Welcome to the Yew Mountain Center (YMC) located on a secluded 500-acre Botanical Sanctuary. Campsite w/firepit & bathhouse; shared lodge areas include Starlink Internet, a kitchenette, and great room access. Enjoy ponds, trails, forest farm & events. Pet-friendly. 20 miles to Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. The Monongahela National Forest surrounds YMC, near Beartown State Park, Droop Mountain Battlefield & Watoga State Park. YMC awaits you in Pocahontas County, Nature’s Mountain Playground!
The space
Your campsite with Lodge access will be located on the east side of the YMC pond.
It is a flat area with enough room for a large tent. The ground is covered in grass and a bit of moss for natural padding.
There is a fire ring available for your use at your campsite.
The bathhouse includes two full bathrooms, each with its own separate outside entrance.
Access to a water spigot and picnic tables.
The two outside entrance bathrooms are located on the pond side of the lodge by the sauna.
Additional Addon Amenities - Tent and/or Air Mattress (not guaranteed available)
Please keep in mind that camping may not be advisable in freezing temperatures. Please plan accordingly and within your own comfort and abilities.
The Yew Mountain Center, a naturalist's haven, welcomes students, researchers, and artists. This community-created learning center offers a serene natural setting, ideal for solo or group retreats seeking a wilderness experience, meeting space, field research lab, or an immersive introduction to the natural sciences.
Guest access
Guests also enjoy access to welcoming shared spaces throughout the property:
Wander wide forest trails with interpretive signage, explore the forest farm, and discover five peaceful ponds, including one with a dock. Gather in the Great Room to read, play music or board games, or relax by the large stone fireplace with mountain views.
A shared dining room and kitchenette offer a mini fridge, microwave, toaster, toaster oven, and single-burner stove for simple meals and snacks. For extra relaxation, enjoy the outdoor sauna (optional) with access to two shared full outdoor bathrooms nearby.
Beyond Airbnb, our nonprofit hosts occasional events that invite guests to connect and enjoy our shared community spaces.
Your stay directly supports nature-based learning programs for local youth and helps conserve this land for generations to come through our fundraising efforts to purchase the property.
Other things to note
Agritourism & Nature Experiences
Staying with us means access to a rich lineup of seasonal, on-site events rooted in Appalachian ecology, foodways, and land stewardship. Guests are welcome to join guided forest walks, hands-on workshops, and community gatherings that connect people more deeply to the land.
Highlights throughout the year include Winter Tree Walks, Mountain State Maple Days with free tours of our educational maple operation, and our popular Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop (often sells out). Spring celebrates the forest in bloom with Wildflowers & Ramps, Wild Edibles Walk, and WV Forest Farming Field Day, exploring medicinal herbs, mushrooms, maple syrup, and regenerative income opportunities.
Summer features immersive weekends like Mountain Medicine Weekend and Mushroom Weekend, offering foraging, plant medicine preparation, arts, and education for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike. As fall approaches, guests can join a Native Seed Collection Walk, gathering seeds to support forest restoration and take home for personal forest gardens.
The property borders a Class 1 “Excellent” Dark Sky area, making it ideal for exceptional stargazing—some of the best in the region. Events vary by season and availability, and some require advance registration. See all our rentals, including camping and full lodge rentals at www.airbnb.com/p/YewMountainRetreats
Nearby Attractions:
• Beartown State Park
• Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
• Watoga State Park & CCC Museum
• Peal Buck Birthplace
• Greenbrier River Trail
• Seneca Trail
• Falls of Hills Creek
• Cranberry Mountain Nature Center
• Cranberry Glades Botanical Area
• Cranberry Wilderness
• Highland Scenic Highway
• Pocahontas County Opera House
• Snowshoe Mountain Resort
• Silver Creek Ski & Tubing Area
As part of our mission as a botanical sanctuary, we value every animal as a vital part of the ecosystem and recognize their crucial roles. Please be advised that ladybugs, seeking their ideal habitat, may occasionally be found near your room windows.
The sauna is available for a $10 fee that goes to help support our non-profit's mission and goals.
The Yew Mountain Center is accessible by a paved, well-maintained county road. It is a winding, narrow road, so we suggest traveling slowly and enjoying the scenery. However, during winter months, road conditions may necessitate a four-wheel drive or tire chains, as we are 3 miles off the main road and cannot guarantee clear snow or ice.
Stay on Lobelia Rd regardless of your direction until you reach Seneca Trail (US 219).
Please keep in mind that camping may not be advisable in freezing temperatures. Please plan accordingly and within your own comfort and abilities.ur nature to listen. It's in our nature to share. It's in our nature to tend. It's in the nature of Yew!
