Lodging for Earthaven Visitors

Diana and her mother, Rosetta Neff, offer overnight accommodations for Earthaven visitors in two small passive‑solar off‑grid apartments on their homesite in the Forest Garden neighborhood.

Reservations: Diana or Rosetta: 828-669-9702;

Here's how the two units differ:

1. A tiny apartment (8' x 13' ) with sleeping loft accommodates 1 to 3, with queen futon in the loft and fold-out futon twin bed downstairs.

2. A larger apartment (14' x 13') with sleeping loft accommodates 1 to 5, with double-bed fold-out futon downstairs, and a queen futon and twin futon in the loft. It also has a small table and four chairs for meals.

Both units have:

• Equipped kitchenette; access to limited refrigerator space close by.
• Bring your own food for your meals. (Coffee, herb tea, and condiments provided.)
• Bedding, towels, provided. ($5 off per person if you bring and use your own bedding)
• Shower facilities nearby. Clean composting toilet nearby.
• Passive solar heating system with woodstove back-up.
• Passive solar cooling system supplemented by vents and fans
• Visitors’ Handbook describes facts about Earthaven, where to meet ecovillage members, etc.
• Internet service at the Trading Post, a 5-minute walk.

Our Requests:

• Infants are welcome; however please take used disposable diapers with you when you leave. (As if you were backpackers, "pack it out.") We have no facilities to compost both human waste and the non-biodegradable material of disposal diapers.)
• Please don't bring pets. This is serious! Earthaven's policy is that visitors may not bring pets, having to do with protecting wildlife and supporting our farmers. Thanks for understanding.
  

Rates:

• $50 a night for one person; $60 for two people. Add $10 for each additional person, excepting infants.

• Weekly, 7-day rate is 15% off the daily rate.
• We accept cash and checks but not credit cards.

To Reserve a Lodging Unit: Send a check for the $20 refundable key deposit plus the first night's lodging. The total is $70 for one person, $80 for two people, or $90 for three people. Please make out and send the check to Rosetta Neff, 46 Another Way, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Refunds: We'll mail back your $20 key deposit when we receive the key back and if the apartment and its furnishings, utensils, etc., are fine after you've used it.

Deposit Refund Policy: After we receive your deposit and reserve the unit for your requested dates, if you cancel the reservation or don't show up, your rental deposit will — or will not — be mailed back to you, depending on the following circumstances:

(1) If no one wanted to rent the unit during your reserved dates, then we will happily return your first night's deposit and key deposit.

(2) But if someone did want to rent the unit during your reserved dates (and of course we would have told them No), then we will keep your first night's deposit and key deposit to compensate somewhat for the missed income opportunity.
We hope you understand why we do this, and thanks.

Location: 46 Another Way. Fourth driveway on the left after entering the Earthaven Gate, before the first bridge. Diagonally across from the bamboo patch and the Forest Garden Educational Center. Please park in the pull-out below.

Tours: We highly recommend you take a tour of Earthaven while you're here, as that is how visitors can see and learn about the ecovillage.

Regularly scheduled public tours are offered every other Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Please call 828-669-3937 or email to reserve a space in the tour. It's mainly outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather.

Private tours are available at other times. The fee is $40 for one person, $50 for two people, and $20/person for three and up. Contact Melissa Lemoing, 828-669-0027, or email More tour information.

What guests say:

“I loved this stunning unit with its gorgeous wood beams and flooring. Mornings in the cozy upstairs loft were delightful with the sunlight streaming in. Highly recommended!”

—Sarah Taub, Chrysalis Community, Arlington, VA

“The apartment was great: from the smart and solid construction to your thoughtful attention to detail. May many happy visitors cross its threshold.”

—ML Healey, Greenwich, NY

“Mandy and I loved staying in this posh eco-apartment at Earthaven. We've visited over 80 sustainable communities and consider Earthaven the ‘Harvard’ of them all, and stepping into this apartment gave us an instant feel for the homes there. The curving loft railings of mountain laurel branches lent an organic earthy homey feeling from the beginning. The attached greenhouse is beautiful and helped warm the house! We loved the cozy and comfortable bedroom loft with the wonderful view of the woods and mountains. Even in such a small space it was easy for both of us to have alone time, as well as to unpack our gear and spread out a bit. The sustainable infrastructure gave us a glimpse of what it will be like to use a composting toilet, be more conscious of electrical energy use, and compost our kitchen scraps. We believe anyone staying in this space will remember it as a highlight of their journey toward a more sustainable way of life.”

—Ryan Mlynarczyk, "Within Reach" video documentary and bicycle tour. 

For more information or to make reservations, please contact Diana Leafe Christian or Rosetta Neff:  828‑669‑9702;