220 Ridge Top Drive
Bryson City, North Carolina
A private mountain retreat perched above it all
Set on a private knoll at the end of a mountain ridge, this post-and-beam log home has the privacy, acreage and views Bryson City buyers hope for. It sits on 8.72 private acres looking out over the gorge and valley below, with water frontage at the head of Fontana Lake, and it delivers true end-of-the-road seclusion without giving up easy access to town.
Quick facts about 220 Ridge Top Drive
How many bedrooms does the septic permit allow?
Three. The Swain County operations permit is for a 3-bedroom system with a 1,000-gallon tank, matching the home's 3 bedrooms.
What are the water and sewer?
A private well and a septic system. The well has a DAB pump with two 250-gallon storage tanks.
Is there an HOA?
Yes. Fontana Lake Properties HOA dues are $450 a year and cover private road maintenance plus the association's floating dock and small boat launch.
How is the home heated and cooled?
A three-zone electric heat pump with central air, replaced in 2021, a wood-burning stone fireplace, two on-demand propane water heaters and a whole-home Generac generator.
What kind of road is it on?
A gravel and paved private road covered by a road maintenance agreement, ending at the property.
Is the property in a flood zone?
No. The property is not in a designated flood hazard area.
How is internet service?
Satellite internet is available.
How far is it to town?
About 9 miles to downtown Bryson City, 18 miles to Cherokee, 24 miles to Sylva and 75 miles to Asheville Regional Airport.
How big is the home and when was it built?
Built in 2002 with 3,248 heated square feet on three levels. Parcel 6652-01-39-1758, 8.72 acres in Swain County.
Updated October 15, 2026
Built around a stacked-stone fireplace
Inside, the open floor plan is anchored by a massive stacked-stone wood-burning fireplace, a $75,000 project completely rebuilt in 2021 with matching ledgestone carried across the adjoining walls. Vaulted tongue-and-groove ceilings and skylights flow into the kitchen, with its pantry and breakfast bar.
A sunroom takes in the light and the view, with doors out to the covered porch. Main-level living is easy here: two guest bedrooms, each with private access to the covered porch, plus the laundry are all on this floor.
A primary suite with its own deck
Upstairs, a loft overlooks the living area and leads to the oversized primary suite, with its own side deck and an ensuite bath with a walk-in shower and jetted tub.
Built for gathering
The fully remodeled lower level is built for company. Custom woodwork and live-edge counters anchor a full bar, and there is room for a theater, exercise space, game room and wine nook, plus the third full bath and generous storage, with both interior and exterior entry.
More than $117,000 in systems since 2021
What sets this home apart is the investment most buyers never get to see. The heating and air system was completely replaced in 2021, with a third zone added for the loft, an annual service contract and a Trane warranty the seller describes as transferable. A whole-home Generac generator went in that same year, and French drains were added around the foundation in 2022.
Two on-demand propane water heaters replaced the conventional one, the well system received a DAB pump with two 250-gallon storage tanks, every outlet and switch was replaced, and a whole-home surge suppressor was added. Outside, there is a metal roof and a newly added greenhouse with its own 30-amp service.
For buyers who want a turnkey move, the room-by-room furnishings and 11 original oil paintings by Western North Carolina artist John Holland Houglum are negotiable under a separate agreement.
Take the tour
8.72 private acres above Fontana Lake
The home sits at the end of the road on a private knoll between 2,000 and 2,500 feet, with long-range, year-round views of the mountains, the Alarka Creek gorge and the water below. The property has creek and lake frontage where it meets the head of Fontana Lake, and the association's boat ramp and floating dock put you on the water.
Minutes from Bryson City
Downtown Bryson City is about 9 miles away, close enough to enjoy its shops, restaurants and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad while living in the quiet of the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Tuckasegee River and endless hiking are close by. Paddle the rapids or the calm stretches of the Nantahala River, fish or cruise on Fontana Lake, or ride the Tsali mountain bike trails. Trout streams, horseback rides and waterfalls hidden throughout the landscape mean every outing turns up something new.
