Glamping in Cashiers, North Carolina offers luxury accommodations in one of the highest elevation towns in the southern Appalachians, situated at approximately 3,500 feet. The region experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands, making it an ideal escape from summer heat. Fall camping brings vibrant foliage displays with peak colors typically occurring in mid-October.
What to do
Hike to High Falls: A popular 4-mile round trip trail accessible from Ralph J. Andrews Campground leads to an impressive waterfall. "This is a great little RV and tent campground located near High Falls. The campground itself is alongside Lake Glenville and provides easy access for putting in boats, fishing, or swimming," notes a camper who recommends "making the trek to High Falls because it really is an incredible waterfall."
Explore state park trail systems: Table Rock State Park offers hiking trails with significant elevation gain. "The Table Rock trail is a must if you are nearby! It is pretty strenuous especially if you have health issues but is well worth the trek to the top," shares one visitor who recommends timing your hike carefully during winter months when ice may be present on the trails.
Access lake activities: Many campgrounds provide direct access to water recreation. At Lake Keowee, campers can enjoy paddling and swimming. "We kayaked in our inflatables a short way across the lake to our primitive camping site which included nearby firewood that we could collect and use in a provided firepit area," reports one visitor who appreciated the water views from their campsite.
What campers like
New facilities at Gorges State Park: The recently opened campground at Gorges State Park offers modern amenities. "All sites have a paved camper pad, a large gravel tent pad, a very generous-sized picnic table, and a fire ring. The tent site camper pads can easily accommodate two cars," notes one visitor who was particularly impressed with the shower facilities, describing them as "one of the best campground showers we've experienced—nicely tiled, long bench, several hooks, immediate warm water, and nice water pressure."
Social atmosphere at certain resorts: The community feel at Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort creates opportunities to meet fellow travelers. According to one visitor, "Every day, at 5pm, the happy hour bell rings and it's a great chance to meet people and learn tips on the area." Another camper mentioned "plenty of space between sites so it felt private, and all campers were respectful."
Cabin options throughout the region: For those seeking glamping-style accommodations, several parks offer cabin rentals. At Oconee State Park, cabins provide comfortable alternatives to traditional camping. One visitor noted, "The cabin itself was very well kept. There was air conditioning, 2 bedrooms, 1 full kitchen, 1 full bathroom, and a fire place," adding that they enjoyed "a cute screened porch with rocking chairs where we had coffee and breakfast every morning."
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating challenging mountain roads. A camper at Gorges State Park warns about "the last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down."
Site limitations: Not all sites are level, particularly at newer facilities. At Gorges State Park, a visitor noted that "camper pads on the odd-numbered tent sites (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15) are not level, but Sites 1 and 3 plus the even-numbered sites have level parking pads."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds now require advance booking. While describing Cherry Hill Campground, one visitor shared their frustration: "The first time I went, I did not have reservations, but there is a camp host. I went to the camp host site to get a site, but s/he was not there... The only way I was able to get a site was by reservation."
Tips for camping with families
Consider hike-in challenges: Some campgrounds require significant hiking to reach sites. A visitor to Gorges State Park warned: "Was not clearly marked, if at all that these campsites are a 2 mile hike from parking. Would have packed differently had we known!"
Look for creeks: Water features provide natural entertainment for children. At Trout Creek Campground, a parent shared: "The creek that runs through the campground was gold. Our kids played and played all day, only coming back to the camper to quickly eat before heading back out to splash."
Check bathroom locations: Bathhouse distance varies significantly between campgrounds. At Gorges State Park, a camper noted "It is a bit of a hike from the tent sites to the bathhouse, which is ¼ mile from Site 6... It would have been nice to have a vault toilet in this area."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited but available at select parks. At Gorges State Park, a reviewer noted all RV sites "have full hookups" with concrete pads that are level and well-maintained.
Plan arrival timing: Some private campgrounds restrict late check-ins. A visitor to The Great Outdoors RV Resort warned, "The only issue I have is that if you are not there by 5pm, they will not park you so don't plan to arrive after work on a Friday and hope to spend the long weekend."
Find level sites: Mountain campgrounds often feature uneven terrain. At Keowee-Toxaway State Park, an RVer mentioned the campground has a "small RV loop and a handful of sites with water and electric" but cautioned about electrical reliability after experiencing outages during their stay.
