Trails
Walk from the cabinOur own half-mile loop trail
Starts from the deck and zigzags down past the spring. Marked, and a perfect morning coffee walk.
No need to drive anywhere.
Wander Lodge Rentals · Guest guideWild Turkey Ridge
A secluded A-frame on a wooded mountainside above Harpers Ferry: hot tub, arcade, movie room, a spring and our own trail.
01 · Arrival
Getting here, and getting in.
- 1
Most GPS routes come in on Route 340 or Route 9 through the edge of Charles Town, and that is the place to stop for groceries (Martin's, Food Lion, Weis, Walmart). Coming from the east through Leesburg, VA, stop there: it has every big store (Wegmans, Costco, Harris Teeter, Giant) and Route 9 turns rural right after. The River country store down our road has essentials, beer and wine only.
- 2
Set the address before you leave the main road. The last stretch is windy and cell service is patchy; the cabin Wi-Fi is fast once you are in.
- 3
Wild Turkey Road is paved. The last quarter mile is a steep hill and the cabin is at the top on the right. Two gravel driveways, and you can park in either. We point you to the SECOND one, past the cabin at the very top by the gazebo, only because that is where the front door is; an extra car fits in the first.
- 4
Your personal door code is in your check-in message and in the Airbnb app, and it works from 3 PM on check-in day until check-out. It only opens the front door on the deck by the gazebo; the sliding doors and basement doors lock from inside.
- 5
Parking: four cars across the two driveways, a fifth at the dead end. Please never park on the little side street; it is a neighbor's private drive.
- 6
Winter: the hill can be treacherous in snow or ice and AWD or 4x4 is strongly recommended. If three inches or more is forecast we will message you about timing.
02 · Wi-Fi
Network: Wild Turkey Ridge
Fast fiber; both of us work from the cabin. If it drops, unplug the white eero on the floor behind the living room TV for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Cell service is weak on the mountain, so turn on Wi-Fi calling.
Get the Wi-Fi passwordSame page as the QR code in the frame.
03 · The house
How things work, and the few rules.
Hot tub
- It sits around 98 to 100 between guests; hold the temp button up and it climbs to 104 fairly quickly. Cover on and latched when you are done; wind can flip it.
- The Jets 1 and Jets 2 buttons run the jets. Inside the tub, the diverter knobs on the rim send more or less water to each seat; set them however you like. A low hum after you switch the jets off is the filter cycle and is normal.
- Water spraying out of a jet above the water line means the level got low. Turn the jets off, flip the power off at the small sub-panel next to the tub, and message us. That is exactly the right move; we will send someone to top it up.
Propane fire pit and grill
- Check the propane first: tank valve open and the tank not empty (spares are next to the grill). Then push the dial in, hit the igniter, and HOLD the dial in for 5 to 10 seconds, longer than a grill, before turning it up.
- If everything is empty, message us and we arrange an exchange.
- Please turn both off at the tank when you are done.
Wood stove and wood fire pit
- The wood stove is very efficient: small fire, door closed, no damper to worry about. It will make the whole house hot, so in summer use the electric fireplaces downstairs for ambience instead.
- The wood fire pit is out the basement door by the spring, firewood rack right next to it. Firewood is on us; kindling is the sticks lying around the property.
- During a county fire ban the wood pit is off limits; the propane pit and grill are still fine.
Heat and AC
- One ecobee thermostat in the main hallway. Set whatever you like; it holds until 9 AM the next morning and then drifts back to our defaults. Just set it again.
- Upstairs bedroom gets warm on sunny afternoons and has its own portable AC: snowflake mode, lower the temp. If it shows Ft with a red light, the tank is full: unplug, empty it in a sink, plug back in.
- Basement chilly in winter: space heaters are in the basement bedroom closets. Off when nobody is home.
TVs and movie room
- The main TV is a Roku with Guest Mode: enter your check-out date, sign into your own apps, and it signs you out automatically on that date.
- The movie room TV downstairs has no guest mode, so please sign out of your apps before you leave. Its brain is the console box left of the TV behind the curtain; game consoles plug into that box, not the TV.
- Arcade cabinets are free to play. If one is dark, the outlets are directly behind them and they slide out.
Kitchen and laundry
- Drip coffee maker (single cup or pot, ground coffee provided), French press and a grinder. Ninja air fryer, crock pot, everything to cook with.
- Washer and dryer are in the basement laundry closet, detergent on top of the washer.
- The upstairs tub drains slowly by design: unscrew the drain plug a turn and it flows.
Trash and recycling
- Trash in the BLACK can, recycling in the YELLOW can by the driveway. Pickup is Tuesday (trash) and Friday (recycling).
- Recycling takes paper, cardboard, cans and plastic bottles. No glass, no plastic bags.
- Keep the lids on so wildlife cannot get in.
No hot water, no power
- Kitchen tap cold too? The water heater breaker tripped. The panel is in the basement common area toward the bathroom, on the right, behind the wooden wall art. Flip it fully off, then on. If it trips again, message us.
- Both electric fireplaces plus the arcade on the same circuit can trip the basement breaker; same panel.
- Power outage: it also takes out the well pump, so no water until it is back. Lanterns are in the kitchen. The outage line is Potomac Edison, 1-800-686-0011; message us and we will chase them too.
House rules
Quiet hours 10 PM to 8 AM
Voices carry in the woods and the neighbors are closer than they look. Hot tub and deck are fine, just keep it low after 10.
Up to 9 guests, including day visitors
That is our permit limit. Friends over for dinner within the count is fine; please park in our driveways, never the side street.
Dogs welcome, up to two
$85 pet fee per stay. Please keep them leashed outside and clean up after them.
No smoking or vaping indoors, on the deck or in the gazebo
Outside at the fire pits is fine.
No parties or events
This is a family cabin on a quiet road.
Hot tub
No glass in or around it, shower before use, kids supervised, cover on when you are done. Bath towels are fine to use out there.
Septic and well
Toilet paper only down the toilets: no wipes, no feminine products, no grease. Well water is safe; we keep a Brita in the fridge because we prefer the taste.
Cameras
Two exterior cameras at the corners of the house point at the two driveways. They record on motion, alerts are off, and there is nothing indoors.
Something not right?
- Anything at all during your stay: message us through the app you booked with. We answer fast, and if we are driving, Stephanie or our local team picks it up.
- Emergencies: 911. Nearest ER: Jefferson Medical Center, 300 S Preston St, Ranson (about 20 minutes).
- Something broken is never a bother. Tell us early and we can usually have our handyman Ray out the same or next day.
04 · Explore
Our personal picks.
Pick the kind of day you want and we will show you the places that fit, closest first, with a one-day plan to string them together. Hours change; when a day matters, a quick call ahead is worth it.
Everything we love, closest first.
Tap a pin for directions. The map follows the filter above; pinch or scroll to zoom out for the far ones.
Family
3 min driveMountain Lake Club
A couple of minutes down the road and open to the public: swimming beach with a roped shallow area, lake, and a restaurant. Our go-to for lunch while the cabin is being turned over, and they do Christmas lights in December.
Day passes at the gate, about $8 to $10, kids under 4 free. Summer through Labor Day, roughly 11 to 8. No outside food or drink, no lifeguard.
Trails
6 min driveAppalachian Trail (Keys Gap)
The AT crosses the road minutes from the cabin. Head north for a quiet ridge walk with almost nobody on it.
Tiny parking lot on Route 9 at the gap; if it is full, come back later rather than parking on the shoulder.
Coffee
10 min driveJoan + Joe Coffee
Unassuming from the outside, excellent inside. Our coffee and bagel stop on the way out to anything.
Mon to Sat 7 to 6, closed Sunday. Take-out.
On the water
15 min driveHarpers Ferry Adventure Center
Our pick for tubing and rafting, because the same stop has the zip line and aerial course and Harpers Ferry Brewing up on the ridge. Make a whole day of it.
Age and weight minimums apply; call before booking with little ones. Summer season.
On the water
15 min driveRiver Riders Family Adventure Resort
The big full-service outfitter: tubing, rafting, kayaks, zip lines, and snow tubing in winter.
Check age and weight minimums before booking.
On the water
15 min driveRiver & Trail Outfitters
The smaller local outfitter for tubing, kayaks and rafting. Friendly, and a little less crowded on busy weekends.
On the water
15 min driveHarpers Ferry Waterpark
A floating inflatable obstacle course on the river: trampolines, slides, climbing walls. Newer, and a big hit with kids.
Summer season, book a session ahead on busy weekends.
Eat
15 min driveAnthony's Pizza (Charles Town)
Our delivery pizza. Easiest through DoorDash straight to the cabin.
Torlone's on Charles Town Road is closer for carry-out (opens at 2, no delivery).
Breweries
15 min driveHarpers Ferry Brewing
Up on the ridge at the Adventure Center with a big view over the river and live music Friday through Sunday. Always a fun group stop.
Mon, Tue and Sun noon to 8, Wed to Sat noon to 10.
Family
15 min driveHollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
Live horse racing, slots and table games about 15 minutes away. A fun night out if the group wants something different.
Winter
15 min driveSnow Riders (River Riders)
River Riders' snow tubing hill, 15 minutes from the cabin. A fun winter afternoon, then back to the hot tub.
Winter only; sessions sell out on snow days.
Eat
16 min driveKelley Farm Kitchen
All vegan, and honestly some of the best food in the area regardless of how you eat. The first vegan restaurant in West Virginia.
Closed Monday and Tuesday. Sat 10 to 4 and 5 to 8, Sun 10 to 4, Wed to Fri 11 to 8.
Eat
16 min driveSnallygasters Cafe and Wine Bar
Newer spot in Bolivar next to Kelley Farm Kitchen with excellent reviews. We have not been yet, but it is on our list; tell us how it was.
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
History
18 min driveHarpers Ferry National Historical Park
Our home turf. Walk the historic streets, cross the footbridge over the Potomac, poke into the museums, then lunch at The Rabbit Hole. The ghost tours in the fall are a fun night out.
$20 per vehicle. Park at the visitor center and ride the shuttle in, or grab the train-station lot in town outside of summer weekends.
Photo: National Park Service Digital Image Archives (Public domain)
Trails
18 min driveC&O Canal Towpath
Flat, shaded, and right there when you cross the footbridge from town. Strollers, bikes and tired legs all do fine on it. Walk as far as you like and turn around.
Free. Same parking as Maryland Heights.
Photo: National Park Service Digital Image Archives (Public domain)
Eat
18 min driveThe Rabbit Hole Gastropub
Our reliable favorite in historic Harpers Ferry: great burgers, sandwiches, pierogies, and one of the best craft beer lists around. Casual and walkable from anywhere downtown.
Mon to Thu noon to 8, Fri and Sat 11 to 9, Sun 11 to 8.
Eat
18 min driveCannonball Deli
Quick, solid lunch in historic Harpers Ferry. Grab a sandwich and eat down by the river.
Daily 11 to 5.
Coffee
18 min driveBattle Grounds Bakery & Coffee
The in-town coffee and pastry stop in Harpers Ferry. Grab one before the Maryland Heights hike.
Trails
20 min driveMaryland Heights Trail
Hands down our favorite hike. Park in historic Harpers Ferry, cross the footbridge over the Potomac and pick up the trailhead just off the C&O towpath. Steep but short, and the overlook of the town is the best view in the area. We have done it a dozen times and it never gets old.
Summer weekends: park at the lot a half mile before town, the train-station lot fills with tubers. Easier day: stay on the flat C&O towpath from the same spot.
Wineries
22 min driveBreaux Vineyards
Top of our list. A big estate with award-winning wines and mountain views. If you only visit one winery, make it this one.
Tastings daily from 11.
Photo: Jan Kronsell (Public domain)
Wineries
22 min drive868 Estate Vineyards
Three minutes from Breaux with an elegant tasting room and mountain views. Our second stop after Breaux.
Closed Monday and Tuesday. Fri and Sat until 8:30.
Wineries
22 min driveTwo Twisted Posts Winery
The one that is open on Mondays when most of the others are closed. Laid back and friendly.
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Thu to Mon 11 to 6.
Wineries
22 min driveNotaviva Farm Brewery & Winery
A winery and a farm brewery in one, so it works for the wine drinkers and the beer drinkers in your group.
Weekend hours, check before you go.
Trails
22 min driveJefferson Memorial Park
Free outdoor tennis and pickleball courts in Charles Town. Our lot is too steep for a net, so this is where we point players.
Breweries
25 min driveHarvest Gap Brewery
Standout beer in a beautiful farm setting, one of our top picks for beer people.
Thursday through Sunday only.
Breweries
30 min drivePotomac Ridge Brewing
Across the river in Sharpsburg, MD, and the one we send people to when they want excellent beer AND a real meal. Pairs with Antietam.
Closed Monday. Tue to Thu 3 to 9, Fri and Sat noon to 9, Sun noon to 6.
Breweries
30 min driveWheatland Spring Farm + Brewery
Farm brewery with some of the best beer in the region. Worth the drive for the beer aficionado in your group.
Thursday through Sunday only.
Breweries
30 min driveFlying Ace Farm
Brewery, distillery and working farm in one, with a relaxed group vibe and room for kids to roam. Worth the drive to Lovettsville.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
History
30 min driveAntietam National Battlefield
Worth a half day if history is your thing. Drive the loop, climb the observation tower, and stop in Sharpsburg after; Potomac Ridge Brewing is right there.
About 30 minutes. The self-guided audio driving tour is the way to do it.
Photo: NPS Photo (Public domain)
Eat
35 min driveBistro 112
Hands down our favorite restaurant in the entire area. A French bistro with a garden patio in Shepherdstown; Stephanie and I make a point of going every time we are at the cabin. Dinner or brunch.
Closed Mondays. Book ahead on weekends.
Eat
35 min drivePress Room
A block from Bistro 112 in Shepherdstown, candlelit and quiet. The date-night alternative when Bistro is booked.
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Dinner only, 5 to 8 or 9.
History
35 min driveShepherdstown
Our favorite little town to wander: a walkable main street with coffee, shops, Bistro 112 and Press Room. The oldest town in West Virginia, and it feels like it.
Make it dinner and a stroll. Stoney's Pub opened in late 2025 if you want a casual pint.
Trails
45 min driveCunningham Falls State Park
Maryland's tallest cascading waterfall, an easy trail from the lake, and the lake beach is great in summer. Pairs well with lunch in Frederick.
Photo: Aneta Kaluzna (Public domain)
Winter
1 hr 10 min driveWhitetail Resort
Where we go to ski: lessons, snow tubing and night skiing. Liberty and Roundtop are the same distance if Whitetail is sold out.
About 1 hour 10 minutes.
05 · Checkout
Before you go, it is short.
- 1
Check-out is 11 AM. Trash and recycling to the cans by the driveway.
- 2
Cover the grill and turn the propane off at the tank; turn the fire pit off.
- 3
Sign out of your apps on the movie room TV.
- 4
Start the dishwasher if there is anything in it. Pile used towels in a bathroom or by the basement laundry.
- 5
Lock the front door keypad, the sliding doors and the basement doors.
- 6
No need to strip beds, do laundry, or touch the hot tub or thermostat. They reset themselves.
Thank you for staying with us. If you loved it, a review means more than you would guess, and if anything was off, tell us first so we can fix it for the next guest.