Wildberry Lodge is truly the result of love for the area, passion for innkeeping and construction of what we consider the perfect luxuriously rustic buildings to become a beautiful and beloved vacation getaway in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains. The inn’s accommodations consist of both the main building, which contains four rooms and one suite, and “The Cabin at Wildberry,” which houses two vacation rental suites. While staying at the lodge, guests are welcome to make use of all common spaces, both indoor and outdoor.
We are located on the mountainside, which give us a fabulous view of the valley and mountains, but which requires a 1/4 mile drive uphill on our gravel drive. Four-wheel drive is not required, but we do suggest that you not stop for pictures on the way up the drive – it is much better to get them on your way down. Note: Our driveway is not recommended for motorcycles.
The Lodge
Trail, Fire Pit and Forest Retreat
Our Forest Retreat features two decks with comfy seating and a stone fire pit with stone-slab benches. A short lighted pathway leads from the Lodge to the Fire Pit. Good conversation and s’mores await you!
Our guests asked for hiking trails, and now we have 5 miles of them open! Hike from the Lodge to the ridge and return via a loop around one side of the property or venture over the ridge to see what wildlife is on the other side. Be sure to bring your hiking shoes!
The Great Room
The Great Room is the focal point of the lodge. The 32-foot high fireplace consists of hand-placed Doggett Mountain stone and hides quite a few treasures – see how many you can find…
The Loft
The Loft area is a gathering place for all guests. Here you’ll find cold drinks, snacks, satellite television, DVD, and CD players. The Loft overlooks the Great Room and has a view of the 3-story fireplace.
The Game Room
The Game Room, an additional guest gathering place, has a beautiful handcrafted table top shuffleboard, a pool table, board games and TV for those rainy days, or unwinding at the end of the day. There is also an infrared sauna that soothes muscles after a day of hiking.
Tipi and Spa Retreat
Unfortunately the weather has removed our Tipi – we plan to have another in 2023. The Spa deck has a sunken seven-person Jacuzzi Spa with double water fall and views of the mountains. Get ready to relax!
Green Practices at Wildberry Lodge
Our environment is our life-blood, and we would like to share our efforts to help preserve it.
Water: We provide reusable (BPA-free) sports bottles instead of bottled water, and our 700-foot rock well has the best drinking water you can imagine – and it also makes the best coffee!
Log construction: We wanted to take advantage of sustainable and energy-efficient building materials when constructing Wildberry Lodge. The main component of all our buildings is logs, a construction material which is fully renewable and recyclable, and has a lower carbon footprint than any other building material. In addition, the logs provide thermal mass. Thermal mass refers to the property of a material to store and delay the transfer of heat, and is what makes log homes exceptionally energy efficient.
Lodge History
Situated on 45 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, this mountain lodge sits at 2700 feet in elevation, and is just minutes from downtown Asheville, NC and the Biltmore Estate.
Construction on Wildberry Lodge began in late 1999 and was completed in early 2002. The main building was constructed out of red pine logs, handcrafted and assembled by Maple Island Log Homes. During construction, innkeepers Ken and Glenda worked diligently to stain and chink (filling between) the logs. The lines of chinking that had to be filled are estimated at three miles in length!
Decorating the Lodge was the fun part of the innkeepers’ dream. The decor is rustic but sophisticated and luxurious yet casual – you can really relax without “roughing it.” Throughout the buildings, you’ll find eclectic artifacts from all over the world, along with original local art (paintings, pottery, brooms, fabric, etc.) that you can experience – some pieces are also for sale.
The Lodge opened in May of 2002 with 3 guestrooms. One additional room and the Blackberry suite were added in 2003.
The second building, “The Cabin at Wildberry,” was completed in 2009 and houses two suites. The top-floor suite is the Honeymoon Suite, the most luxurious accommodation at the inn with a spa bathroom that cannot be beat. The decor is in the same spirit as the main lodge: luxurious, but not formal.
The first floor of the cabin houses the Wineberry Suite, which was opened in October, 2012. This suite features a private bedroom among other amenities.
The Forest Retreat with its two decks and stone fire pit with stone-slab benches was completed in July, 2011. You’ll find this outdoor gem a short walk from the lodge on a lighted pathway.
The Jacuzzi hot tub and Tipi relaxation deck was completed on April 30, 2014. Located at the foot of the fire pit trail, this new area will provide much-needed “R&R” for our guests, whether they are weary hikers, urban escapees or simply looking for a great way to relax! The hot tub has a great view of the mountains and valley.
The innkeepers at Wildberry Lodge continually strive to expand and improve the property, taking note of guest suggestions and requests. You never know what new details you’ll find each time you visit!
