Opening To Life Retreat Accomodations & Food at:
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
Perched on a dramatic granite outcropping high above the Nantahala National Forest, this ecologically conscious retreat center offers breathtaking mountain views and a deeply peaceful setting. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains at 4,200 feet on the Eastern Continental Divide, the center is dedicated to environmental stewardship, meaningful connection, and time in nature.
An on-site organic farm, Many Hands Peace Farm, supports the center’s sustainability efforts by growing vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, and flowers for the kitchen using regenerative, chemical-free practices.
With comfortable lodging, nourishing meals, and gathering spaces designed to support reflection and community, the retreat center provides an inspiring environment to slow down, reconnect, and be immersed in the natural world.
Meals
Meals are designed to feel light, wholesome, and supportive of rest and renewal. Whenever possible, ingredients come from the retreat center’s on-site regenerative farm and nearby local growers, with a focus on seasonal, high-quality foods prepared with care. The result is vibrant, balanced meals that sustain your energy without feeling heavy.
Accomodation Option 1:
The Lodge
Guests staying in the Lodge enjoy comfortable, more private accommodations nestled in the heart of the retreat center. Rooms can be reserved for single occupancy or shared with one or two other participants, depending on your preference. Each room includes a private bathroom, shower, bedside table, lamps, and ample storage space. Many rooms also offer a desk and chair — a cozy spot for journaling or quiet reflection.
Lodge rooms are located in the same building as the Great Room gathering space, with its vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace, and deck overlooking the Nantahala National Forest. Linens and towels are provided, and each room has its own thermostat so you can adjust the temperature for your comfort.
These rooms offer a restful balance of privacy, simplicity, and easy access to the retreat’s main gathering spaces.
Accomodation Option 2:
Cabins
The Cabins offer cozy, nature-immersed lodging nestled along a quiet looped mountain road, each with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Just a short walk from the main gathering spaces, these cabins provide a peaceful balance of connection and privacy.
Each cabin has its own private bathroom with shower, sink, and vanity area. Rooms can be reserved for single occupancy or shared, depending on your preference. Inside, you’ll find a desk, chair, bedside table, lamp, and ample storage so you can settle in comfortably.
Every cabin features a front deck — a lovely spot to take in the fresh mountain air and morning light. Each room also has its own thermostat for personalized comfort, and linens and towels are provided.
These cabins offer a simple, quiet, and grounding place to rest, with mountain views right outside your door.
Retreat Spaces:
The Treehouse
Our yoga, movement, and evening sound practices are held in The Treehouse — a cozy, welcoming space with high ceilings, wooden beams, and warm hardwood floors. Filled with natural light and surrounded by forest views, it feels both open and intimate, offering plenty of room to stretch out, breathe deeply, and settle in. It’s a comfortable place to gather, move, rest, and simply be.
Retreat Spaces:
The Great Room
The Great Room is a warm and welcoming gathering space where many of our circles, reflections, and evening fireside moments will take place. With vaulted ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and a hand-crafted stone fireplace, the room feels both spacious and cozy — an inviting place to settle in, share, and connect on cool mountain evenings.
Just outside, the adjoining deck overlooks the rolling Nantahala National Forest, offering sweeping mountain views and fresh, open air. This is a beautiful space for your quiet time: greeting the rising sun, breathing deeply, and letting the beauty of the landscape gently ease you into the day.
Nature Spaces
The land itself is part of the retreat experience. Winding nature & hiking trails invite quiet walks beneath the trees, offering space to move at an unhurried pace and take in the sights, sounds, and fresh mountain air. Expansive views stretch across the surrounding mountains, creating moments of awe and perspective throughout your stay.
We’ll also gather in the outdoor fire circle for a special release ceremony, where the warmth of the fire and the open sky create a meaningful space for reflection and letting go. Time near the lake offers another peaceful place to pause, breathe, and simply be with the beauty of the natural world all around you.
