At Channel Rock, you’ll live close to the earth and sea and sky.  Located on a spectacular 140-acre conservancy of mature forest and mossy bluffs along a long expanse of breathtaking coastline, Channel Rock is a living example of sustainability. The  facilities have been artistically constructed with all natural materials, carefully harvested from the surrounding area, and ring the extensive permaculture garden and heritage orchard. Drawing from what the land itself offers, Channel Rock is completely off the grid, and relies primarily on solar power. This protected place offers us the opportunity to viscerally sink into a  hopeful vision of a sustainable future and offers us a new definition of luxurious that is far more nourishing in its earthly elegance. 

Visitors to Channel Rock experience a feeling of abundance that comes with the beauty, nourishment, comfort, deep community and closeness to the natural world. Our chef will treat you to superlative organic meals. She cooks with the seasons: fresh food daily from the organic garden and orchard, and locally procured salmon and seafood. Gardeners and organic food lovers will be awed and inspired by the Channel Rock organic garden.

Channel Rock can host workshops and private retreats for groups of 8 to 40 people. Its an ideal destination for accommodating youth, board meetings, seminars, family gatherings and other specialty groups including sustainable weddings and other personalized events. It's also a perfect setting for writers' and artists' retreats, for yoga and meditation retreats, or for anyone interested in an off the grid, eco-retreat or holiday with co-workers, family, or friends. Channel Rock offers comfort and intimacy in an enchanting wilderness setting. This unique venue is perfect for a variety of groups that seek to contribute to a more just and sustainable world. 

Retreat venues are rarely as rich in craftsmanship as Channel Rock. Communal buildings have been lovingly handcrafted in the centuries-old traditions of cob, stackwall and timberframe. The hub of Channel Rock is the Cob House, which is home to the beautifully designed kitchen. Under its living roof, is a large, open space for gathering.  The sky lit Venture House, a cottage that is perched next to the woods with a view of the beach, garden, and ocean, offers both accommodations and a large downstairs gathering space. Other communal buildings include a large circular wood fired sauna, a studio space fully equipped for woodworking, blacksmithing studio and a computer lab. Guesthouses are in a variety of cabins, yurts, tipis and tents.

Located on the west coast of Cortes Island, Channel Rock is within Klahoose First Nation and Slaimmon First Nation traditional territory. Before Channel Rock was an educational retreat centre, it was Gilean Douglas' own private coastal retreat. Arriving in 1953, she owned and homesteaded this 140-acres for 40 years. She lived the latter half of her life at Channel Rock as a writer, poet, gardener, feminist, environmentalist and community organizer.  In 1979 she published "The Protected Place" which takes the reader on a yearlong journey through the seasons at Channel Rock.  Before her passing in 1993, Gilean chose the Pinchot family to succeed her as stewards of this precious ''protected place". Together they created a vision for what Channel Rock is today. After her death, the Friends of Channel Rock Society was created to carry forth that vision. 

If you seek a green and sustainable island retreat, Channel Rock will meet and exceed your needs. With fresh, delicious, wholesome meals from the organic garden and cozy, natural venues for gathering, you will feel warmly cared for. Beautiful and peaceful, Channel Rock's retreat centre offers an unforgettable stay. Contact us for prices specific to your needs @ bookings@channelrock.ca