For those who live in the Mid Atlantic part of the U.S., a perfect weekend getaway is Lydia Mountain Lodge and Log Cabins located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. The resort’s perfect location provides easy access to Charlottesville, wineries, hiking, driving scenic Skyline Drive, and museums and other cultural activities.
The resort is just over two hours west of Washington D.C., near Charlottesville, and offers a small lodge with just 11 rooms, and the Bearrr Appetit restaurant. In addition to the lodge, there are about 50 cabins ranging from one bedroom to six bedrooms. All of the cabins have a hot tub, and many of them are pet friendly. The cabins are scattered over a large forested and hilly area, and most of them are very private, tucked within woods.
I have stayed at the Lydia Mountain log cabins twice over the past two years, once during winter and another time during the fall. Any time of year provides a beautiful backdrop to the lodge and cabins, but the fall is especially glorious when the foliage is at its peak. The homey secluded cabins included a comfy living room with TV, fully furnished kitchen, wood burning fireplace (with wood provided), a hot tub on the deck overlooking a beautiful view, and a fire pit on the lawn, perfect for roasting smores. We found ourselves using the hot tub multiple times a day – a perfect spot to drink a glass of wine and take in the view.
The lodge and its large deck provides a beautiful view of the Shenandoah Valley. The Bearrr Appetit restaurant, located on the lower level of the lodge, offers good hearty breakfasts, sandwiches, burgers, salads and entrees such as steak, smoked brisket, smoked seared salmon, and mushroom stuffed fried chicken. Musicians / bands are also regularly scheduled at the restaurant. Lydia Mountain also offers a number of venues including barns for events such as weddings.
Lydia Mountain Lodge and Cabins offers a perfect location for exploring the surrounding area, including the charming and historic city of Charlottesville, the beautiful campus of the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate, James Madison’s Montpelier estate, Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, and the many nearby wineries and cideries. Some of my favorite wineries include Barboursville Vineyards, and Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards.
Getting There
From Washington D.C. area, take I-66 west to Highway 15 thru Warrenton. At Culpeper. Take Highway 29 west to Ruckersville, then Highway 33 west approximately eight miles to Bull Yearling Road, which leads to the lodge.
From Charlottesville, take Highway 29 north to Ruckersville, then Highway 33 west approximately eight miles to Bull Yearling Road, which leads to the lodge.