PERSONAL RETREAT PLANNER
This planning guide is offered to make it convenient for you to plan your personal or family
retreat at Ridgecrest Conference Center. Please understand that our purpose is not to serve
as another hotel option in the Asheville, NC area. Our mission is to guide people to a closer
relationship with each other, and ultimately - Jesus Christ.
During your visit, we understand that you may take full advantage of the many recreation
opportunities and area attractions available. More importantly, we ask that you include in
your plans to visit, time for God to work in your life. Some may wake early to watch the
sun rise from atop Ridgecrest’s Royal Gorge Lookout. Others may choose to invest time in
quiet reflection in our beautiful Prayer Garden. Whatever you choose to do, it is our purpose
and prayer that every guest leaves with a renewed relationship with God and a clearer
understanding of His will for their life.
WHEN ARE PERSONAL RETREATS AVAILABLE?
Ridgecrest is thrilled to invite individuals, couples and families to experience a spiritual retreat
in picturesque mountain settings. To check rates for a specific date, click here and enter
the information requested. The system will respond with the spiritual retreat rates available
(provided rooms are available within your specific date range).
WHAT TYPE OF ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE?
Ridgecrest offers deluxe housing in Mountain Laurel with 1 king bed or 2 queen beds per room.
Standard housing options include Rhododendron and Maple with 2 queen beds per room or
Walnut with 1 queen bed and 2 bunk beds per room, perfect for larger families.
GUIDELINES WE ASK OF OUR GUESTS
LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center strives to be Christ-honoring in all activities. Guests are
asked to assist and respect this mission by conducting themselves in a manner that would be
pleasing unto God at all times. In keeping with our mission, the following standards help to
assure the comfort of our guests: Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, firearms, and fireworks
are not permitted anywhere on the grounds. Ridgecrest is a tobacco-free environment and
immodest clothing, distasteful monograms, bare feet in public areas, or any extreme style of
dress are prohibited. With the exception of service animals, pets are not permitted at Ridgecrest.
As a courtesy to all guests, please observe quiet hours from 11:30 pm to 6:30 am.
CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT
Check-In time is 3:00 pm and Check-Out time is 11:00 am.
PARKING
FREE Parking is available on campus for all guests.
LOCATION
Ridgecrest is located just a few miles east of Asheville, North Carolina, at Exit 66 on Interstate 40.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
The drive to Ridgecrest is absolutely beautiful through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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From Interstate 40, take Exit 66 (Ridgecrest)
Turn left (if traveling east) or right (if traveling west) onto Dunsmore Avenue ,.2 mi
Turn right onto Old U.S. 70, 1 mi
Ridgecrest is on the Left
*Please note: Physical address does not work in most GPS systems and mapping programs,
please use the turn by turn directions provided above. The GPS Coordinates of Ridgecrest are
Lat N+35 37 16.36 Long W -82 16 38.03.
Driving Distances From:
Atlanta, GA....................215 miles
Charleston, SC............... 275 miles Charleston, WV..............310 miles Charlotte, NC.................110 miles Chattanooga, TN........... 240 miles Cincinnati, OH...............385 miles Columbia, SC..................165 miles
Gatlinburg, TN..............100 miles Greensboro, NC..............150 miles
Knoxville, TN.................130 miles
Lexington, KY................ 300 miles
Nashville, TN..................310 miles
Raleigh-Durham, NC......235 miles
Roanoke, VA...................240 miles
Savannah, GA ................320 miles
Greenville, SC.................80 miles
WEATHER
Western North Carolina experiences four distinct seasons. The warmest month of the year is
July, while winter hits its peak in January. Click here for monthly averages.
Being located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the temperatures at Ridgecrest usually
call for cooler evenings so be sure to bring a jacket and check the weather here for the 10 day
forecast before you pack.
AIRLINE TRAVEL
Asheville Regional Airport is serviced by several carriers including Delta Connection, Carriers
ASA and COMAIR, Northwest, US Airways, and US Express. For more information, contact
your local travel agent or visit Asheville Regional Airport.
Because the drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains is so beautiful, many Ridgecrest guests
enjoy flying into airports in Charlotte, NC, Greensboro, NC or Greenville, SC and driving
the short remaining distance by car. These larger airports generally offer discounted rates
through the larger carriers such as Southwest, Northwest, Delta, United, American, US Air
and Continental.
ON-CAMPUS RECREATION
Ridgecrest Conference Center’s diverse outdoor recreation options are a favorite of guests of all
ages. On any given day, visitors across the campus can enjoy our recreation area set against a
backdrop of stunning mountains. The recreation area includes:
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Softball
Basketball (gymnasium)
Tennis
Volleyball (gymnasium or outdoor sand)
AREA INFORMATION
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Hiking Trails (download trail map)
Miniature Golf ($3 per guest)
Fishing (bring own gear)
Disc Golf
Visit Black Mountain - Black Mountain overflows with art & craft galleries, artist studios,
specialty & antique shops, bookstores and furniture stores, where you can bring a piece of the
mountains back home with you.
Explore Asheville - Asheville is that type of unique, special place that lingers sweetly in
your mind and memories for years to come. Asheville’s historic and architecturally diverse
downtown remains beautifully preserved with 30-plus art galleries, a burgeoning culinary
scene and thriving live music in the awe-inspiring Appalachian Mountains. Asheville is the
ultimate playground, with a wide diversity of outdoor adventures and the ideal destination for
an active and healthy getaway.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Biltmore Estate Grandfather Mountain
Asheville Tourists Minor League Baseball Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Blue Ridge Parkway Linville Caverns
Cherokee Indian Reservation The North Carolina Arboretum
Chimney Rock Park Pisgah National Forest
Gorges State Park Waldensian Trail of Faith
AREA GOLF COURSES
Black Mountain Golf Course, Features a 747 yard par six hole. (828) 669-2710
The Grove Park Inn Golf Course, Designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1926, the
6,720 yard, par-70 course is contoured out of the rolling landscape with tree-lined fairways,
challenging bunkers and receptive Bent greens. (828) 252-2711
Mt. Mitchell Golf Club, A player friendly par 72, with no blind shots and scenery that makes it
hard to keep your mind on golf. (828) 675-5454
Call golf course for green fees.
WHITE WATER RAFTING AND CANOEING
Nantahala Outdoor Center, various outposts in Western North Carolina. White water rafting
on the French Broad, Ocoee, Nantahala, and Pigeon Rivers. 1-800-232-7238
Wildwater Ltd. Rafting, various outposts in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.
White water rafting on the Chattooga, Ocoee, Nantahala, and Pigeon Rivers. 1-800-451-9972
USA Raft, various outposts in Western North Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee. White water
rafting on the Nolichucky, Ocoee, French Broad, Nantahala, and Pigeon Rivers. 1-800-USARAFT. www.us raft.com
Southern Waterways, Asheville. Canoe and raft rental, French Broad. 1-800-849-1970
SNOW SKIING
Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, N.C., 27 miles north of Asheville. 1-800-221-0409
Cataloochee Ski Area, 40 miles west of Asheville. 1-800-768-0285
Appalachian Ski Mountain, between Boone and Blowing Rock. 1-800-322-2373
Ski Beech, Beech Mountain, highest slope in eastern North America. 1-800-438-2093
Sugar Mountain, Banner Elk, greatest vertical drop in the South. 1-800-784-2768
FAVORITE AREA RESTAURANTS
Tupelo Honey Cafe – (828) 255-4863
Corner Kitchen – (828) 274-2439 Moose Cafe – (828) 255-0920 My Father’s Pizza – (828) 669-4944 Red Rocker Inn – (828) 669-5991 Black Mountain Bistro – (828) 669-5041
Morning Glory Café – (828) 669-6212
Ole’s Guacamoles Mexican Kitchen – (828) 669-0550
Phil’s Bar-B-Que Pit – (828) 669-3606
The Blackbird Restaurant – (828) 669-5556
We are so excited you are considering a visit to our “Mountain of Faith”. We hope this
information has helped answer any questions you might have while planning your personal or
family retreat. However, we know we can’t think of everything. So, if you still have questions,
please don’t hesitate to contact us at 828.669.8022.
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