Hermitage

The Hermitage is a cabin built onto the precipice of the 100-foot deep Rocky Fork Gorge in a deeply wooded setting. Hermitage offers two private suites for adult retreats of one or two people each, each suite with its own private deck and entrance. One suite is named The Eyrie and the other, The Zen River Room.  Hermitage sits well off Cave Road and is isolated from the views of any other nearby residences.  The interior of both suites is highly aesthetic and artistic in design, while view outside the bedroom windows of both suites is truly spectacular. Shown to the left is the Zen River Room bedroom, draped over the rim of the gorge.

The Eyrie Suite.  Massive round logs compose the bedroom furniture, crafted of native white cedar by a cottage industry in Wisconsin. Snowshoes, antique fur buggy robe, and old school desk bring to this room the mystique of the North Woods. Breathtaking views of the deep gorge below can be seen through several viewing windows, including large ones directly opposite the queen-sized bed. The paintings on the walls are original art of Rebecca Flint, who painted one water color for each of the four seasons at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.  The bathroom is spacious, offering a handcrafted bench and a standup shower. Kitchenette. A second sitting room  offers a couch for reading and a kitchenette for light cooking consisting of a toaster oven, a double burner, microwave, coffee maker with filters and a small refrigerator. The cupboards are stocked with pots and pans, as well as eating and cooking utensils and dishes. Decks: The Eyrie has access to two levels of private  decks at the very rim of the gorge with numerous places to sit and enjoy the sound of the creek singing below, or to possibly catch sight of an osprey silently soaring over the creek at dusk. The Eyrie holds two people  and is designed as a adult retreat facility with an emphasis on quiet and tranquility.

View From Eyrie Bedroom Window and Deck 

Consider bringing bird feed with you and spread it on the banister for your feathered friends.

The Zen River Suite.  The Zen River Suite is the larger of the two suites. It espouses elegant Zen-inspired simplicity within its walls, and dramatic scenery outside its many windows. Large glass windows transform the bedroom and the living room into a tree house, with views of the forest in nearly every direction. The bed is a simple  double futon a few inches off the floor, so as not to block the stunning 270 degree view. The bathroom offers a tub and shower, and the usual amenities. The living room is quite large with bookshelves, couch, and sitting chairs. There is plenty of room to do yoga or meditation on the oak floors. Kitchen. The Zen has a full-sized kitchen with storage cupboards, toaster, gas stovetop and oven, coffee maker with filters, and a full refrigerator. The cupboards are stocked with pots and pans, as well as eating and cooking utensils and dishes. Decks: The Zen has two doors leading out to a large private  deck  with rocking chairs.  The Zen holds one or two people and is designed as a adult retreat facility with an emphasis on quiet and tranquility. The photo to the right is looking into the Zen River bedroom.

Call for this facility's availability or check yourself by clicking here and reading or downloading our reservation file. It is an excel form and is updated immediately after each reservation made.

Other fees to be aware of:  7% sales tax applied

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. 
    
Rates for the Eyrie. 

$70 Nightly Rate (1-2 adults) PLUS one-time fee of $40 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails

$350 Weekly Rate (1-2 adults) PLUS one-time fee of $40 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails
 

Rates for the Zen River Room. 

     $125 Nightly Rate (1-2 adults) PLUS one-time fee of $40 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails

     $550 Weekly Rate (1-2 adults) PLUS one-time fee of $40 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails

Check Availability - an excel chart updated after each reservation

To make a reservation, please click here

Other helpful links:

Visitor's Guide to Area Attractions     Directions