Tuxedo Falls: a grown-up summer camp in the Green River Valley
- cdavis884
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
By Missy Craver Izard
On a quiet stretch of forest in the Green River Valley, the sound of water moves through the woods before you ever see it. Five waterfalls spill over rock ledges, winding through a landscape thick with rhododendron and hardwoods. At dusk, lanterns flicker along forest trails, and guests gather around a crackling fire, listening to the land breathe.
This is Tuxedo Falls — a boutique mountain retreat tucked into one of Western North Carolina’s most storied camp corridors. Inspired by the region’s deep summer-camp traditions and reimagined for modern travelers, it offers something both nostalgic and rare: the feeling of camp, without giving up comfort — or quiet. “Tuxedo Falls is more than a destination,” says founder Lark Elliott. “It’s a homecoming to the outdoors.”
A place steeped in history
Few people realize that Western North Carolina is home to the largest concentration of summer camps in the United States, with nearly 100 scattered across four counties. Not many areas carry the weight of camp tradition like the Green River Valley of Henderson County. For generations, families have returned here, passing down land, stories and traditions.
Among the early innovators of this regional camp culture was Joseph Oscar Bell, Sr., founder of the mill village of Tuxedo, N.C. Born in Due West, South Carolina, Bell moved to Henderson County in 1907 with his wife, Lillias Durham Bell, to build a textile plant alongside the Green River.
By 1919, he had constructed a pavilion for employee recreation and camping a few miles downriver. Located near a waterfall on land later developed by his youngest son, Joseph (Joe) Oscar Bell, Jr., and his wife, Mary Kellogg Bell, the site became Camp Arrowhead in 1937 and Glen Arden, its sister camp, in 1951. The original recreation building and surrounding log cabins are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The camps remained under Bell family ownership until 1996, when Joseph O. Bell III and his wife, Lindsay Raiford Bell, sold them — Glen Arden to longtime camper and counselor Casey Thurman, and Arrowhead to Steve Reynolds. Erin and Garrett Graham purchased Glen Arden in 2016, and in 2019, Arrowhead was acquired by Allie and Max King, along with John Bates.
In addition to the acreage that made up Camps Arrowhead and Glen Arden, Lindsay Raiford Bell retained 50 acres adjacent to Glen Arden. Throughout time, the land became overgrown and inaccessible. Lark and Tommy Elliott’s journey to building Tuxedo Falls began when they stumbled upon this long-forgotten forest oasis. They recognized its potential and envisioned breathing new life into the property.
Roots run deep
With family ties in nearby Lake Summit and Flat Rock, the couple understood both the history of the region and the need for thoughtful, outdoor-oriented hospitality. Tommy’s family roots trace back seven generations to Judge Mitchell King, one of the founders of Flat Rock, and include some of the area’s most historic homes — Argyll, Elliott Place and Tanglewood among them.
Lark, an Elkin native, grew up with a similar reverence for land and water. Her father, attorney and civic leader Daniel “Dan” Park, believed deeply that beautiful places should be shared. One of his final acts was selling family land and donating a conservation easement to the state of N.C. to create the park at Carter Falls, ensuring public access to waterfalls long cherished by his family.
When that property sold, Lark and her father used a tax exchange to purchase the 50 acres in the Green River Valley — the land that would become Tuxedo Falls. Both were committed to protecting it, developing it thoughtfully and honoring its natural character.
“It was never about overbuilding,” Lark says. “It was about letting people experience the land, and leave understanding why it matters.”
Lark’s lived experience in the region, combined with Tommy’s heritage, laid the groundwork for a project that would honor both history and nature.
A year of discovery
Before ever building Tuxedo Falls, Lark and Tommy stepped away from finance careers in Charlotte to spend a year traveling the world — backpacking, cycling, climbing and kayaking their way across continents. The experience shaped their shared philosophy: Adventure should feel personal, intentional and deeply connected to place.
Lark later became a cycling guide and trip designer, leading high-end trips across the eastern United States and Alaska. Managing logistics, safety, and group dynamics while delivering concierge-level experiences taught her something essential: guests remember how a place makes them feel.
That sensibility became the backbone of Tuxedo Falls — what Lark calls “the ultimate grownup summer camp.”
Designing a camp for grownups
When Lark acquired the 50-acre mountain property, it came with significant environmental, zoning and deed restrictions that guided every aspect of development and design. She hired local land planner and landscape architect Hunter Marks to help shape the vision. Marks suggested a “camp for grownups,” an idea that honored the valley’s camp culture while working within zoning constraints.
From the beginning, Lark knew she didn’t want traditional camp cabins.
“I wanted to see what was possible,” she says. “What was happening in the recreational housing world that still felt connected to nature. I wanted structures that felt part of the forest.”
That curiosity led the couple to a glamping conference outside Denver, where they encountered everything from yurts to covered wagons. There, Lark met representatives from Bushtec Safari, a South African–based company known for luxury safari tents. Crafted from high-quality materials and fully customizable, the tents offered comfort without sacrificing a sense of adventure.
Bushtec was preparing to open a U.S. location in Atlanta, and the timing felt right. Today, four upscale tent cabins sit quietly among the trees — so thoughtfully integrated into the landscape that many guests don’t realize they are tents at all.
Treehouses soon followed. Inspired by old episodes of The Treehouse Guys, Lark cold-called the show’s partners, architect James “B’fer” Roth and builder Chris “KaV” Haake. Both were intrigued enough to visit.
“We climbed trees all over the property like kids,” Lark recalls. “Until the arborist came in and ruled out half our favorites.”
In the end, six treehouse sites were approved. Two have been built so far, with four more planned — each crafted with deep respect for the surrounding forest.
“B’fer and KaV were incredible,” says Lark. “They respected every tree, every ecosystem. Their work was meticulous. It made all the difference.”
Built by the Valley
From its earliest days, Tuxedo Falls relied on local knowledge and craftsmanship.
James “Jim” Perry IV and his son, Young Perry, of Pinnacle Mountain Grading, built the entrance road, stone retaining walls, drainage systems and septic infrastructure. The Perry family’s connection to camps in the Green River Valley runs deep: Jim’s grandparents founded Sky Valley Pioneer Camp in 1948, and generations of Perrys have helped shape the area’s camp landscape.
Local Hendersonville builder Chris Brock oversaw construction of the tent platforms and a 3,300-square-foot lodge with a certified commercial kitchen. Camp-inspired furnishings were crafted by local woodworker Brandon Terry. Tina Guice, a Green River native, serves as director of pperations and guest relations, while Caroline Ledford, also from WNC, is project manager.
“Engaging people who know this land was essential,” Lark says. “Their history is part of the place.”
Stewardship and restoration
Trail building and stream restoration proved to be a major undertaking — one that Lark’s husband, Tommy, embraced as a personal project. Trails and streams long neglected were reopened and rehabilitated. Invasive plants were cleared, creeks restored and the terrain around five private waterfalls stabilized.
The goal was simple: ensure the land’s health while allowing guests to explore freely. Each step — from trail placement to treehouse design — was guided by zoning requirements, environmental protections and Lark’s philosophy of minimal impact.
An invitation back outside
Today, Tuxedo Falls is open year-round. Guests stay in treehouses or tent cabins equipped with heating, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and kitchenettes stocked with locally made pottery. Days are spent hiking forest trails, fly-fishing private streams, soaking in outdoor tubs, or simply listening to water move through the woods.
It’s an experience designed for adults seeking connection — to nature, to each other and to something slower.
“We want to bring back those memories of summer camp or camping with your family,” Lark says. “But do it in comfort. You still get that sense of wonder and camaraderie — just with a glass of cider by the fire at the end of the day.”
In a region shaped by generations of camps, Tuxedo Falls feels both new and familiar — a quiet continuation of a story this part of N.C. has been telling for more than a century.
To plan your winter, spring, summer or fall retreat, visit: https://tuxedofalls.com/
Please note: Tuxedo Falls is an adult-oriented property designed for relaxation and tranquility. Children ages 10 and older are welcome to stay, but the terrain is steep and may not be suitable for younger children.
Missy Craver Izard was born and raised in Charleston, S.C. and resides in Flat Rock, N.C. A retired summer camp director and art teacher, Missy is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, journalist, community leader and the recipient of several awards including the White House Champions of Change.
