Blackberry Mountain Review: What to Know Before You Book

Blackberry Mountain | Walland, Tennessee | Relais & Châteaux | Rates from ~$1,000/night

Blackberry Mountain opened in 2018 as the younger sibling to Blackberry Farm, about 15 minutes away. Where the Farm is organized around agrarian tradition, culinary prestige, and wine, the Mountain is built around movement, wellness, and the landscape itself. They share ownership, a culinary philosophy, and the Camp Blackberry kids program. In almost every other way, they are different properties for different travelers.

I stayed with my kids and took the time to eat at both restaurants, tour all the accommodation types, and work through a real cross-section of the programming. Here's what I found.

The Valley pool at Blackberry Mountain, heated family pool with Smoky Mountains backdrop

The Bottom Line

Blackberry Mountain is a stunning property with a strong sense of place. The natural setting is genuinely extraordinary, the design is one of the best I've seen at any American resort, and for active families or couples who want to unplug without going off the grid, it hits a real sweet spot. The service is warmer and more personal than at the Farm. The food at The Firetower is excellent. Overall we loved this property and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone thinking about a visit. It truly has something for everyone.

Costs: What to Actually Budget

Rates start around $1,000/night for entry-level Stone Cottages. Mountain Homes run considerably higher. Add a 20% service charge and applicable taxes to your room rate and to virtually every activity and spa treatment you book.

What's included: dinner on arrival day, daily breakfast through departure, lunch, morning wellness classes (specialty classes excluded), and pantry snacks and beverages. Alcoholic beverages are charged separately. Activities are priced per person or per group and are not included, with most guided experiences running $125–$325. The Nest spa is charged separately. Camp Blackberry sessions are $140 each, plus the service charge.

Children ages 4 and up staying in a parent's room are $250/child/night plus tax and service charge, covering meals, pantry items, and Camp Blackberry sessions.

The Setting

I cannot overstate the natural beauty here, and I say that as someone who has spent a good deal of her life in the mountains. Blackberry Mountain sits on 5,200 acres, 90% of which is a private nature reserve. The property spans three distinct elevations: the Lodge at the base, the Hub at mid-mountain, and The Firetower at the summit. You move between them by golf cart, included with every room, and each level offers a completely different perspective on the landscape.

The Great Smoky Mountains are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the temperate world and a billion years old, which gives them a geological character that's entirely different from the Rockies. The fog that rolls through daily is caused by vegetation releasing volatile organic compounds into the air. My family spotted a black bear and her cubs, countless rabbits, and my kids saw fireflies for the first time in their lives. That last one alone was worth the trip.

Misty morning view from Blackberry Mountain restaurant, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Accommodations: Which Room Type to Book

The design throughout is modern mountain lodge: natural wood, stacked stone, deep soaking tubs, floor-to-ceiling windows, and outdoor fireplaces. Nothing here looks like it was assembled from a catalog. It's restrained, well-considered, and the interiors are genuinely beautiful in a way that's hard to find at American resorts.

Stone Cottages The most centrally located option, tucked into the hillside near the Lodge. Stacked stone archways, iron windows, reclaimed oak floors, and outdoor patios with wood-burning fireplaces. Clean, warm, and well-appointed. Some configurations include a daybed with trundle that works for a family of four. These feel private without being remote. My recommendation for couples or small families who want to be close to the action.

Treehouses Perched on the ridge with sweeping views and a distinctly Scandi-modern aesthetic. Highly private and minimalist. Best for couples. Not the right choice if you're traveling with young kids.

Watchman Cabins At the summit, about a 10-minute drive from the Lodge and the Hub. No TVs, limited connectivity, and a 20-foot outdoor heated soaking limestone pool just steps away. Available in single king or two-queen configurations. These are for guests who want total quiet and are comfortable being genuinely remote. The views are extraordinary. Not right for families with young children.

Mountain Homes The best choice for families or groups. The homes feature multiple king bedroom suites with en-suite bathrooms, full kitchens, dining rooms that seat up to ten, stone wood-burning fireplaces, screened porches, and professional grills. We stayed in Outacite, which also included two attached Stone Cottages. It was spacious, beautifully designed, and extremely comfortable. The bed swing on the porch became my kids' favorite place on the property. Ping pong, shuffleboard, and an outdoor soaking tub rounded it out. If you can swing the budget, book a home.

A note on the property layout: this is a mountainside resort with real elevation change and stairs throughout. It is not a good fit for guests with significant mobility limitations.

Blackberry Mountain Treehouse ridgetop exterior, Scandi-modern luxury cabin Tennessee

Dining

The Firetower The clear standout. Dinner only, served in a restored 1940s fire watchtower at the summit of the property. The room is genuinely unlike anything else in American luxury hospitality: dramatic, intimate, and completely tied to the landscape around it. The food is more focused and better paced than Three Sisters, and the overall experience is more relaxed than the Barn at Blackberry Farm while still feeling like an occasion. I would eat here every night. Reserve it for your first evening so you have time to go back.

Three Sisters and Sycamore The main dining space at the Lodge, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The room is beautiful. Breakfast and lunch were reliable and often quite good. Dinner ranged from fine to forgettable depending on the evening, and pacing was consistently slow. There's real talent in the kitchen, but execution didn't always match the setting. Dress code is "mountain casual," which in practice means jeans and a nice top are welcome; ball caps, shorts, and flip flops are not permitted at dinner.

Meals follow the same structure as Blackberry Farm: dinner on arrival day and all three meals daily are included. Alcohol is separate. The wine list is shorter and more curated than the Farm's cellar, which is to be expected, but there are thoughtful selections throughout. The cocktail program is good, and the non-alcoholic options, including several NA wines, are genuinely worth trying.

Unlike Blackberry Farm, there is no hard separation between adult and family dining spaces, which makes mealtimes feel less formal and more flexible if you're traveling with kids.

The Firetower restaurant at Blackberry Mountain, restored 1940s fire watchtower Tennessee

Activities

The property is structured around movement. Most guests are hiking, biking, climbing, or doing the ropes course, and the energy of the place reflects that. Nearly all guided activities are priced per person or per group and carry the 20% service charge. Morning group fitness classes, including yoga, HIIT, suspension training, and outdoor boot camps, are included in the rate daily from 9–11am.

Hiking 36-plus miles of private trails on property, plus access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park beyond the border. Guided on-site hikes start at $150 per two guests for one to two hours and go up to $325 for a full-day outing. Off-property guided options are available at the same price points. Leisure hiking is complimentary and self-guided maps are available at the Hub.

Mountain Biking and Cycling A genuine strength of the property. Guided two-hour rides (mountain, road, or leisure) run $220/person; four-hour options are $290/person. The terrain here is real, not manicured. Come prepared for it.

The Arbor Adventure The ropes course, which includes Tyrolean traverses and rope bridges between treehouses set into the forest canopy. Two hours with a guide is $220/person. Worth doing with older kids or adventurous adults.

Rock Climbing and Bouldering The Hub includes an indoor climbing wall. One to two hours is $220/person, or $275 for a family of four for a 90-minute session. There's also outdoor bouldering available at the same price point.

Trail Running Guided trail running from one to two hours, starting at $125/person. The trails and terrain here are well-suited to serious runners.

Horseback Riding Private trail rides starting at $250/person for a two-hour Field and Stream Ride. A four-hour Wilderness Ride is $525/person.

Fly Fishing All fishing is off-property here, unlike at the Farm where Hesse Creek runs through the grounds. Half-day guided trips start at $290/person; a full-day float trip for two guests is $520.

Paddle Sports (May–October) Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are offered seasonally at $275/person for a half-day. Also off-property.

The Lexus Off-Road Adventure A two-hour guided off-road drive in a Lexus SUV through the mountain terrain. Drivers (ages 21 and up) are $220/person; riders (ages 10 and up, no car seats permitted) are $50/person. A genuinely fun option, especially for families with older kids.

Soundbathing, Forest Bathing, and Wellness Programming The Mountain leans into these offerings more than most luxury properties, and they're executed with more care than you might expect. Group soundbathing is $75/person for 75 minutes. Forest bathing experiences start at $140 for 50 minutes. Sunrise yoga at Goat Hill is $210/person for 75 minutes. I'll admit I didn't try all of these, but guests who did seemed genuinely moved by them. Curated elemental sound journeys start at $225 for the first guest.

Art Programming An unusually deep art menu for a resort of this type. Wheel-thrown pottery, trailside painting, watercolors, basket making, tile making, ceramics, embroidery, and more. Two-hour sessions typically run $220–$250/person; four-hour sessions are $375–$400. These are actual instruction-based experiences, not drop-in crafts. Worth considering for a rainy afternoon or for guests who want something quieter.

Camp Blackberry kids program at Blackberry Mountain, outdoor nature activity Tennessee

The Nest Spa

Named one of Vogue's top ten spa resorts in the United States in 2024, the Nest is a legitimate spa with a serious treatment menu. That said, it feels more like an amenity than a centerpiece. The setup is smaller and simpler than what you'll find at a dedicated destination spa, and the overall experience skews functional rather than immersive.

The treatment menu is strong. Massage options start at $210 for 50 minutes and include tailored mountain massage, CBD massage, Himalayan salt stone, and prenatal. The Joanna Czech Method facial is available at $650 for 80 minutes, which is a serious offering. Body treatments include exfoliation and hydration options starting at $230. The Recovery Lab, with assisted stretching, cupping, percussion, and fascial scraping, is a genuine differentiator for athletic guests and worth booking after a hard hiking or biking day.

My recommendation: book the spa for recovery treatments and one indulgent facial.

Kids and Families

This property works exceptionally well for active families, particularly those with school-age kids. The programming is genuinely engaging, the staff are warm and creative, and the pace of the property encourages kids to move and explore rather than stare at screens. I did not see one child on a device at any meal during my stay.

Camp Blackberry Available year-round for ages 3 and up. Sessions run morning (9am–1pm, lunch included), afternoon (1–5pm), and evening (5:30–9:30pm, dinner included). Each session features a rotating daily program: culinary activities, outdoor adventure, art, wellness, and mountain exploration. Cost is $140/session plus the 20% service charge. The staff were engaged, kind, and genuinely creative. My kids loved it. The nature scavenger hunt was a particular highlight. The slime-making session was less welcome in my home, but the kids were delighted.

Journey Seekers For ages 12 and up: wood burning, jewelry making, wilderness survival skills, upcycled journaling, and seasonal paddle skills. All $150/person, or $75 for paddle skills. Good programming for older kids who are aging out of traditional kids club activities but not quite ready to do the full adult activity menu.

Family Activity Programming Dedicated family versions of the major activities: family indoor climbing ($275 for up to 4 guests), family exploration hike ($275 for up to 4), family paddle sports ($275 for up to 4), family outdoor acrylic painting ($275 for up to 4), and family yoga ($250 for up to 4). All are 90 minutes to two hours, with $50 per additional guest.

The Valley The 15-acre outdoor activity area at the base of the property. Heated pool, pickleball and tennis courts, a natural pond with a large waterslide and a smaller one (my kids went down approximately a thousand times), paddleboards, and a classic lawn with oversized chess. This is where families spend most of their daylight hours in summer. It's excellent.

Babysitting Available for children as young as 6 weeks at $35/hour per sitter. Two-hour minimum; book well in advance.

Wellness and Fitness

This is where Blackberry Mountain differentiates itself most clearly from the Farm. The Hub at mid-mountain houses a full gym, indoor rock climbing wall, fitness studios, and a professional kitchen used for culinary programming. Daily group classes from 9–11am are included in the rate and range from yoga and meditation to HIIT, barre, TRX, suspension training, and outdoor boot camps. Private versions of all of these are available at $130–$135 for 50 minutes.

The Recovery Lab is a genuine asset for guests who are pushing themselves physically. Assisted stretching, cupping, percussion therapy, fascial scraping, and compression treatments run $90–$260 for 50-minute sessions. If you're doing full-day hikes or multi-hour bike rides, book a recovery session before you leave.

A Note on Getting Here

Most guests at Blackberry Mountain come from east of the Rockies: Atlanta, New York, Nashville, Dallas, Miami. The closest airport is Knoxville (TYS), about 45 minutes away. As someone based on the West Coast, I'll be honest: the logistics require some consideration. The property is exceptional, but it's not a quick or easy trip from Portland, Seattle, or San Francisco. If you're east of the Rockies, this is an easier call. If you're not, weigh it carefully against the time investment.

Treehouse interior at Blackberry Mountain with panoramic mountain views

How It Compares to Blackberry Farm

The two properties are 15 minutes apart and share ownership, a culinary philosophy, Camp Blackberry, and the same 20% service charge structure. Beyond that, they have distinct personalities and attract different guests.

The Farm skews older, more formal, and more food-and-wine focused. The Mountain skews younger, more casual, and more active. The Farm has one of the great wine cellars in North America and a fine dining restaurant that is genuinely hard to match domestically. The Mountain has better wellness infrastructure, a more contemporary design sensibility, and a setting that feels more untouched. Service was warmer and more consistent at the Mountain during my stay.

For families with kids who want to be active, the Mountain is the stronger choice. For guests who want a culinary-forward trip with wine as a centerpiece, the Farm wins. For anyone with five or more nights, a split stay is worth considering.

My Recommendation

Book a Stone Cottage if you're a couple or a small family who wants to be close to the Lodge and The Valley. Book a Mountain Home if you're traveling with multiple kids or a group and want space and privacy. Reserve The Firetower for your first dinner. Do at least one full-day hike or bike ride. Book a Recovery Lab session after it. Use Camp Blackberry if you have kids between 3 and 12 and build at least one morning around it.

The service here is genuinely warm. The natural beauty is among the best I've encountered at any American resort. The food at The Firetower alone justifies the trip. For the right traveler, this is one of the best domestic options available.

Planning a trip to Blackberry Mountain, or trying to decide between the Farm and the Mountain? Reach out. I'm happy to help you figure out which property fits your group, or whether a split stay makes sense.

Blackberry Mountain | Walland, Tennessee | Relais & Châteaux | Rates from approximately $1,000/night plus 20% service charge and applicable taxes | Golf cart included with all room types