Lakeside Lodge in Nature Retreat

Fork Inn's Lakeside Lodge is a gem, embraced by Mother Nature. From the magnificent wrap around deck, you can marvel at nature’s creatures (geese, turkey, beaver, heron) at work raising their families and building their homes on and about Lake Gratitude. Adjacent to the home are a lakeside pavilion, yoga studio and outdoor stage (these may be reserved for private use). The home is ideal for family gatherings and retreats. It has six bedrooms and four bathrooms; a magnificent and spacious living room (with floor to ceiling windows, incredible view of the surrounding woodland); a beautiful recreation room (with original art from one our resident artists!); and a well equipped commercial kitchen with gas range and two commercial refrigerators. The property also includes a beautiful swedish sauna and a six person hot tub; not to mention our 300 gallon stock tank (“red-neck” above ground swimming pool”), which can be filled for refreshing dipping! larger parties, there are 11 additional rentals on adjacent parcels.

The Lodge is part of The Fork Inn, a regenerative travel destination, with 12 beautiful homes, ranging from two bedroom cabins to a 12-room mansion. All lodgings are nestled within 5000 pristine forested acres of Big East Fork Valley. Four additional rental houses (Parrot House, Pond Cottage, Log Cabin, and Center Lodge) are within walking distance. Meeting rooms are available for events, lectures, and workshops. Any day guests must purchase a day pass.

We are located 20 miles west of Nashville, and six miles from both historic Franklin and Leipers Fork village. Adjacent to a Natchez Trace National Park and Timberlands County Park, our valley contains two lakes, several ponds, and miles of creek and hiking trails. There are country roads for biking and a few for bicycling off-road.

Our goal is to protect this wonderful land for all our (and your) grandchildren, literal and spiritual. We promote certain sustainable practices to enhance the likelihood of our success.

If you would like to enjoy unique outdoor activities, short term memberships during your stay are available to sustain the Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS). Located adjacently, CSS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Activities include hiking, fishing, bird watching, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and pedal boating. CSS also sponsors an organic farm and a collection of adorable farm animals.

Registered guests are welcome to enjoy our common areas, including hiking trails and lakeside picnic shelter at our 7 acre Lake Gratitude. The area is wonderful for outdoor grilling; offers a stock tank for cooling down and a wonderful fire pit for families to gather round and roast marshmallows and steaks. Feel free to bring your own games such as corn hole, badminton, etc. In addition, there are several hiking trails (ideal for bird watching) and fishing is permitted with a state license.

We ask all of our guests to be mindful of their trash; not generate too much and to take it with them upon leaving. Everyone contributes a recycling fee deposit (it is included as an administrative fee and is fully refundable). Guests are welcome to take their trash to the nearby Leiper’s Fork/Hillsboro Convenience Center (no charge): 5406 Pinewood Rd. Franklin, TN. If you are unable to do so, your $100 deposit will go towards our collecting and disposing of your trash.

Because we are surrounded by forest, we must be very cautious with regard to fires on the premises; both indoors and out. Fires are not allowed inside any of our homes. Certain homes have portable fire pits and we have two large public fire pits. Much depends on the weather, if too dry, outdoor fires can be very dangerous. Thus, permission must be granted for use of all outdoor fires. We do not provide firewood, but you can pick some at local stores.

Outdoor cooking grills: Bring charcoal or propane. We can provide a full propane tank for $45.

Out door hot-tub cleaning and set-up fee is $50. Let us know if you would like it prepared.

Stock tanks (“red-neck above ground swimming pools”) can be filled with city or spring water. They are great for refreshing outdoor soaks during the warmer months. You may fill them up yourself or have them prepared for you before you arrive. Set-up fee $50.

Digital Data: we do not have access to cable; we use satellite data. It is reliable but it is not as fast as what city folk enjoy. Moreover, it is not well suited for streaming movies or gaming (there is nothing more frustrating than a movie pausing - buffering). We have a large library of DVDs and you can certainly bring your own.

We ask all guests to be mindful of their energy usage: turning lights off when not needed and thermostats up/down when away from the house for a long while.

For cooling down during the summer months, we do not have recreational swimming pools. We do have miles of streams and creeks in which to splash; and three dipping holes to explore. Bring your creek shoes!

We’d love for you to visit the inspiring Big East Fork Valley and enjoy the unforgettable experiences awaiting you. We welcome your help in sustaining our miraculous valley for our grandchildren and yours!

THE BASE PRICE IS FOR FOUR (4) PERSONS. There is a $40/person/night additional charge for the number of persons over four. DAY GUESTS must purchase a day pass and parking pass $40. PARKING PASS is free for overnight guests and must be displayed on vehicle at all times while on premises.