Aerial view southwest along the private lake and forested valley at Wild Mule Reserve
Bastian, Virginia

A private lake. Your people. The whole valley.

Past the farms and the cattle, a private gate, and a mile of forest. The road ends above a private lake, with the Lake Hall on the water and the lodge on the rise. The estate is yours while you are here.

The estate

580 acres, bordered on three sides by national forest.

The estate at a glance: A 15-acre private lake. Over nine miles of trails. Rural skies for stargazing.

You drive through farmland, past barns and cattle, and stop at a gate that opens to your own code. A gravel road runs a mile through the woods. Then the valley opens: the lake, the Lake Hall, the lodge.

Jefferson National Forest borders the property on three sides, more than 40,000 acres of it. The creek that feeds the lake begins four miles up the valley and is untouched above you. The Appalachian Trail runs along the boundary. Over nine miles of trails wind through the estate.

A private lake, this much land, and national forest on three sides are not things you can simply build into a venue. They come together here. For your stay or wedding, you get to make this rare setting your own.

Secluded in nature, not cut off from the world. High-speed fiber internet lets you stay connected when you need to. The rest of the time is yours.

The land, the lake, the arrival

Campus view across the lake, with a rendering of the Lake Hall below the lodge
The campus from across the lake. The Lake Hall is shown as a rendering; construction is nearly complete.
Two ways to be here

A stay, or a celebration.

Lodge porch over the lake

Stay

Alexander Lodge and The Cottage, together. The lake to yourselves. A three-night minimum, with time to settle in and let the days unfold. The Lake Hall is not included.

A bride and groom walking beside the lake with autumn forest behind them

Weddings

The Day for your ceremony and dinner by the water. The Weekend for the night before, the morning after, and your people staying close in the Lake Hall, Alexander Lodge, and The Cottage. Friday afternoon through Monday morning, with overnight lodging for up to 24. Up to 150 celebrate.

Alexander Lodge great room

Alexander Lodge

Timber, stone, and a grand fireplace. The house above the lake, with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. Sleeps 10.

The Cottage kitchenette with blue cabinets and a window over the sink

The Cottage

1 bedroom, 1.5 baths. Sleeps 2. A separate door in the trees.

The Lake Hall reception tables beneath vaulted beams, with windows facing the lake

The Lake Hall

Dinner on the water. The Lake Hall comfortably accommodates up to 150 guests. Sleeps 12 with The Weekend.