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More WataugaLakeMagazine articles:

The Butler Museum

Learn how and why Watauga Lake was formed and how the citizens of "Old Butler" Tennessee were changed forever. . . .

A Kayaker's View

See Watauga Lake up-close from a Kayak

Watauga Lake Triathlon

Swim over 1,000 yards in a deep lake, race in your bike over 21 miles through the mountains, THEN... run 5 miles ...

Appalachian

The Appalachian Trail skirts Watauga Lake and crosses it at the Dam ...

Blue Hole Falls

Just a short drive from the lake, near Elizabethton, Blue Hole Falls is a beautiful set of waterfalls ...

Pioneer Landing

Learn more about the easternmost marina on Watauga Lake ...

Watauga Dam

The dam that creates Watauga Lake ...

Jonesborough TN

Home of the International Storytelling Festival ...

Iron Mountain Inn

See this beautiful lodge with breathtaking views ...

Rat Branch Boat Ramp

This is the westernmost boat ramp on the lake ...

Watauga Point

This beautiful park is great for picnics, boating and swimming ...

The Carter Mansion

Where Tennessee history started. Learn about the Carter family ...

Doe River Gorge

See the beautiful gorge and ride the rails where the Tweetsie Train traveled ...

Gray Fossil Site

A spectacular fossil site discovered not long ago ...

Colonel Roderick Butler

Learn about the man for whom the town of Butler was named ...

Sugar Hollow Retreat

See this spectacular mountain retreat ...

Fish Springs Marina

This beautifully situated marina offers many services to lake boaters ...

Sugar Hollow Retreat
for Group Meetings, Events & Vacations



Sugar Hollow Retreat Observation Deck near Watauga Lake Tennessee
All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2009 - present
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.
June 2009

Sugar Hollow Retreat is the ideal facility in East Tennessee for a group vacation or retreat. With a 10-room lodge, 4 new or beautifully restored guest cottages, a conference center, an amphitheater, 9 miles of hiking trails on 300 rustic but accessible acres all near Watauga Lake, groups can be comfortable and easily fill a weekend or a week with activities.

Sugar Hollow Group Outing near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Sugar Hollow Lodge near Watauga Lake Tennessee

Some groups book a few rooms in the lodge, some book ALL of the lodge or book the lodge AND all of the 4 guest cottages for their weddings, family reunions, corporate or church retreats. It is hard to imagine a more memorable setting for your special events.

The relaxed, rustic facilities are quite comfortable and offer most modern conveniences. The Lodge is centrally-heated and air-conditioned. The modern kitchen and coffee bar are for guests' use and satellite TV and internet access are also included.

Sugar Hollow Lodge near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee

Each cottage is unique. The Hemlock cottage is a recently-built spacious cottage with a fireplace, cathedral ceilings and sleeps up to 10 people. The 1929 restored Chestnut Farm House has 5 guest rooms and sleeps up to 12 people. The cozy Cherokee House sleeps up to 8 people and has plenty of rocking chairs on its front porch. Finally, the Sequoia Cottage with its beautiful wood interior and exterior even has a hot tub on the private back deck.

Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Sugar Hollow Group at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee

The group featured in this article is from the Bunker Hill Christian Church in Bluff City, Tennessee. They rented all of the lodge for the girls in the group and the Hemlock House for the boys. Group leaders brought food and took over the kitchen to prepare meals in-between other activities.

Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Innkeeper Jim Gresch at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee

(at left: Innkeeper Jim Gresch (on right) and the facility's talented carpenter Arthur Smith and his son Anthony)

The Retreat was developed by Surry Roberts, M.D. who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. As their website reports :

"Surry first envisioned Sugar Hollow as a camping facility for youth leadership development, focusing on conservation and environmental protection. The development of the retreat from there has gone far beyond his wildest predictions and shows no signs of slowing. Sugar Hollow remains a great interest and a challenge for Surry, affording rich rewards."
    ~ www.SugarHollowRetreat.com (see link below)
Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Bar and Lounge Room at the Lodge at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee

The 300-acre facility offers such a rich variety of opportunities for exploring that a group can be easily occupied for a weekend or a week. Nearby beautiful Watauga Lake and its marinas offer boat and equipment rentals for the day or week.

Tobacco Barn at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Staircase between the Hemlock House an the Lodge at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee

The prices for a stay at the Sugar Hollow Retreat are quite reasonable, particularly for a group event. The staff can provide breakfast or lunch for up to 30 in the Lodge, but all other food, meals and beverages in the Lodge and cottages are provided by the guests. The kitchens in the facilities are for use of the guests. Bring your groceries with you and eat what and when you like. This adds to the personal and private nature of your stay and can reduce the cost for budget-minded groups.

Innkeeper Jim Gresch has considerable experience in the resort hospitality business and can help you plan your visit to fit the needs of your group. Innkeeper Marty Plummer is from the area and has a wealth of knowledge about Sugar Hollow, Watauga lake and the Johnson and Carter County areas.

Overmountain Center at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Dining Room at the Lodge at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee

The Sugar Hollow website offers comments from past customers such as the following:

"Nothing our friends told us about Sugar Hollow Retreat prepared us for what a WONDERFUL GET-AWAY PLACE has been created. From the Lodge to the houses to the conference center, every detail has been thought of. It is an AMAZING spot!"
~ Placide & Andy Barada Durham, NC
Overmountain Center at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Dining Room at the Lodge at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee

For more information call 800-957-1776 or 423-768-3105, click here to e-mail or visit their website www.SugarHollowRetreat.com .

Click here for more photos of Sugar Hollow Retreat.

Overmountain Center at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Bedroom at the Lodge at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee Amphitheater at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Overmountain Lodge Interior at Sugar Hollow Retreat near Watauga Lake Tennessee