A Quick Tour of Mountain Lake Lodge – The Real Kellerman’s from Dirty Dancing
By a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
Dear Henry,
A few days ago, Fish and I stumbled upon the most delightful little mountain lodge in Pembroke, Virginia, and wouldn’t you know, there’s a story there.
Mountain Lake Lodge, nestled high in the Allegheny Mountains, boasts a fascinating history that dates back to 1751. It was first noted by Christopher Gist of the Ohio Land Surveying Company, who encountered what was then known as Salt Pond. The property passed through several hands, including George and Joseph Chambers, and then Henley Chapman. For years, cattle were driven there to “salt” after the Civil War. The area also served as a stagecoach stop, and the first lodge was built in 1851.
In 1857, General Herman Haupt purchased the land and renamed it Mountain Lake. At the time, it was still more a traveler’s rest than a leisure resort, a stop for stagecoach and rail passengers crossing Virginia’s rugged countryside.
By 1900, the hotel had passed to the Porterfield family, who began transforming it into a true mountain retreat. They introduced live music, dancing, and even an all-female orchestra between 1922 and 1925. Guests often arrived by stagecoach or train, though the lodge later ran a “buzz wagon” to shuttle visitors to the property.
From 1928 to 1930, the hotel operated briefly as a girls-only camp before being purchased by William Lewis Moody, who subsequently restored it as a mountain resort. In 1936, the current native sandstone lodge was constructed, the same structure that still stands proudly today.
After Moody’s death, the property passed to his daughter, Mary Moody Northern. When she died in 1986, her estate created the Mary Moody Northern Endowment to preserve the lodge and its surrounding natural landscape.
And that same year, Mountain Lake Lodge would become famous forever.
In 1986, Vestron Pictures chose Mountain Lake Lodge as the setting for the film Dirty Dancing, turning it into the fictional “Kellerman’s Mountain Home.” Much of the movie was filmed on location, and if you visit today, it still feels just like it does on screen, though the lake, famously featured in the film’s final dance scene, has a mystery of its own.
The lake sits atop a rare geological system of fissures that allow it to drain underground during dry seasons. It has been almost entirely empty since 2008, although conservation efforts are ongoing to help it recover. Scientists say a few years of abundant rainfall might return it to its former depth.
Despite its cinematic fame, Mountain Lake Lodge is far more than a movie landmark. The grounds are filled with modern adventure, treetop ziplines, guided ATV tours, clay shooting, archery, and miles of scenic hiking trails. The lodge also features artist studios, escape rooms, and the excellent Harvest Restaurant, which Fish and I can confirm is worth the drive on its own.
The rooms and cabins are beautifully appointed, offering a perfect blend of rustic and luxurious charm. We regretted not booking more time there, especially after discovering you can even reserve a Dirty Dancing-themed stay. (Though the waiting list for “Baby’s Cabin” is quite long!)
xoxo a.d. elliott
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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.
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