Set on 362 acres in the heart of North Carolina, Chestnut Ridge has been set aside as sacred space for Christian ministry since 1959. Renovations and care over the years has created a beautiful, warm, and inviting destination that continues to witness to Jesus Christ in the world. Chestnut Ridge is open year-round for individuals, families, and non-profit groups for teambuilding, training sessions, seminars, and planning retreats as well as personal getaways. Year-round lodging facilities accommodate up to 108 overnight and 300 or more day guests. Flexible reservation options provide event organizers with meeting space, dining, education, and recreation choices to create a wonderfully memorable experience.

Why take a retreat? Read "Going Deeper by Going Away" by Rev. Kevin Witt.

Thanks to your team for providing [our church] Leadership group with a great retreat. We had a GREAT time – I have heard nothing but praise for the experience.

Please pass along to your team a comment that I heard yesterday from the chairman of our deacons. She said that this retreat was everything that she hoped it would be, and in some ways exceeded her expectations of fun and getting connected to each other. The biggest sign of how effective it was came Sunday morning, when a new deacon was so surrounded by a group of elders and deacons she was talking to that her husband said, 'That retreat sure worked for my wife – she has a bunch of new friends and now I’m the outsider, which is not the way it usually is!'

To Make a Reservation The  Event Reservation Form has all of our pricing information on it, and it is also the form you will fill out and turn in to reserve your retreat space.

Rates & Policies

For a full explanation of our rates and policies, please download the Event Reservation Form.  This form has all of our pricing information on it, and it is also the form you will need to turn in to make your reservation.
Chestnut Ridge is a retreat center and does not offer telephones and TV's in each bedroom. Guests may bring their own linens or use our linen service for an additional fee.  Guests must provide Chestnut Ridge with advance notice of their desire to use this service.

General Retreat Information

Chestnut Ridge is open year-round for retreats and other events.  Whether you prefer sleeping in a tent under the stars, or the warmth of a cozy bed, we have a variety of lodging choices to accommodate any group.  Our heated and air conditioned lodging facilities accommodate up to 108 overnight and 300 day guests. Check out the Chestnut Ridge facilities.

Amenities at Chestnut Ridge include:

• Two medium- and one large-group meeting locations
• Thirteen lodging rooms varying in size from 4 to 12 people each
• Large, covered pavilion with lighting and ceiling fans for sheltered, outdoor activities
• Rustic cabin and tent camp sites with campfire circles, firewood, water, and facilities
• 10-acre lake, marshes, wetlands, and streams
• Outdoor Lake Chapel that seats up to 120

Recreation

Many retreat groups choose to take advantage of the many recreation opportunities available at Chestnut Ridge.  Recreation facilities include:Tournament-grade beach volleyball courts
Softball, horseshoes, basketball, and other field game equipment
Hiking, mountain biking, and jogging trails
Swimming pool with showering/changing facilities*
Trail horseback riding with professional guide services*
Canoeing* and fishing
17-element low-ropes course built and annually inspected to ACCT standards*
8-element high ropes course built and annually inspected to ACCT standards*
530 foot zipline across the lake built and annually inspected to ACCT standards*
Medium- and large-group teambuilding initiative games*
Archery range and instruction*
Tractor driven hayrides*
Tree Climbing on-belay*

*denotes activities led by qualified Chestnut Ridge staff members

Dining

If you've read our mission statement, you know we have large shoes to fill. As part of our striving to practice and embody "responsible care for the earth," we're constantly reviewing which foods we serve, where they come from and how we can do better. In September 2009, we commited to purchasing food free of trans-fats, MSG, artificial colors and flavors, and high fructose corn syrup. We are increasing our use of organic and fair-trade products such as coffee, tea, and bananas. In addition, we are purposefully supporting local farms for products such as vegetables, fruits, milk, whole grains, and meat.

We are proud to be serving real food and supporting local sustainable farms. In so doing we are supporting local farmers and companies with values that are in accord with our own. These farmers and companies care enough to use the best ingredients for our health, the health of communities, and the health of God's very good Earth. We also take advantage of the produce and livestock grown at our very own Community Farm right here at Chestnut Ridge. In 2010, 22% of our food came from local farms and 6% came from our own Community Farm, which are both up from 0% just three years ago! It doesn't get much more local than our own backyard! Our kitchen staff takes these raw ingredients and whips up a dazzling array of made from scratch meals for all of our guests to enjoy.

Chestnut Ridge also has a partnership with Larry's Beans! Larry's is a fair-trade, organic coffee roaster located in Raleigh. Serving fair-trade coffee is another way in which we practice our faithfulness to social justice, compassion, and care for Creation.

Come, taste and see what's cooking in the kitchen at Chestnut Ridge.

Resources for the Retreat Planner

Are you organizing an event? If so, we want to help make your retreat the best, most effective experience possible! Towards that goal, we offer the following:

• Why a retreat? Read this short article, "Going Deeper by Going Away" by Rev. Kevin Witt.
• Come take a tour, see the facilities, and meet us
• Talk to us about your event and hear what we can offer. Contact us to setup an appointment.
• We're happy to offer a short retreat planning document that may provide some useful tips. Discuss your ideas, goals, and dreams with us. Our experienced staff would has a passion for Christian retreats that is sure to enhance your event.
• Here is a"What to Bring" list for you to share with your retreat guests.

Fishing

Considering fishing while you're here? Great! We ask that you please read and abide by our Catch and Release Fishing Guidelines.