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RIVER JOY LODGE

Six Acres of Refined Nature Along the Ellijay River Featuring a Private Disc Golf Course

THE COMFORT COLLECTIVE

Welcome to River Joy Lodge, a custom stone and timber estate tucked into six private acres along the Ellijay River in Cherry Log, Georgia. This is one of the most distinctive properties in the Southern Comfort portfolio, and it earns that distinction quietly, through craftsmanship, setting, and the kind of scale that makes a large group feel genuinely at home.

Featured in the 2020 Blue Ridge Parade of Homes, River Joy Lodge was designed from the ground up for gathering. With 5,700 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, and 550 feet of private riverfront, it offers something that most properties simply cannot: room for everyone.

RIVER JOY LODGE

Comfortable Living Spaces

The entry level sets a confident tone. Handhewn vaulted ceilings greet you on arrival, and the great room opens across a 16foot stone fireplace, a handmade leather sectional, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that give way to the upper deck and the sounds of the Ellijay River below.

Two dining areas accommodate the full group without crowding. A custom tenfoot hand-cut dining table seats twelve in the formal dining room, and a second Restoration Hardware table seats six in the adjacent great room. The chef’s kitchen centers on a twelve-foot marble island with Viking appliances and a picture window framing the river. A butler’s kitchen with a second sink, dishwasher, and prep counter keeps larger meals manageable.

Bar & Game Room

The terrace level bar and game room is built for long nights and large groups.

A live-edge pub table anchors the wet bar, which features floor-to-ceiling glass-door wine storage, chiseled stone counters, a second dishwasher, and a full-size refrigerator.

The adjacent game room continues the conversation with a full-size Brunswick billiards table, a shuffleboard table, and a 1908 Chickering and Sons antique piano fully restored and available to play. For quieter evenings, leather wing-back chairs and a stone fireplace with a 60” Sony TV offer an equally comfortable alternative. Guests can enjoy:

• Full wet bar with wine storage, second dishwasher, and full-size refrigerator

• Live-edge pub table

• Brunswick billiards table

• Shuffleboard table

• Stone fireplace with 60” TV

• Peloton bike with weights and yoga mat

5 Bedrooms - 3 Master Suites

River Joy Lodge sleeps sixteen across five bedrooms, three of which are full master suites with private bathrooms and walk-in closets. Every bedroom includes a flatscreen TV and dedicated closet space.

• Entry-level primary king suite with copper soaking tub, steam spa shower, and private laundry

• Upper-level king suite with private bath

• Upper-level queen bedroom with picture window and desk

• Upper-level junior suite with three queen beds

• Terrace-level king suite with XL twin bunk, steam spa shower, and private laundry

Serene by Design

The restrooms at River Joy Lodge are thoughtfully designed to feel less like a necessity— and more like a retreat within your stay. Blending natural textures with clean, understated finishes, each space reflects the same sense of calm found throughout the property.

Soft lighting, warm wood accents, and stone-inspired elements create an atmosphere that feels grounded and restorative. Every detail is intentional, from the spacious layouts to the quiet balance of comfort and simplicity, allowing you to move through your day with ease.

Whether you’re starting your morning or winding down after time by the river, these spaces offer a moment of stillness—private, refined, and effortlessly in tune with the surrounding landscape.

Outdoor Living

The upper deck off the great room is built for entertaining, with a wood-burning fireplace, an outdoor kitchen with a builtin five-burner gas grill, a 60” outdoor TV, and dining table, all under soaring timber beams with an open panoramic view.

Stone steps connect the upper deck to the lower level, where a 10-person hot tub, an outdoor kitchen with two gas burners, and a Green Egg smoker with full accessories anchor the space. A gas fire pit with lava rocks, a porch swing, a tall boy table with seating for six, and four Adirondack chairs give the group plenty of places to settle in for the evening.

From there, a lit stone pathway winds through pines, cedar, and hemlock down to the river.

The Ellijay River & 9-Hole Disc Golf Course

The walk from the lower deck down to the Ellijay River is an experience in itself. A softly lit stone pathway winds through towering old-growth pines, cedar, and hemlock, guiding you past native Blue Ridge boulders and three thoughtfully placed cedar swings—perfect for slowing down and taking it all in.

At the river’s edge, 550 feet of private shoreline unfolds into a peaceful gathering space centered around a 48-inch fire pit. Adirondack seating for eight and two spacious picnic tables for sixteen create an inviting setting for long conversations, shared meals, and quiet moments by the water—often encouraging you to linger longer than planned.

Just steps away, the nine-hole regulation disc golf course offers a different kind of outdoor enjoyment. Spanning the full six-acre property, the par-29 course features tournament-quality baskets and tee pads. The layout begins at the lower deck stairs, winds through the landscape, passes the fire pit, and loops back. Discs, bags, course maps, and scorecards are all provided, with cedar benches placed throughout for players and spectators alike.

Keith Sumner 2019 Custom Renovation

In 2019, River Joy Lodge underwent a full renovation led by Keith Sumner, one of the most respected builders in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With more than 20 years of experience in the region, Sumner is known for creating refined rustic homes that feel deeply connected to the landscape around them, and that approach is reflected throughout River Joy Lodge.

The renovation transformed every level of the home. Custom millwork, designer finishes, professional-grade kitchens, and thoughtfully selected fixtures create an interior that feels cohesive, warm, and intentional. Every space was designed with comfort and craftsmanship in mind, resulting in a home that feels both elevated and inviting.

Sumner’s work can be found across some of the most notable homes in the North Georgia mountains, and River Joy Lodge stands as a strong example of his attention to detail and timeless mountain design.