About 12 miles from Spruce Pine on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Little Switzerland, is Wildacres Retreat and Conference Center, a 1400-acre retreat in the heart of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. And for more than 30 years, this inspiring backdrop has been the home of Wildacres Writers Workshop.
Facility Information
You’ll be staying in one of Wildacres’ charming mountain-lodge style rooms. The Workshop can sleep 90 attendees, plus faculty and our Workshop staff, so spots are both limited and highly sought after each year. This facility is a lovely retreat — not a hotel. You won’t find maids or bellboys, but bed linens and towels are furnished. There are no TVs or refrigerators in the rooms. This is a true retreat environment, an escape from the “real world” where you can write and relax.
Roommates:
Please note that single rooms are not available for the Workshop this year.
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 alum, you’ll complete a roommate information section on your application to help us match you.
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.
Dietary Considerations: Special dietary requirements (vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, etc.) can usually be accommodated. We’ll follow up with all attendees to gather information on any dietary needs and coordinate with the Wildacres Retreat staff to prep for Retreat and Workshop meals.
Smoking: Smoking is not allowed in the rooms or any building at Wildacres but is permitted outdoors at a safe distance from buildings.
Beverages: Alcohol and beverages are permitted in most places on campus, but the canteen 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.
COVID-19 and Health Protocols: We will be following the most updated health protocols set by the Wildacres 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 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: Wildacres 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 we are asked not to conduct prolonged business or browse the web using the facility WiFi. If you need long computer sessions, there are several places in Spruce Pine that have free access.
Accessibility: Wildacres has a limited number of accessible rooms and allows service dogs only (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act). Keep in mind that the elevation is 3300 feet, some walkways are uneven flagstone, and the dining room is located down an incline. All participants should be in reasonably good health and capable of navigating the terrain and multiple stairways.