Unmatched mountain views! Over 265 acres in North Carolina. $1,600,000.
A Hidden Mountain Sanctuary in Laurel Springs
Finding a property that feels like its own private world is rare. This estate in Laurel Springs offers exactly that, with a massive 265-acre spread tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains. The land is so well-positioned that it shares a border with the Blue Ridge Parkway and the North Carolina Game Lands. This means you are surrounded by thousands of acres of protected nature that will never be developed.
Address: 339 Stillhouse Branch Rd, Laurel Springs, NC 28644 Price: $1,600,000
Features:
- 265.48 total acres
- Borders Blue Ridge Parkway
- Adjoins NC Game Lands
- Unmatched long-range mountain views
Historical Roots and a Pure Watershed
The history of this land goes back over 150 years. Because the farm existed long before the Blue Ridge Parkway was built, it has a rare private driveway leading directly off the scenic road. As you drive in, you pass through fields of wildflowers and cross over clear mountain streams. The property actually forms its own protected watershed, filled with natural springs that provide some of the purest water you can find.
Features:
- Private watershed
- Natural freshwater springs
- Direct driveway access from Blue Ridge Parkway
- 150-year-old homesite history
The Main House and Guest Quarters
The main residence is a classic farmhouse style built in 1979. It features a comfortable layout with four bedrooms and plenty of space for a family. For those who enjoy hosting, the property also includes a separate guest house designed to overlook the pond. There is even a small, charming cottage by the water and a rustic barn that adds a lot of character to the grounds. Whether you need a place for guests or a quiet studio to work in, there are plenty of options here.
Features:
- 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom main house
- 2-bedroom guest house with pond views
- Separate waterfront cottage
- Rustic storage barn
Exploring the Land and Waterfalls
One of the best parts of this estate is the old road that climbs up through the woods. As you walk or drive up, you’ll find a bold creek with small, natural waterfalls that are perfect for kids to explore. Once you reach the top, the woods open up into a high, open meadow that sits right on the Eastern Continental Divide. This area was once used for sheep grazing and now offers some of the best potential building sites for anyone wanting a home with a 360-degree view.
Features:
- Natural waterfalls
- Bold creek and streams
- Highland meadows
- Eastern Continental Divide location
Preservation and Future Possibilities
Much of this land is protected to ensure it stays beautiful for generations. About 231 acres are under a conservation easement with the Blue Ridge Conservancy. This setup allows for a few specific house sites while keeping the rest of the mountain wild and natural. About 33 acres around the current house remain unencumbered. This balance makes the property a great fit for a private family legacy, a quiet wellness retreat, or even a small farm for horses or cattle.
Features:
- 231-acre conservation easement
- 33.67 unencumbered acres
- Horse and cattle facilities
- Potential for a bed and breakfast or event venue
Life in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Living here means embracing a slower pace of life surrounded by nature. You have the privacy of a gated estate without being isolated from the beauty of the surrounding parks. The elevation provides cool mountain air in the summer and stunning color changes in the fall. It is a true sanctuary where you can hear the water running in the creeks and see the mist sitting in the valleys every morning.
Features:
- Privacy and seclusion
- High-elevation climate
- Mature timber and woods
- Lush pastures for grazing
From Zillow
We are proud to present a truly once-in-a-lifetime estate nestled in the heart of Laurel Springs, offering over 265 breathtaking acres in one of the most scenic settings the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer. This remarkable property is bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway on one side and adjoins NC Game Lands in Wilkes County on the other, providing unmatched privacy, protected surroundings, and direct access to thousands of acres of preserved land. The driveway to the land is one of the few directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway because this old farm predates the Parkway. As you approach the house you cross a beautiful stream with wild flowers, then fields for horses or cattle open up around you. There is the pond and the house on a site where people have lived for at least 150 years. Driving or walking past the house you climb the old road through thick woods with a bold creek beside you with small water falls your children or grand children will love. The road opens out at the top to a broad and open highland straddling the eastern continental divide and offering unmatched views for potential home sites. The broad mountain top was in the past used for agriculture and grazing sheep. The tract forms its own protected watershed and is rich with springs of the purest water. The main residence offers a living room, kitchen, 4 bedrooms, and 3.5 bathrooms. There is a guest house designed for pond views and access with 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, and laundry area (permitting in progress), and a charming cottage overlooking the pond—perfect for quiet mornings or visiting guests, and an old barn full of rustic character, ideal storage or creative reuse. Approximately 33.67 +/- acres are unencumbered around the existing house near the Parkway. , while 231.808 +/- acres of higher elevation are protected under a conservation easement with the Blue Ridge Conservancy, allowing just a few house sites while ensuring the long-term preservation of the natural beauty. The possibilities here are truly exceptional: a private mountain estate, wedding or event venue, bed and breakfast, wellness or retreat center, hunter’s paradise, a farm, or a thoughtfully designed combination of uses. Whether your vision is personal, a business, or legacy-focused, this property offers the rare scale, setting, and flexibility to bring it to life. Come home to your very own sanctuary in the Blue Ridge Mountains—where nature, privacy, and opportunity converge.
