— one Cassandra and Brian Bradley chased for years: to own land, to heal it, and to create a life built on connection, conservation, and creative freedom.
When they found this property, it was a defunct commercial nursery—overgrown, scarred, and forgotten. Over the next 14 months, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work, slowly restoring the soil, rebuilding the infrastructure, and reimagining what this place could become.
At first, it was for them. A quiet escape. A hands-in-the-dirt kind of healing. But it didn’t take long to realize it wasn’t meant to stay private.
The land wanted to be shared.
In the summer of 2022, Wildhaven opened its gates to others who also crave something different—a not-so-rustic wilderness experience complete with fireflies, starlight, wildflowers, a spring-fed pond, mountain views, and the kind of stillness that shifts something inside.
What began as a solo restoration project has grown into a gathering place—offering glamping stays, creative workshops, intimate retreats, and our signature Wildfire dining experiences. Every experience supports continued land conservation and a portion of proceeds goes to The High Country Trails Alliance, a nonprofit Brian and Cassandra founded to protect and expand access to local trails.
In 2023, Hurricane Helene dealt a heavy blow, damaging much of what had just been built. But true to the spirit of the land, they began again—rebuilding fields, restoring the road, and deepening their commitment to resilience and regenerative living.
Wildhaven continues to evolve, but at its heart it remains the same: a place to disconnect from the noise, to breathe in the wild air, and to find your way back to the things that really matter.
About Wildhaven
A place that was wild long before it was welcoming—and is still a little bit of both.
Wildhaven Farm & Forest Retreat is an active land rejuvenation project and micro-farm tucked into 30 acres of forest in the heart of Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It started As a personal dream
See what it feels like to step into Wildhaven.
In May of 2021, my husband Brian and I closed on what was once a defunct
commercial nursery—30 wild, junk-ridden acres overgrown with weeds, leftover equipment, and a whole lot of potential. We signed the papers (fittingly) on our ninth wedding anniversary, after nearly a decade of dreaming about putting down roots in the North Carolina mountains.
Wildhaven began as our personal sanctuary. A place to reconnect with nature, to restore the land, and to create a life more aligned with who we are. For me, it’s a space to return to my creative roots—after years as a professional photographer and entrepreneur—where I can host women’s retreats, art workshops, and reconnect to slow, meaningful making. For Brian, it’s the joy of trail building, forest stewardship, and putting his hands (and heart) into every path and project on the property.
We both share a deep love for animals—rescues and wild ones alike—but the flower obsession? That’s all me. There’s something sacred about growing beauty from the soil, especially in a place that once felt so forgotten.
At first, this place was just for us. But the more we poured into the land, the more we felt called to share it—with fellow wanderers, seekers, artists, and nature lovers. So we opened the gates.
Wildhaven is still a work in progress (and probably always will be), but that’s what makes it magic. It’s evolving, imperfect, and full of heart—just like us.
If you’d like to peek behind the scenes, you’ll soon be able to follow along here: (link to journal – coming soon)
Thanks for being part of our story.
With love from the forest,
Cass & Brian
In May of 2021, my husband Brian and I closed on what was once a defunct commercial nursery—30 wild, junk-ridden acres in the North Carolina mountains. (We signed the papers on our ninth wedding anniversary.)
Wildhaven began as something personal—to live more intentionally, protect the land, and, yes, collect fluffy animals. For me, it’s a return to my creative roots as a photographer and entrepreneur—to make art, host intimate gatherings, and grow beautiful things. For Brian, it’s about trail building, forest care, and breathing new life into every corner of this place.
But it didn’t take long to realize Wildhaven wasn’t meant to be private. So, we opened the gates.
Thanks for being part of our story and hope to see you soon.
With love from the forest,
Cass & Brian
Meet the
Founders
The first ‘exhale’ when stepping out of city traffic into our mountain-surrounded forest is surely a form of magic
The payoff of planting 2000 flower bulbs and 25 pounds of wildflower seeds is better than any Christmas morning
Being good stewards of the land means lots of clean up, restoration and ongoing maintenance in hopes of increasing our native species (both plant and animal) and having our work live long beyond us
Being able to ride a mountain bike down the front driveway directly into the Pisgah National forest is at least one man’s version of heaven
You have not been truly surprised in this life until you hear the calls of a whippoorwill at 5 am for the first time.
That everyone who visits our farm should experience at least one moment of child-like wonder
Money can’t buy you happiness but it can get you a stay at WILDHAVEN…and we think that is pretty darn close.
WE BELIEVE:
stay at wildhaven
re-opening soon
Tucked into 30 private acres of forest, Wildhaven offers a peaceful glamping experience that feels a world away—but is just minutes from the best of North Carolina’s High Country. Whether you're chasing waterfalls at Linville Falls, wine tasting at Linville Falls Winery, or driving the Blue Ridge Parkway to Grandfather Mountain, adventure is always nearby. And yet… as soon as you turn down our quiet road, the world softens.
Here, your days begin with birdsong and French-pressed coffee, and your nights end fireside beneath a sky full of stars. Each stay is designed to blend creature comforts with the beauty of the wild—queen beds, soft blankets, fresh air, and the gentle rhythm of forest life.
This isn’t roughing it. It’s rewilding gently. A cozy, off-the-beaten-path retreat for couples, solo travelers, or friends seeking something slower, deeper, and just a little magical.
Glamping in the Blue Ridge Mountains—where comfort meets the wild.
