Wildacres Retreat

Nonprofit groups with their own program only. See the group rules below.

Worth knowing

• Eligibility is narrow: only nonprofit groups running their own educational program, such as staff or board retreats, workshops or arts programs.
• 56 double rooms with private baths and three included family-style meals a day.
• Linens, blankets and towels are supplied, but rooms have no TVs, phones, toiletries or hair dryers.
• The auditorium seats 165 and several smaller studios suit workshop groups.

What the operator states

Sleeps

Page says Wildacres can accommodate up to 120 guests. North and South Lodge together hold 56 dual-occupancy bedrooms, each with a private bathroom and two guests (56 x 2 = 112).

Bedrooms

56

Bathrooms

56

Meals and dining

Three family-style meals a day, included with the stay: breakfast 8:00, lunch 12:30, dinner 6:00 (6:30 on check-in day), salad bar at lunch and dinner. Vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free diets accommodated; gluten-free to a degree. The kitchen serves no pork or shellfish and uses no MSG.

Meeting space

Lodge meeting rooms 20-60 depending on whether both are used; Auditorium 165 seats; Studio 20-40; Lapidary Studio has four classrooms of 8-12; Pottery Studio 16-18.

Outdoors

About 1,200 acres atop Pompey's Knob at 3,300 feet near the Blue Ridge Parkway; hiking trails for guests.

Pets

Personal pets, emotional support animals and therapy animals are not permitted; trained service dogs welcome with notice and documentation.

Alcohol

Not sold on site; guests may bring their own.

Group rules

Wildacres takes group reservations only, and only from nonprofit organizations that bring their own educational program. Bookings are made year to year, and returning groups get first choice. Retreats usually run from the evening meal on arrival day through breakfast on the last day. Rooms have no TVs, phones or keys; no guest laundry; no smoking indoors. Check-in 4 PM; check-out 9:30 AM, with groups leaving by noon.

Ask before you book

Built from what the operator's page left open when we checked.

1. Is your stated capacity the permitted occupancy, or a count of every bed and sofa?
2. Is there a kitchen your group can use, and how many people can it feed at once?
3. Can a church bus or coach reach the building, and how many cars fit?
4. Which rooms and bathrooms work for a wheelchair or walker?
5. What is the minimum stay?
6. What is the full price, with cleaning fees and taxes?

Copy these questions

Also read what "sleeps 30" really means and the full question list.

Where this came from