Spiritual Retreat, Nature Retreat at Mount Sequoyah, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Mount Sequoyah, high on the hills in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a peaceful mountain retreat where spirituality and nature meet to provide a relaxing, refreshing renewal. Meeting halls and cabins are nestled on a beautiful mountainside up the hill from the hustle and bustle from the University of Arkansas and the continually hopping Dickson Street.

Every year, I look forward to attending the annual Geriatric Conference that is held on Mount Sequoyah. Professionals in a variety of health care fields working with the elderly attend for continuing education credits and networking, getting a bonus mental health retreat made possible by the beauty of nature.

Walking around the campus, taking in the scenery and peaceful sounds, I am always filled with an appreciation for nature and a spirit of renewal. I enjoy every opportunity to visit the beauty of Mount Sequoyah. Since I live so close, I sometimes take a special drive up the hill just to drive around the campus to take it all in.

Although Mount Sequoyah has a Methodist background, created as a spiritual retreat for church leaders to gather and learn how to lead, this one-of-a-kind getaway is open to people of all faiths or no faiths. The mountain provides a perfect location to take a vacation from the world as visitors are enveloped by the natural world. Just up the hill from a busy downtown college town, the sacred mountain serves as a retreat for out-of-towners, as well as for the area's citizens, as it is just a short drive up a winding hill.

The spiritual solace welcomes everyone to enter its gates to retreat from the world and join nature if just for a few hours. Even a day there was revitalizing for me, as I walked around during my breaks to take pictures and video, gazing at the multi-colored trees, and traipsing through the falling leaves that crunched as I walked. All this in the middle of a Geriatric Conference.

Mount Sequoyah is the perfect place to walk the beautiful trails of the mountain as you opt for an individual, family, church, or work retreat. There are meeting rooms for groups, such as the one I met in at the annual Geriatric Conference.

Even the old brick meeting halls are stately and blend in with the surrounding natural scene. Lodging is available in homey cottages that also fit in with the scenic view.

Mount Sequoyah is open to individuals and families, groups and organizations in search for a retreat, training, or conference. Guests can enjoy shopping in the gift shop for unique items or taking a hot meal in the dining hall. Staff are on hand to take care of your needs.

While staying in Mount Sequoyah, there are other places to enjoy in beautiful Fayetteville and the surrounding region. If you like the night life, Dickson Street is the place to visit, with friendly folks visiting the various establishments along the bricked street that leads up to the University. The Walton Arts Center rests on a corner, a site of numerous plays and music events throughout the year.

Northwest Arkansas also boasts Crystal Bridges, a state-of-the-art art museum, housed in a beautiful edifice, surrounded by pools of water and walking trails. There is a reason that Arkansas is called the natural state.

If you're interested in retreating to the beauty of Mount Sequoyah, visit the Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center website to check out more of their amenities, as well as services and affordable rates. Some of the best times to visit are spring and fall. My favorite is autumn, when the leaves are at the peak of changing colors.

Check out the photos and videos of this beautiful mountaintop. I plan to visit Mount Sequoyah a little earlier in the fall next year to update my pictures when the leaves are even more vibrant.

If you are looking for a peaceful getaway in the natural state, check out Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville, Arkansas.