Willow Creek Retreat

Hello, Washingtonians! Are you looking for a unique escape from the everyday hustle? Here in our beautiful state, we're fortunate to have a diverse range of outdoor experiences, but sometimes, a traditional campground just doesn't capture the imagination quite like a farmstay. Imagine waking up to the sounds of nature, maybe a friendly farm animal, and enjoying a setting that blends rustic charm with surprising comforts. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Willow Creek Retreat, a delightful farmstay located conveniently close to Medical Lake.

A farmstay offers a distinct kind of getaway, allowing you to connect with agricultural life and the natural world in a more intimate way. It's often a working farm where you can stay overnight, sometimes even participating in farm activities or simply enjoying the peaceful, rural surroundings. Willow Creek Retreat embodies this concept, providing a serene and engaging environment that appeals to a wide variety of visitors, from families with young children eager to meet farm animals to couples seeking a quiet romantic escape.

This article is designed to give you a comprehensive overview of Willow Creek Retreat. We'll delve into its convenient location, the array of services and unique accommodations it offers, and the special features that make it a standout destination for Washington locals. While we'll highlight the positive aspects shared by guests, it's also important to note that, like any outdoor experience involving nature and animals, guests should arrive with appropriate expectations regarding insects and the general rustic environment. Our aim is to provide a factual, engaging, and professional look at why Willow Creek Retreat might just be your next favorite local getaway.

Willow Creek Retreat is strategically located at 15109 W Thorpe Rd, Medical Lake, WA 99022, USA, placing it on the picturesque West Plains of Spokane County. This location offers a fantastic balance of rural tranquility and convenient accessibility. For many Washington locals, particularly those in the Spokane area, it’s a quick and easy drive, making it perfect for a weekend trip or even a spontaneous mid-week escape.

One of the most notable aspects of its location is its surprising proximity to Spokane International Airport (GEG), often cited as just 5 minutes away. This makes it an incredibly convenient stop for travelers flying in or out of Spokane who want to add a unique, relaxing experience to their itinerary without venturing far off their route. Despite being close to the airport, the retreat maintains a peaceful, rural atmosphere, a testament to its thoughtful layout on a 20-acre farmstead.

Beyond its immediate vicinity, Willow Creek Retreat also offers easy access to State Route 2 and I-90, connecting it seamlessly to other parts of Washington. This means that whether you're coming from Seattle, the Tri-Cities, or even Idaho, the journey to this charming farmstay is straightforward. Furthermore, its location near Medical Lake itself provides opportunities to explore local attractions like Medical Lake's Waterfront Park and Coney Park, which offer swimming and lakeside bike/hiking trails, blending the farmstay experience with nearby recreational options. The ability to easily reach this rural haven, yet still be close to modern conveniences and regional points of interest, makes Willow Creek Retreat an ideal and accessible choice for Washington residents.

Services Offered:

• Various Accommodation Options: Willow Creek Retreat offers diverse lodging, including a cozy cabin (perfect for small families), tent sites, and RV sites. Note: The cabin provides electricity, a coffee maker, hot plate, and a small fridge, but no indoor plumbing/showers.

• Drinking Water Provided: Guests in the cabin and potentially other areas have access to provided drinking water.

• Outdoor Cooking Facilities: A propane stove for outside cooking is available at picnic tables, and a wood fire pit is provided (usage subject to burn bans, with propane fire pits available as an alternative). Guests can also request hamburger/hotdog kits and farm-raised ground beef.

• Horse Experiences: Pony rides are offered for children, led by the owner, and more extensive horse experiences (grooming, riding, feeding) can be booked for adults for an additional fee.

• Farm Tours: Guests can book farm tours to visit and interact with various farm animals.

• On-Site Restrooms: A shared porta-potty or outdoor toilet facility is available for guests. An outdoor homemade bathhouse with a warm shower is also provided (note: this is a rustic outdoor shower, not indoor plumbing).

• Hammocks and Tree Swing: A dedicated camping area includes amenities like hammocks and a tree swing for relaxation and enjoyment.

• Pet-Friendly: The retreat is off-leash pet friendly for obedient dogs, with 5 acres available for them to roam (supervision recommended).

• Additional Activities (extra fees): Guitar campfire sing-alongs, s'mores kits, photo booth with a 1949 Chevy Pickup, and inflatable SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) rentals for Medical Lake are available.

• Farm Fresh Products: Farm-raised ground beef and fresh eggs are sometimes available for purchase.

Features / Highlights:

• Quiet and Peaceful Setting: Many visitors praise the retreat for its tranquil and quiet atmosphere, especially during mid-week stays and shoulder seasons.

• Unique Cabin Experience: The "little cabin" offers a charming and comfortable rustic stay with essential electric amenities, ideal for small families.

• Farm Animal Interactions: Opportunities to see and interact with friendly horses, a coonhound (known for seeking belly rubs), and potentially other farm animals, which is a big draw for kids.

• Wildlife and Nature Immersion: Set on 20 acres with abundant trees and a year-round creek, the retreat offers birdwatching (blue heron, hawks, owls, quail, ducks, turkeys, pheasants) and the sounds of coyotes, owls, crickets, and frogs at night.

• Fairchild AFB Jet Viewing: A unique highlight is the vantage point for watching large jets land and take off from nearby Fairchild AFB, offering an interesting spectacle.

• Rustic Charm with Basic Comforts: While designed for a rustic adventure (no indoor showers or running water in the cabin), the provision of electricity, drinking water, and outdoor shower/toilet facilities adds convenience.

• Host Interaction: The owner is described as friendly and welcoming, offering pony rides and other experiences, contributing to a personalized stay.

• Spacious Environment: With seven sites spread over five acres (and the entire 20-acre farmstead), there's plenty of space to relax and enjoy privacy.

• Natural Landscaping: The property features beautiful pastures and wildflowers, particularly until early July.

Contact Information:

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

Phone: (509) 218-6519

Mobile Phone: +1 509-218-6519

It is highly recommended to contact Willow Creek Retreat directly via phone or check their listings on platforms like Hipcamp or Airbnb for the most current availability, booking information, and specific details about their various accommodations and services.

For us Washingtonians, Willow Creek Retreat offers a truly distinctive and accessible farmstay experience that stands apart from typical camping or hotel stays. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with nature and farm life without having to travel across the state, making it an ideal local getaway, especially for families. The appeal lies in its blend of rustic charm with thoughtful amenities. For instance, the cabin provides essential comforts like electricity and a small fridge, making it more comfortable than traditional tent camping, particularly for those new to outdoor adventures or with young children.

The unique interactive elements, such as pony rides for kids and the chance to observe friendly farm animals, create memorable experiences that are hard to replicate elsewhere. These hands-on opportunities allow children (and adults!) to learn about farm life and connect with animals in a meaningful way. Furthermore, the tranquil environment, complete with the sounds of nature and the unique spectacle of jets from Fairchild AFB, offers a peaceful yet engaging backdrop for relaxation and exploration.

It’s important for locals to understand that this is a true farmstay – meaning an authentic rural experience with inherent elements like insects and a more natural environment. However, for those who appreciate getting a little closer to nature, enjoying quiet evenings under the stars, and experiencing a slice of country life, Willow Creek Retreat delivers. Its pet-friendly policy is also a huge plus for many Washington families who want to include their furry companions in their adventures. Overall, Willow Creek Retreat offers a conveniently located, uniquely charming, and genuinely engaging outdoor escape that caters perfectly to the desires of Washington residents seeking a refreshing break from the everyday.

Willow Creek Retreat

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