This Rural Virginia Resort Is a Luxurious Spin on a Basic Summer time Camp — With Log Cabins, Wooden-fired Saunas, and Dwelling-cooked Meals

Bathtub County, Virginia, is undeniably removed from nearly all over the place. Situated in a quiet nook of the Allegheny Mountains, west of Shenandoah Nationwide Park, the county claims simply 4,000 residents and a landmass that’s 89 % coated by forests. It’s house to a naturally occurring mineral heat spring, the cleanest river within the state, small artwork galleries, charming cafes, an natural cidery, and most significantly, a rural resort that makes you’re feeling that you just can go house once more — if house is your reminiscence of summer time camp.

Unfold throughout 3,300 acres of a working cattle farm and the Cowpasture riverfront, Fort Lewis Lodge may be Virginia’s best-kept secret. A family-run resort for over 35 years, the lodge is a nostalgic, luxurious spin on a traditional summer time camp. And like all summer time camps, it’s solely open for a number of months of the yr.

The Might-to-November season is basically overseen by the third-generation millennial house owners and farmers, David and Erin Cowden.

Throughout COVID lockdowns, the Cowdens infused new life into the property, including two new luxurious cottages, full with wood-burning fireplaces, waterfall showers, and rocking chair porches with sweeping views of the encircling pastures and mountains. Right this moment, these cabins are the lodge’s most sought-after locations to put one’s head.

Different lodging choices embody snug historic log cabins, rooms in a restored gristmill and silo, in addition to full farmhouse leases.

The preserved pure great thing about the land — its forests, fields, mountains, and streams — is all within the arms of friends and the lodge is ready as much as be very a lot a rural choose-your-own journey. Right here it’s camp with out supervision and meaning kayaking, canoeing, and tubing down a stretch of the Cowpasture River so serene you’re unlikely to see one other soul, climbing within the woods, making an attempt your fly fishing solid on the trout-rich river, sweating throughout an instructor-led yoga or health class, or, the best choice, transferring between the wood-fired sauna and swims within the river. 

Though extra fashionable farmhouse than bunkbed rustic, it’s straightforward to really feel as sentimental about Fort Lewis Lodge as you do about your childhood summer time camp due to the truth that the times start and finish with a gong signaling breakfast and dinner. Each meals, that are included in every keep, are home-cooked and have farm-to-table menus whipped up by the Cowden household matriarch and served buffet model to the 50 or so friends.

Like essentially the most memorable nights of summer time camp, the most effective days at Fort Lewis Lodge stretch far into the evening and are dotted with s’mores, nation rambles, and star gazing. (The latter is greatest finished on the lodge’s star-viewing platform within the woods.) That is summer time camp with out bedtimes, however it gives the look that if a visitor had been to prepare a rousing recreation of colour wars, there could be no drawback discovering members.

You’ll be able to study extra or e book your keep at Fort Lewis Lodge at fortlewislodge.com.