Nw Pennsylvania - Well-Appointed Large Rustic Lodge
- Minimum stay:Contact owner
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
A delightful and authentic visit to the Pennsylvania Wilds! The secluded large rustic lodge consists of two side by side wings (buildings) connected by a deck walkway. Each wing has three levels. There are 28 rooms in all, each having lovely views of the surrounding forest. Multiple living room areas accommodate comfortable reading and relaxation spaces as well as venues for crafts, cards, board games and group exchanges. Libraries invite browsing. Expansive decks at the second level of each wing encourage similar activities outside.
There is a fully-equipped large kitchen with an adjacent large dining area; a kitchenette is also available for additional food preparation. Many cooks can comfortably work together without concern for “spoiling the broth.” (Guests are, of course, responsible for their own food. Recommendations for catering services and local restaurants will be available. (It should be noted, however, that restaurants and grocery stores are at least nine miles away.)
Although the lodge is rustic it is well-appointed with comfort features such as hot water baseboard heat fueled by natural gas from wells on the property. Some floors are oak hardwood; others are carpeted. Creative touches introduced by the owner-builder throughout the buildings surprise and delight guests.
A large barn (unheated) is available for indoor activities such as active game playing, dancing, dramatic performances, presentations to groups, yoga, tai chi, or whatever activity requires a large open space. The barn, like the lodge, has large decks for enjoying the woodland landscape.
There is a pond on the property and trails for walking through the 150 acres of fields and forests. Guests particularly enjoy the photographic opportunities and nature study. Outdoor activities are available including campfires and games such as croquet and volleyball.
The setting is suitable for gatherings, parties, retreats, reunions, weddings, workshops, receptions, and all kinds of music and social events. There is plenty of parking.
The owners or their representative are available on the premises, in residence in a small apartment in the lower area of one of the two wings, and, upon request, will provide information regarding any property questions.
International guests are welcome. Rides from and to Erie or Franklin, PA airports can be arranged.
Keywords: Lodge Retreat
Property Type
- Lodge
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Non Smoking Only
- Limited Accessibility
Bedrooms: 14 Bedrooms, Sleeps 35, Beds for 30-35
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- Bedroom 3
- Bedroom 4
- Bedroom 5
- Bedroom 6
- Bedroom 7
- Bedroom 8
- Bedroom 9
- Bedroom 10
- Bedroom 11
- Bedroom 12
- Bedroom 13
- Bedroom 14
- Convertible bed(s)
Bathrooms: 9 Bathrooms
Kitchen & Dining
- Catering Available
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Cooking Utensils
Amenities
- Clothes Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Ping Pong Table
- Television
Communications
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
- Balcony
Location & View
Activities
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Museums
- Restaurants
- Wildlife Viewing
- Horseshoes
Reviews
Write a review-
Fantastic Thanksgiving for family of 20!
Fantastic Thanksgiving for family of 20!
- Guest Ginger
- Date of stay 11/21/12
- Review Submitted 11/27/12
First I must say that dealing with Margaret (owner) by email to set up our Thanksgiving rental for family members coming from Eastern and Western NY State, VA, DC, MI was so pleasant. Margaret was very organized and efficient; she answered our many questions promptly and sent several attachements which helped with our planning, including a bedroom/bathroom list, Q&A facts, directions, etc. Woodland Lodge was absolutely the perfect place for our gathering and every one of our family members was extremely impressed. We were thrilled to find how spacious and well equipped the lodge was. We wanted for nothing! All bedding, towels, toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues, soap were plentiful. The lodges were spotless and very comfortable. We were able to seat our entire family of 20 at the same table for dinner. While both wings of the lodge had three levels, there were 2 bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, right off the main kitchen and great room that comfortably accommodated a physically challenged brother and 84-year old mom for the entire weekend. In fact they also had access to the other wing that was also on the same level. We got lucky and had 50? weather for the first few days. We enjoyed the two indoor wood stoves as well as the outdoor fire pit. Chopped wood was in abundance. The snow on Saturday made the drive through hilly PA on Sunday a little challenging, but not for long before reaching the highway. At the end of our perfect weekend, all we had to do was leave the beds unmade (not even stripped), towels over towel bars, garbage out to cans on the deck, pull the door shut, and leave. We have just returned from our 4-day holiday weekend and I have been receiving emails from family members wanting to share pictures and memories and thanks. We were able to create a Thanksgiving memory to last us all a lifetime! We are most grateful to Margaret and Amy (inn keeper) for their warm hospitality, attention to detail, and concern for our comfort. We could not have asked for more!Recommended for: Girls getaway, pet owners, people with disabilities, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.
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SOLITUDE AS WE ARE TOGETHER
SOLITUDE AS WE ARE TOGETHER
- Guest edwin
- Date of stay 05/12/12
- Review Submitted 06/17/12
Since we first stayed at the Dopyera Lodge, a few years ago, my wife and I have stayed there many times since. One thing that continues to surprise us is the huge helping of "solitude"...solitude not as a negative experience (of isolation, etc.) but an experience of "togetherness". As we are all "of" and "from" 'Nature', in our beginnings, we are "together" with Her while we are with ourselves & others we Love. Yesterday, as I was walking through a Cemetery, I noticed headstone after headstone, each with religious inscription, (or depiction). It occurred to me, the similarity between the worship of 'God' (in this cemetery, probably all christian) and 'Nature'.... in the presence ourselves & of those we LoveRecommended for: Girls getaway, people with disabilities, families with young children, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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hard to describe, wonderful to experience!
hard to describe, wonderful to experience!
- Guest olbinpa
- Date of stay 05/17/12
- Review Submitted 05/20/12
we stayed here as part of a sustainable (restorative) forestry conference based at Allegheny College in Meadville Pa. The accomodations were clean, very comfortable, and also unusual and interesting. The owners / hosts were wonderful; i would definitely look forward to another stay if I ever have the opportunity to travel to this part of the state.Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway.
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Peaceful & Comforting. Couldn't have been happier!
Peaceful & Comforting. Couldn't have been happier!
- Guest RichardDawn S.
- Date of stay 03/23/12
- Review Submitted 03/26/12
It couldn't have been better!!! This is the 2nd time I have stayed here......warm cozy and inviting! The owners are very pleasant and superb to deal with. We had no problems what so ever. Can't wait till we can make it back. We had 14 people in our group and everyone was pleasantly pleased. Had beautiful weather and was even able to relax at the bonfire. Lovely place.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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We'll be back!!
We'll be back!!
- Guest Al
- Date of stay 03/12/12
- Review Submitted 03/22/12
I took my department team (13 staff members) to the lodge for a work retreat for 3 days and 2 nights. We had a wonderful time. The lodge itself was spotless! (And I'm a neat-freak!) We all had our own rooms and some had their own bathrooms. Everyone was impressed with the very well-equipped kitchen with a huge island, plenty of dishes, silverware, glasses, pots, pans, etc. There are many areas throughout the lodge that are set up as conversation areas which gave us the space for smaller groups of us to work on strategic planning. We used the larger room for full staff meetings. The owner contacted me immediately after my request for information through VRBO and was a delight to work with. Although she was out of town, she was prompt with her responses to any question I had. Her property manager met us as we arrived, as planned, and toured us around. Everything was exactly as promised. At the end of our retreat, the staff, so happy with their time at the lodge, suggested that we return in the fall. Our reservation is already in place.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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Pleased the entire family!!
Pleased the entire family!!
- Guest Christine
- Date of stay 05/27/11
- Review Submitted 06/12/11
We booked the lodge for my family of 22 for the long memorial day weekend. I wasn't sure I could please everyone but the only complaints I got where from 2 women who thought the bull frogs were too loud in the morning (they are used to traffic and sirens not nature). We loved cooking in the kitchen and seemed to spend tons of time! You may wonder what you got yourself into as you drive up to it since it's really remote and in the woods. Once inside it's wonderful. Clean and well appointed. It rained the first night we were there and we didn't feel cramped in side at all. Lots of room to spread out. I didn't notice alot of bugs which i would have thought would be a problem with the rain and the woods. the "barn" is great for kids if the weather is questionable since it's hardly a barn. Huge space to run and have fun, the guys loved the dart board! Really bad cell coverage but I loved to not have to answer the phone all the time. There is wireless in the one wing so those addicted just have to settle in there. There is even wood for the campfires and that was great for the kids. All the things you love about camping but you don't have to rough it!! Definitely recommend to anyone looking to get away in the woods with out giving up the luxury of home!! If you want to take a ride, enjoy the trip to the Sprague Farm Brewery!! Great beer, music and the place has a lot of history. Great afternoon outing and you can see the country side on the way thereRecommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2
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More Than We Expected!
More Than We Expected!
- Guest Casey
- Date of stay 01/28/11
- Review Submitted 02/08/11
The pictures on this site do not do this place justice! It was clean and well maintained and was the perfect setting for our weekend away. Amy was always available if we had any questions and walked through the house with us to show us where everything was. Our group had a great time and made some wonderful memories! We can't wait to go back in March!Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers, adventure seekers.
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Great Thanksgiving!
Great Thanksgiving!
- Guest Usha
- Date of stay 11/24/10
- Review Submitted 01/14/11
My cousin found and booked this place for the long Thanksgiving weekend as a place that we could all meet...coming from NY, CT, OH, and WV and about 25 of us (of all ages from baby to senior citizen) spent the holiday weekend together. It's probably a testament to the comforts of this lodge that we all had a good time, and went home happy. We've stayed in many B&B's and home away-type vacation rentals, and this one was definitely among the best experiences we've had. Spacious, well-equipped kitchen (where many cooking cousins turned out gorgeous pies, cookies, turkeys and all the Tgiving staples!); plenty of room for the children to run, hide, play games, read books, explore, etc.; clean bathrooms, with plenty of soaps, sheets and towels. The hosts were generous and sensitive and a pleasure to chat with...we met them briefly when they dropped in to say hello and see that we had all that we needed. The barn on the property became yet another place for the kids to bowl and swing; and climb! I recommend this place highly...I imagine spring and summer will be even prettier...though we had campfires and even a snowfall for outdoor fun. Be aware that wi-fi and cell phone service have very patchy connectivity...but there are plenty of books around.Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with young children, age 55+, families with teenagers.
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Overall Excellent !
Overall Excellent !
- Guest Ricks Mom
- Date of stay 09/17/10
- Review Submitted 12/02/10
My family stayed for two days during a wedding this last September. I have to say this is the most beautiful setting for a fall wedding. The owners were gracious and accommodating. My entire family enjoyed it so much that we can not wait to come back Thank you very much for making the wedding so beautiful and memorable. KarenRecommended for: Girls getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.
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Serenity, Tranquility
Serenity, Tranquility
- Guest coach
- Date of stay 10/15/10
- Review Submitted 12/02/10
Two nights were not enough for the 10 of us, mostly retired teachers. We were blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather for our October weekend and truly loved everything inside and out. The lodge was extremely comfortable and clean and very much worth the rental cost. Our hosts, Margaret and John could not have been any nicer - both very interesting in conversation but also very careful not to be intrusive. In modern vernacular, John and Margaret were very "user friendly" and accommodating. The weather afforded us a tremendous opportunity to spend most of the daylight hours outside. We made great use of the fire pit in a side yard - plenty of cut wood available - on Saturday. We spent most of our time on Sunday hiking on the gently rolling and wooded 150+ acres of property. Had the weather been uncooperative, we would have gotten along very nicely staying inside as there were plenty of games available (and plenty of room to play them) and an incredible amount of reading material. For those who can make their own entertainment and don't need (or would like to escape from) tourist traps and technology, this is an ideal place.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
Rates
$500/night (minimum of 2 nights for up to 10 persons. For groups over 10; additional $30 for each person per night No charge for children under 2. Inquire about reduced rates for longer stays. 6% sales tax; 3% occupancy tax. Arrangements for any group must be made by a group coordinator. $300 security deposit required December through May: alternative lower rates for writers, composers, visual artists and/or others engaged in creative activities - Contact owners for details.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
This owner accepts: Credit cards.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Owner info
About the owner: Margaret retired from a long career in education in 1992. She is a professor emerita from Syracuse University and served there in many capacities, including Associate Dean of the School of Education. Her doctorate in educational psychology was awarded by the University of Florida. She and husband John co-authored a widely- used college textbook, Becoming a Teacher of Young Children. She was a primary teacher early in her career in the schools of Jamestown, New York and a faculty member and teacher at Antioch College in their experimental elementary school. In her retirement Margaret enjoys photography, pastel drawing, cartooning, memoir writing. She especially enjoys photographing the many native wild flowers found in the Pennsylvania woods and fields. John’s background includes growing up in Oregon; Air Force years; college at Reed in Portland, OR; teaching and administrative posts at Syracuse University, Penn State, and Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena CA., and earning a Ph.D. in psychology and education from Syracuse University. His career focused heavily on evaluation research in education, business, and organizational settings and on management consulting. He has also been very involved in developing museum exhibits featuring his father’s invention, the DOBRO guitar. In their retirement, John and Margaret traveled to Slovakia several times and throughout Europe. John continues to write (plays, poetry, and memoir stories) and to develop and deliver a variety of personal development workshops. John had done many things of interest across his career; however, it was somewhat of a surprise when his previously underused talent for conceptualizing space and creating functional and appealing buildings blossomed in his retirement and resulted in the construction of the large lodge now being offered for vacation rentals.
Why the Owner Chose Grand Valley:
John and Margaret Dopyera built their large retirement home in northwestern Pennsylvania during the early 1990s on land they had owned for many years. Margaret purchased the 150 acres from an uncle in 1970. Her ancestors were early settlers in the Grand Valley area. Margaret’s great-grandfather, Orange Robinson, had given the land the Dopyeras now own to Margaret’s grandmother, Cassie, at the occasion of her marriage to Archie Smith in 1900. Since the 1920s when the original family home burned there had been no dwelling. Only an apple tree and hearty daffodils continued to mark the spot where the Smith family had lived. The Dopyera’s newly-constructed home, listed herein for vacation rentals, is on another portion of the property. Margaret grew up on a nearby farm in this area, still very rural. She attended the neighborhood one room school and the consolidated high school in Youngsville, fifteen miles away. Part of the reason for buying and building on property in northwestern Pennsylvania had to do with the appeal of maintaining Margaret’s family roots. That, however, is just a small part of the story. The major reason was the quiet beauty of the land with its tall, majestic deciduous and hemlock trees, the wonderful freshness of the air and the abundance of clean water.
The Unique Benefits at this Lodge:
The Dopyera property offers the now-rare opportunity to vacation in a beautiful natural setting, remote from traffic, fast food, and the 'hurry' of modern life. It has the positive features of a camping trip yet the rustic accommodations are comfortable and well-appointed.
Contact us
- Primary: (814) 436-7798 (Pennsylvania, USA)
- Secondary: (607) 319-0223 (New York, USA)
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Autumn view of lodge
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East wing kitchen
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A group enjoying the deck during July
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A guest room in the west wing
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This listing was first published here in 2010.
Date last modified - Thursday, May 23, 2013
(814) 436-7798 (Pennsylvania, USA)