Our Facility
Mountain Shepherd Adventure School is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Craig County, Virginia. The facility sits on a secluded 100 acres, bordering the Jefferson National Forest with the Appalachian Trail nearby. The property features a series of wooded trails that follow and cross the creeks and streams, several outdoor classrooms and campsites, and a spring-fed pond. Visitors and participants enjoy majestic mountain views and the silence of the backcountry. Continue reading to discover more about our indoor and outdoor spaces!
The Lodge
Inside of Mountain Shepherd’s 4000-square-foot modern-rustic lodge you’ll find the perfect spaces for resting after a long day of learning, holding a conference with your corporate team, or hosting a workshop or private event! Accommodations in the Lodge include rooms that sleep 4, 8, or 10 people each, and private bathrooms. The Lodge sleeps up to 46 people total, and faces our pond and the neighboring mountains for stunning views.
To book a private room (sleeps 1-4) or a bunk room (sleeps 8 or 10) in the Lodge, check out our AirBnB listing here.
The Pitchwood Pub
The Pub is the ultimate gathering space for course participants and registered guests. Our courses often kick-off and wrap-up in the pub, and you’ll find fellow adventurers there socializing over coffee and drinks during breaks and evenings. The building features a commercial kitchen for catered events and the indoor dining area seats about 100 people. There are also several tables on the garden patio, and a couple within our screened porch.
While in the pub, visit the Mountain Shepherd store! Shop early…Shop often! We are authorized dealers for brands like Kelty, Buck Knives, ENO: Eagles Nest Outfitters, Mountain House, Darn Tough, Ultimate Survival Technologies, Honey Stinger, and more. After your course, stock up on some of the gear used and recommended by our instructors, and don’t forget the souvenirs! We have Mountain Shepherd survival kits, hats and t-shirts, plus paracord survival bracelets in a color to match every outfit.
The Cabin
The Cabin at Mountain Shepherd is the perfect spot for a cozy, private retreat. The rustic space sleeps up to 7-8 people total, with 2-3 in the common area, up to 2 in the master bedroom, and 3 in the loft. A private bathroom, small refrigerator, gas fireplace, and snuggly sitting area complete the indoor space, but guests most enjoy the wrap-around porch overlooking the pond for outdoor relaxation!
For more information and to book your stay in the Cabin, check out our AirBnB listing here.
The Stage
The outdoor stage is Mountain Shepherd’s own unique multi-purpose space! The acoustics are excellent and the grassy lawn is perfect for a summertime concert. The stage also hosts our courses from time to time, serving as a covered outdoor classroom close to the Lodge. Sometimes the stage even becomes a yoga studio, crafting corner, or talent show space, depending on who’s adventuring at Mountain Shepherd that week! This space is also available for use as a part of private events.
Even the drive to Mountain Shepherd Survival School is beautiful! You’ll meander through a picturesque valley dotted with farms and crisscrossed with streams. You may even pass by an Appalachian Trail thru hiker and you are sure to see deer!
The lodge and all its amenities are available throughout all the courses. The experience is yours – you can choose to use the modern facilities or fully immerse in nature. Looking for a venue for a private event, a corporate retreat, wedding, reunion, birthday party or bachelor party? Check out our Events and Lodging page and please contact Dina at dina@mountainshepherd.com for more information.
Directions
Please keep a copy of the directions with you when you travel. Technology does not serve our area well and often sends drivers the long way, the wrong way, or to a completely different location. If your schedule allows, travel during daylight hours. The views are spectacular! Printable Directions
From the North
Interstate 81 South towards Roanoke, Va. Take Exit 141. Take a left at the stop light. Travel 1/3 of a mile and then follow the roundabout to take a slight right onto Route 311. You’ll see the Orange Market on the left. A BP and Subway on the right. Follow Route 311 for 12 miles to a left on Route 621/Upper Craigs Creek Road. Follow Route 621 for 9.3 miles. Set your odometer, as it is a long and winding 9.3 miles to our sign on the right. Our property is lined with a brown wooden fence. Take the right on Hemlock Ridge Lane and stay straight through the red gates. Get a bit of momentum heading up the hill. Parking area is at the bottom of the circle driveway.
From the South
Interstate 81 North towards Christiansburg/Blacksburg, Va. Take Exit 118B Us-11/US 460 towards Blacksburg. Follow US 460 approximately 15.8 miles to a right on Route 621/Craigs Creek Road. Watch for a brown Jefferson National Forest sign on the right. The right turn on Route 621 is just past that sign. Follow Rt. 621 for 11.9 miles to our sign on the left. Just before the turn on Hemlock Ridge Lane you will pass a white church on the left and a subdivision, Foxfire, on the right. Our sign is tilted a bit in the other direction. Our property is lined with a brown wooden fence. Take the left on Hemlock Ridge Lane and stay straight through the red gates. Get a bit of momentum heading up the hill. Parking area is at the bottom of the circle driveway.
From the West
Take 460 East to a left on Route 621. (If your GPS directs you to turn on Route 42, avoid it. You will end up on dirt road. Stay on 460 until you reach Route 621!) Watch for a brown Jefferson National Forest sign and a sign for Pandapas Pond on the right. The left turn on Route 621 is just past that sign. Follow Rt. 621 for 11.9 miles to our sign on the left. Just before the turn on Hemlock Ridge Lane you will pass a white church on the left and a subdivision, Foxfire, on the right. Our sign is tilted a bit in the other direction. Our property is lined with a brown wooden fence. Take the left on Hemlock Ridge Lane and stay straight through the red gates. Get a bit of momentum heading up the hill. Parking area is at the bottom of the circle driveway.
From the East
Travel to Interstate 81 and follow the directions above from the north or south.