A Residential Writing Workshop
Wildacres Retreat and Conference Center is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 12 miles from Spruce Pine on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland. This nonprofit residential retreat and conference center hosts and serves a variety of nonprofit groups and their educational or cultural programs, including music and art, science, interfaith studies, creative writing, and more.
For more than 35 years, the Wildacres Retreat facility and staff have kindly welcomed our Workshop in making this inspiring backdrop our writerly home for a week (or two!) each year.
As you may know, Western North Carolina was ravaged by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. We are thrilled that Wildacres Retreat was spared the heaviest of destruction and has made the necessary repairs on what was damaged so that it will open for its 2025 season! If you’ve been thinking of joining us, now is the perfect time to celebrate the magic of this wonderful place.
✓ Beautiful Atmosphere
✓ Mountain Views
✓ writing oasis
Lodging
You’ll be staying in one of the facility’s charming mountain-lodge style rooms. Our Retreat and Workshop weeks can sleep up to 90 attendees, plus our faculty and Workshop administrative team. See more about the facilities here.
Keep in mind that Wildacres Retreat is not a hotel. You won’t find TVs or refrigerators in rooms. There’s no maid service, but bed linens and towels are furnished. This true retreat environment is an escape from the “real world.”
We’ll be providing attendees with more details about accommodations after acceptance. For now, below you’ll find some general information on your lodging for Retreat and Workshop weeks. The Wildacres Retreat facility site also has some helpful information to help you prepare for your stay.
Roommates: All rooms are double occupancy, so you will have a roommate. We work hard every year to match attendees with compatible roommates, and many of our assignments have resulted in lifelong friendships. Whether you’re a new attendee or Wildacres alumni, you’ll complete a roommate information section on your application to help us match you. You are also welcome to request a certain roommate on your application.
Non-writing Guests: To help guarantee that you like your roommate, you can always bring a friend or spouse to accompany you as your Workshop (and/or Retreat) roommate for the same fee. Only one person per room is required to participate in the Workshop, and Wildacres is a wonderful place for a vacation. (Non-writing guests MUST also fill out an application. There will be a section to note that they are not attending a workshop. Everyone who attends in any capacity must have filled out an application.)
Meals and Other Things to Consider
You’ll enjoy three family style meals in the beautiful onsite dining hall. This is a wonderful way to get to know your fellow attendees and enjoy lively conversation together as writers and friends.
(There is a side entrance with no stairs! We also have a golf cart to assist those with mobility issues.)
Dietary Considerations: Special dietary requirements (vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, etc.) can usually be accommodated. Our Workshop team follows up with all attendees to gather and confirm information about dietary needs and coordinates with the Wildacres Retreat staff to help ensure that needs are accommodated.
Smoking: Smoking is NOT allowed in the rooms or any building at Wildacres. Smoking is only permitted outdoors on campus at a safe distance from all buildings and flammable structures. If you are a smoker, please be mindful of your smoke traveling and stay at a distance from others and buildings (windows and open doors) so that no one is disturbed.
Beverages: Alcohol and beverages are permitted in most places on campus, but the canteen (which has soft drinks, snacks, and merchandise) does not sell alcohol. We’ll provide both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during a few evening activities; you may also bring your own to keep in your room. A note on alcohol consumption: Anyone who consumes alcohol during the Retreat and/or Workshop is expected to drink responsibly and at their own risk, behave appropriately, and respect others in their choice to drink or abstain.
COVID-19 and Health Protocols: We follow any health protocols set by the Wildacres Retreat facility and will comply with any North Carolina mandates in place at the time of the Workshop. It is our aim to keep everyone as safe as possible. We cannot guarantee 100% protection from any virus or contagion, so we urge you to make the best safety decisions for yourself.
Mobile Phones: Some phones work on the mountain and some can be a little tricky. We are on a mountaintop between two cell towers, so you may have to walk around to find a sweet spot.
WiFi: The Wildacres facility offers free WiFi for your laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. You can usually find a good signal in the lobby or on the porches, but it is not readily accessible in your room. Service is limited and the Wildacres Retreat staff has asked us not to conduct prolonged business or web-browsing with the facility’s WiFi. If you need long computer sessions, there are several places in Spruce Pine that have free access. Don’t worry–you’ll find that you don’t miss it!
Accessibility: The facility has a limited number of handicap accessible rooms and allows service dogs only (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act). Keep in mind that the elevation at Wildacres Retreat is 3300 feet, some walkways are uneven flagstone, and the dining room is located down an incline. We do have access to a golf cart to help you to and from meals, but participants should be in reasonably good health and be capable of navigating the terrain and multiple stairways.