FIND WHAT
YOU LOVE.
When Matthew and Amy Ratliff, owners of Foxtail Orchards Cabins and Campgrounds, listed their first cabin on Airbnb in 2016, it was a “leap of faith.” The outdoor tourism industry was growing in Tazewell County, and more lodging would be needed to support the influx of incoming tourists. For the Tazewell County natives, this wasn’t just a business opportunity — it was a chance to reinvest in their region. So, they took it.
Five years later, their business has expanded significantly, having hosted visitors from across most of the lower 48 states and 13 different countries in their cabins and campground. Though September and October are the “peak” season for Foxtail Orchards, visitors travel in for every season. The panoramic vista views are just another perk.
Each stay has given the couple a chance to share their beloved community with their guests.
“We love our town, and to share it with people from all over the world has been a gift,” Matthew said. “Our guests are looking for a place to unplug and unwind and Tazewell gives them a place to do both of those things.”
Conveniently located along Route 16 — known as the Back of the Dragon, one of the region’s premiere outdoor attractions — Foxtail Orchards is in a prime location for tourists visiting the region’s sought-after outdoor pursuits. Motorcyclists and sportscar enthusiasts can ride the twists and turns of the asphalt, and off-road riders can explore a collection of Tazewell County’s ATV trails, including the Old Pocahontas Trail.
Built with quality and craftsmanship, each of the cabins are uniquely themed and named after fallen first responders and military servicemen and women from the region.
As a state trooper himself, Matthew started the tradition by naming their first cabin, and the business itself, after his lifelong best friend and mentor, State Trooper Andrew Fox, who was killed in the line of duty in 2007.
“No matter what he was working on, he [Andrew] did it to the best of his ability and with only the best of intentions,” Matthew said. “My wife and I wanted people to know what kind of man he really was and also to keep his memory alive.”
Ultimately, Matthew said he hopes to show visitors a more intimate look into the lives of the person “behind the badge or uniform.” But the naming of the cabins isn’t where the tributes stop. Inside, the cabins are also decorated to honor the legacy of the fallen first responder.
“We work with the families of these people to incorporate items that bring their personalities to light,” Matthew said. “Every item that goes into them has meaning and thought behind it. My wife and I have tried to make sure that each cabin is unique and pays respect to these individuals and also their families.”
The cabins are versatile and can be tailored to suit a variety of audiences, from couples to families seeking solitude from the daily grind. It’s truly a chance to “unplug and slow down,” Matthew said.
“We don’t have Wi-Fi or even a television, and that was actually something my wife and I had debated over, but it has been a favorite aspect of most of our guests,” Matthew said. “A common theme in a lot of our reviews seems to always be that they loved reconnecting with each other and nature.”
Nowadays, there aren’t many opportunities to disconnect — but they can always find solitude and opportunities to reconnect with nature among the Appalachian Mountains in Tazewell County.
“We want people to come visit us and find peace, serenity, and nostalgia that the cabins exude,” Matthew said. “We are a family-owned business, and we have poured blood, sweat, and tears into each one. It is our passion.”
Folks considering a trip to Tazewell County won’t be disappointed, Matthew said.
“Anything that you can find to keep you busy outdoors, we have it here in Tazewell County,” he said. “If you are traveling as a large family or just a couple, we have safe and enjoyable activities for any and everyone.”
Book your stay at The Fox Den or The Iron Horse cabins on Airbnb, or call Foxtail Orchards Cabins and Campground at 276-200-4176 for more information.
Tazewell County, Virginia is nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Founded in 1799, the county has a rich history spanning generations and is home to some of the best outdoor recreation experiences available in the region!
