Frequently Asked Questions

We like to think we’re pretty cool! Each cabin is designed to be unique and appeal to different styles. But the biggest reason to choose us isn’t just our aesthetics—it’s the personal touch. As a small family business, we love creating spaces where memories are made, and we’re dedicated to making sure your stay is positive and personal.

It’s for everyone—seriously. While we’re geared toward group travel, we also welcome solo adventurers and couples. You can rent the whole village up to 18 months in advance, and individual cabins up to 12 months ahead. We love the diversity of guests it brings!

We’ve got five unique cabins in what we call the “Songbird Neighborhood”—Chickadee, Whippoorwill, Goldfinch, Blackbird, and our newest, Meadowlark—circling our central pavilion, where guests can socialize, share meals, and relax together.

A whippoorwill is a songbird. Not the greatest looker, but their song is a beauty. Sit outside in the late evening or early morning and you might just hear them sing “whip-pooor-willlll” to each other.

Nope! It’s perfectly fine to stay reclusive. No need to meet anyone, and we ask all guests to respect each other’s boundaries. The pavilion is the best spot for meet-and-greets if you’re feeling social, but it’s totally up to you.

Not primarily—we’re a vacation rental with the option to gather (see our Whole-Site Rental page). We do host small gatherings in our pavilion (and upcoming Ceremonial Cob House) on a per-case basis. For weddings and group wellness retreats, please reach out to Bobbie to see if we’re a good fit!

We’re the Sonners and Suches—a family with a dream that turned into Talking Water. We hope to build a legacy that outlasts those of us who started it. (Peek at our About page to meet the family, including the kiddos who help us out!)

We opened in July 2023 after purchasing the land in April 2022—it’s been a whirlwind journey! Learn more about our property.

In short, yes. We’re technically located in Chattanooga, but in a different county than the rest of the city. It’s a bit confusing, but we’re just a 15–18 minute drive from downtown.

We operate on Eastern Standard Time with the rest of Chattanooga, but we’re right on the dividing line between Eastern and Central. To avoid confusion, we suggest locking the timezone on your phone during your stay—and we’ve set the wall clocks in each cabin to Eastern time.

We try our best! We offer recycling and composting to all guests and have installed energy-efficient products in each cabin. We’re not here to preach—nobody’s perfect, and perfection is the enemy of progress. As we say in our house rules, “Assume the Best Intent.” Protecting Mother Earth is a work in progress we’re all in together.

Eventually, yes. Building Talking Water has been a labor of love, and we’re so proud of what we’ve done—but we need a little time to recover, too. We expect to expand construction past the bluffline within the next 5–10 years. Life is unpredictable, so who knows what’s coming next?

The easiest way to book your cabin is right here on our website—head to our Cabins page, pick your dates, and you’re all set! If you need any help, feel free to reach out; we’re happy to assist.

Check-in is at 4:00pm Eastern (3:00pm Central), and check-out is at 11:00am Eastern (10:00am Central). Want to sleep in a little longer? You can purchase a late check-out for an additional fee through Enhance Your Stay.

Plans change—we get it. If you booked through another platform, please follow their cancellation policy (they all vary). Bookings made on our website are eligible for a 75% refund 30+ days before arrival and a 50% refund 14–30 days before arrival. See our Policies page for full details.

Yes! We’ve got high-speed Wi-Fi in each cabin. While we encourage you to disconnect and soak in the natural beauty, we understand the need to stay connected.

Think comfort and adventure! We suggest comfy clothes, sturdy shoes for the trails, and anything you need for outdoor fun. Check out our Guidebook for a detailed list of what’s provided.

Absolutely—we welcome guests of all ages, and there’s plenty of space for kids to play and explore. Please let us know at least 24 hours before your stay if you’d like any of these in your cabin: highchair, Pack-n-Play, baby bouncer, baby bath, hiking carrier, and/or children’s plates & utensils.

Of course! Each cabin has its own firepit, perfect for roasting marshmallows and sharing stories under the stars. We provide seasoned firewood—all you need to bring is your campfire spirit!

Yes, with a few caveats. We allow dogs in Chickadee, Goldfinch, and Whippoorwill cabins with a $50 pet fee per dog (up to 2 per household). Undisclosed pets incur a $100 fee per pet. Dogs are not allowed inside Blackbird at this time, and should be crated whenever not with their owners—we’re happy to provide crates if needed.

Of course! We can’t imagine not having kids around. We do ask that guests supervise their children and practice Leave No Trace—being in nature means lots of jumping, climbing, and exploring, with the added chance of encountering snakes, spiders, and mosquitoes.

Smoking (of any substance) is allowed outdoors only, at least 25 feet from all windows and doors. We strictly require cigarette butts to be disposed of in the bright yellow bins. Smoking indoors or littering butts will result in fines and removal from the property.

We’re open to it! We just always want to screen photographers beforehand and make sure our space and designs are respected. In the past we’ve welcomed portrait, boudoir, and lifestyle photography. As long as the content isn’t for the adult-only industry, we’re happy to discuss options.

We’re expanding our trail system! You can easily spend 1–2 hours exploring—along Suck Creek, out to our blue holes, and more. We recommend hiking shoes and water, and ask guests to keep an eye out for wildlife. We also sell hiking kits through Enhance Your Stay.

Suck Creek is a fast-moving creek, and swimming can get risky. Please use common sense, and never get in without a partner and a working cell phone—we recommend admiring the creek without jumping in. There are numerous blue holes less than 5 minutes away in Prentice Cooper State Park, perfect for a refreshing dip.

…everything! Chattanooga is a whole lot of personality in a small package: gorgeous natural scenery and countless outdoor activities (boating, climbing, caving, biking, hiking, swimming, ziplining, rafting, fishing), fun local events, museums and history, and a thriving bar and restaurant scene. You’ll love it here!