Spruce Knob Retreat (SKR) is a four bedroom house on 40 forested mountain acres located on the road up to Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest peak. We are located in the beautiful Potomac Highlands right in the midst of the Monagehela National Park. In every season there are an amazing number of adventures to embark on. Or just stay on the Retreats private 40 acres to hike, bird watch, sled or snowshoe depending on the season. We welcome your family to share our mountain retreat to connect with nature and recharge.
* About the House *
SKR is a comfortable four-bedroom house with a variety of amenities to create wonderful family memories. We use this house to slow down the fast pace of life, spend quality time with our friends and family who join us, enjoy nature and recharge.
The house was built in the forties and we gutted it and renovated it over the past six years. We think you will find it a great place to enjoy the mountains of West Virginia.
Dining Room & Library
The first floor includes a dining room & library with a variety of games and books to entertain you indoors and out. Binoculars, a night vision monocle, a handmade Turkey Call and a whole host of nature guides are available for guests to make discovering the land more fun.
Kitchen & Family Room
The kitchen / family room spans the width of the downstairs and includes the tools you need to prepare great meals and enjoy your family while doing so. There is a wood burning fireplace and sitting area, kitchen table, island with a couple of bar stools and a full modern kitchen. The kitchen is stocked with all the appliances you’ll ever need: propane gas stove with a cast iron griddle for great pancake mornings, coffee maker, coffee grinder and filters (just bring your favorite coffee), toaster oven and microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher, the house’s original sink, an ample selection of pots, pans and kitchen tools and much more. With hectic lives in the city, we like to spend time cooking slow food here and we invite you too as well. In the basement is an additional refrigerator to store supplies.
Outside the kitchen is our screened in porch where we store furniture, sports equipment and kids toys.
Media Room
Next to the kitchen is the media room with TV, DVD player, stereo and, yes, record player. We have internet and generally you can stream movies. However, there are times when it just doesn’t work. For those times we have a selection of family friendly movies as well. If you like 80s music you’re in luck – we have a vintage record collection for you to enjoy. There are also art supplies stored in this room for kids and adults alike.
Four Bedrooms and Bath Upstairs
Our bathroom has an antique claw tub for great bubble baths. There is a sitting nook for reading and looking out across the pastures. The Garden Bedroom has a king size bed. The Moose Bedroom has a queen bed. The Green Office has an Ikea couch bed that pulls out to a queen size bed and is remarkably comfortable. There is also a desk and chair there if you need some time to get work done. The Kids Room has a set of wooden bunk beds and a full size bed. Each room has lots of windows looking outside. We provide all linens: towels, sheets, comforters and extra blankets.
The Patio and Beyond
The patio has a picnic table and firepit. Beyond the patio is a field for playing and running around. Read more about the property in the 40 acres of Forest section.
* The Land *
The best part about SKR is the ability to hike and explore the 40 acres up to the mountain top. As you explore through the forest you will see…
In the Spring –
Spring comes later to the mountains so it might be chillier here that where your coming from. You will see animal sign, a full creek with snow run off, rock fields, the trees budding, and the birds returning in full glory. The first wildflowers will be growing in the field.
You might have a fire in the fire pit in the evening out on the patio. The stars should be fabulous. You may hear bears or see deer or turkey.
In the Summer –
It is fabulously cool in the mountains. The weather is often perfect while just down the road people are sweltering. Rest and read a book on the hammock while the kids play in the field. After a swim in the swimming hole on the Potomac you might come home to have a campfire out in the fire ring and roast marshmallows. The kids might camp out as the grown ups stay up late talking and gazing at the stars.
On the property you can climb to the top and see a whole field of wild blueberries. Earlier in the summer the whole mountain might be in bloom with mountain laurel. Black raspberries grow in the field. Mushrooms grow throughout the site, so we have staged many a fairy hunt with our kids. Our kids have found newts and frogs in the creek.
In the Fall –
The leaves are spectacular on the mountain. You might see deer crossing and lots of little mammals getting ready for winter. The weather is chilly but still wonderful for a hike to the top of the mountain or down to the creek.
In the Winter –
The weather can be cold but with that comes the snow! The same path that we use to hike up the mountain, is a great way to sled down! We also have snow shoes and if you have cross country skis those would also be great on the paths. When the snow comes it is amazing to take a hike and spot all the animal tracks with the kids.
Each season gives you plenty of opportunity to explore the 40 acres of nature and recharge.