Summer in Montreat 2026
Summers are Montreat’s busiest time of year! People flock here to spend time in this special place, whether it’s for our Youth Conference, our Clubs program, the Fourth of July parade, throwing pots in the Sally Jones Pottery, or just to visit. Below are various activities that are available in our summer season.
NOTE: Our summer season is between Memorial Day and early August. As such, some of our activities will only be available during this time period.
This Week in Montreat
This Week in Montreat (TWIM) is a weekly publication of Montreat Conference Center detailing events and activities within the Montreat valley, with weekly messages from Richard DuBose, president of Montreat Conference Center. The TWIM is a great way to stay up-to-date with Montreat’s summer activities. Want to be emailed when the TWIM is released? Click the “Sign Up for Updates” button and sign up!
In Case of Emergency
If there is an emergency, call 911.
First Aid
The conference center and clubs summer first aid station is located in the bottom floor of Moore Center, 303 Lookout Rd.
| Mon–Fri | 8:30 am–12:30 pm 1:00 pm–4:30 pm |
Important Numbers
| Montreat Police | 828.250.6670 |
| Fire Dept./Rescue | 911 |
| First Aid Station | 828.275.7186 |
| President’s Office | 828.419.9801 |
| Town of Montreat | 828.669.8002 |
| Assembly Inn | 828.419.9844 |
The Montreat Store
The Montreat Store is an awesome mix of boutique, gift shop, and general store. From snacks and t-shirts to toiletries and books, The Montreat Store has it all!
Location: Moore Center, 2nd floor (303 Lookout Rd)
Phone: 828.669.5298
Montreat Store Hours
| Mon.–Sat. | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sun. | CLOSED |
The Good Steward
The Good Steward is an extension of The Montreat Store and a mission of the Montreat Conference Center offering curated goods from local and global artisans, emphasizing conscious shopping and the human stories behind each item.
Location: Moore Center, 3rd floor (303 Lookout Rd)
Phone: 828.419.9814
Good Steward Hours
| Tues.–Sat. | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sun.–Mon. | CLOSED |
The Huckleberry
Known to many Montreat visitors as “The Huck”, our recently renovated café is located on the third floor of Moore Center and serves breakfast, coffee, ice cream, hamburgers, and other quick eats. With great views of the Lake Susan dam both inside the café or from a rocking chair on the porch, The Huckleberry is a great place to relax and reconnect with friends.
Location: Moore Center, 3rd floor (303 Lookout Rd)
Phone: 828.419.9880
Huckleberry Summer Hours
| Mon.–Fri. | 8:00 am–9:00 pm |
| Sat. | 8:00 am–3:00 pm |
| Sun. | CLOSED |
Presbyterian Heritage Center
The Presbyterian Heritage Center is an independent nonprofit organization that operates a museum, archive, and library. The center offers rotating collections, special events, and a reference library. Free admission.
Location: 318 Georgia Ter.
Phone: 828.669.6556
Website: phcmontreat.org
Heritage Center Hours
| Tues.–Fri. | 10:00 am–4:00 pm |
| Sat. | 12:00 am–4:00 pm |
| Sun.–Mon. | CLOSED |
Second Loaf
Second Loaf continues its long history of collecting food donations for the food insecure in our community beginning Saturday, June 13, and ending Saturday, August 8 in the parking lot of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Second Loaf can only take unopened shelf-ready foods. Frozen, fresh, and prepared foods cannot be accepted. We are grateful for the generous response of groups who drop off their “second loaves” on their way home!
Location: 117 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Second Loaf Hours
| June 13 | June 20 | June 27 | July 11 | July 18 | July 25 | August 1 | August 8 | 7:00–11:00 am |
* No collection July 4
Recreation Activities
Please note that recreation sites are cashless, accepting card payments only
Canoes & Paddleboats
Dates open: June 8–August 7
Location: Lake Susan
Card only. No Reservations.
Boats | $7/half hour
| June 8–June 30 | |
| Mon.–Fri. | 2:00–6:00 pm |
| July 1–Aug. 7 | |
| Daily | 2:00–6:00 pm |
Clubs & Childcare
Clubs registration is fully online at montreat.org/clubs. Weekly activity schedules will be available in the Anderson Auditorium Lobby and online beginning at 4pm the Friday before each session.
For help with registering or other questions, the Clubs Registrar is available in person on Mondays from 8am-9am in the Auditorium Lobby, by email at clubsreg@montreat.org, or by phone at 828.419.9837.
Bill Wilde Youth Center
You can check out board games, rent tennis or pickleball courts, and a variety of other recreation activities. Open for limited hours to the public.
Dates open: June 8–August 7
Location: 317 Texas Rd.
Public Hours
| Mon.–Fri. (June 22-July 31 only) | 12:00–1:45 pm 4:45–6:00 pm |
| Sat.–Sun. | CLOSED |
Swimming
You can check out board games, rent tennis or pickleball courts, and a variety of other recreation activities. Open for limited hours to the public.
Dates open: June 24–August 7
Location: 351 Texas Rd.
Public Hours
| Mon.–Fri. | 1:00–6:00 pm |
| Sat.–Sun. | CLOSED |
Daily Admission Price
| Age three & under | Free |
| Age four & up | $7/day |
Fishing
Fishing is allowed in Montreat’s streams and in designated areas of the lake with a valid fishing license. Licenses may be purchased from The Montreat Store for $7.00. Refer to signage around the lake for fishing/non-fishing areas and please follow all posted rules.
Hiking & Nature Center
Hiking is open to the public year round. Trail maps may be downloaded from our website at montreat.org/trail-map or can be purchased at the Montreat Store.
The Nature Center is at 301 Lookout Rd. Montreat Rangers are stationed out of this building June–early August and are eager to help you safely engage with Montreat’s Wilderness.
Nature Center Hours
| Mon.–Fri. | 8:30 am–5:00 pm |
Tennis & Pickleball
The Patricia Cornwell Tennis Courts are attached to the Bill Wilde Youth Center. Reservations must be made at the Bill Wilde Youth Center.
Location: 317 Texas Rd.
Tennis Courts | $7/hour
| Mon.–Fri. | 10:00 am–2:00 pm 3:00–6:00 pm |
| Sat.–Sun. | NO RESERVATIONS |
Pickleball | $7/session
| Mon., Wed., Fri. | 10:15 am–12:30 pm |
| Tues., Thurs., Sat.–Sun. | NO RESERVATIONS |
Events & Activities
Summer Worship Series
Each Sunday morning in the summer season, the community gathers to worship the living God with prayer, singing, artistic expressions, and the Word proclaimed. Everyone is invited to join this holy gathering each Sunday at 10:30 am in Anderson Auditorium.
Public Hikes
Public hikes take place June through August most Tuesdays and Thursdays. These hikes are lead by our rangers and community volunteers. Hikes range in difficulty.
Arts, Music, and Theology
Arts, Music, and Theology is a mission and ministry of Montreat Conference Center. Its purpose is to provide the community with educational nourishment via various lectures and lecturers during our summer season. Themes of the lectures span disciplines.
Hymn Sings
It’s time for singing on Sunday nights at Montreat! Each Sunday evening from June 7 through August 9, you are invited to come to the Assembly Inn Lobby at 7:00 pm, our usual place, to gather. Note the change in venue on July 19.
You will enjoy an hour of singing or listening to your favorite hymns, learn some new hymns, and learn a little about some of the hymns we sing on Sunday mornings. Come!
Montreat Youth Conference
Montreat Youth Conferences go from the first week of June to the first Friday in August. These high school aged youth will be participating in small groups, keynotes, worships, and fun and games as a means to question and grow in their faith.
Friday Night at the Barn
Big circle mountain dancing at the Barn is a special Montreat tradition! It’s a fun-filled night of dances called by the Bannerman family and music from the Stoney Creek Boys. All are welcome and admission is free. Please note, the July 3 and July 4 dances will take place on the Cornwell Tennis Courts.
- Dates: Dances will begin Friday, June 12, and continue weekly through Friday, August 7.
- Time: 7:30-10:00 pm
- Location: The Barn (411 Assembly Cir.)
Volunteers
Those seeking to be part-time volunteers should contact Martha Sloan at marthas@montreat.org.
Crafts & Pottery
Pottery, arts, and crafts classes are offered daily throughout the summer.
| Pottery Hours (Upstairs) | |
|---|---|
| Mon.–Tues. | 9:00 am–12:00 pm 2:00–5:00 pm |
| Wed. | 9:00 am–12:00 pm |
| Thur. | 2:30–5:30 pm Pottery Glazing |
| Fri. | Normally closed |
| Sat. | 8:00–11:00 am Pottery Pickup |
| Craft Hours (Downstairs) | |
| Mon.–Wed. | 2:00–5:00 pm |
Sign up for classes begins online each Friday morning at 9:00 am. The class registration link will be at the top of the Crafts & Pottery page. If you need further assistance, please email montreatpotttery@gmail.com.
Common Grounds
Join staff members from Montreat Conference Center’s Office of Development for a weekly coffee meet-up in The Huckleberry. Drop-in Tuesday mornings after 9:00 am for free coffee or tea and the change to talk local.
Interested in making a gift to the Montreat Fund?