When your family needs a place to slow down, reconnect, and grow in faith together, the Blue Ridge Mountains are hard to beat. Camp Tekoa Retreats is one of the most welcoming family retreat centers in the region, offering Asheville family getaways that blend adventure, worship, and rest in a beautiful mountain setting. Just a short drive from Asheville in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Tekoa gives multi-generational groups everything they need for memorable mountain family retreats, from cozy lodging to lakeside zip-lines and quiet woodland chapels.
For more than four decades, families have gathered here to unplug from busy schedules and rediscover one another. Whether you are planning a reunion, a church family weekend, or a small getaway for a few households, Camp Tekoa is built to host you well.
Why Families Choose Camp Tekoa for a Mountain Getaway Near Asheville
Camp Tekoa sits in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by forest, streams, and a spring-fed lake. It is a ministry of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and its mission of touching hearts, changing lives, and sharing the light of Christ shapes every part of the experience.
Families return year after year for a few simple reasons:
- A genuinely faith-centered environment with spaces designed for worship and reflection
- Activities that work across generations, from young children to grandparents
- Flexible lodging that keeps families close together
- A peaceful, screen-optional setting that makes real conversation easy
- Easy access to the attractions and natural beauty of the greater Asheville area
The result is a retreat that feels both adventurous and restful, with room for laughter around a campfire and stillness on a meditation trail.
Accommodations Built for Multi-Generational Groups
Comfortable, flexible lodging is one of the most important features of any family retreat center, and Camp Tekoa offers plenty of options. The site is a 265-bed facility with 28 rooms across 12 buildings during the warmer months. From mid-October through mid-April, the heated buildings make Tekoa a 199-bed winterized facility with 16 rooms across 6 buildings, so families can gather comfortably in any season.
For families who want a more rustic experience, the 64-bed Adventure Base offers glamping in four shelters with 16 beds each, located near Thrushwood Lodge with full-service restrooms close by. You can review the full breakdown of cabins, beds, and amenities on the accommodations page.
A few things families appreciate about the lodging:
- Cabins and lodges that keep extended families together under one roof
- Select buildings with WiFi and heat/cooling for added comfort
- Several cabins with handicap-accessible features for guests with mobility needs
- A range of sizes that work for both small family groups and larger gatherings
Because availability shifts by season, it is wise to reach out early to find the right fit for your group.
Adventure and Activities for Every Age
Adventure is where families bond, and Camp Tekoa's on-site adventure offerings span the full range from gentle to thrilling. That means a 7-year-old and a grandparent can each find something that suits them, then cheer one another on. Some adventure elements require additional fees, so plan these with the camp team in advance.
On-Site Adventure Elements
- Big Zip: A fast double zip-line launching from a 45-foot tower with a vertical playground obstacle course
- 70-Foot Giant Swing: The most thrilling element on site, swinging out and back through the trees
- High Ropes Course: A 35-foot challenge course for older kids, teens, and adventurous adults
- Lake Zipline: A popular ride out over the spring-fed lake
- Bouldering wall: A low-to-the-ground climbing option suitable for many ages
- Tree Climb: A 35-foot climb into a tulip poplar that is a favorite for younger children
Lake, Trails, and Field
The 3-acre spring-fed lake is a hub of family fun, with a shallow end for little ones plus a high dive, slide, rope swing, canoes, and paddle boats. Beyond the water, families can explore even more:
- An 18-hole disc golf course spanning more than 5 acres, with holes friendly to beginners and challenging for experienced players
- Miles of hiking trails, including an easy lake loop for small children and the more demanding Eagle Trail for energetic teens
- A full-size activity field and a lighted outdoor basketball court with a covered pavilion for rainy days
- Bungo Ball, a high-energy game blending dodgeball and handball, plus the Low Elements Challenge Course for cooperative team building
The interactive camp map helps families plan their days and pick trails that match every age and ability.
Matching Activities to Every Age
Part of what makes Camp Tekoa work so well for multi-generational groups is the ability to tailor activities by age and comfort level. Younger children often gravitate toward the tree climb, the shallow end of the lake, and the bouldering wall, while teens and adventurous adults take on the high ropes course, the Big Zip, and the 70-foot Giant Swing. Gentler options like disc golf, the lake loop trail, canoes, and paddle boats invite the whole family to play side by side. Because the camp's trained staff can facilitate many of these elements, parents can relax and take part rather than managing every detail themselves.
Spaces for Worship, Rest, and Connection
What sets a Christian family retreat center apart is its room for faith, and Camp Tekoa's gathering spaces were made for exactly that. The facilities include indoor and outdoor settings for worship, meetings, and quiet reflection.
- Chapel in the Woods: Nestled between two streams near the lake's headwater springs, this peaceful chapel seats 100
- Campfire Circle: A historic gathering spot overlooking the lake that seats 250, ideal for songs, worship, and s'mores
- Open-Air Pavilion: Attached to the dining hall and perfect for worship, campfires, s'more parties, and active games
- Laurel Back Porch: A favorite spot with rocking chairs and room for a small campfire
- Meditation Trail: A contemplative path for prayer walks and quiet time
These spaces give families the freedom to design a weekend that balances active fun with meaningful worship and rest.
Dining Made Simple
Sharing meals is part of what makes a family retreat special. The cozy Camp Tekoa dining hall seats 185 and serves as a home away from home for retreat groups. The commercial kitchen is equipped with a propane stove, two convection ovens, warmers, and a full dishwashing station. Food service is required for retreat groups, providing a wide range of options and the ability to accommodate most dietary needs.
Explore the Greater Asheville Area
One of the joys of a mountain getaway near Asheville is everything waiting just beyond camp. Tekoa's location in the Land of Four Seasons puts a remarkable range of attractions within easy reach, making it simple to pair retreat time with regional exploration. Distances below are measured from Camp Tekoa:
- Downtown Hendersonville (5 miles)
- DuPont State Forest (10 miles)
- Pisgah National Forest (15 miles)
- Blue Ridge Parkway (25 miles)
- Biltmore Estate (30 miles)
The area also offers river rafting on the Nantahala, French Broad, and Pigeon rivers, snow tubing and skiing in winter, and easy access to Asheville and Brevard. You can find more ideas on the nearby attractions page.
Tips for Planning Your Mountain Family Retreat
A little planning goes a long way toward a smooth, meaningful weekend. As you map out your time at Camp Tekoa, keep these practical points in mind:
- Book early, since lodging availability shifts with the seasons.
- Decide on meals up front, coordinating with the Food Service Director.
- Reserve fee-based adventure elements like the zip-lines and high ropes course ahead of time so trained staff can be scheduled
- Build in unstructured time for spontaneous lake swims, porch conversations, and campfire evenings
- Plan a balance of active and reflective moments so every generation feels included
Families that arrive with a loose schedule and room for flexibility tend to enjoy the weekend most. The camp team is glad to help you shape an itinerary that fits your group's ages, energy, and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is Camp Tekoa to Asheville?
Camp Tekoa is located in Hendersonville, a short mountain drive south of Asheville, which keeps families close to the city's attractions while enjoying a quiet wooded setting. The Biltmore Estate, for example, sits about 30 miles from camp.
Can Camp Tekoa host both small and large family groups?
Yes. With 265 beds in the warmer months and a winterized 199-bed setup in colder months, plus the 64-bed Adventure Base, Tekoa can accommodate everything from a few households to large multi-family gatherings.
Do we have to cook our own meals?
Groups can prepare their own meals by booking Thrushwood Lodge, which sleeps 15 - 20. Larger groups will utilize Tekoa’s food service.
Plan Your Family Retreat in the Mountains
A faith-filled mountain getaway is closer than you think. From lakeside adventures to quiet worship in the woods, Camp Tekoa gives your family the space to reconnect and grow together near Asheville. To schedule a tour, ask questions, or check availability, reach out through the contact page or explore open dates on the booking page. Your family's next mountain retreat is waiting.