Picture yourself escaping for a long weekend in a rustic, fully-furnished cabin with a balcony overlooking a beautiful lake, where your biggest concern is whether to spend your day swimming, fishing, hiking or just relaxing on the sandy beaches.
Now picture it at an affordable rate and only a short drive from your home. That picture becomes a reality at the Elliott Branch cabins, located on Little Bear Lake, part of the Bear Creek Water Control Project in Franklin County.
Elliott Branch features 11 cabins (eight 2-bedroom and three 1-bedroom), fully furnished so your packing list can be shorter and your activity list at the lake longer.
The cabins are owned by the Bear Creek Development Authority and are available for rental year-round. BCDA employee Jenna Stockton, who coordinates reservations and management of the cabins, said all cabins are already booked for the holiday weekends of Memorial Day and July 4. A limited number of Labor Day reservations, with a three-night minimum holiday stay required, are still available.
Peak rental season falls between Memorial Day and Labor Day. BCDA policies provide for a six-person limit in one-bedroom cabins and eight-person maximum in the two-bedroom units.
“You can make a reservation any time. The cabins are open through the week, with peak season and off-peak season rates available,” Stockton said. “Reservations can be held with a credit card. We don't charge the card until you check in. And our guests can check in with the Elliott Branch Camp Store when they arrive.”
The resort cabins feature kitchens with refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, range, dishes and cookware. Satellite television is included with each rental, and for those who don't want to 'rough it,' all cabins come with central heat and air. Towels and linens are also included.
“Other than personal effects, if you're staying one night, you might want to bring charcoal for the outside grill,” Stockton said. “If your stay is more than one night, you'll need extra toilet tissue, paper towels and garbage bags.”
Cabins are cleaned prior to and following each guest's stay. Daily housekeeping service is not available for multi-night stays.
Stockton said many guests bring boats or jet skis as part of their lake experience. Cabin guests have easy access to the Elliott Branch boat ramp and can enjoy the convenience of piers located by the cabins. At least one pier is available for every two cabins.
Elliott Branch cabin rentals vary by the time of the year. From late May through Labor Day, one-bedroom cabins rent for $95/night and two-bedroom units are $130/night.
From September until Memorial Day weekend, one-bedroom nightly rentals are $85 with two-bedroom cabins renting for $110/night. One cabin is equipped for use by disabled guests.
As with any usage on BCDA property, daily user permits are required for cabin rentals. Daily and annual BCDA permits are available at retailers across Franklin County, including the Elliott Branch Camp Store.
For more information on this beautiful travel option inside Franklin County, or to make cabin reservations, call 256-332-4392.
