FAQs
Q. How far away is The Fork Inn and Big East Fork Valley from the Airport?
A. 40 minutes. Lyft, Uber, taxi, and a local livery service scan assist. Or if you want someone interesting to pick you up, call us and just might get around to it after we’re done jabberin
Q. How far is The Fork Inn from town?
A. 7 miles from Leipers Fork; 7 miles from Franklin; 19 miles from Nashville; light years from the crazy places you all come from
Q. Where is the nearest grocery store / Pharmacy?
A. Krogers at Westhaven (on way to Franklin) is 6.5 miles away (411 Whitman Rd), Publix (on way to Nashville) in Bellview is 14mi away , Food Saver in Fairview is 12mi away
Nearest pharmacy is Walgreens at Westhaven (5mi) 1451 New Hwy 96
Q. Is there early check-in?
Early check-in (before 3pm) may be possible if your lodging has been prepared, but we cannot guarantee it in advance. You may check with us on the morning of your arrival date
Q. Is there late check-out?
Late check-out is possible if new guests are not arriving on the date of your departure. However, we will not know this until the date of your departure. Late departure until 2pm may be secured for $200 as long as you allow cleaning staff to enter at noon and you vacate the sleeping areas and bedroom bathrooms.
Q. Do you supply towels and linens?
A Yes and yes.
Q. Do you supply paper towels and TP?
A. We supply a single role of paper towels and a couple of rolls of TP per toilet. Consider it a starter pack. So depending upon the length of your stay and the nature of your diet, you might want to bring more with you.
Q. What if I do not know how many overnight guests will be joining my party?
A. Give your best estimate when you make your reservation. You must let us know 24 hours in advance if you additional overnight guests are expected so that we can prepare beds and possibly increase the price. You must have documented permission (purchased on theforkinn.com/paynow) to increase the original stated occupancy.
Q. How do I received 3rd party personal services (Horse riding, Personal chef, massage, yoga, firewood, farm tours, etc)?
A. For info on personal services, click on the following web page: 3rd party Services
Q. How do I get access to Lake Gratitude Nature Sanctuary?
A. All registered Retreat guests to the Lake Gratitude Nature Sanctuary must sign a waiver and be legal guardians of any non-adults who enter. Registered guests may walk to the Lake Gratitude Nature Sanctuary after parking at Headwaters Park (5379 Big East Fork Rd). Parking passes must be displayed in the vehicle windshield. All Fork Inn guests may walk around the lake, hike Retreat Trails, sit the forest bathing platforms, wet their feet at the upstream dipping hole, or picnic at the Lakeside Picnic Shelter. Guests residing at the Lake-side Lodge, Parrot House, Pond Cottage, Circle Lodge, Barn-by-Creek, or Log Cabin may walk to Lake Gratitude Nature Sanctuary. The gate is opened and closed at dusk. Registered guests may bring their own unmotorized watercraft. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats may be obtained from the Center for Sustainable Stewardship (615-567-7787) ) located across the street. A flotation vest must be in watercraft at all times. As we do not have a lifeguard, swimming is not permitted. If a party has reserved a Retreat Space (Lake Gratitude shelter, Forest Stage, Yoga Studio, firepit, movie theater, meadow) for exclusive use it may not be available to other guests. The Lakeside Lodge is a rental unit and it not part of the Nature Sanctuary. Please do not approach Lodge or surrounding decks.
Q. Is fishing permitted?
A. Fishing is permitted at Lake Gratitude for all our guests and at Pine Lake for folks renting the Center Lodge. Fishing is catch and release, A Tennessee state fishing license is required and may be purchased on-line.
Q. How do I access the Bicycles? CSS Trails? Animals?
A. The CSS bicycles, trails, and animals are accessible to their members only. Visit CSSfamily.org for information about membership.
Q. How do I access the organic farm?
A. Big East Fork Farm is a private farm. Trespassing is forbiden, Some farmers lease acreage and they usually enjoy visitors and give farm tours. See Big East Fork Farms
Q. Does the Fork Inn supply watercraft?
A. No. Guests may bring their own non-motorized watercraft to the Lake. Swimming is prohibited in our natural lake (snapping turtles, poisonous water snakes may be present). A signed waiver is required for all guests entering the natural area around and behind the lake. Canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and paddle boats may be obtained from the nearby Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS) adventure center. It is located in walking distance from Lake Gratitude. For a fee they can transport watercraft to any destination. At present the CSS farm store lends watercraft to members only. Contact them at cssfamily.org or 615-567-7787 for their membership prices, review their policies and to secure watercraft reservations.
Q. How do I access the cute farm animals?
A. Cute animals are in various locations. Donkey, cow, goat, and pigs are on the CSS Farm. Membership in their non-profit is required for visit the CSS farm. CSS members may use the CSS Parking lot and walk across their footbridge to the CSS Farm as well as continue on CSS trails.
Chickens and horses are on the adjacent Big East Fork Farm. Farm staff must be present to enter this private farm. Reservations are required as staff are not always present.
Q. What is the relationship of the Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS) to the Fork Inn?
CSS assists The Fork Inn in preserving and regenerating Big East Fork Valley. It educates, encourages, and empowers our local community to be sustainable stewards. In return for its guidance, the Fork Inn donates 10% of its income to the 501(c)3 non-profit. The Fork Inn also hosts sustainability conferences for CSS.
CSS stewards 714 acres of Big East Fork Valley and offers members opportunities to hike on its trails, interact with its animals, and use its outdoor classrooms. CSS supplies members with non-motorized watercraft and leg powered two-wheeled vehicles from their Adventure Center. Guided nature walks are available from CSS volunteers when they are available. Members must reserve any equipment in advance, before making a reservation at the Adventure Center . Please consider becoming a member to this worthy organization. See CSSfamily.org
Q. May I invite guests ?
A. Any non-lodgings guests must be registered and have a parking pass to be on premises. Unregistered guests will be considered trespassing. In order to keep our many common areas safe and secure, we must know who is on our property. Our Registered-only guest policy allows for maximum safety for all our visitors. The Fork Inn has different policies concerning Events.
Q. Does my lodging have a grill? Do you supply fuel?
Some of our houses have charcoal grills, some have propane gas grills and some have both types . The type(s) of grill should be listed on the description of your property. Please clean grills after you use them. If you find that a grill is dirty upon your arrival, think negative thoughts about the person who used it before you and vow not to be “that guy.” You make bring your own fuel or ask us to deliver a full tank (Cost $45) before you arrive. If you do not pre-pay for a full tank, use one left at your lodging, and you run out of gas, you may buy a tank at Kroger or fill the tank at Ace hardware (6 miles away) during working hours.
Q. May I use the indoor fireplace?
Unfortunately, our insurance no longer affords the possibility of indoor fires. Outside fires in braziers or fire pits are allowed weather permitting. If weather has been dry please contact us if you would like to have an outside fire. As a nature sanctuary, we do not allow scavenging of dead wood, which in addition to supplying habitat for amphibians, reptiles, beetles, lichen, and fungi, breaks down to form soil for diverse plants.
Q. May I use an outdoor fireplace?
If you plan on having an outdoor fire, and fire conditions allow you can purchase firewood locally (Kroger’s, Publix, Ace Hardware) or you can order firewood from local suppliers (See theforkinn.com/3rdparties). Some of our guest homes have outdoor fire-pits, and some do not. If your rental does not have a fire pit, you may be able to reserve a firepit at Barn-by-Creek, the Frankl Inn, or Lake Gratitude. If you are not sure if your rental has a fire-pit, just ask us.
Q. Are there outdoor games?
A. Shuffleboard, horseshoes, bocci, croquet, fishings rods and bicycles, are usually available.
Q. Can I walk around Gratitude Lake, use the Lakeside Picnic Shelter, and walk trails behind the lake?
A. Registered guests of The Fork Inn are welcome to walk about Lake Gratitude and Pine Lake (Across the road from Headwaters Park). Guests may use the Lake Gratitude shelter from 6am to 8pm, provided they do not disturb guests renting at the nearby Lake-side Retreat and Center Lodge, respectively. The Lake Gratitude shelter may be rented ($50/hr) for exclusive use. Parking pass (for parking at the Fork Inn Nature Area at 5379 Big East Fork Rd) must be clearly visible on windshield (as viewed from the road). Gates are opened upon request and will be closed and locked at 8:15pm unless the shelter has been rented for your private use. Unregistered guests will be considered trespassing and prosecuted, so do not invite unregistered guests to this private reserve! Catch and release fishing requires a state license. To access Lake Gratitude, you may park at Headwaters Park. A parking pass must be displayed on your vehicle.
Q. I am attending a conference on-site, and will be living in a nearby house, Is there transportation to the conference?
A. Just let us know and we will work with those putting on the conference to get you where you need to go.
Q. Is there food on site?
A. No. Bring your own food and drink. We do not have a commercial kitchen. You may hire a person chef to cook. Best to stop on the way in for groceries, coffee, and whiskey. Never too much whiskey. Bring garbage bags too. If you would like to hire a personal chef or have your refrigerator pre-stocked with food, see theforkinn.com/3rdparties.
Q. What are acceptable plastic bags in which to throw away our trash?
A. The best bags are the 13 gallon kitchen size ones with the colorful drawstring. Bagging trash compactly is one of the most important things you can do! DONT DUMP ON US. Reduce the volume of trash by separating cans from bottles, using a compost container for organic matter, and leaving healthy food in the fridge and freezer for those wonderful folks who clean up the small traces you leave behind.
Q. Are there bugs in the houses?
Sometimes, especially in the warmer months. Spiders too. We are in the middle of pristine Eastern hardwood forest. We love the biodiversity and most of the critters. If it is time of the year when we get a lot of insects, and they are visiting you more than you would like, let us know and we will handle the situation competently or not.
Q. Is there a pool? How do we get wet outside?
A. We have a large selection of diverse pools of water. We do not have a flat-bottomed rectangular blue enclosure with diving boards and painted bottoms. The Williamson County Park has several of those. Swimming is not permitted in our lakes and ponds
There are several ways to get wet in Big East Fork Valley. 1) Dipping areas within Big East Fork Creek 2) hot tubs 3) portable stock tanks, 150 gallon and 300 gallon 4) outdoor showers 5) creek walks 6) waterfalls (best after rains, trail hiking required)7) lodging showers and bathtub (Website hidden by Airbnb) boring) 8) exploring the Crack in the Creek ( Exciting! )
The hot tub at The Fork Inn is always available to registered guests by appointment. $50 set up fee. For those wanting to enjoy an authentic country experience, several 150 gallon and 300 gallon mobile stock tank pools can be filled with spring water. Guests can be set up at any property as well as at the Overlook or a private meadow clearing. You may chlorinate the stock tanks if you wish or use untreated water at your discretion. To ensure a healthy experience, shower before and after use, empty tanks after each use, and let dry in sun.
The Big East Fork Valley is a pristine watershed and there are several areas for dipping in the natural waters of our stream. Love Shack Falls (mi 4.3 SE) runs best after a good rain. The upstream dipping hole is located along the Upper Creek Trail behind the Retreat (mi 2.0 S) and the downstream dipping hole is a short walk from the bicyclist parking lot (mi 1.9 S). Several small rocky beaches for sunning and catching crawfish and fish lie along the creek. Watch out for forest hazards. Poisonous plants, snakes, and insects may be present so bring your epi-pen if any of your party is allergic to stings. Thin rocky beaches are McPherson Beach (mi 0.1 N), Flatrock Beach - home of the Crack-in-the-Creek (mi 0.3 N), Hemp Beach (mi 0.8 N), and LeeAnnes Beach/swimming hole (mi 1.3 N). Walking along the creek is a very special experience for a couple or the entire family. Bring your creek shoes and creek towels.
Q. How do we visit the farm store
A. The Farmstore is jointly operated by the Center for Sustainable Stewardship and Big East Fork Farms. A staff member of either entity must be on-site for you to visit the farm store, the farm, or the CSS trails.
Q. What are the common areas available to guests?
All registered Fork Inn guests may access the following common areas
1) miles of Fork Inn hiking trails (including the Fork Inn Loop Trail)
2) Big East Fork Creek - bring creek shoes
3) Lakeside shelter,
4) Firepit area by Barn-by-Creek
5) Farm Shelter (when not rented for an exclusive party)
6) Longmeadow Park and Headwater Park car lots - location of trailheads
7) Forest bathing platforms behind Lake Gratitude
8) Outdoor movie theater by Headwaters Park
9) Lake Gratitude natural area (with upstream and downstream dipping holes)
10) Pine Lake
Contact the Center for Sustainable Stewardship if you wish to explore the organic farm (including petting and feeding Rosie the donkey and Winston the cow), or hike the extensive CSS. Supporting the non-profit through membership allows you to help preserve and protect 2300 precious acres of biodiverse species and landscape which all of us (and those who will follow) can enjoy.
These properties listed below are available as entire houses. If you are a single, couple, or small family and would like to rent a private room within a house (with shared areas with other guests) then check out our Private Rooms and Apartments.
Ranch House (2132 sq ft, 4 Bedrooms, 6 beds incl 4 queen/king beds, 3 Bathrooms, 2 Wings)
The Frankyl Inn, 2nd floor (4700 sq ft, 6 Bedrooms, 12 beds incl 6 queen/king beds, 3 Bathrooms , 3 Wings). 0.4 miles from Southern Hospitality Ranch
Southern Hospitality Ranch (2570 sq ft, 4 Bedrooms, 7 beds incl 4 queen/king beds, 4 Bathrooms , 3 Wings) 0.4 miles from McPherson Farmhouse
Parrot House (4528 sq ft, 4 Bedrooms, 8 beds incl 4 queen/king beds, 3 Bathrooms , 3 Wings) 0.2 miles from Pond Cottage, 0.3 mile from Lakeside Retreat and Center Lodge
Center Lodge (3046 sq ft, 4 Bedrooms, 10 bed, incl 4 queen/king beds, 3 Bathrooms , 3 Wings) 0.2 miles from Pond Cottage, 0.4 miles from Parrot House, ) 0.2 miles from Log Cabin
The Retreat (5368 sq ft, 6 Bedrooms, 12 beds incl 5 queen/king beds, 5 Bathrooms , 4 Wings) 0.3 miles from Pond Cottage and Center Lodge, 0.2 miles from Log Cabin
Log Cabin (2700 sq ft, 4 Bedrooms, 7 beds incl 4 queen/king beds, 3 Bathrooms , 3 Wings) 0.2 miles from Lakeside Retreat, 0.2 miles from Circle Lodge, 0.25 miles to Pond Cabin
Lake Trail House (3500 sq ft, 5 Bedrooms, 8 beds incl 2 queen/king beds, 2.5 Bathrooms , 2 Wings)
Blackberry House (2884 sq ft, 4 Bedrooms, 12 beds incl 4 queen/king beds, 2 Bathrooms , 2 Wings) 0.1 mile to Mansion
Mansion in Woods (7814 sq ft, 7 Bedrooms, 14 beds incl 6 queen/king beds, 4 Bathrooms , 4 Wings) 0.1 mile to Blackberry House
Love Shack (1808 sq ft, 3 Bedrooms, 4 beds incl 2 queen/king beds, 1 Bathroom, 1 wing) 0.8 miles to Mansion
Pond House (1000 sq ft, 5 Bedrooms, 5 beds incl 3 queen/king beds, 2 Bathroom, 2 wing) 0.3 miles to Lakeside Retreat, 0.2 miles to Center Lodge
The Castle (4700 sq ft, 6 Bedrooms, 8 beds) 4 queen/king beds, 4.5 bathroom, 2 wings) 0.2 miles to Log Cabin, 0.3 miles to Lakeside Retreat
Totals: 62 bedrooms, 90 beds incl 61 queen/king beds, 40 bathrooms, 34 wings
Home Clusters for those wanting to walk to a central meeting place:
Circle Lodge can be walked to from Log Cabin, Pond Cottage, Parrot House, and Log House
Lakeside Retreat can be walked to from Log Cabin, Pond House, Circle Lodge, and Parrot House
Mansion can be walked to from Blackberry House