last a day or two. If you're booking a longer stay, you will want to bring more of these items.
* The kitchenette is equipped with dishes, utensils toaster oven, microwave, hot plate and some cookware.
*New queen mattress installed January 2023:)
*Updated hot system as of Spring 2023 to provide longer showers ;)
The best way to be in touch with us is through the platform messaging center, but we are available via text or phone. Access for the Ship Shak Container home is through keypad door lock and allows for check in after hours.
Ship Shak is located in the town of Bryson City but feels more remote and removed from town life. You have access to Deep Creek, which is part of the Smoky Mountains National Park, in minutes. AND! this location is less than a mile to the heart of downtown Bryson City. It's really the best of both worlds! The house is located on the Tuckaseegee River with the Smoky Mountain Scenic Railroad and Old River Road fronting the property. Guests enjoy watching the tourist train pass by, especially in November and December when it's decorated for the Polar Express! Old River road is also a great resource offering prime river access or take a leisure walk down the long dirt road!
Getting Around: We recommend driving. Biking and walking into town are options. Be aware that there are not sidewalks between the house and town. However, people do walk this section along the side of the road. Traffic can be heavy along this stretch of road and the side of the road isn't well maintained.
1. We have smart television which allows you to login to your favorite internet streaming provider. We do provide You Tube TV service or you can watch the TV Plus app for free without a login. 2. We do allow 1 dog for a fee. Please read and adhere to our pet rules while staying in our house. Once you add your dog to the guest count, the pet fee will be displayed in the summary of charges. We have strick pet rules: No dogs on the furniture/bed(s) for any reason. No dogs running loose on our property. Pickup dog waste. Hair found on furniture or in linens will incur an addition charge beyond the pet fee. 3. The kitchenette has a microwave, toaster oven and hot plate for cooking inside. The fire pit area outside contains a small charcoal grill and grilling grate that swings over the fire pit for cooking. You'll just need to bring along charcoal and firewood to complete the experience! 4. The Great Smoky Mountains railway runs in front of the property. This is a scenic tourist train that runs during the day/evening/early night and is a big reason why people visit Bryson City. It does not run during the night when people generally are sleeping. 5. There are two other vacation rental dwellings on this property. Each house has its own private outdoor space.
Traveling with others? Check out our other homes located on this property. *Time Flies on The River and *Rivers Edge
Looking for something within walking distance to Town? Check out our downtown properties: *Bryson City Tiny House *The Bryson City Flat *City View
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transport
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchenette
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Microwave
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Entertainment
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Charcoal grill
Firepit
Garden
Porch/lanai
Laundry
Laundromat nearby
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Location highlights
In the mountains
Near a hospital
On a river
On the waterfront
Things to do
Casino nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Rafting nearby
Swimming nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Bryson City, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Nantahala Brewing Company and Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Pond are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and Smokey Mountain Trains Museum are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and horse riding nearby. Visit our Bryson City travel guide
How much does it cost to stay at Ship Shak on the River?
As of 30 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ship Shak on the River on 1 June 2026 start from AU$249, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Ship Shak on the River?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Ship Shak on the River?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Ship Shak on the River?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Ship Shak on the River located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Tuckasegee River and Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Island Park and Nantahala Brewing Company are also within 15 minutes.
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Ship Shak on the River Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The Shipshack is amazing! It was perfect for our long weekend getaway. The property is gorgeous and well kept. It was actually hard for us to leave, we loved it that much! We greatly enjoyed sitting on the porch in the evenings. Book this place! You will not regret it!
My husband and I stayed here for an after Christmas getaway. The house was super cute and very clear . We loved sitting on the porch watching the trains go by. House is located super close to everything Bryson city has to offer
Nicole S.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lee
6 Dec 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Went for the Polar Express. Train runs right by the location, so it added to the experience.
Needed a place for an overnight stay near the Nantahala River. Pretty quite but very close to shops and restaurants with a view of the Tuck river. Clean, Good supplies, Good lighting inside and out. Plenty of electric outlets for charging electronics. Good Wifi. Enough room for one person but a little tight for two unless you just need a quick and clean overnighter.
We enjoyed our time spent staying at the ship shak! It was all we needed for a perfect, unforgettable relaxing and quiet weekend from our daily busy lives. We highly recommend staying at this location. The view of the river is great and it’s so cool seeing the great Smokey mountain train go by the shak! The outdoor fire pit is great and we put it to use every night. The inside of the ship shak was very up to date and clean. It was so close to town and very convenient to go get what we needed during our stay. If you’re going to Bryson City you mist experience staying here! We loved it!!
The cabin is small but cozy, ideal for a single person or couple. It was amazingly quiet; I don't think I heard any sounds of civilization except for the sound of the tourist train (daytime only) and a couple of cars driving on a nearby gravel road, yet the town is only a mile away.
There is a full-sized shower. The only downside I found is that the mini-fridge does not have a freezer if you want ice, which is a pretty minor inconvenience.
r
Fantastic location and accommodation. For anyone looking to experience a "tiny house" getaway, highly recommend! Only additional recommendation would be additional wood near the fire pit to make the magical night last even longer!
It was so much fun to stay in a container home! The layout was great and we had good space for 2 people. Luckily the weather allowed for sitting outside since there is nowhere to sit inside. We enjoyed it and would definitely come back again!
Charming “container” house by the river. Planned efficiently and decorated with care. We stayed toasty warm on the first bitterly cold night of the season. Nice deck for warm weather.
We enjoyed the view and spent time at fire pit spent alot of time 9n porch and qalking gravel rd along river the tiny home was set up perfect for 2 we loved our stay