Boxwood House - Secluded Farm Retreat - Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake
An hour east of Cincinnati & southwest of Columbus Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake A world away from everything.
Come visit a place in Amish country, where the grass is greener, your coffee is smoother and the stars shine brighter; a place where you can catch a few fish and your breath. Close to adventure, yet quietly tucked away on a 82-acre picturesque farm, Boxwood House is a quiet retreat from a noisy world - the perfect place to slow down, re-connect & create treasured memories. Read more below under "The Open Gate Invitation"
Boxwood House sleeps ten in a spacious primary bedroom (king), a cheery sunroom (queen sofa bed), two upstairs bedrooms (one queen and one room with two full beds) and a cozy library (queen sofa bed).
Free Experience - We offer free catch and release fishing on the pond. Just bring your own pole!
You’ll have access to the entire house in addition to 82 beautiful acres, including hiking trails through woods and pastures and across creeks, fishing in a stocked pond (catch and release only please) and sipping your morning coffee overlooking green pastures or beside a misty pond. Visit with our jersey cows, Dolly and Daisy, and take pictures with our two adorable valais blacknose sheep, Siegfried and Tristan, a unique breed from the mountains of Switzerland.
We live on the property and are available if you need anything. Feel free to reach out for any needs and to book hayrides and learning experiences such as making maple syrup from freshly tapped trees, foraging tours, gardening and bread-making classes & participating in old-fashioned farm chores. Visit our website at kinderfarmfamilydotorg to learn more. *Learning experiences are based on the season and host’s availability.
Rent boats and kayaks or book fishing trips on Rocky Fork Lake. Spend the day visiting art or history museums or sampling gourmet eateries in Cincinnati or Columbus. Visit The Air Force Museum, underground railroad sites or learn more about the Wright Brothers or the poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar, in Dayton. There is plenty to do no matter the time of year or the weather!
Quiet, secluded country setting.
You may be greeted by four friendly dogs when you arrive. Also, we are in the country and, while the internet has good speed (usually between 30 and 150 mbps), sometimes phone connections via the internet can be spotty. We find this can be an opportunity to disconnect from technology and better connect with yourself, family and friends.
"The Open Gate Invitation"
In 1979, Dr. Elen Langer created a setting designed to bring people back to the 1950's. Men in their 70’s and 80’s lived in this environment for one week and were instructed to move and live in the way they would have, twenty years younger. Within days, their strength increased, they stood taller, saw farther, heard better, and remembered more. Outside observers noted they even looked younger. Their bodies were beginning to reflect what their minds told them was true. Science has found your brain is flexible. Every thought you allow to nest, every feeling you feed, every habit repeated, literally shapes your brain and builds your life. Echoing Mary Oliver, how do you plan to live your one precious life? Are you passionate and content about the life you’re currently living?
Your brain is built to change. Book your stay with us and rewrite your story. Visit The Open Gate Farm - a quiet retreat from a noisy world.
- Once here, we invite you to put down your phone and: - Pick up a book - Engage - look a loved one in the eye - Be fully present in the moment - Wander outdoors and notice the beauty around you - Write a letter to a loved one - Create something - Pretend you’re a child and play - Book an Open Gate Farm experience and learn something new - Explore a place around Hillsboro - Make a list of things you’re grateful for - Doze on the porch swing - Bake something yummy for afternoon tea - Count the stars - Sip a cup of comfort, close your eyes and breathe - Put together an achievable plan to live more alive
Get away from the hustle and bustle to rewire your brain and reshape your life to the one you’ve always dreamed of living,
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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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Hillsboro
Located in Hillsboro, this holiday home is in a rural area. Hillsboro Elks Country Club and Snow Hill Clubhouse are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Rocky Fork State Park and Paint Creek State Park.
Highland County Courthouse - 11 min drive - 14.1 km
Hillsboro Public Library - 12 min drive - 14.8 km
Hillsboro Elks Country Club - 13 min drive - 15.9 km
Getting around
Cincinnati, OH (LUK-Cincinnati Municipal - Lunken Field) - 72 min drive
Restaurants
Ponderosa Steakhouse - 13 min drive
The Porch - 14 min drive
KFC - 14 min drive
Subway - 14 min drive
Papa John's Pizza - 14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Boxwood House - Secluded Farm Retreat - Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Boxwood House - Secluded Farm Retreat - Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake?
As of 12 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Boxwood House - Secluded Farm Retreat - Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake on 17 May 2026 start from AU$758, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Boxwood House - Secluded Farm Retreat - Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Boxwood House - Secluded Farm Retreat - Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Boxwood House - Secluded Farm Retreat - Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Boxwood House - Secluded Farm Retreat - Minutes from Rocky Fork Lake located?
Located in a rural location, this family-friendly holiday home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Rocky Fork Lake, Rocky Fork State Park and Hillsboro Elks Country Club. Highland County Courthouse and Hillsboro Public Library are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Very kind and accommodating experience. The home is chock full of interest and amenities at every turn, and there are many opportunities to latch onto a real farm experience outside the home. Plenty of critter friends add to the warmth.
Wonderful place to stay while visiting family! My Son-in-Law USA history buff and enjoyed the house. My grand son enjoyed looking for farm animals. And we all enjoyed the spacious home.
We had a wonderful time staying in this lovely house and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful setting. We had a small family gathering which the multiple bedrooms and library/playroom accommodated very well. Check-in was easy, kitchen -- in fact the entire house is well appointed (with a surprise gift of cookies and freshly picked squash from the garden), and the host couldn't have been more helpful. Excellent experience!
We were in the area for a family gathering. Perfect for 2 areas of sleeping and several areas to hang out and relax. Owners were fantastic with farm tours and communication. Would absolutely stay there again.
We enjoyed the place greatly. It is a quiet country setting. The place was bright and very clean. It had everything we needed for our stay. We would stay again if we were in the area again.
The location was so peaceful. The property was beautifully decorated with lots of extra little touches. Hosts were very attentive. Can't wait to book again.
Angela W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 20 July 2023
It was our privilege and pleasure to host you and your fun friends! We hope to see you again!!
The property was amazing. The house was beautiful. Hosts were wonderful. Beautiful hiking nearby and on property. Orchards nearby and antiquing too. We will be back for sure.
Exceptional stay! Amazingly, clean, quiet, outside was beautiful. The hosts were always there if we needed anything and went to the extra step to get us a grill so we could grill out one night. we definitely will return.
Incredibly beautiful property—carriage house was immaculate and there were very thoughtful touches throughout. If you are looking for quiet, this location has it!!
I stayed at this beautiful property during a recent work trip to nearby Hillsboro. The house was the perfect place to relax and unwind after a stressful day. I appreciated all the extra special touches and attention to small details of the hosts. These things made my stay extra enjoyable.
It was such a joy staying at Heidi’s Carriage House Farm. The place was perfectly clean and comfortably slept our family of 4, and we could have easily made it 6. The hosts generously provided outdoor games (cornhole + bocce), firewood, a s’more pack, and family games - all the ingredients for a great family weekend. Honestly can’t count how many times we all said “isn’t this place perfect?”
Thank you for the memorable stay!
We were looking for a little farm family experience for our youngest ones 3rd birthday, and our stay did not disappoint! We arrived at the carriage house, and were greeted by the hosts family, as they were enjoying their beautiful outdoor 57acre oasis. The entire family was extremely warm, and kind. I had asked in advance about little “chores” my kids could help with, Heidi (one of the host) was extremely helpful in coordinating, and the next morning my kids helped bring the cows to the pastures to graze, collect chicken eggs, and also snuggle and help care for puppies that were born a few months before. Later on, their eldest son took us on a foraging walk, finished with mint tea with mint we collected. My eldest also fished in their pond with another one of their kids, they were all so hospitable! We were also surprised by a little s’mores basket for that evening! The next morning I received a text asking if my kids would like to take a little hayride around the property! My only complaint was that we weren’t there long enough. As for the space, it was absolutely beautiful, and there were additions made, so the place was huge! There was more then enough room for our family of 5. The area is also in the arc of the Appalachian mountains, so if you love the outdoors, there are great hikes nearby as well. We will cherish these memories forever, and are so grateful for our stay.
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
About the host
Hosted by Heidi Steffen
We are the Steffen family. Here we welcome you into a glimpse of our days and also our hearts. You'll find us flawed and broken, yet incredibly loved and accepted by God.
For years our family prayed about owning a farm. In 2021, miracles happened and our dream came true when we sold everything we had and left two acres in southern California to buy an 82-acre farm in Hillsboro, Ohio. Quietly tucked away among sun-dappled woods and rolling hills in Amish country, we are now the grateful caretakers of 'The Open Gate Farm’, a little slice of heaven here on earth.
Here we grow kids, faith, and a garden. Slowly renovating our farmhouse, farming a bit of the land and adding a variety of animals to our family have challenged and grown us (especially me, a former labor and delivery nurse) in ways we never thought possible. But saying we all love it, is an understatement. While there are frustrations and tears (mostly mine), there is also an underlying contentment and joy. It’s exciting to see God weaving an incredible story of healing and redemption, as our little family works together and grows even closer.
Kinderfarm is a family-run ministry; the kids work alongside us now that they're older. We value strengthening families, connecting kids to creation, finding balance, discovering truth, and experiencing beauty in the ordinary everyday - making life simple, yet significant. Our hope is that you find beauty, rest and maybe even a bit of inspiration here. Our farm, along with our successes and failures, is something we want to share with you through our farm-school learning adventures and farm-stay retreats. We would be honored if our family, or even our farm, were to be a part of your story.
Why they chose this property
The beauty and quiet of the countryside is what attacted us to this spot. Rolling hills with a mix of fields pasture and woods make for a gorgeous setting. The clip clop of horses pulling Amish buggies adds to the scene.
What makes this property unique
Serenity. A quiet beautiful setting with a house that makes you want to stay and relax. The perfect place to get away from it all. Enjoy a hike, read a book, visit farm animals, have afternoon tea in the gazebo...all without leaving the farm.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests