Willow Creek Retreat

For Washington residents seeking a truly unique and tranquil outdoor escape, Willow Creek Retreat in Medical Lake offers a distinctive experience that blends the charm of a farmstead with the serenity of a private nature retreat. Unlike typical public campgrounds, Willow Creek Retreat provides a more intimate setting, ideal for families, couples, or anyone desiring a peaceful getaway where you can genuinely connect with nature and enjoy a sense of exclusivity. As one delighted guest shared, "We went mid week and nobody was here almost the entire 3 days we stayed, so we had the whole place to ourselves. We stayed in the little cabin and it was great. Perfect amount of space for 2 adults and 2 kids." This highlights the appeal of a personalized and often secluded experience.

Willow Creek Retreat aims to provide a memorable outdoor adventure with a touch of rustic charm. While it offers unique features like friendly farm animals and opportunities for pony rides, it's essential for visitors to understand its nature as a working farm and private retreat. This means embracing the natural environment, including its wildlife and insects, as part of the authentic experience. It’s a place designed for those who appreciate quiet evenings under the stars, the sounds of nature, and the occasional visit from a friendly coonhound seeking belly rubs. This balance of unique offerings and a rustic setting makes Willow Creek Retreat a standout option for locals in Washington.

Willow Creek Retreat is strategically located at 15109 W Thorpe Rd, Medical Lake, WA 99022, USA. This address places it on the West Plains of Spokane County, offering a rural, peaceful setting while maintaining excellent accessibility. Crucially, it is "conveniently located 5 minutes from the Spokane International Airport," making it surprisingly easy to reach for locals, whether coming from Spokane itself or other parts of Eastern Washington.

The property's rural location means you'll enjoy quiet evenings and starry nights, yet you're not far from essential services. Medical Lake town is nearby, and Spokane, with its wider array of amenities, dining, and attractions, is just a short drive away. The presence of nearby Fairchild Air Force Base means you might "watch the big jets land and take off," an interesting and often awe-inspiring sight for aviation enthusiasts. Access to the retreat is typically via county-maintained roads, ensuring relatively smooth travel to the property. While offering a secluded feel, its accessibility to major transport hubs and nearby towns makes Willow Creek Retreat a practical choice for a convenient Washington getaway.

Willow Creek Retreat provides a range of services designed to offer a comfortable and engaging farm-stay camping experience, with options catering to various preferences.

• Diverse Accommodations: The retreat offers multiple lodging options. This includes a "little cabin" with electricity, a coffee maker, hot plate, and small fridge. It also provides RV/tent sites, including some with "30 Amp Hookups" and "50 Amp Hookup" for RVs, and designated tent sites.

• Drinking Water: "Drinking water provided" on-site, which is a valuable amenity for all campers.

• Outdoor Cooking Facilities: While the cabin offers some cooking appliances, there is often a "propane stove for cooking outside on one of the picnic tables" for general camping use. Fire rings with grates are also typically provided at campsites.

• Restroom Facilities: The property generally provides "clean portable toilet" or "Clean Restroom Facilities." One review mentioned a "shared porta potty" for tent camping, and another noted "a homemade outdoor bathhouse warm shower." Visitors should confirm the exact type and availability of facilities, as they might be rustic.

• Pet-Friendly Environment: Willow Creek Retreat is explicitly "pet friendly! Dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee." They encourage well-behaved, obedient pups to roam off-leash in designated areas, but caution is advised with livestock and other animals on a farmstead.

• Add-on Experiences: The owner offers unique add-on experiences such as "pony ride with the owner leading the nice older pony around," "campfire guitar sing along," "photo booth with our 1949 Chevy Pickup," and "farm tour to visit all the farm animals or a horse experience including grooming, riding and feeding treats." These elevate the stay beyond basic camping.

• Host Interaction: The owner, Rachael, is noted as a "Superhost" and is often present and friendly, with a "friendly large loud Coonhound name Charlie who is super friendly and submissive to guests and visiting dogs."

It is important to note the mixed reviews regarding cleanliness and bug presence in some accommodations, suggesting that visitors should manage expectations for a truly rustic farm environment.

Willow Creek Retreat boasts a collection of distinctive features and highlights that set it apart from conventional campgrounds, offering a memorable and charming experience for visitors.

• Private & Secluded Atmosphere: A major highlight is the sense of privacy and seclusion, especially during midweek stays, where guests can often have "the whole place to ourselves." This allows for a truly peaceful and intimate outdoor experience.

• Farmstead Charm with Friendly Animals: The retreat is set on a working farm, providing a unique backdrop with friendly horses to watch and a coonhound named Charlie who enjoys belly rubs. This offers an authentic rural experience and interaction with farm animals.

• Unique Cabin Accommodation: The "little cabin" is a significant feature, offering comforts like electricity, a coffee maker, hot plate, and a small fridge, making it an excellent "glamping" option for those who prefer more than just a tent.

• Pony Rides for Kids: The "fun pony ride with the owner leading the nice older pony around" is a delightful and unique activity for children, adding immense value for families.

• Views of Fairchild AFB Jets: For aviation enthusiasts, the location provides a "great spot to watch the big jets land and take off from Fairchild AFB," offering an unexpected and impressive spectacle.

• Relaxation Amenities: The presence of "nice hammocks and a tree swing to enjoy in the camping area" emphasizes the retreat's focus on relaxation and comfort amidst nature.

• Natural Sounds and Wildlife: Guests can enjoy abundant "bird songs and bird watching opportunities" (blue heron, hawks, owls, quail, etc.), as well as listen to "coyotes howl, the owls hoot, crickets chirp, frogs croak (in spring/early summer)." The creek is "full of frogs for the kids to catch."

• Pet-Friendly Policy: Its welcoming "pet friendly" policy with no additional fees and allowance for off-leash supervision (with caution around livestock) is a significant plus for pet owners.

It is worth noting that while some reviews highlight charm, others mention a less-than-thorough cleaning in some tent accommodations and a significant presence of bugs. Visitors should understand this is a natural, rustic farm environment.

For reservations, inquiries, or to learn more about Willow Creek Retreat, you can use the following contact details:

Address: 15109 W Thorpe Rd, Medical Lake, WA 99022, USA

Phone: (509) 218-6519

Mobile Phone: +1 509-218-6519

Email: willowcreekretreatml@gmail.com

Willow Creek Retreat is often listed on booking platforms like Hipcamp and Airbnb. It is highly recommended to check their listings on these platforms for the most current availability, pricing, detailed descriptions of specific sites/cabins, and updated reviews. Direct communication with the owner, Rachael, via phone or email, is advisable to confirm specific amenities, discuss expectations, and ensure a smooth booking process, especially if you have particular needs or concerns.

For residents across Washington State, Willow Creek Retreat in Medical Lake offers a distinct and highly suitable option for a unique local getaway. Its appeal lies in its private, farmstead setting that provides a sense of seclusion and tranquility rarely found in more public campgrounds. For those seeking a quiet escape where they can genuinely disconnect, especially during midweek visits when the property is often very private, this retreat delivers an invaluable sense of peace.

The diverse accommodation options, from well-equipped cabins to RV and tent sites with electrical hookups, cater to various camping preferences, making it accessible for different types of outdoor enthusiasts. Families, in particular, will find it appealing due to its "family friendly" atmosphere, opportunities for "fun pony rides," and the charming presence of farm animals. The unique feature of watching jets from Fairchild AFB adds an unexpected and fascinating element to the stay.

While some past reviews highlight potential challenges with insects and the rustic nature of some accommodations, this transparency helps set realistic expectations for a genuine farm and nature experience. For Washingtonians who are open to a more rustic, self-sufficient, and animal-friendly camping environment, and who prioritize privacy, unique activities, and a quiet setting over resort-style amenities, Willow Creek Retreat is an excellent local choice. It offers a memorable and distinct outdoor adventure that allows families and individuals to create cherished memories right here in their home state.