Stay with us
A Sacred Space to Retreat, Reflect, Renew, and Serve
Experience Hinton Hospitality
Make Hinton your Appalachian destination for retreats, vacations, events, corporate gatherings, mission trips, and more. Whether you’re looking for overnight accommodations or seeking facilities for corporate, family, or church events, Hinton Rural Life Center has something for you. In addition to a variety of lodging options, there are multiple conference and dining rooms, a serene setting for reunions, weddings and receptions, Market & Gift Shop, trails, WiFi service, boat/swim dock, indoor and outdoor worship spaces, a labyrinth and memory garden, and a rocking chair porch overlooking beautiful Lake Chatuge.
One of the best things about staying at Hinton is your opportunity to pay it forward. In addition to offering place and space to retreat and renew, Hinton is also a mission outreach agency that serves our local rural Appalachian community. The revenue generated through our lodging and conference center helps fund our Safe and Healthy Home repair program, firewood ministry, poverty awareness activities, local leadership development, Christmas Care for children, and mental health first aid training — all programs that focus on impacting and improving long-term quality of life in our region.
For more details, to check rates and availability, to make reservations, and/or to learn about our Policies, Procedures, & Guidelines, email info@hintoncenter.org or call 828-389-8336. We look forward to serving you and extending Hinton hospitality!
LODGING
Hinton Rural Life Center has a variety of accommodations in our wooded, mountain setting: retreat houses for families and small groups; Hermitage cabins and apartments for individuals and couples; large group retreat houses; and rooms in our Lodge. All have heating and air conditioning. Our accommodation options are pictured below, with descriptions, rate ranges, and links to floor plans. Nightly rate ranges are given; weekly rates are available on request. Rates also vary by season. (Rates provided are valid through 2024; contact us for 2025 rates and availability.) In addition, we have 9 RV sites, available in 30 and 50 AMP.
There is campus-wide Wi-Fi and cell phone service. For availability and rates, more details, and reservations, email info@hintoncenter.org or call 828-389-8336. Meals in our Lodge Dining Room can be arranged for groups of 10 or more. For individuals and smaller groups, please call or email for availability and pricing of meals during your stay.
Joe Ervin Retreat House
Price: $690-$835/night
There are 9 bedrooms (each with own bathroom), full kitchen, dining area, living room area, and meeting space. On the lower level, there are two apartments, each with 1 bedroom/1 bathroom, kitchen, and living area. There is also a laundry room. Click HERE for floor plan.
Nadine P. Johnson Retreat House
Price: $690-$835/night
There are 15 bedrooms (each with own bathroom), full kitchen, dining area, living room area, and meeting space. There is also a laundry room on the lower level. Click HERE for floor plan.
Hinton Lodge
Price: $70-$90/night
There are 16 rooms (each with own bathroom) located in our Lodge, including a handicap-accessible room. These rooms offer a variety of sleeping options, such as twin/bunk beds, king, queen, and double, accommodating up to 81 persons. Click HERE for floor plan.
Sells Cottage
Price: $205-$320/night
There are 4 bedrooms (each with own bathroom), including a master bedroom with king, bedroom with queen, and 2 rooms with a bunk bed and twin. There is a kitchen, plus dining and living room areas, with laundry room on the lower level. Accommodates up to 10 persons. Click HERE for floor plan.
Bideaux Hermitage Cabin
Price: $75-$100/night
A quiet place apart in a wooded setting, this Hermitage cabin provides a space for solitude, reflection, prayer, and meditation for personal renewal. Located near the trailhead for the Vista Trail, with access to the Creekside and Vista Loop trails and Vista Garden. The cabin offers one room with double bed and kitchenette, plus bathroom.
Carter Hermitage Cabin
Price: $75-$100/night
A quiet place apart in a wooded setting, this Hermitage cabin provides a space for solitude, reflection, prayer, and meditation for personal renewal. Located near the trailhead for the Vista Trail, with access to the Creekside and Vista Loop trails and Vista Garden. The cabin offers one room with double bed and kitchenette, plus bathroom.
Ingram Hermitage Cabin
Price: $75-$100/night
A quiet place apart in a wooded setting, this Hermitage cabin provides a space for solitude, reflection, prayer, and meditation for personal renewal. Located near the trailhead for the Vista Trail, with access to the Creekside and Vista Loop trails and Vista Garden. The cabin offers one room with double bed and kitchenette, plus bathroom.
Pinkston Hermitage Cabin
Price: $75-$100/night
This mobility accessible cabin is located in a woodsy setting within walking distance to the Labyrinth Trail and to the trailhead for the Vista Trail, with access to the Creekside and Vista Loop trails and Vista Garden. It is also across from the Young Commons Building. The Pinkston Hermitage Cabin offers one room with a queen bed, kitchenette, and bathroom with shower.
Patterson Cottage
Price: $175-$230/night
There are 5 bedrooms (each with own bathroom) with bunk beds or twin beds, full kitchen, and dining and living room areas. Accommodates up to 20 persons.
Click HERE for floor plan.
Catamount Cottage
Price: $90-$215/night
The Catamount Cottage upper level has 2 bedrooms (each with a double bed and a twin bed), one bathroom, full kitchen, dining and living areas, and screened porch. Accommodates up to 6 people. The lower level has 1 bedroom (with bathroom), kitchen, dining and living areas, and screened in porch. Accommodates up to 3 people. Also has a laundry room.
Gentry Apartment A
Price: $110-$145/night
Located in the lower level of the Gentry Administration Building, this apartment features two bedrooms, one bathroom, full kitchen, and dining and living room areas. Accommodates up to 7 people.
Parking and access to the apartment is behind the Gentry Building.
Gentry Apartment B
$75 – $100/night
Located in the lower level of the Gentry Administration Building, this apartment features one bedroom, one bathroom, full kitchen, and dining and living room areas. Accommodates up to 2 people.
Parking and access to the apartment is behind the Gentry Building.
AMENITIES
Hinton Rural Life Center offers the amenities below at no charge for up to three hours. A photo ID or credit card may be held to check out equipment.
- Balls: Basketball, football, foursquare
- Basketball goals: main parking lot and Nadine Johnson Retreat House
- Horseshoes
- Board Games, Puzzles (which may be checked out for your entire stay)
- Cornhole board and bags
- Boats & Equipment (kayak or canoe, life vests and paddles)
- Disc Golf Course (2 discs available)
We can also provide:
- Campfire skewers for fire pits on our campus
- Walking sticks for our trails and gardens
For those who want to walk, hike, run, reflect, or just take in scenic views:
- Labyrinth (brochure available)
- Ervin Sanctuary Trails & Gardens — includes our Vista Trail up the hillside to the Vista Garden
- Running or walking on Hinton Center Road? It’s about 4.6 miles from Hinton to Highway 64 and back. Be safe; run/walk against the traffic.
- Lodge Porch rocking chairs
- Lakeside Pavilion and dock
For more ideas and information, please visit our Guest Services in the Welcome Center or call them at 828-389-8336 or 828-389-2892 after hours or weekends for assistance.
JOE ERVIN SANCTUARY TRAILS & GARDENS
Located on 30 wooded acres spanning from lakeshore to mountain vista, Hinton Rural Life Center is a gathering place for out-of-town guests as well as community residents. The natural setting, views, and opportunities to encounter and experience them on our campus enable Hinton to truly be a place to retreat, reflect, and renew. Since 2020, Hinton has focused on increasing and enhancing its offering of places and spaces for renewal of mind, body, and soul with the development of the Ervin Sanctuary Trails & Gardens that, when completed, will offer multiple trails across campus that lead to a variety of garden settings for personal enjoyment, reflection, prayer, and meditation. The project was inspired and guided by Hinton’s work with Terry Hershey, author, humorist, inspirational speaker, ordained minister, and landscape architect, whose books include The Power of Pause, Soul Gardening, and Sanctuary. Hershey provided guidance on the trail and garden designs and installation and led two Life in the Garden retreats, in which participants helped with garden design and installation. Hinton’s Sanctuary Trails & Gardens reflect Hershey’s encouragement to be mindful and savor life, with intentional time in nature as a way to do this.
Current trails include the Vista Trail, Vista Loop, Creekside Trail, and Labyrinth Trail. Gardens include the Swing Garden, Hope Terrace Garden, Labyrinth, Memory Garden, and Vista Garden. Ongoing development and installation of new trails and gardens is planned. These projects help us expand opportunities for guests and local residents to learn about and engage in habits that promote good mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Hinton is grateful for the family of Reverend Joe Lane Ervin, who provided the initial funding for the Ervin Sanctuary Trails & Gardens in loving memory of him. Passionate about the mission of Hinton Center, Joe is credited with more than doubling Hinton’s facilities, leading buiding teams and personally helping complete numerous campus projects over two decades. In addition to Joe’s love for ministry construction projects, he loved the outdoors and being in nature. His family believes the purpose of the Sanctuary Trails & Gardens – to encourage and promote spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional wellness, peace, and joy – would be especially meaningful to him and a testament to his life and ministry. (If you would like to contribute to the continued work on the Ervine Sanctuary Trails & Gardens, contact Rev. Karen Kluever at karen@hintoncenter.org.)
LOCAL EATERIES
From tavern fare to fine dining, you’ll have lots to choose from in the Clay-Cherokee-Towns counties area. Treat yourself to ice cream, gourmet donuts, delicious baked goods, espresso, and more. The area also features breweries and wineries.
Click on the link below for a detailed list of area eateries!
Chinquapins Ice Cream & Soda Bar on the Square in historic Hayesville is a great place to stop for ice cream, coffee drinks, and gift shop items.
AREA ACTIVITIES
Whether you like jet skiing, antique shopping, fishing, hiking, watching the sun set behind the mountains, farm tours, garden strolls, concerts, plays, festivals, whitewater rafting, or just soaking in scenic views, there is something for you to enjoy in the Appalachian-Lake Chatuge area.
Click on the link for a list of options and resources. Note that some may require advance reservations. Individuals and groups staying at Hinton are responsible for making their own arrangements for activities. Call or check online to confirm days and hours of operation.
For more ideas, visit the Chamber of Commerce websites for Clay and Cherokee counties in NC and Towns County, GA. The primary towns are Hayesville (Clay County), Murphy (Cherokee County), and Young Harris and Hiawassee (Towns County).
Clay County: www.claychambernc.com/
Cherokee County: http://www.cherokeecountychamber.com
Towns County: http://www.mountaintopga.com/
Enjoy this 2022 video by Clay County Communities Revitalization Association: Best of Hayesville & Clay County.
