The Grounds

Nestled on nearly 2900 mountain acres with private access to Lake Moomaw and surrounded by the George Washington National Forest, Big Lick Retreat is the perfect outdoor getaway!  Lakeview Lodge and Stoney Bottom Lodge both feature excellent views of Lake Moomaw, while Chestnut Lodge and Eagle Roost Lodge offer breathtaking mountain views. In the woods or on the water, Big Lick Retreat offers something fun for everyone!

Enjoy exclusive private access to Lake Moomaw for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, water skiing and power boating. Lake Moomaw’s 2530 acres are home to an amazing variety of game fish species. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, stocked trout (brown, rainbow, and brook), crappie, bluegill, pickerel, channel catfish, and yellow perch all reside in Lake Moomaw. Surrounded by the Gathright Wildlife Management Area, its 43 miles of shoreline are undeveloped. Several excellent boat ramps are available.

The Bolar Flat Marina is nearby and is open year-round (fee applies). Boats must be less than 26 feet long. If you bring a boat, it can be kept overnight at Big Lick Retreat’s private dock. Gas, limited groceries and camping items, boat and boat slip rentals, ice, bait, fishing tackle, trailer parking and storage, and battery charging are available at the Bolar Flat camp store and marina.

Information about fishing regulations can be found here.

Lake levels drop in September, based on weather and Gathright Management water releases, and the lake is often low through the autumn season. Our private, floating dock will be dry at 12′ below full pool. Lake Moomaw water levels can be found here.

Gathright Dam Management information can be found here.

Enjoy over 40 miles of private trailways for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Surrounded by national forest land – you will enjoy your own private wilderness! In order to preserve the natural qualities of Big Lick Retreat, motorized vehicles are not permitted on trails.

To hike the trails at the neighboring Bolar Mountain Recreation Area (the campground below Big Lick Retreat), check out their trail map. Our property is the light gray shaded area on the lower left hand of the map, and our property gate is located at the end of their Campground 3.

Wildlife abounds! Big Lick Retreat is the perfect location to observe turkey, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, black bears, and much more. Also on the property you’ll find a large private pond, stocked with bass and sunfish.

For more photos of Big Lick Retreat and information about our corner of the world, find us on Facebook!

Big Lick Retreat: On the Property
Big Lick Retreat: On the Property
Explore our trails, gorgeous in any season.
Explore our trails, gorgeous in any season.
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Along Trail to Bass Pond
Along Trail to Bass Pond
Private Bass Pond at Big Lick Retreat
Private Bass Pond at Big Lick Retreat
Bass Pond
Bass Pond
Bass Pond
Bass Pond
Lake Moomaw from Stoney Bottom Lodge
Lake Moomaw from Stoney Bottom Lodge
Big Lick Retreat is the only private property on the lake.
Big Lick Retreat is the only private property on the lake.
Enjoy exclusive private lake access via our dock.
Enjoy exclusive private lake access via our dock.
Private Dock
Private Dock
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In our woods or on the water: Join us soon!
In our woods or on the water: Join us soon!