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Off-Grid Solar Lakefront House/Private 80+ Wooded Acres On Nolin Lake

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Exterior
Outdoor dining
Terrace/patio
Property grounds
Miscellaneous

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 12195.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Bee Spring, KY
  • Nolin River Lake
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Nolin Lake State Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Mammoth Cave National Park
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Glasgow, KY (GLW-Glasgow Municipal)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 2

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Double Beds and 2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Off-Grid Solar Lakefront House/Private 80+ Wooded Acres On Nolin Lake

Get away from it all at "Disaway", an eco-friendly, privately owned lakefront house on 80+ protected acres of forest on Nolin Lake, absolutely ideal for Lake Lovers and Nature Lovers alike. *****ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC TO VISIT IN THE FALL AND WINTER. (Lake is drawn down in winter for flood control but the privacy is unmatched)

This one-of-a-kind off-grid solar-powered house (w/ back-up generator) was one of the first ever solar houses in the state of Kentucky, yet possesses almost all amenities of modern society except two: it has NO TELEVISION/WIFI and NO NEIGHBORS (But excellent cell reception for most). Over 80+ acres, most of which can never be developed, associated with the house makes this opportunity like no other. A respite here provides an extremely comfortable place to experience the nature of Kentucky, long lakefront accessed via a gentle slope, extensive decking and patios, star-gazing deck, screened porch, over 3/4 miles of lakefront, skiing/tubing, fishing, hiking trails right outside your backdoor, and on-site bird watching. You will have nearby access to boat rentals, horse riding, golf, and Mammoth Cave National Park.

Immerse yourself in the paths through the private woods providing miles of exploring the natural surroundings. A sample of bird sightings on the property include Bald Eagles, Osprey, Kingfishers, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Whippoorwills, Bob Whites, 5+ varieties of woodpeckers, 4-5 hawk species, cranes. . . the list goes on and on. The mature forest is home to deer, turkey, bobcats, and raccoons, among others (no bears). Over 20 types of native wildflowers were noted to be in bloom in one day within 150 feet of the garage. Use the provided kayaks (and life jackets) to explore the longest privately-owned shoreline on the main part of Nolin Lake or bring your own boat.

The passive-solar design and open floor plan with lots of windows allow for beautiful views from every room in the house. The central open area allow the house to be cooled by a single energy-efficient split A/C unit, and heated by the stone fireplace (though can be augmented with the built-in propane heaters). The large lake-facing deck and patio can seat over 2 dozen people, and provide a peaceful shaded area for summer days or the ideal cool weather seating for a night-time fire listening to Barred Owls and Chuck-Will-Widows. (Firewood Provided!) With no lights from neighbors, views of the Milky Way from the star-gazing deck can be breathless on a moonless night.

This cedar-sided home is set among towering white oak, hickory, and beech trees with the solar panels 250 feet away on the garage. The four bedrooms (One of which is a loft) and 2.5 baths in 2100 sq ft can comfortably accommodate 12-14 (Plus 1 with available Pack-N-Play). The modern, fully stocked kitchen has a refrigerator/freezer with ice maker, gas oven/stove, microwave, coffee maker, double sink and separate prep sink. Outdoor grill is propane as well. The main floor master bedroom has an en suite full bathroom, queen bed, and a sitting/gaming area facing the lake. The upstairs master bedroom has a queen bed, reading area with a fold-out futon which can sleep 2 more. The additional bedroom and loft area can sleep 2 and 4 more respectively.

Near-by attractions include boat rentals at Moutardier ('Moody deer') Marina, Mammoth Cave, the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, relative proximity to the Bourbon Trail, golf at Shady Hollow, horse-back riding through Mammoth Cave at Double J Stables.

One fairly steep hill greets one soon after entering the land, and the road back can seem like there may not be light at the end of the tunnel. But a light is there so be patient. On occasion, the generator may have to be manually started (instructions included of course).

If you are looking for a wild, party atmosphere where half the people huddle around a TV on game night or another for 'reality TV', this place is NOT for you. If you are looking for treatment for the overwhelming past of society, a place to get away from it all and rediscover nature, reconnect with your family, spend endless hours floating in a secluded cove, exploring native Kentucky woodlands or wetting a line, we welcome you as our guests.

Property manager

Mark

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
No guarantee to be allergy-free however.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES ANYWHERE BUT ON DRIVEWAY.
NO HUNTING
No removal of plant or animal life.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Bee Spring

Located in Bee Spring, this holiday home is on a lake. Nolin Lake State Park and Moutardier Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Mammoth Cave National Park and Nolin River Lake. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Bee Spring, KY

What's nearby

  • Nolin River Lake - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Nolin Lake State Park - 6 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Moutardier Marina - 6 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Mammoth Cave National Park - 21 min drive - 22.4 km
  • National Corvette Museum - 45 min drive - 52.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Ponderosa Boat Dock On Nolin Lake - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Pate's Cake Shop - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Sherry's Red Roof Restaurant - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪R & B Productions - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Ole Mexican Foods - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Off-Grid Solar Lakefront House/Private 80+ Wooded Acres On Nolin Lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Off-Grid Solar Lakefront House/Private 80+ Wooded Acres On Nolin Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Off-Grid Solar Lakefront House/Private 80+ Wooded Acres On Nolin Lake?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Off-Grid Solar Lakefront House/Private 80+ Wooded Acres On Nolin Lake located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Nolin River Lake and within 3 miles (5 km) of Anneta Community Park and Nolin Lake State Park. Moutardier Marina is 2.5 mi (4 km) away.

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 14 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 14 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 14 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 14 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

8.0/10

Location

7.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kristina G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Very peaceful!

We enjoyed our stay. The house is well off the main road. The only sounds we heard were from nature. The deck and fire pit was perfect for catching up and hanging out. The house is solar powered so we did lose power a few times for a few minutes. The owner was always available to help us through the generator start up. But we knew this going in. There is not much to do in the area outside of the caves. Plan on cooking in. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

TLC needed

The owner was outstanding and very easy to work with. The property, however, needs a lot of TLC and the cabin needs a deep deep cleaning before it’s rented again. Mark was top-notch and help us through a power outage. I’d rent from him again, just not this cabin in its current condition.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alexzandria W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

The property was beautiful and we loved that it was off the grid. We had some issues with the generator, but other than that it was a great experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

6/10 Okay

nancy w.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Private lakefront property

Private and heavily wooded property. Private dock was great for the swimming and our boat tie ups. Not ideal for biking as trails were not visible or too wooded to traverse.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

ann h., Columbus Ohio

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

We really enjoyed this home! The lake is lovely and fun swimming in this quiet cove. The kids fished every evening and caught quite a few every night right from the dock. The walk to the dock was not too bad, a little bit of a workout coming back up in the 90 degree heat. The house did pretty well staying cool in the extreme heat, but we did use a few portable fans. The house was exactly as described and we did not miss having a TV or WiFi Kitchen was well equipped. My only suggestion for owners would be to add another trash can- because a week with 11 people created quite a bit 😊 We have never been to Nolan lake and will definitely be back. All the kids and grandkids agreed that they liked this house and lake and location better than previous vacation rentals.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

nicole w., Evansville, IN

Great Place for 4 couples!

Our group of 8 (four couples) had a great stay during a long weekend stay over Memorial Day. Kitchen very well socked and handled many cooks in the kitchen easily, with kitchen bar seats so we could all talk comfortably while preparing meals. Likewise the large table was perfect for meals together. The sofa is large and comfortable so we could all hang out in living room with comfortable seating. Beds and linens comfortable and everything was ready for us when we arrived. Several members of our group took advantage of the kayaks and started the day with a great dose of Mother Nature. The wooded setting is absolutely beautiful and made you just want to hang out together and soak in the nature. Abundant windows throughout the home brought nature indoors. We had a fire in the fire pit one night. Everyone fit around it and there were plenty of deck chairs but I think8 might be the max around the fire—but the adjacent deck is huge so if we had had more there would have been more than enough room there. It somehow worked even though the wood was really wet. Luckily my husband brought a fire starter. Owner great to work with. He accommodated one request and was a delight to deal with. Loved the idea of being in an off-grid place, but we ended up using the generator do to our extensive use of lights, ceiling fans, and appliances while cooking. Plenty of parking for our three vehicles. We didn’t think it was hard to find with the owner’s great instructions. I hope I can bring my family there next!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Deb B.

Clean and uncluttered with large kitchen/great room. Two sets of sliding doors out to deck.

As advertised, secluded solar 3 BR 2.5 bath house w deck overlooking woods. Also includes screened in porch and another private deck off an upstairs BR. House was clean and cool upon arrival in mid-August. Ample linens, towels, napkins and placemats provided. Lots of chairs and two round tables on the deck, plus picnic table in the yard. Trail to the dock was sloping but not too strenuous. Dock had an umbrella to provide shade and a ladder to get out of the water when swimming. Large supply of games and puzzles in case of rain. We were all adults, but I can see a couple of families having a great time here. No TV and no WiFi which we really didn’t miss. Most had at least limited cell service via Sprint and Verizon. Moutadier Marina is a short drive away where we rented a pontoon boat. We cooked in, but there is a restaurant near the marina, and a few stores nearby where we picked up those forgotten items. Kitchen is well stocked with several large pots for spaghetti, boiling corn; baking pans, cookie sheets and frying pans. Quality of cookware is good. Nice large grill w extra burner runs off the house propane line. No worries about an empty tank. Concrete patio for the fire pit was a little small for our group but we managed. Nice supply of wood provided. GPS took us right to the driveway. The gravel drive is totally navigable. We all had sedans of various types. The seclusion and lack of light pollution enabled us to see massive numbers of stars, including the Perseid meteor shower, despite only a small opening in the tree canopy. Heard owls, great blue herons, woodpeckers, eagles and also coyotes two nights about 10:30 pm. Saw deer, a bald eagle, herons and we were escorted down the drive by hosts of butterflies feeding on large purple flowers. A wonderful place to get away from the city and relax in nature with friends or family. Owner is responsive, provided great information and acted quickly to solve a problem left by previous guest. He obviously loves this place and I appreciate him sharing his home with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Erick B.

Fantastic spot for the family and friends.

Amazing and secluded property that allows you to put away the electronics and unplug without giving up the comforts of home. Bring friends or family for a much needed retreat. Plenty of space and beds for everyone. There is even a small reading corner on the upper floor to quietly relax and catch up on your favorite novel. Down the hill is a private dock with chairs, kayaks, and even an umbrella to provide shade on hot summer afternoons. A huge back deck with plenty of seating is shaded by large growth maples and oaks and even a dogwood that I’m certain would be gorgeous in the Spring. I simply can’t think of one thing negative to say.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ronald R.

Excellent Cabin in the Woods

Three generations of our family stayed in the Bee Spring cabin. We were delighted with the layout of the cabin, its nearness to the lake (but shielded from a direct view of the lake - which was important, or the kids would have been begging to swim all the time!), and the site's short drive distance from Mammoth Cave. We especially loved the porches - great for bird-watching!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Megan W., Lafayette, IN

Great Way To Get Away From It All.

This was a perfect place for our family to checkout for awhile. We as a family enjoyed our time together without the day to day stresses of technology. We enjoyed our time playing games, swimming, kayaking and visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. Mark the owner was very friendly and provided lots of information. Positives: Large open spaces, direct lake access for swimming and kayaking. Cons: AC had a hard time keeping up with the hot days, bed broken in one of the rooms. For the price, somethings were rather dated.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Roger P.

In all, we had a wonderful time at this house, but with a few shortcomings.

The Nolin lake house in the woods is really very nice, quite beautiful, with big windows looking into foliage and the lake beyond, and generally well appointed and supplied. The views were great and we made good use of the lake and the kayaks. The open living area layout is great for a family gathering. Our group of eight people (six adults and two children) were very comfortable and fit perfectly around the large table for meals and family games. Likewise, the large sectional couch could accommodate us all. We brought our own screen and projector for watching movies together. There is a big porch/balcony where we enjoyed listening to birds and seeing fireflies. Of course during summertime in the woods, there were plenty of bugs to contend with, and ticks were a particular concern. For the most part the kitchen and laundry appliances were modern, in good shape and worked well. However, the ice maker was broken and there were no ice trays, so guest should be advised to arrive with a bag of ice. Also, the gas grill was non-functional, so the expert chef in the group had to grill over the fire pit. We really appreciated the provision of linens, towels, cloth napkins, toilet paper, and paper towels, as we are driving from out of state with already fully loaded cars. While the concept of the house being "off the grid" is well and good, the owner needs to improve the system so that the generator kicks in automatically when needed. The power would go off at some point pretty much every day, requiring someone to don long pants and apply bug repellant to traipse the hundred yards up the drive to the out building where the generator was located and manually start the generator. My biggest complaint, however, is with the access "road" which was rocky and narrow with a ridge in the center that was too high for our Prius to clear without scraping bottom. We had to drive with one set of wheels on the center ridge and the other on one edge, which was downright scary at two narrow parts with drop-offs on both sides, and challenging when the sides were deep and muddy or so steep and rocky that the wheels slipped. A couple of days we left the Prius parked out by the main road and had our son-in-law ferry people back and forth with his 4-wheel-drive Subaru. Another small point is that if you like bar soap, bring your own.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jen B.

Beautiful Home

We really enjoyed our time at Disaway with our 3 kids (8, 5 & 3). The house and surrounding property is just beautiful. For those worried about the lack of technology (and we definitely were), we didn't even miss the TV/Internet. Instead we played games, did puzzles, took walks up and down the long and windy driveway and just relaxed looking over the lake. The home is stocked with everything that you would need, including many different games/toys for the kids, kayaks, life vests, firewood, washer/dryer, kitchen necessities, etc. Also, the upstairs loft area was a huge hit with our kids! We visited many of the local attractions and had a very memorable Spring Break. Already planning when we can come back!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lesly W., Polo, Il

The home was open, comfortable and the property was beautiful!

We had a group of 12, which included youth from a trauma therapy program. The kids loved exploring the 80 acre property, even when it was raining. There was plenty to do inside also, lots of games to enjoy! The best part—-no TV’s! We spent our trip talking and interacting with each other. Mark was an amazing host, he communicated thoroughly prior to our trip and was very responsive when we had questions during our trip. If you want privacy and seclusion within a beautiful, wooded setting on a lake, this is the place! Thank you Mark!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jackie S.

The Perfect Family Get Away! Relax, UnWind and Enjoy.

What an amazing hidden treasure. Secluded, peaceful and yet full of life. Our family spent the Thanksgiving holiday here and would recommend it to everyone. A gorgeous view from the front door to the back deck to the open balcony; a beautiful lake, and stunning wild animals. We were fortunate to see deer, wild turkeys, hawks, and a bobcat! Being a nature lover, our family fell in love with this getaway. Hiking trails around the property were perfect for exploring. We had a five day vacation and never left the property for the first two days! Lots to see and enjoy. Of course some of our kids were worried about not having Wifi or tv. However that was quickly forgotten about. We spent the days wandering and the evenings actually talking to each other, playing games, enjoying the fire place & outdoor deck campfire. If you are looking for a place to destress, unwind, and reconnect with your family, this is the perfect place! Oh and you're "next door" to a state park & Mammoth Cave. What more can you ask for...
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017

About the host

Hosted by Mark

Host profile image
I have been visiting Nolin Lake since I was 3 years old, my family having owned 2 different cabins through the years. Both areas eventually became too developed, basically becoming subdivisions next to the lake. My wife and I bought the vacant land in 1998 with the intent of maintaining it in a natural state and camped on the point for a decade. Our oldest girl camped for a few years, but we needed a cabin once our twins were born. The house was completed in 2007-2008, immediately becoming one of the most unique local places one could ever visit.

Why they chose this property

Being so far from the main road, and our desire to keep the woods intact, the decision to use solar power was not difficult. The house was designed from the ground up by Ginger Watkins, a refreshing new architect. Jeremy Coxon, founder of SunWindPower Inc, provided the expertise in developing a solar power system with generator back-up. The house was one of the first EVER totally off-grid houses in the entire state of Kentucky. Leon Mattingly, a local builder, came onto the project with decades of experience yet an open mind to deal with the unique requirements the house needed to make it as energy-efficient as possible.

We were quite meticulous in the placement of the house, preservation of the surrounding trees, access to the lake, etc. The careful pruning of the trees to increase views through the woods began years before the first shovel hit the ground. Even the ATV trails, which were quite active at the time of the purchase of the land, have been recycled, providing the basis of the hiking and mountain-biking trails around the lake. Most of the 83+ acres have been protected in a conservation easement, promising a legacy from our family to the beautiful nature of our beloved home state that our children can be proud of. The restrictions allow for a harvest of timber on a renewable basis, the most recent being in 2015. Prior to that, one was done in the early 1990's. Despite this, the land continues to support a oak/hickory forest upon which wildlife thrives.

What makes this property unique

The privacy of this house is unsurpassed. The hiking begins literally within a few feet of the house. The 0.8 mile-long driveway provides a pleasant quiet walk without having to worry about going 'off-road'. The private dock (only a handful of private docks on whole lake) sits in small offshoot of the main cove, with no other houses within 1/4 of a mile, though a couple of docks can be seen down the lake. (One distant dock can be quite, um, active on holiday weekends providing a reminder of how much you are enjoying your seclusion.)

New bird watchers can learn quite a bit just by looking out the windows or sitting on the dock or decks. Experienced nature lovers can use their ears to explore the woods even deeper. The amount of wildflowers and butterflies can keep kids entertained for hours.

Languages:

English