Long Mountain Campus | Distinctive Programs | Montgomery Bell Academy
Students outdoor on trip

DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS

Long Mountain Campus

Adventure. Discovery. Connection.

Just 90 miles from Nashville, our Long Mountain Campus offers students, families, and faculty a rare and remarkable escape into nature. Nestled within 1,300 acres of scenic forestland on the Cumberland Plateau, this 150-acre campus is more than a retreat—it’s a launchpad for adventure, leadership, and community-building.

Student in forest

Gifted to MBA in 2008 by alumni, Long Mountain has evolved into a dynamic extension of campus life. With its ten-acre lake, ropes courses, observatory, and overnight facilities, Long Mountain plays a vital role in shaping the MBA experience—providing opportunities to lead, reflect, connect, and grow.


What You’ll Find at Long Mountain
Lake Dobson

The first major addition to the campus, Lake Dobson is a ten-acre spring-fed lake teeming with smallmouth bass and bream—ideal for fishing, canoeing, or simply enjoying the stillness of the water.
MBA Observatory

Originally dedicated in 2011 and fully refurbished in 2022, our state-of-the-art observatory sits at 1,800 feet above sea level, far from city lights and perfectly suited for stargazing.

  • 24" PlaneWave Corrected Dall-Kirkham telescope
     
  • SBIG AC4040 CMOS camera with adaptive optics
     
  • Member of NASA’s TESS Follow-Up Observing Program
     
  • Site of exoplanet discoveries via the KELT project
Ropes Courses & Outdoor Challenges

From trust falls to ziplining, Long Mountain is home to both low and high ropes course elements that develop grit, teamwork, and confidence.

  • Low Ropes Course: Spider Web, Trust Fall, High Beam, and more
     
  • High Ropes Course: Odyssey Course, Giant Swing, Crate Stack, Ziplines, and the legendary Pamper Pole
The Pavilion, Cabins & Yurts

At the heart of the campus is a large open-air pavilion, perfect for workshops, games, movie nights, or group reflection.

  • Retractable basketball goals
     
  • Projector, screen, and Wi-Fi
     
  • Cabins and yurts each sleep 12 (air-conditioned!)
     
  • Total overnight capacity: 168 guests

 

Fishing
Group on school trip
Two students on trip
Outdoor activity
Team activity


Signature Programs & Annual Retreats

Long Mountain is where MBA boys unplug, explore, and come together. Each year, hundreds of students, faculty, and families make meaningful memories on the mountain.

Annual Highlights

  • August – Elected Officer Leadership Retreat (10th–12th)
  • August – 7th Grade Retreat
  • October – 9th Grade Leadership Retreat
  • November – MBA Father-Son Retreat
  • November – Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Retreat
     
These programs foster brotherhood, leadership, and reflection—away from the demands of daily life and immersed in the natural beauty of Tennessee.

 

Who Uses Long Mountain? Everyone.

  • Students develop leadership skills and lifelong friendships
  • Sports teams bond through training and team-building retreats
  • Class officers grow as leaders through ropes course challenges
  • Fathers and sons reconnect over hiking, fishing, and campfires
  • Alumni & faculty return for retreats, workshops, and stargazing nights


Want to Learn More?

Interested in visiting or using the Long Mountain Campus for your program?

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