August at Barkwells is summer at its most golden. The mornings have that first faint hint of something changing—the light is a little different, the evenings come a little sooner—but the days are long, warm, and full, and there is absolutely no reason to rush any of it. This is the month for slow mornings on the porch with coffee, long afternoons on the trail, and evenings that seem to last forever in the very best way.
The dogs, for their part, have no complaints. The pond is perfect, the meadow smells like summer, and the whole region is going out with a bang—music festivals, outdoor concerts, live comedy, and the kind of late-August mountain air that makes you extend your stay every single chance you get.
Lose yourself in four days of live music across 15+ Asheville venues at AVL Sounds Fest with over 200 shows spanning various genres, August 6th–9th
Catch the next generation of comedy stars—and maybe a legend or two—at the 18th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival across multiple venues in Asheville, August 6th–8th
Dust off your dancing shoes for Hendersonville's Street Dances with bluegrass, square dancing, and Appalachian clogging at the Welcome Center on Main Street, August 8th from 7–9pm
See hundreds of extraordinary quilts from talented crafters at the Asheville Quilt Show at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, August 13th–15th
Enjoy live music, local craft beverages, and great community at Rhythm & Brews on South Main Street in Hendersonville, August 20th from 5–9pm
Float the French Broad River and finish with a cold pint at Paddle Then Pints with Ecusta Brewing Company in Brevard, every Wednesday in August from 9:30am–12:30pm
Introducing the Barkwells Referral Program 🐾
Starting this month, we're officially launching a referral program! So many of you have already been sending friends and family our way, and it just felt right to say thank you for it in a more meaningful way.
Here's how it works: Share Barkwells with a friend who's never stayed before, have them mention your name when they book, and once they complete their first stay, you'll both receive a $50 gift credit to use in the Barkwells shop!
We're so grateful for every guest who has made Barkwells part of their story, and even more grateful for the ones who've helped us become part of someone else's. This is our small way of giving that back. Thank you for helping us bring dogs and dog lovers together.
Meet Our Barkwells Pack Pup of the Month: Bloo!
Allow us to introduce you to a a dog who goes by many names, such as Blooregard Quetzacoatl Kazoo, the Golden Knight, and Bane of all Bugs, but you can just call him Bloo! Bloo is a golden-terrier mix who belongs to Silver, one of our beloved guest-services coordinators and housekeepers. He doesn't understand why he can't come to work with his mom every single day as Barkwells is his favorite place on earth. He's got the loving devotion of his golden half and the stubborn, singular focus of his terrier half. You can almost see the conflict of "I want to please you, but that doesn't please me" play out on his face when you tell him to do something he doesn't want to do! Blue is also, in his family's own words, an "emotional support" dog—specifically, a dog who requires a great deal of emotional support.
Despite being too smart for his own good, Bloo, brings so much joy to those who have the pleasure of meeting him. His smile is genuinely contagious, and he loves nothing more than meeting new people and friends. When Bloo is happy (which is often), he does the full golden worm: flopping onto his back and wriggling with all four feet in the air. When he's extra happy, he worms his way down a grassy hill in this fashion.
Bloo's favorite snacks include "spicy candies" (bees, which we strongly discourage) and "water cookies" (ice cubes, which we encourage enthusiastically). He loves chasing a laser pointer and adores cats. Unfortunately, the feeling's not reciprocated from his feline friends. Though he's not big on the pond (or getting wet at all), Bloo regularly patrols the perimeter to make sure every sniff-worthy inch of the grounds have been thoroughly investigated.
We love you, Bloo. Barkwells is lucky to have you as one of our office dogs!
Western North Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes in the Southeast. And the best part? Many of them welcome your four-legged adventure buddy.
In our latest blog, we highlight some of the top dog-friendly spots within easy driving distance of Barkwells, from the stunning cascade at Catawba Falls deep in Pisgah National Forest to the famous natural waterslide at Sliding Rock. Whether your dog is a fearless swimmer or more of a casual wader, there's a spot on this list for every pup.
We also cover some essentials like leash rules, weather conditions, slippery rocks, and how to read water currents so your adventure stays fun and safe. Summer in the mountains is short and sweet, so get out there and make the most of it!
