Beechcliff Nature Retreat
                 & Group Lodge             

There is no facility in the state that can equal the ambience of Beechcliff -- a historic turn-of-the-century hunting lodge that has been converted to an overnight nature retreat center for groups. Built in 1912, it served three generations of the Waddell family before being generously donated to the Sanctuary. Though lovingly remodeled to modern standards, Beechcliff carries forward a nostalgic ambience of the early 1900’s. Walking into its entrance is like walking back to a quieter, more genteel time. Three full-length porches span this historic retreat, two of which overlook the Rocky Fork and are amply adorned with antique rocking chairs and old porch swings for restful afternoons. Most memorable is the setting, perched into a gentle hillside along the Rocky Fork amidst an old grove of towering beech trees. In the spring, the grounds burst forth with a bounty of wild trout lilies, trilliums, and naturalized jonquils. Beechcliff is located on Cave Road, approximately 1/4 mile away from the Appalachian Forest Museum and within a close drive of most of our hiking trailheads.
 

Beechcliff has gleaming wooden floors with antique Shaker furniture and wooden trim  made from the now-extinct American chestnut tree. Five Sleeping rooms symmetrically circle a great gathering room. Bedrooms offer two single beds each, with colorful hand-made quilts. There are two private showers and two private toilets off the great room for common use. The downstairs level provides a kitchen and a large room that can be used for gatherings or as a dining room. Beechcliff is a lovely setting for a group retreat or workshop setting, providing numerous comfortable nooks to gather in private or group conversation.

A full-service kitchen with refrigerator, stove, 3-compartment sink, modest cooking utensils, and place settings for 12 people are provided.

The entire facility has beds for ten people in winter and 12 when it is warm enough to use the sleeping porches.  

Parking Limitation: Beechcliff parking lot holds a maximum of 5 or 6 cars. Parking off of the gravel parking lot or road is not permitted because of the fine old woods that surrounds Beechcliff.  Additional parking is available on Cave Road at the Etawah Woods Parking Lot, a pleasant 10-minute walk from Beechcliff.

 Beechcliff Rates

WORKSHOP LEADERS: Please note: Beechcliff can be rented for as little as $25.00/night per single participant before taxes if you stay two or more nights at full capacity. From May through October there are potentially twelve beds, increased by having access to two screened-in sleeping porches with one bed each. We appreciate the opportunity to host your event.

Guarantee and Cancellations: A credit card to guarantee your stay is requested at the time of reservation, either  Visa or MasterCard. However, checks are preferred as the mode of payment, and your card will not be run unless there is a last-minute cancellation. Cancellations occurring within a week prior to your stay for suite & cabin rentals, and two weeks for group rentals will incur a one-night cancellation charge minus the housekeeping fee, which will be treated as a tax-deductible gift to the Sanctuary. Gift certificates will incur the same cancellation charges as a normal reservation, which will be subtracted from the certificate balance. All other cancellations are without penalty.

Smoke-free Environment. In keeping with a retreat setting, smoking is prohibited inside the facilities or on the hiking trails.
Sorry, no pets. To keep the wildlife safe and our furniture in a well-maintained condition, we cannot accommodate pets at this time. 

Call for this facility's availability or check yourself by clicking here This is an excel form and is updated immediately after each reservation made, giving you up-to-date information.

$200 Nightly Rate PLUS one-time fee of $115 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails; up to ten people
$1000 Weekly Rate PLUS one-time fee of $115 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails; up to ten people

--OR--

$240 Nightly Rate PLUS one-time fee of $125 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails; up to twelve people, including two outdoor summer sleeping porches
$1200 Weekly Rate PLUS one-time fee of $125 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails; up to twelve people, including two outdoor summer sleeping porches
 

Other fees and options to be aware of:

• 7% sales tax applied

• OPTIONAL provision of one night of firewood at $20.00/load

To make a reservation or for further inquiries, click here. 

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