A New Kind of Retreat Takes Shape Near Red River Gorge

By Nina Noe

In the hills of Lee County, where gravel roads wind through dense forest and the air carries the quiet hum of nature, a new vision for outdoor living is beginning to take shape.

Just minutes from Slade and the Red River Gorge, a stretch of land near Lake Zachariah is being thoughtfully transformed into what will become Lazenby Preserve—a community designed not to replace the landscape, but to live alongside it.

The Red River Gorge has long drawn climbers, hikers, and weekend adventurers from across the country. In recent years, that steady stream of visitors has grown into something more—a surge of interest in staying longer, returning often, and even putting down roots. But with that growth has come a challenge: how to create space for people without losing the wild character that brought them here in the first place.

Lazenby Preserve is one effort to answer that question—offering a setting built around outdoor recreation while keeping the surrounding environment at the center of the experience.

Rather than carving the land into dense development, the plan centers on preservation. Roughly 1,800 acres will remain protected for shared use—trails, wildlife, and open space—ensuring that the surrounding terrain remains as much a part of daily life as the homes themselves.

The homes envisioned here are modest by design. Cabins, some no larger than 500 square feet, are intended to reflect the simplicity of a weekend retreat rather than the scale of a traditional subdivision. At the same time, the broader vision includes a range of options—spaces that welcome more accessible, small-scale getaways alongside future areas designed for larger builds and more elevated views.

There is also a recognition of how people use the Gorge today. Some will come for a few days at a time. Others will invest in cabins that double as short-term rentals, offering visitors a way to experience the area more deeply than a day trip allows.

Looking ahead, later phases of the development are expected to introduce gated sections with larger lots and more private settings. These areas will be geared toward those seeking a quieter, more secluded retreat, with homes that take advantage of the region’s natural elevation and views—offering a different experience while remaining part of the same landscape.

Even within the development, there is an effort to maintain a sense of separation and purpose. Areas for camping—RV and tent sites—are planned to remain distinct from cabin neighborhoods, helping preserve the quieter character of residential areas while still accommodating the broader outdoor community. Details around access and use are still being considered as the project evolves.

What’s unfolding at Lazenby Preserve reflects a broader shift happening across the Gorge. As interest in outdoor living continues to rise, so does the need to balance access with stewardship. Projects like this suggest that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of the landscape—but it does require intention.

For now, the land remains what it has always been: wooded, quiet, and full of possibility. But in the months ahead, as the first lots become available and the first cabins begin to take shape, Lazenby Preserve will start to tell its own story—one that blends new beginnings with the enduring pull of the Gorge.

Learn More; https://lazenbypreserve.com

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