Chestnut Lodge at Big Lick Retreat offers excellent mountain views, and is perfect for a low key getaway. Enjoy exclusive access to Lake Moomaw for swimming and watersports, and over 40 miles of private trailways for hiking and mountain biking. Chestnut Lodge is the perfect unplugged retreat, and is without wifi or television-- enjoy your time on the lake and in the woods, and retire to the lodge to enjoy the stars at night from the porch or the crackle of a warm fire in the fireplace.

The space
Nestled on nearly 2900 mountain acres with private access to Lake Moomaw and surrounded by the George Washington National Forest, Big Lick Retreat is the perfect outdoor getaway!

Guests of Big Lick Retreat enjoy exclusive access to Lake Moomaw for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, water skiing and power boating.

Lake Moomaw’s 2530 acres are home to an amazing variety of game fish species. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, stocked trout (brown, rainbow, and brook), crappie, bluegill, pickerel, channel catfish, and yellow perch all reside in Lake Moomaw. Surrounded by the Gathright Wildlife Management Area, its 43 miles of shoreline are undeveloped.

The Bolar Flat Marina is nearby and is open year-round (fee applies). Boats must be less than 26 feet long. If you bring a boat, it can be kept overnight at Big Lick Retreat’s private dock. Gas, limited groceries and camping items, boat and boat slip rentals, ice, bait, fishing tackle, trailer parking and storage, and battery charging are available at the Bolar Flat camp store and marina.

Enjoy over 40 miles of private trailways for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Surrounded by national forest land, you will enjoy your own private wilderness! In order to preserve the natural qualities of Big Lick Retreat, motorized vehicles are not permitted on trails.

Wildlife abounds! Big Lick Retreat is the perfect location to observe turkey, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, black bears, and much more.

Also on the property you’ll find a large private pond, stocked with bass and sunfish.

Guest access
Chestnut Lodge and Big Lick Retreat are yours to enjoy! We will always be available to answer questions or help as needed via email, text, or phone.

Other things to note
We work hard to ensure the health of the wildlife at Big Lick Retreat, including the American Black Bear. We hope you have a chance to experience as much (or as little) of the local fauna as you like during your reservation with us. To ensure their health and your safety, please do NOT leave trash outside the lodge and ensure that the grill has been cleaned of all food before retiring from the porches/deck. During hunting season, Big Lick Retreat and the surrounding national forests are hunted. While guests have access to our lakefront, private dock, and lodge, the trailways are unavailable for use for safety reasons.