Retreat, reconnect, and be restored
All-Inclusive Retreats at Great Blue Heron
Perched above the South Holston River with sweeping mountain views, the Great Blue Heron cabin is Tailwaters Lodge’s dedicated home for group retreats and corporate off-sites. Meet in a bright, natural-light great room, dine on expansive decks, and let our team handle the details—from chef-prepared meals to unforgettable river experiences.
Located in Northeast Tennessee, Tailwaters Lodge sits along the renowned South Holston River with easy access to the Watauga River and South Holston Lake. You’ll enjoy terrific trout fishing, 1.5+ miles of accessible private and public river frontage, and scenic river trails, all just a short drive from Bristol and Tri-Cities Airport. Our flagship cabin, The Great Blue Heron, is purpose-built for retreats and corporate off-sites. A spacious, natural-light great room, two expansive decks, and stunning views create an inspiring backdrop for strategy sessions, board meetings, and team-building getaways.
- Comfortable seating for meetings and meals (up to 28 guests comfortably)
- Upper deck for sunrise breakfast and coffee
- Lower deck for dinner, social hour, and evening conversations
- Flexible layouts for presentations, workshops, and breakout discussions
- High-speed Wi-Fi and convenient power access
- Dedicated catering flow so your group stays together and undistracted
The Great Blue Heron Experience
Give your group a retreat that feels special from start to finish. Picture breakfast on the upper deck, strategy sessions in the great room, and evenings gathered around the downstairs deck with great food, soft lighting, and river valley views.
Chef-Prepared, All-Inclusive Meals
Our all-inclusive retreats feature meals prepared by a private catered chef: social hour with hot appetizers, chef dinner, hot breakfast, snacks, and soft drinks. Enjoy breakfast on the upper deck, dinner on the lower deck or in the great room, and let us handle the planning, shopping, and cleanup.
Soft drinks are stocked in your cabins before arrival, and your group is welcome to bring its own wine, beer, and spirits for social hour and dinners.
Ask About Menus & Service
Day Use at Great Blue Heron
Looking for an inspiring space for a single-day event? Great Blue Heron is available for day use at $450 per day, designed with local and regional businesses in mind. Host a strategy summit, leadership workshop, client appreciation event, or team-building day in a setting that feels far away—yet is close to Bristol and Tri-Cities.
- Exclusive daytime use of the Great Blue Heron for meetings and gatherings
- Optional add-on: chef-prepared meal or curated social hour
- Optional add-on: guided float or wade fishing experience for your group
- Ideal for up to 28 guests comfortably, depending on setup and activities
Team Experiences on the South Holston
Enhance your retreat or day event with guided river floats from our premier, Orvis-endorsed partner. Guides provide all gear and flies, plus lunch on full-day floats—your group simply shows up and enjoys the day. We arrange your floats at no extra service charge.
Group Lodging & Meal Rates
Per-person pricing, single and double occupancy, including lodging and catered meals (social hour, hot appetizers, dinner, hot breakfast, snacks, and soft drinks).
Single: $690 | Double: $520
Single: $1035 | Double: $775
Single: $1380 | Double: $1035
Single: $1725 | Double: $1295
Single: $2070 | Double: $1550
Guided floats can be added: $550 full-day (two anglers) or $400 half-day (two anglers). We handle scheduling at no additional service charge.
Sample Overnight Retreat (2 Days / 1 Night)
Here’s one way to structure a focused overnight retreat at Great Blue Heron:
Day 1
- Arrival and welcome coffee on the upper deck
- Strategy session or workshop in the great room
- Breakout walks along the river trail or deck conversations
- Chef-prepared dinner and social hour on the lower deck
Day 2
- Hot breakfast on the upper deck
- Guided float or wade fishing experience
- Closing session in the great room or on the deck
- Departure
Easy to Reach, Wonderfully Secluded
- 20 minutes to I-81 and convenient to Bristol, TN/VA
- End of a dead-end road, surrounded by TVA public land for privacy
- 540' private river frontage plus additional TVA river access
- Nearby trails including scenic sections of the Appalachian Trail
- Biking from the cabin and easy access to the Virginia Creeper Trail
- Pontoon rentals on South Holston Lake and nearby private-club golf
Ready to Plan Your Group Retreat?
Share your dates, group size, and goals. We’ll tailor a proposal around Great Blue Heron—whether you’re planning an overnight retreat or a focused day event—and help you choose the right activities and meals.
Gallery
Great Room
