Onsite Activities
The Lodge offers countless activities from serene to adventurous, including swimming, tubing, kayaking, fishing, hiking and biking. In addition to the options below, there are many areas around the farm to set up an art easel or simply sit with a book and enjoy the view.
Cowpasture River
One of Virginia’s most beautiful rivers is the Cowpasture. The Lodge has a real “swimming hole” to romp in. The five foot deep pool makes it a family favorite and there’s a steady supply of skipping stones to bounce across the calm surface. Float downstream in an inner-tube, go paddling in our kayaks, or just dangle your feet from our deck and breathe the clean mountain air.
For the serious fisherman or weekend angler, the Lodge offers miles of clean river teeming with fishing opportunities. The Cowpasture holds a large population of smallmouth bass, and there are also rock bass just right for the kids to catch. Rainbow trout are stocked in the early spring, making the Lodge a fisherman’s destination.
If interested in booking a private fly fishing guide or instructor, we recommend contacting Matt Miles Fly Fishing or Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing in advance of your stay.
Hiking & Biking
There are miles of hiking trails through these wooded mountains, some gentle, others more vigorous. Some trails climb up to 3000 feet for views of mountain tops that roll on forever, while others wander through mature stands of timber with carpets of ferns and wild flowers. Birders will find a wide variety of habitat right outside the front door and wildlife watchers, who show some patience and stealth, will be more than rewarded. For the intrepid spelunker there are numerous wild limestone caves in the area just waiting to be explored.
Cyclists will enjoy taking the winding roads through the rural countryside. Mountain bikers can tackle logging roads and trails into wilder country.
Our team will be happy to help you plan a day afield with customized maps and directions.
Farm & Garden
A short walk from our main lodging area, guests can visit Fort Lewis’ Farmstead. Here you can meet our pigs and chickens, peruse our vegetable garden, pay a visit to our cows, walk amongst our newly planted fruit trees, and get a taste for the farming traditions that make Fort Lewis (and it’s food) so unique.
Wood Fired Sauna
Our wood fired, barrel sauna is perched among the foliage on a tree house deck beside the swimming hole. Its glass door allows tranquil views of running water and swaying trees as the dry heat relaxes your sore muscles and cleanses your system. After your sweat, you’re just steps away from a refreshing dive into the cool mountain water. Sauna is reserved by the hour. Fee applies.
Our Stargazing Platform
We’ve built a raised platform where you can view the night sky without interference from urban light pollution. On clear nights you’ll be awestruck at the sight of the stars.
Games
The lodge offers ping pong, cornhole, a pool table, and a 9 hole disc golf course. We also have board games and puzzles for days spent indoors.
Photography
Want professional photography of your family or group during your visit? Please reach out in advance of your stay and we’d be happy to put you in touch with a great local photographer.
Click any of the photos below for an enlarged slideshow.
River swimming
Hiking Shenandoah
Kayaking the Cowpasture River
Wood-fired sauna
Relaxation with a view
Rainbow trout
Pavilion deck
Vegetable Garden
Nan Mahone painting
Stargazing
Biking the country roads
Trout fishing Cowwpasture
jogging trails
Hammocks by the river
Mountain biking
Cattle in the fields
“It’s my Shangri-la, a unique place that I recommend enthusiastically. My dictionary defines Shangri-la as a remote, idyllic hideaway where life approaches perfection. For me, that’s Fort Lewis Lodge.” -Jim Yenckel | Travel editor Washington Post
“Furnished with country-style antiques and quilts, the Lodge’s 19 rooms look bright and cheery. On my visits I spend a lot of time bobbing around in the old fashioned swimming hole, carved at the base of a towering rock wall.” -Jim Yenckel | Budget Travel
“A country inn for guests seeking the outdoors and an opportunity for some ‘natural’ relaxation, hiking, fishing , mountain biking and swimming.” -Matt Sampson | Virginia Wildlife
“Fort Lewis Lodge is one of those rare and wonderful places that celebrates life’s simple pleasures.” -Cassandra VanHooser | Southern Living
“Hiking boots, biking shoes, paddleing sandals, chest-waders – if you visit Virginia’s Fort Lewis Lodge, your biggest problems might be packing all the footgear you’ll need.” -Eddie Nickens | Washingtonian
“…the Fort Lewis Lodge is a true escape, an idyllic hideaway where all there is to do is relax and enjoy the natural beauty of this pristine 3,200 acres of meadows, forest and rivers amid the Allegheny Mountains.” -Andie Gibson | SmithMountainLaker.com
“When was the last time you had 3,000 acres of Virginia’s finest in our own backyard?” -Eddie Nickens | Washingtonian
“This western-size spread has fly-fishing, mountain biking, and hiking–less than four hours from Washington, D.C.” -Eddie Nickens | Men’s Journal
“We didn’t bring much – old bathing suits, sensible shoes, tons to read and expand-waist pants to accommodate fresh-from-the-garden cooking. Eating is a recreational activity here. Believe me.” – Krys Stefansky | Travel Editor, Virginian Pilot