Combine your love of North Carolina history with a trek into the woods you won't soon forget. Not far outside of Asheville there is a trail leading to the ruins of an old summer lodge from the early 1900s. Rattlesnake Lodge, as it was called, was purposely located off the beaten path so as to preserve the remoteness of the experience.
The lodge, built in 1903-04, was owned by an Asheville doctor named Chase P. Amber. His wife and kids would spend each summer at their mountain hideaway and he would join on the weekends.
Ambler built a small road up to the location, but pointedly made it too small for carriages to fit. As you can imagine, the huge summer home regularly hosted guests — all of whom had to park their carriage a great distance away and then walk into the retreat.
Rattlesnake Lodge was perhaps named after Ambler put a bounty on the rattlesnakes in the area. There were so many of them, Ambler reportedly offered up $5 per skin if they were delivered to him personally. Those snake skins ended up on the ceiling in the lodge. A photo of that snake-covered ceiling is below.
Today, what remains of the lodge is in ruins in the middle of the woods. Generations have passed, but the family keeps the memories of Rattlesnake Lodge alive. They've placed a marker at the location and host an occasional family reunion that involves hiking out to the ruins.
The looped trail to the ruins of Rattlesnake Lodge is 3.9 miles in length. It has an elevation gain of 900 feet, making it just strenuous enough to be cautious if you're a beginner hiker.
Aside from the gorgeous natural views along the trail, you'll pass the ruins of various elements of this woodsy resort.
The below photo was taken recently and shows the ruins of the reservoir for Rattlesnake Lodge.
The original use of other ruins you'll pass won't be quite so obvious.
You can be on the lookout for the remains of the swimming pool. This is how it used to look...
Perhaps this structure is part of the swimming pool ruins?
On the trail to the ruins, you'll pass a long stone wall. This is where the barn stood. The barn was used to house the carriages that brought the family and guests to the lodge. They'd park them here in the barn, and then guests would walk the remaining distance, or saddle up a horse to ride in.
Beneath this fallen tree you'll find the ruins of the main spring that brought water to the house.
This vintage photo, reportedly taken in 1906, shows Rattlesnake Lodge soon after it was completed.
The mountains of North Carolina are filled with rich history from days gone by in the Tar Heel State. Have you ever heard of the ruins of Rattlesnake Lodge near Asheville? Get more information about the hike and directions to the trailhead here.
For a hike to see an entire abandoned village in the North Carolina mountains, read on.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
