The Great Smoky Mountains surround Almond, North Carolina with peaks reaching over 5,000 feet, creating microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. Located near the southern end of the Appalachian Trail, this region experiences rainfall averaging 55 inches annually, which contributes to the lush vegetation surrounding glamping options. Weather can change rapidly at higher elevations, with temperature drops of 3-5 degrees for every 1,000 feet gained.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: 1-3 miles from campgrounds. Deep Creek provides easy access to multiple waterfall trails within the national park. A camper at Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground shared, "If you take the short drive into the national park, you will come to a parking lot, and from there, you can hike to three waterfalls close by. The closest one from the parking lot in the national park is two-tenths of a mile, and it is an easy hike."
Trout fishing: License required, year-round season. Several campgrounds offer direct creek access for fishing. At Grumpy Bear Campground, visitors enjoy fishing the Tuckaseegee River. "The fishing is great and so is the environment," notes one reviewer who appreciated the natural recreational opportunities at this glamping destination near Almond.
Historic ghost town exploration: Self-guided tours. Near Elkmont Campground, visitors can explore the Daisy Town ghost town. "One of the more intriguing areas to explore at Elkmont is the Daisy Town ghost town. Once you've set up camp, walk or drive down the road toward the Little River and Jakes Creek trails. Follow the signs for additional parking and you'll find yourself at the end of a road lined with assorted cottages and cabins that used to be vacation homes."
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Individual shower rooms with toilets. Greenbrier Campground features exceptional bathroom facilities. One reviewer noted, "The bathrooms were FABULOUS. SERIOUSLY. I've never wanted to bathe in a campground bathroom before, but I do it out of necessity. Well these bathrooms were luxurious and modern and so SO clean. I gladly bathed in the showers here and felt so clean afterwards!"
Creek sounds: Natural white noise for sleeping. Campers consistently mention the calming effect of water sounds at night. A visitor at Indian Creek Campground shared, "I almost hate to give a glowing review for fear of making this place too famous! I want it to be my secret place that no one knows about. I've tent camped here twice. Once at 14a in August 2019 (amazing, right on the creek, sounds of rushing water all night)."
Dark sky stargazing: Best in spring and fall. The mountain location allows for exceptional night sky viewing at many campgrounds. As one camper at Indian Creek Campground described, "To have found this place is one of the reasons I love this app so much. This campground is a GEM tucked away from the tourism hustle and bustle. Close enough to be convenient but more than half away for some peace and quiet and a beautifully dark sky full of stars."
What you should know
Road noise: Variable by campground location. Some glamping options in Almond are affected by nearby roads. At Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, a camper cautioned, "There is a A LOT of road noise coming from the other side of the little river at all hours of the day and night. It was not exactly relaxing and peaceful with dozens of motorcycles going by at a time."
Cell coverage gaps: Prepare for limited connectivity. Many campgrounds in the mountains have spotty service. At Indian Creek Campground, a visitor noted, "Caveat: NO ATT service and Wi-Fi spotty and slow except when in pavilion. If connectivity is important (and it legitimately can be), this might not be the place for you."
Campsite spacing: Varies significantly between properties. While some glamping sites offer privacy, others place units closer together. A visitor to Deep Creek Tube Center commented, "The sites are so closely packed you could not eat at the picnic tables without being in someone else's site. Couldn't make a fire in the fire ring because it was right next to the RV in the next site."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Morning and evening activity options. Family-friendly amenities keep children entertained. A visitor to Deep Creek Tube Center shared, "This was a great family campground. Plenty for the kids to do, including gem mining, feeding goats and several playgrounds. Plus you can rent tubes and drive a short distance into the national park for some fun tubing."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning best time. The Smoky Mountains region offers chances to observe native species. A camper at Cades Cove noted, "This is a very unique spot in the smokies. I have never seen more black bear. It was a very safe distance we watched them about a football field away across a field pretty amazing experience."
Swimming holes: Natural water play areas. Several glamping options near Almond feature creek access. At Greenbrier Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring extra blocks. Some glamping and RV sites require adjustment. At Little Arrow, an RVer warned, "Only surprise was unlovely site, our neighbor had to loan blocks to set camper."
Seasonal congestion: Early arrivals recommended. Popular areas can fill up, especially during peak seasons. A visitor to Elkmont Campground advised, "CC is an excellent campground. The GSMNP is a busy place, so get in early. We camped here in November and didn't have a problem getting a site, but the place did fill up!"
Dump station availability: Limited options. For RVs and glamping units with holding tanks, plan accordingly. A camper at Elkmont noted, "The nearest dump station is a seasonal one at the Sugarlands Visitor Center (doesn't open until late May); the one at Cades Cove is open year round."
