All Are Welcome Here
The Montreat Conference Center is a Christian institution that strives to demonstrate intentional hospitality to all. As a key part of that commitment, we will not tolerate discrimination on our campus against any child of God, including discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, ability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
Below are more rules, practices, and policies of the Mountain Retreat Association, d/b/a Montreat Conference Center.
Montreat Conference Center is a Christian institution that strives to demonstrate intentional hospitality and foster a safe place. We host a wide range of guests, including:
- People who are seeking, either personally or in community with others, religious engagement or experience;
- Churches and religious organizations of many denominations and traditions;
- Non-profit organizations; and
- Community organizations
While the conference center strives to welcome all guests consistent with its calling to Christian hospitality, it reserves the right to decline the use of its facilities and property from individuals and groups at any time.
Hosting individuals and groups does not indicate or signify an endorsement of the beliefs, policies, or lifestyles of any particular hosted group, agency, or individual.
View President Richard DuBose’s full response to the North Carolina legislature commonly referred to as HB2 (Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act) here.
It is the policy of Montreat Conference Center to maintain a place free from any form of unlawful harassment. To report an incident, please contact the appropriate staff person:
- For employees of Montreat Conference Center, contact Richard Sills, Chief Financial Officer, at richards@montreat.org.
- For conferees and guests of Montreat Conference Center, contact Carol Steele, Vice President for Program, at carols@montreat.org.
Robert Lake Park is owned and maintained by Montreat Conference Center. The park is open publicly to individuals and families from dawn until dusk. Alcohol, firearms, smoking, and dogs are prohibited in Robert Lake Park.
For scheduling and safety purposes, groups wishing to use the park are asked to submit an advance request by contacting the front desk of Assembly Inn at frontdesk@montreat.org or 828.419.9844. Similarly, the front desk should be contacted to reserve the gazebo for parties, gatherings, etc., and fees may apply.
The Montreat wilderness is protected by conservation practices and is privately owned land. For scheduling and safety purposes, groups wishing to hike are asked to submit a request to Jason Nanz at jasonn@montreat.org. The Montreat wilderness is hike-at-your-own-risk. The rules and regulations are posted for your safety and enjoyment. Please read the full rules and regulations before hiking.
Camping is permitted only at the Montreat Campground. Download the camp information and guidelines here. To reserve a campsite, contact the front desk of Assembly Inn at frontdesk@montreat.org or 828.419.9844.
There are several picnic areas leading up to the campground which are open to the public by reservation. Camping is not permitted in the picnic areas. To reserve a picnic area, contact the front desk of Assembly Inn.
Lake Susan is owned and maintained by Montreat Conference Center.
Fishing is allowed in Montreat’s streams and in designated areas of the lake with a permit. Permits can be purchased at the front desk of Assembly Inn and at the Montreat Store.
Permit Rates:
Daily - $5
Weekly - $20
Four Weeks - $75
Season - $135
Refer to signage around the lake for fishing/non-fishing areas and please follow all posted rules. Please review the rules listed below before you go.
- Please have fishing permit OR your conference name badge available when fishing
- Creel limit is 4 fish per permit per day
- Do not release fish after catching (unless using artificial lures)
- Children under 8 accompanied by a parent (with permit) and persons over 75 fish free
- Use only WORMS or ARTIFICIAL LURES
- Please use NO FOOD PRODUCTS (bread, cheese, corn, etc.).
- No fishing after dark
- No fishing before 1 PM on Sundays
- Fish from designated areas only. See map on reverse side of fishing permit. Do not fish from jetty with bench or docks when boats are in operation
- Do not fish with treble or group hook
- No wading
During the summer months, canoes and paddle boats are available from 2:00-6:00pm for $4 per half hour.
Montreat welcomes the responsible use of our outdoor spaces when they are not in use by the conference center. These properties include Welch Field, Moore Center Field, Anderson Lawn, the Dowd Green, the Prayer Path at the Walk Jones Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Roddey, Jones, and Boyd picnic areas. Individuals and groups using these spaces are asked to honor all posted guidelines. For more information on Montreat's Green Spaces visit the Recreation page.
Inquiries about availability of any of these spaces should be directed to the front desk of Assembly Inn at frontdesk@montreat.org or 828.419.9844.
Mountain Retreat Association prohibits firearms on its property.
Tobacco use, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes, is only permitted out of doors and where urns are found.
Montreat Conference Center is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children, youth, employees, and volunteers who participate in ministries and activities sponsored by the center. The Juvenile Protection Policy reflects our commitment to preserving Montreat as a holy place of safety and protection for all and as a place in which all people can experience the love of God through relationships with others.
Each event or reservation has a unique cancellation policy. To learn more about a specific cancellation policy, visit the event or reservation registration page. Further inquiries can be directed to the front desk of Assembly Inn at frontdesk@montreat.org or 828.419.9844.
By participating in a program or attending an event at Montreat Conference Center, your image, name, and voice, as well as any presentation, speech, or written document submitted by you may be used, reproduced, and/or modified for use as publicity in a variety of media including, but not limited to: print, video, photographic, television and radio broadcasts, and sound recordings, all of which may be available on the Internet. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Tanner Pickett, Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Communications at tannerp@montreat.org or 828.419.9808.
Please visit our Press Room for official statements about Montreat Conference Center and other media resources. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Tanner Pickett, Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Communications at tannerp@montreat.org or 828.419.9808.