Summary:
Just a beautiful 20-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga, this moody mountain cottage is the perfect place to unplug and sink into nature. Wake up beneath warm cedar ceilings, enjoy lazy lunches on the patio, and wind down your day in the glow of the screened-in porch.
Perched atop Suck Creek Mountain at Talking Water Nature Retreat, you’re steps away from hiking adventures in Prentice Cooper State Forest and refreshing dips or paddles in Suck Creek. Whether you’re a trail trekker, hammock dweller, or starry-night storyteller, this is your mountain magic moment waiting to happen.
The Space:
Blackbird Cabin @ Talking Water Nature Retreat
Colorful. Compact. Full of soul and sky.
🎶🐦⬛ Blackbird is a vibrant, cozy cabin perched on Suck Creek Mountain, part of the Songbird Neighborhood at Talking Water Nature Retreat. Designed with bold colors and a love for light, this compact retreat offers spacious views, thoughtful touches, and the perfect blend of comfort and nature.
Enjoy coffee or cocktails on your double stone patio, dine al fresco, or unwind in the screened-in porch where mountain breezes and birdsong fill the air. After a day of adventure, rinse off in the outdoor shower under the stars, or indulge in the rainfall shower indoors for a spa-like reset.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Sleeping space for 6–7 guests
- Full indoor bathroom & shower
- Outdoor shower (seasonal)
- Full kitchen + outdoor campsite grill
- Electric fireplace, TV, and Wi-Fi
- Vaulted ceilings and big windows for natural light
Blackbird is one of four cabins at Talking Water Nature Retreat, a family-run sanctuary on 82 private acres with hiking trails, creek access, and gathering spaces for up to 26 guests. Whether you’re planning a solo reset or a group retreat, Blackbird offers color, calm, and a little slice of mountain magic.
🌿 The Songbird Pavilion
At the heart of the neighborhood is the Songbird Pavilion, an inviting shared space with:
- Outdoor kitchen (electric griddle, sink, cabinets)
- Firepit with chairs and benches
- Tables for dining or games
- Nearby kids’ play area (slide, tetherball)
- Hiking trails steps away
- Guest laundry and extra toiletries/games available in the nearby garage
🪶 Book a Cabin or the Whole Flock
The Songbird Neighborhood includes Chickadee, Whippoorwill, Goldfinch, and Blackbird—each sleeping 6–7 guests. Cabins can be rented individually for small groups or together as a private retreat for up to 25 guests. Whether it’s laughter around the fire, forest adventures, or coffee on a quiet porch, Talking Water is where lasting memories are made.
Guest Access:
When you book Blackbird Cabin, you’ll enjoy:
- Full private use of the cabin
- Your own screened-in porch and double stone patio
- The outdoor shower and adjacent green space
- Two dedicated parking spaces directly in front of the cabin (please message us in advance if you need additional parking)
You’ll also have shared access to:
- The Songbird Pavilion, a community gathering space with an outdoor kitchen, firepit, and seating
- The guest laundry room and additional supplies, located inside the nearby garage
Whether you're here to explore or simply relax, we’ve got everything you need for a restorative, nature-filled stay!
The Neighborhood:
Talking Water is a dream-turned-reality created by the Sonner-Such family (John & Karen Sonner, Ken Sonner, and James & Bobbie Such). Together, we’re transforming an 82-acre mud-pit atop Suck Creek Mountain into an evolving sanctuary of living earth, eclecic creativity, and human connection.
We’re nestled in the rural Suck Creek Mountain community surrounded by nature’s best:
🌲 Prentice Cooper State Forest borders our southern end
💧 One mile of Suck Creek flows through our land to the east
🌊 The Tennessee River runs along our road at the base of the mountain
We’re doing our best to honor this powerful land with restoration, quirky charm, and a deep love for people and place.
Getting Around:
You will want a car - or at least a bicycle! It is a 10-12 minute car ride down the mountain to get groceries.
Other Things to Note:
🛏 Sleeping Arrangements
- (2) Queen mattresses on a built-in bunk bed (sleeps 4)
- (1) Twin mattress on the screened-in porch daybed
- Eno hammock hooks for 2 hammocks — hammocks and straps provided (sleeping in them is a guest favorite!)
🚗 Parking
- Blackbird includes 2 labeled parking spaces directly in front of the cabin.
- Need more parking? Just message us to arrange additional parking.
Interaction with Guests:
We, the Sonner-Such family members, work out of the garage office during the day and do most of the cabin cleanings (or, more realistically, we are around the property working on another project). Feel free to say hi or to keep to yourself!
