Welcome to Camp Catawba, Lake James NC! Truly Paradise Found! Tucked quietly into the heart of the most exclusive community known as Black Forest bordering the Catawba River, this rare off the grid retreat/ artists cottage offers a chance to experience mountain/lake living in its purest form. Set within an exclusive 600 acre private , gated community on Lake James with only 50 homesites, the cabin rests on 3 private acres bordering protected, community owned conservation land creating an extraordinary sense of privacy, peace and connection to nature. This could be your tiny house while you build your main residence further up on the land or just come down for the weekend to enjoy the lake and relaxation. Designed with warmth and authenticity in mind, the cabin is wrapped in low maintenance poplar bark siding crafted with natural reclaimed woods throughout, giving the feel of a timeless woodland hideaway. The interior is cozy, inviting and intentionally simple... a place where mornings begin with birdsong and coffee on the screened porch or covered front porch and evenings end beside the glow of sunset off the back deck. Whether used as a weekend escape, creative retreat or future mountain homestead, the property allows flexibility rarely found in such a protected setting. The cabin is currently off grid, allowing for a simpler lifestyle close to nature, while still offering the opportunity to add a private well and septic system in the future if desired. The homesite also provides an additional building envelope with room for guest quarters, a studio,garage, workshop,or expanded living space- all while maintaining the natural beauty and privacy that make Black Forest so special. Surrounded by native hardwoods, mountain air and quiet trails this property feels worlds away while remaining part of one of the areas most unique and thoughtfully preserved developments. The existing 399 sq ft cabin offers spacious living room, kitchen with refrigerator, portable microwave/convection oven all with reclaimed chestnut flooring, opening to large 204 sq ft heated screened porch which provides more living space and an open deck for grilling, overlooking the North Fork of Catawba River with views of the surrounding mountains . Bath area with Dry Flush toilet ,antique stained glass windows imported from France and hardware from Nepal. 50 sq ft loft for storage,etc.. This darling cabin/artist day studio has all of the perks of lake living without the premium price. A scenic walk approximately 1/3 mile (5 minute walk) from the cabin leads to the Lake Camp which includes your deeded boat slip #14 and pavilion . Enjoy easy access to the lake for boating, kayaking, fishing or simply relaxing along the shoreline while surrounded by the quiet beauty of the mountains. Also included is the River Camp with easy places to launch your kayak and fishing piers. This gated community offers a full time on site caretaker, a community building for cozy neighborhood get togethers and heli-pad . Only minutes to downtown Marion for dining, shopping, entertainment,etc. Also just 20 minutes to some of the best mountain biking and hiking trails at Fonta Flora State Park or Paddys Creek State Park. Truly nature's playground!
Active
$490,000
130 Settlement Ridge Dr #48, Marion, NC 28752
0beds
--baths
399sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 2017
3.15 Acres Lot
$465,400 Zestimate®
$1,228/sqft
$546/mo HOA
What's special
Covered front porchBordering the catawba riverOpen deck for grillingReclaimed chestnut flooringSurrounded by native hardwoodsKitchen with refrigeratorHardware from nepal
- 32 days |
- 954 |
- 50 |
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
Dianne Reihl drreihl@bellsouth.net,
Engel & Volkers Foothills Lake James
Source: Canopy MLS as distributed by MLS GRID,MLS#: 4388960
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Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 0
Kitchen
- Level: Main
Living room
- Features: Cathedral Ceiling(s), Ceiling Fan(s), Open Floorplan
- Level: Main
Loft
- Features: Storage
- Level: Upper
Heating
- Ductless, Electric
Cooling
- Ceiling Fan(s), Ductless, Window Unit(s)
Appliances
- Included: Microwave, Refrigerator
- Laundry: None
Features
- Open Floorplan
- Flooring: Wood
- Doors: Insulated Door(s), Sliding Doors
- Windows: Insulated Windows
- Has basement: No
Interior area
- Total structure area: 399
- Total interior livable area: 399 sqft
- Finished area above ground: 399
- Finished area below ground: 0
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 2
- Parking features: Driveway
- Uncovered spaces: 2
Features
- Levels: One and One Half
- Stories: 1.5
- Patio & porch: Covered, Deck, Front Porch, Screened
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Long Range, Mountain(s), Water
- Has water view: Yes
- Water view: Water
- Waterfront features: Boat Slip (Deed), Boat Slip – Community, Paddlesport Launch Site
- Body of water: Lake James
Lot
- Size: 3.15 Acres
- Features: Private, Rolling Slope, Wooded, Views
Details
- Parcel number: 171300538548
- Zoning: R-1
- Special conditions: Standard
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Cabin
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Wood, Other
- Foundation: Other - See Remarks
- Roof: Composition,Metal
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 2017
Details
- Builder name: Travis Crook
Utilities & green energy
- Sewer: None
- Water: None
- Utilities for property: Electricity Connected
Community & HOA
Community
- Features: Clubhouse, Gated, Helipad, Lake Access, Picnic Area, Recreation Area, Walking Trails
- Subdivision: Black Forest
HOA
- Has HOA: Yes
- HOA fee: $6,550 annually
- HOA name: First Residential Services
Location
- Region: Marion
- Elevation: 1000 Feet
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $1,228/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $288,940
- Date on market: 6/4/2026
- Cumulative days on market: 32 days
- Listing terms: Cash
- Electric utility on property: Yes
- Road surface type: Gravel, Paved
Estimated market value
$465,400
$442,000 - $489,000
$1,515/mo
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 6/4/2026 | Listed for sale | $490,000$1,228/sqft |
Source: | ||
Public tax history
Tax history is unavailable.
Monthly payment
Est. payment$--/mo
Payment breakdown
Explore the cost of this home by adjusting the details. Changes won't be saved.All calculations are estimates and provided by Zillow, Inc. for informational purposes only. Actual amounts may vary.
HOA fees may include property taxes on listings classified as Co-Ops. Contact the listing agent and/or owner for fee details.
Mortgage interest rates are dependent on a number of factors, including credit score, down payment, and repayment length. Interest rate data provided by Zillow Group Marketplace, Inc. as of 1/1/1970 from various mortgage lenders with which we have lead or other similar arrangements; the Estimated Payment is an average of those rates.
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Climate risks
Neighborhood: 28752
Getting around
0 / 100
Car-DependentNearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 4/10North Cove Elementary SchoolGrades: PK-5Distance: 5.1 mi
- 3/10West McDowell Junior High SchoolGrades: 6-8Distance: 4 mi
- 2/10McDowell High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 3.9 mi
Schools provided by the listing agent
- Elementary: North Cove
- Middle: West McDowell
- High: McDowell
Source: Canopy MLS as distributed by MLS GRID. This data may not be complete. We recommend contacting the local school district to confirm school assignments for this home.
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A local lender can help you make sure your offer is ready when you are.
- North Carolina
- McDowell County
- Marion
- 28752
- 130 Settlement Ridge Dr Unit 48







