Elevate Retreat
Make space for your next move
On Big Buck Mountain, Elevate Retreat makes room for a different kind of reset: five days shaped around clarity, discipline, reflection and the personal standards that guide your choices. Created for high performers feeling crowded by pressure and daily noise, it favors focused self-inquiry over a packed wellness itinerary or a dose of borrowed motivation. The retreat is self-guided, for individuals or small groups, so the work is personal rather than organized around a tightly scripted group program. Forest and long-range mountain views, outdoor spots for reading or journaling, and a stone-fireplace living room give the days a quieter backdrop; an outdoor fire pit offers a place to gather in the evening. The cabin has a kitchen, Wi-Fi and air conditioning in rooms, while groceries can be arranged as an add-on. This is a paid retreat with a five-day framework, suited to guests ready to step back, think honestly and begin acting on what they want to change.
Highlights
- A structured five-day reset designed around clarity, discipline and personal standards
- Self-guided format for individuals or small groups, rather than a tightly scripted group program
- Outdoor seating areas set up for reading, journaling and solitude
- Evening reflection around a fire pit on private mountain acreage
Good for
Setting
The retreat sits on private acreage atop Big Buck Mountain, surrounded by forest and long-range mountain views. Outdoor seating, quiet wooded surroundings and an evening fire pit create room for solitude and reflection, while a stone fireplace anchors the rustic living room.
A typical day
The retreat follows a five-day framework, but the experience is self-guided rather than built around a fixed group timetable. Expect personal reflection and deliberate work, with time to read, journal or spend time outdoors; ask the host about the day-to-day structure before booking.
Accommodation
Guests stay in a secluded mountain cabin at Sky Island Lodge. The property has a kitchen, Wi-Fi, towels, coffee and tea, and air conditioning in rooms; grocery shopping can be added.
What to bring
Pack comfortable clothes for personal reflection, plus a journal and a book if you like to read outdoors. Average temperatures are around 14.7°C, with warmer summers and colder winters; bring layers and rain protection, especially in the wetter months of February, April and May.
How to get there
The cabin is at 2501 Brushy Top Rd, Ellijay, GA 30540. Guests arrange their own transportation; a rental vehicle with 4x4 or all-wheel drive is strongly recommended for the gravel logging roads, especially in rain or winter weather. Gate and entry instructions are sent after booking.
Nearest airport: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field) (CHA) (76 km)
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field, CHA) is approximately 76 km from the retreat, around a 1.5 to 2-hour drive. Guests are responsible for their own onward transport, and renting a vehicle is strongly recommended.
Nearest city: Chattanooga
Contact the center directly to ask about dates and reserve, then follow the arrival instructions provided after booking.
Prices start at USD 3,212. Confirm the current rate and what it includes with the center before booking.
Climate
Climate Zone: Temperate
Best Months: Sep, Jul, Oct
Avoid: May, Feb, Apr
Ellijay has an annual average temperature of 14.7°C, with the warmest months in June through August and the coolest in December through February. May, February and April tend to be wettest, while July, September and October are among the driest, so layers and rain protection are useful for time outdoors.
Location
Frequently asked questions
Is there a set daily schedule?
The retreat is self-guided, not a tightly scripted group program. Ask the host what structure to expect during your dates.
Is this retreat suitable for someone new to meditation?
No prior meditation experience is stated as a requirement. The focus is self-guided reflection and personal work; ask the host if you have questions about the format.
Are meals included?
Grocery shopping is offered as an add-on. Ask the host about meal arrangements and what the grocery option covers.
How long is the retreat, and how do I reserve a place?
The retreat is structured as a five-day experience. Contact the center directly to ask about dates, availability and booking.
What should I know about driving to the cabin?
Guests arrange their own transportation. The approach includes gravel logging roads, so a 4x4 or all-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended, especially in rain or winter weather.
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience!