The Lodge at Rivers Edge

The LODGE at Rivers Edge is an 8000 square foot facility which will offer six couples’ suites, two bunk rooms, a large dining room, and a spacious meeting/sitting area upstairs—all with incredible views of the scenic Mountain Fork River.  The LODGE will be operated as a bed and breakfast, offering couples a setting for romance, relaxation, and reflection; but will also be utilized as an events facility available for lease by groups for spiritual retreats, corporate getaways, family reunions, and staff development meetings.  The building will be available for day use as well; it will no doubt become a popular location for weddings and other special events.

The LODGE, designed and engineered by talented Dallas area constructor-architect Kurt Kahle, will have two full stories and will feature an authentic, timber frame structure, which will be visible throughout the interior.  Huge, massive, white oak timbers will comprise ornate, hand-worked columns and beams that will give the meeting and dining rooms, as well as the suites, an elegant, yet rustic look that’s rich with character.  Several different wood species will be used in different rooms of the LODGE;  handcrafted windows and massive doors will accent an old-world design that features a sweeping, freestanding stairway leading to the upper levels.  A huge native-rock fireplace will greet guests just off the main entrance, and the exterior will boast of natural rock, stucco, and oak log/chink construction. 

Builder/designer Kahle fully intends that the attention to detail in the LODGE—which is tapping into all his giftings, from engineer to craftsman—will be a blessing and wonder to all who enter it, and that it will be one of those rare structures that remains beautiful and intact for decades to come.  His attention to detail will characterize literally every square inch of this structure.

The LODGE at Rivers Edge is the culmination of the dream of owners Tim and Suzy Knapp to build a facility that would attract groups in search of a one-of-a-kind setting and provide a special atmosphere ideal for meetings and retreats, free from the normal distractions of typical event locations.  From the start up of their cottages at Rivers Edge, the Knapps’ intent has been to provide a getaway location that ministers to the hearts and minds of overly busy and stressed out people.

During the planning stages of Rivers Edge, there were those who discouraged the investment in such a remote and isolated location.  The three and a half mile drive from the nearest highway—Highway 4 in tiny Watson, OK—was thought by many (whom Tim and Suzy consulted with) to be a serious deterrent to folks looking for weekend outings. 

Said owner Tim Knapp of he and Suzy’s initial perspective about creating such a secluded getaway place, “Our feeling from the beginning has been that if it’s nice enough, and you have the right ingredients—being peace and quiet, the river, and the right amenities—then they’ll come.”

Since the construction of the Bear Cottage, their first cabin, built in October, 2000, business has increased annually. 
“More and more folks are wanting—and needing—to get away from everything.  And when they drive three to four hours to do so, they don’t want to be shoulder to shoulder with other people.  That’s mainly what they’re getting away from.” 

Tim also maintains that being “blessed” with enough space to maintain the privacy of each cabin has been huge. 
“In one area near our home and office here on the river, we’ve built only two cottages where I once had five building sites planned.  So many folks commented repeatedly in the early going about how nice it was to have seclusion from the other cabins that we decided to keep them well-separated.”

Now there are a total of eight cottages at Rivers Edge with only one or two places where you can actually see one cabin from another, and that’s only in winter when foliage is at a minimum.  Each cabin has great privacy and access to the river, and many have incredible views. 

For several years, the planned site of the LODGE was to be near the vicinity of the cabins.
 “As we got nearer to starting construction of the LODGE, we began to realize that bringing large groups to Rivers Edge might compromise the quiet, peaceful surroundings, which is the main reason so many come to a location like this in the first place.”  Tim said about the placement of the LODGE.  The acquisition of riverfront property adjacent and downstream from the cabins has made it possible now for the LODGE to be located completely away from, but only a short drive or riverside walk from the cabin area.

The LODGE itself will comfortably sleep 32 persons, while capable of hosting groups for day events three times that size.  By utilizing the cabins along with the LODGE, accommodations for 65 persons will be available through leasing the entire resort. 

Over the last few years the demand for facilities that can host large groups has been increasing.  While there are a growing number of cabin resorts popping up all over the Beavers Bend area and the Kiamichi Mountains (pronounced kya-me-she), only a couple bed and breakfasts have appeared.  Also, getaways capable of handling the bigger groups are rare indeed.  Finding this type of place on a river with hundreds of acres over which to hike or ride—almost 400 acres of private property—is rarer still.

Check back with us often as we continue our dream project.  We will keep you updated and would like to hear from you if you have interest in planning a future event or outing.  If you are the one responsible to find a suitable place for your family’s next reunion, or the event planner in charge of suggesting a possible location for your company or staff’s upcoming retreat, give us a call.  We’ll fill you in on the details and help your plans be a success.

We’re excited here at Rivers Edge and look forward to sharing our family’s dream with you.  We’ve so enjoyed the many friendships that we’ve formed along the way so far and look forward to meeting many, many more of you.  Please feel free to call, email, or come see us anytime. 

Tim & Suzy Knapp
Owners