Entire home

Ship Shak on the River

Vacation home near Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City

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Photo gallery for Ship Shak on the River

WiFi, bed sheets
Casino
Property grounds
Outdoor dining
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bathroomSleeps 2180 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Bryson City, NC
  • Place, Tuckasegee River
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Smokey Mountain Trains Museum
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Place, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
    ‪18 min walk‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Bryson City

On river.Within a 5-minute walk of this Bryson City vacation home, you'll find Tuckasegee River and Island Park. Nantahala Brewing Company and Smokey Mountain Trains Museum are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Tuckasegee River - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Island Park - 8 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Smokey Mountain Trains Museum - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Nantahala Brewing Company - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 18 min walk - 1.0 mile

Getting around

  • McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) - 137 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Bryson City Brewing - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Anthony's Italian Resturant - ‬13 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchenette

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 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

  • Smoking not allowed

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)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 180 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 23

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

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 welcome
  • Service animals 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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated 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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

orp5b5e262x

Frequently asked questions

How close is Ship Shak on the River to the airport?

This vacation home is 81.3 mi (137-min drive) away from the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Ship Shak on the River?

As of Jan 21, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ship Shak on the River on Jan 22, 2026 start from $74.52, excluding 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.

Does Ship Shak on the River have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Ship Shak on the River offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Ship Shak on the River?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Harrahs Cherokee Casino (18-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Ship Shak on the River?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Ship Shak on the River?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Ship Shak on the River have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Ship Shak on the River have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Ship Shak on the River to downtown Bryson City?

This vacation home is 0.6 mi away from Bryson City.

Ship Shak on the River Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 33 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tiah R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic location! Super cute place to stay with excellent views.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca U.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mischa H., Greensboro

Liked: Cleanliness
We didn't attend the national park.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda D D.

Liked: Cleanliness
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rob H.

Liked: Cleanliness
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!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

John L.

Liked: Cleanliness
So convenient to town and just the right amount of room for a couple! Will definitely be staying here again on future trips! Loved it!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy E.

Liked: Cleanliness
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Leah B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Ship shak

We had a great stay at the Shak. My only suggestion is that I'm not a memory foam bed person, and it was too soft.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

heather n.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved the shipping container!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Evan L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Stay in Bryson City!

Had a wonderful time in Bryson City. Was visiting for a gospel sing and this was the perfect place to stay for me. Wonderfully appointed, with a spacious front porch perfect for quiet Bible study in the mornings. Only unusual thing was the access road, which is right beside a railroad track. But once you get used to it it's all good. Would definitely recommend this place to others and would stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

kevin o.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent place

We stayed for 3 days. It’s basically on the river with nice views. The bonus was the train passes by out front but it’s a slow scenic tourist train and everyone waves at you. It just runs twice a day so no disruptions. It’s also very close to the town. I highly recommend this place. Also they did a great job with interior and amenities. Very cozy
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Location

This little shack on a hill is so cute and perfect for a short stay. It is conveniently located near downtown Bryson City but its also not too far from cherokee. We felt like we were out of town but were actually very close. The view of the river was a great view and it was enjoyable sitting out on the front porch. Being summer and a short stay we didnt use the fire pit for any reason.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D., Greenback

Liked: Cleanliness

The Perfect Weekend Getaway

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

penny d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

tim h.

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful nliss

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
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelsi M.

Liked: Cleanliness

We loved Ship Shak!

Cozy, perfect for a couple for a weekend! Has everything you need and location was perfect. Such a unique stay, definitely recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shannon M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great spot

Great place to stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Super cute little house

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
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harley B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Vacation

Nice place to spend the night.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Holly Q.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect little space

Perfect amount of space for one person. The space was clean and inviting. Comfy bed. It was fun to watch the passenger train go by.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

William H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice & private

Polar Express runs right by thr cabim & view of the river
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

John K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great

Very clean and close to town
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

John K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great

Great place near town , very clean
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kellie E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect

This property was perfect for a one night stay after our train ride. The property was exactly as described.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024