Activities

Nestled in the woods by the pond, our shady badminton court is a peaceful spot for a quick game or an epic tournament amongst friends.

Each week our talented barista will share the art of crafting high-quality beverages, including techniques and advice for brewing coffee, making syrups or creamers, steaming milk, and creating latte art. We’ll discuss the science behind brewing to ensure great consistency and flavor. Elevate your at home coffee experience or come for a relaxing environment with friends and café enthusiasts alike.

Join our Beekeeper for an informative session on the art of beekeeping and the process of tending to our hive. Learn about the delicate balance of hive life, understand the vital role bees play in nature, and hear when to expect a taste of our homegrown Swag honey. Two classes are available weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. – starting March 12th.

Sit under the stars with s’mores and a cocktail around the firepit.

Join our Executive Sous Chef Josh Vilain and our Pastry Chef Brooke Cannon for one of our cooking schools held throughout our season. Each cooking school will feature four progressive sessions, split amongst two days. The featured dishes will change according to the season. If you would like to attend, please let us know when you book your reservation as class size is limited to 6 adults per session.

2025 Cooking School dates:
August 18-19, 2025
November 17-18, 2025
December 10-11,2025

Our croquet field is just steps down the hill from Chestnut Lodge. Grab a friend and a mallet and enjoy this traditional game.

Join our wonderful line up of Experts in Residence for guided hikes, art classes, storytelling, and more.

Located in The Lookout, our small gym offers an exercise bike, treadmill, and free weights.

Our mountaintop garden boasts beautiful blooms and delicious herbs, berries, and vegetables in season. Our gardener leads weekly garden tours and discussions, but you can stop by anytime to explore.

The Swag’s perch along a ridge line allows for hikes with stunning views, whether you want to spend a whole day on the trails or are up for just a short stroll. With our 250-acre property and direct access to all 500,000+ acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we have hiking options for everyone. Our Experts in Residence lead daily hikes for those who prefer a guided experience, or our team can provide recommendations and trail maps for you to explore on your own.

Set out from the Cataloochee Ranch Barn to explore the Smokies from an entirely new vantage point by saddling up onto one of Cataloochee Ranch’s horses. Children must be at least 8 years old to ride. Please review the Horseback Rides and Information and contact Guest Services if interested, so we may customize your experience.

Enjoy a fun game of cornhole and horseshoes on The Swag Lawn. Just steps away from the dogtrot and The Swag Bar, the games are especially enjoyable with a drink in hand.

Explore our collection of books in the Chestnut Lodge Library. We have spent 40 years gathering titles across genres and love to share them with our guests. You can curl up by the fire with a mystery, or enjoy a natural history book while relaxing in a hammock in the woods.

Thursday night is a special time at The Swag for us to honor our southern roots. Join us for our Chef’s BBQ with live bluegrass music and a homestyle buffet including the Appalachian classics that you know and love. Our musician schedule is listed below for 2025 and is subject to change.

Our newly added Pickleball Court is nestled in the woods where the air is crisp and fresh, carrying the faint scent of pine and the distant call of mountain birds. It’s a place where the competitive spirit of pickleball blends with the serene beauty of nature. Paddles and pickleballs are provided so there’s less for you to pack.

Picnic lunch on Gooseberry Knob is a signature experience at The Swag. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, our executive chef creates a beautiful spread of fried chicken, burgers, and grilled fish on Gooseberry Knob, a short quarter mile hike from The Swag. Nothing beats this delicious meal with stunning views.

Our peaceful pond is a lovely spot to pass a morning with a book. Stocked with a variety of fish, we welcome you to try your hand at fishing, or if you don’t mind our cold, mountain water, jump on in.

Cozy up around the fireplace and spend the day working on one of the incredible Stave wooden jigsaw puzzles.

Relax and be rejuvenated with a treatment in The Swag’s spa, The Still. With three treatment rooms, we offer massages, facials, wraps and more. Please review our Menu of Services and contact guest services to schedule your experience.

Overlooking Jonathan Valley and Cold Mountain, The Lookout offers guests an incomparable setting to soak and unwind in our hot tub. There is also a small gym with a treadmill, exercise bike, and free weights to use.

During the week, our Beverage Team will host organized wine tastings in our Cellar Room and cocktail classes in The Swag Bar. Our Guest Services Team is also happy to help coordinate a private tasting for you any day of the week.

During the holiday season, our gardening team will share their techniques to create beautiful, natural wreaths with foraged items found on our properties. During the 2025 season, we will be offering classes at 3 p.m. on the following days:

Saturday, November 29
Monday, December 1
Monday, December 8

Sign up for complimentary Yoga classes, which are offered several times per week.