Cabins near Blowing Rock, North Carolina sit at elevations ranging from 3,000-4,000 feet, creating cool summer temperatures that rarely exceed 80°F even in July and August. Winter cabin rentals should plan for potential snow, as the area receives approximately 35 inches annually. Most cabin campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, with limited year-round options available.
What to do
Explore waterfall trails near Grandfather Mountain: Located minutes from Grandfather Mountain State Park Campsites, visitors find numerous waterfall hikes. "NC has a few gems and this is definitely one. I have only scratched the surface, but the 11+ trails, the animal habitats, mile high swinging bridge, and museum are just a few things families should visit," explains one camper who explored the area.
Fish in mountain streams: Many rental cabins provide access to fishing spots. At Linville Falls Campground, a visitor noted, "Should you have an issue, the owners live on site and are available and happy to help. Sites offer a nice amount of shade for hot summer days and the facility is located close to a number of beautiful western Carolina gems."
Visit Tweetsie Railroad: This family-friendly theme park is just minutes from several cabin rental locations. "A creek to fly fish in.. very quiet, very outdoorsy, fire pits, close to Mast General Store, close to restaurant and Grandfather Mountain!!!" shared a visitor who stayed at Grandfather Campground while exploring attractions.
Attend summer festivals: Check local event calendars from May-September for live music and cultural events. "The Highland Games at McCrae Meadows is an awesome camping communal experience that I treasure," noted a camper who visited Grandfather Mountain during festival season.
What campers like
Mountain temperature relief: The elevation provides natural air conditioning during summer months. A visitor at Blue Bear Mountain Camp mentioned, "The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat. Bathhouse was nice and clean. The hike to the pond was a little more strenuous than we anticipated but once you get there, there is a nice creek and we caught a trout in the pond right away."
Private wooded sites: Many cabin locations offer secluded settings. "The campsites are very spaced out. The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," reported a camper at Blue Bear Mountain Camp, noting the privacy that makes these cabins different from typical resort accommodations.
Proximity to Blue Ridge Parkway: Most cabin rental locations provide quick access to scenic drives. A visitor at Spacious Skies Bear Den shared, "Being right on the Parkway was awesome and provided some great driving and hiking close by. The staff were very helpful."
On-site trails: Many locations feature private hiking paths. "There are a lot of beautiful hikes in the area," noted a camper who stayed at Roan Mountain State Park Campground, adding that "There are trees everywhere and there really isn't a bad spot!"
What you should know
Advance reservations required: Book 3-6 months ahead for summer and fall color season. "Sites often get booked quickly, so reserve spots well in advance!" advised a visitor to Flintlock Campground, which offers cabin rentals near Blowing Rock.
Bring your own linens: Most cabins provide beds without sheets, pillows or towels. "We stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture. There is a countertop next to the front door and plenty of room for all of our gear," explained a camper at Spacious Skies Bear Den, noting the need to bring sleeping items.
Limited cell service: Prepare for spotty connectivity in mountain areas. "No cell service, but there is (slow) wifi throughout the campground. There is a Verizon hotspot to make calls, but I couldn't connect with US Cellular," shared a visitor at Roan Mountain State Park Campground.
Weather changes quickly: Pack layers even in summer. "In late July it was cool in the evenings," mentioned a camper who stayed at Grandfather Campground, highlighting the temperature variations that can occur even during peak summer.
Tips for camping with families
Look for cabin campgrounds with playgrounds: Kid-friendly amenities vary widely between properties. At Honey Bear Campground, a family noted, "If you're into a bit of glamping, this place works! Good for kids - rootbeer float nights, outdoor movies with marshmellow pits, crerks to splash in. Full bathhouses, laundry & eben a gameroom. My kids loved the tire swings & animals!"
Consider creek-side cabin sites: Water access provides natural entertainment. "Flintlock is easy to get to but you'll still feel like you are camping. Staff is friendly and facilities are clean. There's a beautiful mini river running through the campground with a lot of rocks to jump on. My children spent hours every day exploring," shared a parent who stayed at Flintlock Campground.
Check for kid-focused activities: Some cabin locations offer scheduled events. A visitor at Boone KOA mentioned, "Good sites, drain well, a little close, but will definitely be back. Bathrooms were clean and big. Temperature was very comfortable, didn't need the A/C in June! Pool was nice, could have had more chairs though."
Plan for evening temperature drops: Even summer nights require jackets for children. "As far as location, there was some noise from Hwy 105. However, that did not bother me that much since I was so close to the sounds of the creek," noted a camper at Flintlock Campground, mentioning how the creek sounds helped mask road noise at night.
Tips from RVers
Check cabin access roads: Some mountain roads present challenges. A visitor at Blue Bear Mountain Camp cautioned, "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there."
Bring leveling blocks: Mountain cabin sites often have slopes. "The sites are a little sloped, so have leveling equipment ready," mentioned a camper at Honey Bear Campground.
Confirm hookup availability: Amenities vary widely between cabin locations. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, a visitor reported, "Campground has all the amenities you could want. It has a small lake on property to fish or swim. Has a pretty good market for the things you might have forgot. They have firewood and ice to purchase."
Check bathroom proximity: Not all cabins have private facilities. A reviewer at Flintlock Campground noted, "Bathhouse is adequate but they could use an additional restroom facility on the cabin/tent side of the creek. Only downside is the road noise from Hwy. 105 which can be extremely noisy."
