Lodging at the Arc of Appalachia
The Arc’s overnight lodges are deeply aesthetic experiences, especially when you step outside the door.
The Arc of Appalachia is dedicated to bringing people and nature back together again by putting guests right at nature’s doorstep. All of the Arc’s lodges are situated at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary in Highland County near Bainbridge, Ohio. The Sanctuary is a 3000-acre nature preserve that protects the deep canyon of the Rocky Fork Gorge. This is a region renowned for its stunning rock formations, rare plants, ancient white cedars, grottos and springs, bird-watching opportunities, and spectacular wildflower displays. Guests can enjoy over 16 miles of nature trails at the Sanctuary, 11 miles of Arc-maintained trails at nearby Fort Hill, as well as many other Arc preserves with splendid hiking trails in the larger region.
You are entering a nature preserve with cliffs and intact natural communities. For your safety and full orientation, it is important to read the Lodging FAQ before making a reservation. Lodge photo galleries can be viewed by clicking “Make a Reservation” next to each listing.
Photo by Ken Schory
Zen River Room Suite
$180.00/night; $945.00 per week; plus, sales & lodging taxes;
Sleeps two, 2-night minimum stay.
Take advantage of our weekday rates; $144/night
Monday - Thursday, June 1 to November 15
Regular rates apply Friday - Sunday
The Zen River Suite is located within the Hermitage lodge, perched on the rim of the bluffs overlooking the breathtaking Rocky Fork Gorge at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. The bed, which sits close to the floor, affords a spectacular view through six floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows on three sides of the bedroom. The suite includes one bedroom with a full bed, a living room, a full bath, and a fully equipped kitchen. Zen is fully private with its own entrance and is located at the remote Hermitage Lodge, within walking distance of the Appalachian Forest Museum and close to trailheads.
Zen is for adult guests only, due to the danger that the deep gorge poses to children. Guests may not wander beyond designated pedestrian walkways.
Photo by Ken Schory
Eyrie Suite
$165.00/night; $866.25 per week; plus sales & lodging taxes;
Sleeps two, 2-night minimum stay
Take advantage of our weekday rates; $132/night
Monday - Thursday, June 1 to November 15
Regular rates apply Friday - Sunday
Eyrie Suite is adjacent to the Zen River Suite at Hermitage Lodge and overlooks Rocky Fork Gorge, offering beautiful views from both the bedroom windows and the private deck with Adirondack chairs. Slightly smaller than Zen, Eyrie includes a living room, kitchenette, one bedroom with a queen bed, and a full bath. The suite is fully private with its own entrance and features handcrafted white cedar furniture and warm North Woods–inspired décor. Located at the remote Hermitage Lodge, Eyrie is close to trailheads and within walking distance of the Appalachian Forest Museum.
Eyrie is for adult guests only, due to the danger that the deep gorge poses to children. Guests must not wander beyond designated pedestrian walkways.
Cave House
$155.00/night; $815.00 per week; plus sales & lodging taxes;
Sleeps up to 5, 2-night minimum stay
Take advantage of our weekday rates; $124/night
Monday - Thursday, June 1 to November 15
Regular rates apply Friday - Sunday
Cave House is a 1920s cabin that once served as the manager’s house for the historic cave park known as 7 Caves. Before it became part of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. The cabin is tucked into a rocky hillside high above Cave Road and the Rocky Fork Gorge, located directly across the road from the Appalachian Forest Museum at the preserve’s main entrance and parking lot. The facility sleeps five at full capacity. Cave House has three bedrooms: one with a queen-size bed, one with a full, and one with a twin. Its large, fully equipped kitchen has a full-size refrigerator, stove, microwave, utensils, dishware, and cookware. The large kitchen/dining room has two walls of windows that give guests an unparalleled panorama of scenic Cave Road.
Photo by Ken Schory
Leatherwood Cabin
$150.00/night; $787.50 per week; plus sales & lodging taxes;
Sleeps four, 2-night minimum stay
Take advantage of our weekday rates; $120/night
Monday - Thursday, June 1 to November 15
Regular rates apply Friday - Sunday
Leatherwood Cabin is a small historic bungalow on Cave Road in the heart of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, perched on a 40-foot bluff overlooking Rocky Fork Creek. The cabin features two bedrooms, a queen bed in the main bedroom with deck access, and a second bedroom with a double bed, and is a half-mile walk to the Appalachian Forest Museum and nearby trails during office hours.
Leatherwood is closer to the road than other lodges and sits within a small rural community; occasional residential sounds such as dogs or lawn equipment may be heard.
Cabin at Walworth Pond
$145.00/night; plus sales & lodging taxes;
sleeps up to 2, 2-night minimum stay
Take advantage of our weekday rates; $116/night
Monday - Thursday, June 1 to November 15
Regular rates apply Friday - Sunday
Walworth Pond Cabin is a historic woodland retreat situated on 11 acres generously donated to the Arc of Appalachia by the Walworth family. The cabin lies between Highlands Nature Sanctuary and Fort Hill, in a quiet rural neighborhood only a few miles south of the Sanctuary’s Ravenwood Lodge. The cabin offers a quiet escape surrounded by beautiful woodlands and a small pond. The cabin has one bedroom that sleeps two guests with a queen-sized bed. A daybed with a trundle bed is available in the living room if needed.
Photo by Roy Willman
Spring House at Whispering Springs
$160.00/night; $840.00 per week; plus, sales & lodging taxes;
sleeps 4, 2-night minimum stay
Spring House Lodge is a modern, one-story home featuring framed photographic and graphic art throughout. The lodge includes two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and private bath, and a second queen bedroom, along with a spacious living room, dining area, and fully equipped kitchen. Narrow front porches offer a peaceful spot to enjoy birdsong and summer insect choruses.
Ideal for couples or small families (up to four), Spring House is located on Cave Road near the Barretts’ Rim and Roundtop Trailheads at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.
Photo by Ken Schory
Beechcliff Retreat Center
$360.00/night; $1890.00.00 per week; plus, sales & lodging taxes;
Sleeps up to 10, 2-night minimum stay
Beechcliff Lodge is a historic 1912 hunting lodge converted into a group retreat center at the Arc of Appalachia. Built in 1912, it served three generations of the Waddell family before being generously donated to the Sanctuary. The lodge features five bedrooms with two single beds each. It has a fully equipped kitchen, a large dining room, and a screened porch overlooking Rocky Fork Creek. Shared bathrooms include eco-friendly, waterless composting toilets and two shower stalls.
Photo by Ken Schory
Ravenwood Retreat Center -Full Lodge or First Floor
Full lodge $360.00/night; $1890.00 per week; plus, sales & lodging taxes;
First Floor $280.00/night; $1470.00 per week; plus, sales & lodging taxes;
2-night minimum stay
Ravenwood is a historic millhouse that overlooks the Rocky Fork Gorge on OH-753 on the west side of the Sanctuary. It has been fully remodeled into a beautiful light-filled group lodge with five bedrooms and a capacity to hold 10 people. It is an excellent space for group retreats. It has 3 bedrooms downstairs and 2 bedrooms upstairs. Two of the downstairs bedrooms have 2 single beds in each of them, and 1 has a full. One of the upstairs bedrooms has a queen, and the other has 2 single beds.
The first floor of the lodge can be rented by individuals, couples, or groups of up to six, or the entire lodge can be rented to accommodate up to 10 people.
Take advantage of our weekday rates; $220/night
Monday - Thursday, June 1 to November 15
Regular rates apply Friday - Sunday
FIRST FLOOR ONLY
Photo by Ken Schory
Barrett’s Millhouse - Full House or First Floor
Full House - $540.00/night; $2835.00 per week; plus, sales & lodging taxes;
First Floor - $260.00/night; $1365.00 per week, plus, sales & lodging taxes;
2-night minimum stay
Take advantage of our weekday rates; $208/night
Monday - Thursday, June 1 to November 15
Regular rates apply Friday - Sunday
FIRST FLOOR ONLY
Barrett’s Millhouse is a fully remodeled turn-of-the-century lodge with six bedrooms. This historic farmhouse has been recently restored to the handsome, utilitarian ambiance of a 1876-1910 residence. Every room has been carefully appointed with antiques. This is a singular opportunity not just to tour an old home, but to live in a fully restored 1876 farm home inside a 3100-acre protected nature preserve. The lodge has six bedrooms and can sleep up to 12 people at full capacity, or up to 4 if only the first floor is rented. Barrett’s Millhouse has a spacious living room, dining area, and full kitchen. Located just down the road from two spectacular hiking trails, Barrett’s Rim and Roundtop.
The first floor of the lodge can be rented by individuals, couples, or groups of up to four, or the entire lodge can be rented to accommodate up to 12 people.