Beechcliff

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 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. Guests are asked to wash their dishes and help maintain the cleanliness of the kitchens for other guests.

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

Fireplace: Please register in advance if you desire to have one or more evening fires. You will need to bring your own matches and newspapers. To help control spread of forest diseases, please do not bring your own firewood or kindling -- we will supply both. An evening's worth of firewood is $20.00.

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.

ATTENTION WORKSHOP LEADERS: BEECHCLIFF can be rented for as little as $25.00/night per single participant before taxes if you stay two or more nights. From May through October there are potentially twelve beds, increased by having access to two screened-in sleeping porches with one bed each. All visitors to Beechcliff must be registered guests. Beds, towels and linens supplied for the number of beds in season. To help our volunteer-assisted housekeeping, guests are respectfully requested to make beds upon arrival, and strip sheets and remake beds upon leaving. Shoes are recommended to be left at the door. We greatly appreciate your help in maintaining this beautiful educational facility for our preserve system visitors.

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 housekeeping fee of $100 up to ten people
$1000 Weekly Rate PLUS one-time housekeeping fee of $100 up to ten people

$240 Nightly Rate PLUS one-time housekeeping fee of $120 up to twelve people, including two outdoor summer sleeping porches
$1200 Weekly Rate PLUS one-time housekeeping fee of $120 up to twelve people, including two outdoor summer sleeping porches