Our Story
Where Adventure Meets Heart
Oak Creek Retreat was born from a simple frustration — too many beautiful places, too few that felt like home. We built what we couldn't find.
Meet Your Hosts
David is a Central Oregon native and avid outdoorsman who spent nine years in the Marine Corps, serving in Afghanistan and working alongside intelligence agencies around the world. After transitioning to the private sector, he built a career at Amazon leading AI and technology programs.
Nadine is a New Jersey native, luxury real estate agent at Engel & Volkers in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix, and a top-ranked ultra-marathon runner who races 100+ mile distances.
Together with their daughter Willa, they discovered Cornville in 2022 while searching for something that didn't seem to exist — a vacation rental that combined natural beauty with genuine warmth, thoughtful design, and a connection to the land.
When they found 2.6 acres on Oak Creek, they knew it was time to stop searching and start building. Oak Creek Retreat is that vision realized — a place where adventure meets heart, family-crafted for your discovery.
What We Believe
Sustainability First
We're the first vacation rental in central Arizona to earn Sustonica environmental certification. Solar water heaters, EV chargers, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and low-flow fixtures are standard here — not upgrades.
A portion of every booking supports the Verde River Watershed through our partnership with Friends of the Verde River. Oak Creek is a vital part of this 192-mile ecosystem, and we're committed to keeping it that way.
Supporting Veterans
As a Marine Corps combat veteran, David understands firsthand the challenges of transition and the healing power of nature. A portion of our profits supports veteran-focused organizations.
We're proud partners with Big Sky Bravery, an organization that provides outdoor adventure experiences for returning special operations forces. The creek, the stars, and the quiet do something that's hard to put into words.
Connected to Place
Cornville was originally "Cohnville," named after a Mormon settler family in the 1860s. The Yavapai people inhabited this area for centuries before. The fertile Verde Valley soil that fed their corn crops now feeds a thriving wine country.
We're not on-site, but we're connected virtually day and night. We know the neighborhood — the quiet farming roads, the cows you might share them with, the wildlife that visits our unfenced lower property, and the local spots that make this place special.
The Property
Our 2.6-acre property sits along Oak Creek in the heart of the Verde Valley. The land features mature Fremont cottonwood trees — some over 100 years old — that create a canopy over hammocks and seating areas along the creek bank.
The property includes two distinct accommodations: Pitchner Place, an intimate 2-bedroom guest house perfect for couples, and Tu'nlii House (named after the Apache word for "river"), a spacious 4-bedroom residence for families and groups. Each has its own private entrance, parking, and outdoor space.
We've preserved the natural character of the land intentionally — no fences on the lower property so deer, javelina, and river otters continue to visit. River otters and beavers are part of the Oak Creek ecosystem, and the Goodding Riparian Gallery Forest along the creek is one of the most significant in the Southwest.
Come See for Yourself
The photos are nice, but the creek sounds, the starry sky, and the morning deer — those you have to experience in person.