Readers of Gourmet Magazine were recently asked , “What’s the favorite destination for the new millenium?” Increasingly, the answer is “anything outdoors, as long as good food and cozy bed are included.”

Like most country inns, we trade in a change of pace, romance and a well set table. But over the years we’ve come to understand that Fort Lewis has an asset that very few others have. Our wilderness - the mountains, forests, fields and streams and all the creatures that call this their home.
Our 3200 acre mountain plantation is a diamond in the rough for the outdoor enthusiast. As stewards of the land we consider it our pleasure as well as duty to preserve the natural beauty and share the bounty. Therein lies the foundation upon which Fort Lewis Lodge was built.

The day begins. Miles of marked hiking trails lead guests of all ages to mountain top vistas and beyond. Other paths wander through mature stands of timber with carpets of fern and wild flowers where with some patience and stealth you may spot a cautious young buck or flock of wild turkeys. Spend the day on the trail with a picnic lunch or just sit beside a cascading stream with your latest novel. Fit bikers can tour backroads for hours, counting all the cars seen on one hand.

And yes, the Cowpasture River runs through. Carved at the base of a towering rock wall adjacent to the Lodge, guests are always thrilled at the discovery of an old-fashioned swimming hole, complete with a deck and inner tubes. In the spring, at the river’s far bend, anglers will find trout waiting for the first hatch of mayflies and smallmouth bass still on their redds.

But, in the end, we remain a place where you can simply leave the familiar sights and sounds of your other life behind. Where you can wander and read and sit out and watch the mist rise off the river at dusk. Where Caryl still serves the finest, freshest menu around (we can’t help but brag a little).

So give us a call at 540-925-2314. Or bring us up on the web - www. fortlewislodge.com. We’ll set the table for you.