Set on 17 acres of grounds, Wildwood has an extensive and wonderful network of wildflower trails that wend their way down hillsides, over rustic bridges and chattering streams to remote, private picnic and sitting areas - by the spring-fed pond - along "Butterfly Boulevard" leading to "Hummingbird Alley" or on "Ladies Slipper Circle", to name but a few.
The trails are mulched and bordered with rocks or hand woven branch fences - we even like it when the wind blows tree limbs down, so we can build up the fences! (well, Julia didn't think much of that joke...)

Julia is an avid gardener and wildflower lover. She has developed the wilderness that prevailed when they bought the Lodge into a managed conservation area for Tennessee wild flowers. She maintains that delicate balance between helping, but not interfering too much with, nature. One photographer, up here for the spring flowers, said that the best place he had found to photograph during his weekend stay was Wildwood's trails ! Over the years, Julia has propagated most of the local wild flowers - and after much trial and some errors, has found their favorite habitats - whether dry, sunny banks, shady spots beneath thick tree cover or marshy areas. The trails give you a chance to see the beauty of Big South Fork's plants and trees, in an easily accessible, concentrated area.
One of the trails leads from the Lodge to the stables, the old barn, the cabins and the pasture land down to Acorn Cottage. At the far end of the pasture, you will find a pond, which we keep well stocked with a variety of fish. We are happy for our guests to try their luck at catching them.

Just behind the Lodge, there's a shady, mossy lawn with numerous hammocks to laze in. If you're feeling more energetic, why not throw a few horseshoes? You can grill out here and eat, even after dark - the picnic area is floodlit. On cooler nights, when the weather permits, you may want to take advantage of the bonfire area - there's ample seating - to chat with others, join a sing-a-long or just toast marshmallows. Bring your guitar, you'll find a number of "pickers" stay at Wildwood and enjoy the bonfire.

Close to the Lodge, Julia is a more conventional gardener - from mid-April to the first frosts, the Lodge is festooned with hanging flower baskets, magnificent displays in planters - her gigantic coleus always impress the guests! She has a mature perennial garden and numerous flower beds that change throughout the seasons. Flowers and plants are an integral part of the Lodge's welcome - and provide a constant supply of color for the table decorations and sitting room.

Top of page