MISSION

We create happy vacation memories for dogs with people who love them.

VISION

We provide exceptional vacation accommodations, fun, and freedom for dogs and their families.

VALUES

• Safe, secure space for pets and people.
• Comfort and cleanliness for pets and people.
• Environmentally responsible practices.
• Protecting and enhancing natural beauty.

Barkwells is a small, peaceful community of vacation guest homes, specifically designed as a destination for like-minded dog lovers, close to all the fun yet far away from every day.

• The dogs get that this place is for them. Happy dogs make happy guests.
• We strive to be good stewards of the land and all who live on it with sustainable, earth-friendly practices and policies.
• Guests often remark that we have “thought of everything” – we strive to attend to every detail so your stay is carefree. Shopping is nearby, so guests need only to pack themselves and their dogs.

The Story of Barkwells

A unique vacation spot for dogs and their people

We are Jeff Krider and Patti Moore – the proud owners of Barkwells, The Dog Lovers’ Vacation Retreat, near Asheville, NC. Founders Ellen & Michael Winner passed the leash of their unique dog-centric vacation rentals after 18 years to us in January of 2022. Our amazing vacation wonderland consists of eight vacation cabins in Asheville, NC, one mile from Sierra Nevada Brewery and 5 minutes from Asheville Regional Airport and I-26.

The story of Barkwells started with the Winners and their passion to accommodate the need to develop a high-end, dog-friendly vacation retreat. Barkwells began in the fall of 2004 with one cabin, a pond, a fenced property, and an antique sign on the barn that read Barkwells Antique Gallery, Lexington Avenue, Asheville. In the past nearly two decades, Barkwells has grown from this first cabin to 10 in two locations. The Winners are enjoying their retirement and currently live in their farmhouse and continue to own the two cottages in Pisgah Forest near Brevard which remains part of the Barkwells family.

We are blessed to have acquired this awesome retreat for dogs and the people who love them. Barkwells has had more than 18,000 repeat and new guests and 30,000 dogs over the past 19 years of Come. Sit. Stay.® The Asheville property is on nine acres and includes a 1-acre pond. Each cabin is fully fenced, and the 9 acres are fenced allowing off-leash fun for dogs under their owners' watch. The Pisgah Forest location is on nearly 6 acres with two cottages that are fenced and a fenced meadow with a pond. Both properties provide a secure environment for dogs and their people to run, swim, and play. Its unique niche in the extensive western North Carolina vacation rental market is its dog-centric design providing vacation homes with private yards and gated porches, XL dog doors, orthopedic dog beds, bowls, and a commercial dog wash.

Cabins and cottages are fully equipped & furnished with luxury amenities including a private hot tub, gas grills, gas fireplace, wireless Internet access, Direct TV, and top-of-the-line beds and linens. We cannot say enough good things about our fantastic staff. Many are behind the scenes making sure the cabins are perfectly clean and well-maintained, and the grounds are beautiful for each guest experience. They all excel to ensure that the standards and quality of Barkwells are maintained and constantly improved.

Jeff Krider is a retired executive in the tech industry, a pilot, and an entrepreneur. Patti Moore is retired from a career in human resources at Mission Health. We have grown children and three grandchildren. Jeff’s & Patti’s Pack consists of five dogs – two labs (Abbi & Bugg), a golden mix (Nugget), and two German Shepherds (Roxi & Greta).

“We are delighted to take the reins of this exceptional dog-centric vacation resort. The Winners designed and implemented a place where amazing experiences can be found for families and their 4- legged members. The incredible staff at Barkwells have been instrumental in making our guests’ stays with us an extraordinary vacation for the entire family. We plan to keep the vision and concept of Barkwells as it was originally intended, as a retreat for dogs and the people who love them, and look forward to many memorable canine-focused adventures!”

- Jeff, Patti, Abbi, Bugg, Nugget, Roxi, and Greta