New River Gorge Women's Retreat

October 1–3, 2027 · Fayetteville, West Virginia

A weekend of whitewater, sunset hikes, and walking under one of the most famous bridges in the country, with a group of women who are about to become your friends.

Why I'm hosting this

I'm Tavia, the mom and adventurer behind Big Brave Nomad. I spend most of my trips planning around three kids, nap times and snack bags. This weekend is different. It's for us.

I wanted to put together the kind of trip I'd want to go on myself. Real adventure, a beautiful house to come back to, good food I don't have to think about, and time with women who get it. You don't need to know anyone. You don't need to be an athlete. You just need to say yes.

Most of the women coming won't know each other yet, and that's the point. By the time we've paddled through our first rapid together, we won't be strangers.

The weekend at a glance

Friday, October 1: Arrive, meet and hike
Pull in at 4 PM, drop your bags, and meet the women you’ll be sharing this weekend with. Then we’ll lace up and walk straight from the house to the Endless Wall Trail. It winds through tunnels of rhododendron and out to sandstone cliffs, with the New River a thousand feet below. We’ll catch the last light of the day from Diamond Point as the gorge turns gold, then head back for a warm dinner and our first night around the fire pit under a sky full of stars.

Saturday, October 2: Rafting and a Long Point sunset
Wake up to the sun rising over the gorge, coffee in hand, already laughing with women who were strangers yesterday. After a homemade breakfast, we’ll head to ACE Adventure Resort for a full day on the Lower New River, one of the best whitewater runs in the country. Expect big rapids with names like Double Z and Greyhound Bus Stopper, calm stretches where we float under the cliffs, and lunch right on the river. We’ll come back soaked, tired and grinning, then rest up before an evening hike to Long Point. From that rocky ledge we’ll watch the sun set behind the New River Gorge Bridge, the one we’re walking tomorrow. Dinner off the grill and one more night of stories by the fire.

Sunday, October 3: The Bridge Walk
One last slow morning on the porch with coffee and breakfast together. Then it’s time for the big one. We’ll clip in and walk the catwalk underneath the New River Gorge Bridge, 851 feet above the river, with the fall colors spread out below us. Some of us will be terrified, and we’ll do it anyway, together. We’ll finish with a group photo, big hugs, and a weekend none of us will forget.

Where We’re Staying

We'll have The Lightning Bug Inn all to ourselves, a cozy home inside New River Gorge National Park, minutes from the bridge and Fayetteville. It has a big kitchen, a wraparound porch with mountain views, a fire pit, and three full bathrooms.

Every woman gets her own bed. No sharing beds, no air mattresses.

Choose Your Room

Old Blue Room: $699 Private room with a full bed, all to yourself. SOLD OUT

Bee Room: $699 Private room with a single bed, all to yourself. Only 1 available · $250 deposit

Master Suite: $599 Shared Room with King bed and a sofa. SOLD OUT

The Lure: $529 Upstairs room with 1 king and 2 twin beds, next to the upstairs bathroom. Your own bed, two roommates. Only 3 spots · $150 deposit

Fox Den: $459 Shared room with 4 separate twin beds. Your own bed, three roommates. Only 4 spots · $150 deposit

What's Included

• 2 nights at The Lightning Bug Inn

• Full-day Lower New River rafting trip with ACE Adventure Resort, lunch included

• New River Gorge Bridge Walk on Sunday at 10 AM

• All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast

• Snacks for rafting and both hikes, plus seltzers and sodas

Not included: travel to the New River Gorge, alcohol, guide tips, travel insurance, personal shopping, or souvenirs.

How Payment Works

Reserve your bed with a deposit ($150 for shared rooms, $250 for private rooms). The rest is due by July 15, 2027, and you can pay it any time before then. I'll email you the payment link after you book.

Deposits and payments are nonrefundable, since I pay for our lodging and activities in advance. If something comes up, you can transfer your spot to a friend. If I ever have to cancel the retreat, you'll get a full refund.

FAQ

Do I need rafting experience? No. ACE's guides are in the raft with you and walk everyone through it before we launch. First-timers do this trip all the time.

How hard are the hikes? Both hikes are easy. On Friday we’ll walk the Endless Wall Trail out to its two overlooks, Fern Point and Diamond Point. It’s mostly flat, about 2.5 miles round trip, and the views over the gorge are some of the best in the park. On Saturday evening, Long Point is about 3 miles round trip, mostly easy, with a short rocky stretch at the end to the overlook. If you can walk a few miles at an easy pace, you’ll be fine.

I'm scared of heights. Can I do the Bridge Walk? You're clipped in the entire time, and the guides are great with nervous walkers. A few of us will probably be scared together, and that's part of the fun. It's also completely optional.

What if I don't know anyone? Most of the women coming won't know each other. That's what this weekend is for.

Can I bring a friend? Yes. Book together and you can share a room. Each of you reserves your own bed.

How do I get there? You drive yourself. Fayetteville, WV is about 5 hours from the DC area.

What about food allergies? Tell me on the booking form and I'll plan around it.

Is there a waiver? Yes, you'll agree to my retreat waiver when you book. ACE and Bridge Walk each have their own too, and I'll send you those links before the trip.

Questions? Email me at tavia@bigbravenomad.com.