A sacred space for retreat and reflection

About Hinton Rural Life Center

A Sacred Space to Retreat, Reflect, and Renew

Our Mission

Inspired by Jesus Christ, Hinton Rural Life Center's purpose is to engage individuals, congregations, and communities in transformation through retreat ministry and missional outreach.

About Us

Hinton Center is a retreat and conference center in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina, where guests can come to retreat, reflect, and renew. We provide day meeting spaces, as well as overnight accommodations, for groups of up to 200. We also have lodging for individuals and families. Hinton Center is a United Methodist agency, but we welcome other faith traditions or non-faith-based organizations seeking to meet, retreat, and/or serve in a spirit of acceptance and mutual respect.

Many of our guests come to make a difference in this rural community by participating in mission outreach, making homes warmer, drier, and safer for our neighbors in need.

We hope you’ll come experience Hinton Center hospitality and become a part of the Hinton community by participating in our outreach support — through your stay or service — and by telling others about us!

View a map of our campus here: Hinton Map.

50-Year History

It began as a vision…

welcome-center-hinton Hinton Rural Life Center began in 1957 with a vision, a building, and 4.5 acres of land in Hayesville, a small town in the mountains of western North Carolina. The Center came into being as the result of a gift of property from J. Walter and Velma Moore of Hayesville; a gift of money by Alice Lanier Hinton in memory of her late husband, Harold H. Hinton, of Athens, Georgia; and contributions of money, materials and labor made by people and churches interested in the development of a rural life center under the auspices of The United Methodist Church.

Present Day

Celebrating our 50th anniversary in ministry in 2011, the Hinton Center today occupies about thirty-three acres in beautiful Hayesville, NC. Facilities include the Gentry administration building, the guest lodge, two cottages, two lake houses, the Day Commons room, the Dysart Chapel, John C. Carter kitchen, dining area, and gift shop. The most recent facilities include a lakeside worship pavilion, prayer and memory garden, labyrinth, outdoor chapel, Hermitage houses, and the Joe Ervin and Nadine Johnson retreat houses. Hinton’s facilities include 76 individual guest rooms.