About
Family-friendly wooded retreat with hotel-style rooms, outdoor activities, a lake and friendly service.
Black Rock Retreat features both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. While specific temperature data is not explicitly published, the indoor pool is typically heated for comfortable, year-round use. The outdoor pool is generally unheated and operates seasonally, with its temperature naturally varying with the ambient weather conditions.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? The reviews indicate a largely positive experience at the retreat center, frequently commending the 'fantastic,' 'kind,' and 'helpful' staff, specifically mentioning Mark, Dan, and Ruth. Guests consistently praise the 'excellent' food, 'beautiful' and 'clean' facilities, and the ease of booking and curating events, especially for church retreats and outdoor activities. Many highlight it as a 'special place' offering 'comfortable accommodations' and being an 'economic option' for hosting. However, a significant and detailed criticism centers on accessibility. Reviewers point out non-ADA-compliant showers (step-over, risky attachable benches), other non-compliant features, and the placement of accessible rooms in the basement, which is interpreted as a message of exclusion and doing the 'bare minimum' rather than embodying core values. Another area for improvement noted is the need to refine dinner scheduling and ensure consistent food quality and adequate seating during crowded periods, despite these being part of otherwise 'great weekends'.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Accepts Credit Cards
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
September 2nd, 2025Clarissa Williams
Complete 5 Star Experience. We hosted the best retreat anyone in my church had before. My entire church was impressed with the cleanliness, how quick the staff are, and most importantly the food. It was so easy to book with them and curate a wonderful experience for all. On top of everything the place is so beautiful. Thank you to Mark, Dan and Ruth for always being kind, helpful, and going above and beyond Highly recommend this place to any church.
October 21st, 2024mei brown
Three days weekend and they’re still place in the area I didn’t get to see. Very special place for different people. Very beautiful woodland and river hikes
October 24th, 2023Nicole Czarnecki
The non-accessible showers take away two stars. Showers with attachable shower benches that could easily collapse or otherwise put the person at risk, and step-over (as opposed to walk-in) showers belie the very definition of accessibility (and the grab bars that end up serving as essentially wall decor). There are also some other not-exactly-ADA-compliant features (e.g., What is the deal with putting the apparently-accessible rooms with simply the handheld showers in the basement? Are those of us with disabilities not as welcome as everybody else? Those of us with disabilities don’t inherently have intellectual disabilities, and many of us can understand subtle messages. I hope that PRR was not sending the message that those of us with disabilities ought to be excluded from everybody else.). I can’t imagine that BRR would want to signal to the world, “We do the bare minimum to meet the requirements of the ADA, despite that Jesus said to love our neighbors and (through Paul) that love fulfills the law.” I’m a Jewish Christian in Maryland, and I attend a church there. I can’t imagine that most non-believing Jews and non-believing gentiles—whether resident in Pennsylvania or elsewhere—would look at BRR and not think, “They communicate that they believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and called us to bear one another’s burdens?” If BRR Is truly going to be a place of retreat for Christians and of testimony about the Gospel to Non Christians, it needs to do better.
November 9th, 2023Benjamin Brittin
Seven years in a row and the staffing has been fantastic! They keep students running and learning outdoors with fun activities. Brand new facilities, great bathrooms and friendly services. Planning for 2024!
February 23rd, 2025Susanne Bergey de Ricobaldi
A great place for retreats, good food, comfortable accommodations, and pleasant staff. When it is crowded, they perhaps need to work on their scheduling of dinners - making sure everyone has the same quality of food as those first in line and helping to ensure there are seating arrangements for everyone. It was a full house, but it was a great weekend. So thankful for the group that put a retreat together. And Black Rock offers an economic option for hosting.
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |