Glamping close to Cherokee, North Carolina offers riverside accommodations with varying levels of amenities and comfort. Sites along the Tuckasegee River and Raven Fork provide access to mountain activities and natural features. Most premium glamping sites include water and electric hookups, while some offer private bathrooms and cooking facilities, depending on the specific campground and site selection.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Visit Mingo Falls near Yogi in the Smokies, which is accessible via a short trail. "Mingo Falls is nearby and we like visiting the casino in Cherokee as well," notes Joy B.
Fishing for trout: Several campgrounds offer fishing access directly from campsites. At Grumpy Bear Campground, visitors appreciate the riverside location: "The fishing is great and so is the environment. Already looking to book again," shares Holly S.
Historic exploration: Visit the Daisy Town ghost town near Elkmont Campground. Jean C. explains, "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."
Mountain biking: Cades Cove offers special biking opportunities. "On certain days they close off the loop of Cades Cove for bicycles to be able to ride. At the store near the campground they rent bikes for a reasonable rate," reports Jeremy H.
What campers like
River sounds: Many campers mention sleeping next to flowing water as a highlight. At Indian Creek Campground, guests enjoy riverside sites: "Our site was very spacious right on the creek. The cleanest bathrooms I have seen at a campground," writes Mary B.
Privacy between sites: Though some campgrounds have close sites, others offer better separation. At Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground, one reviewer notes, "It's a beautiful family campground. Plenty for the kids to do, including gem mining, feeding goats and several playgrounds. The campground fills up, and most of your neighbors will be in RVs, but everyone was respectful and quiet during our stay."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies widely between glamping locations near Cherokee. At Greenbrier Campground, "The bath house appeared to be newer, and will trump your home facilities in many cases! Within the bath house, there are several private doors leading to your own 3 piece bath with shelving and granite counters with outlets, and a stunning double shower," reports Erin H.
Wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to see native animals. "This is a wonderful family campground with lots of activities for kids including tubing, trout fishing, swimming, and an arcade. But the most amazing part was that we saw Synchronous fire flies in late July. It was a once in a lifetime experience!" shares Erin C. at Yogi in the Smokies.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most glamping sites near Cherokee operate from spring through fall. "April 1st to October 31st is when many campgrounds are open," notes one reviewer, though some like Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA offer year-round access with heated facilities.
Site variations: Premium riverside sites book quickly. "We stayed in site 16 and it was perfect! It's one of their wider sites so we didn't feel we were on top of our neighbors. The Little Pigeon River was just steps off the back of our camper," says Erica F. about Greenbrier Campground.
Traffic considerations: During peak seasons, road congestion can affect travel times. At Cades Cove Campground, one visitor notes it's "approximately 20 miles from main visitor center. The scenic drive increases congestion and traffic."
Internet connectivity: Cell service and Wi-Fi vary significantly. At Indian Creek Campground, Abby L. notes, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Book Halloween stays: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers special October activities. "We camped around halloween and the entire campground has trick or treating for the kids on Saturdays. Clean, friendly and really great for kids," reports John A.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfort while maintaining outdoor access. At Deep Creek, "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."
Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities: Playgrounds and game areas keep children engaged. "The badminton/volleyball area was nice. It's right near the group camping area which was wide open. Gave the kids plenty of room to play. The camp office had racquets and volleyballs to use," mentions Nate C. about Moonshine Creek Campground.
Plan for swimming holes: Mountain creek swimming spots offer natural alternatives to pools. "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults," reports Elizabeth B. at Greenbrier Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some Cherokee area campgrounds have tight turns and narrow roads. "Sites are narrow and fairly close together, although they've done an excellent job of maintaining the heavy trees around the river and on the 'treelawn' area which separates each site. This helps to make a narrow space seem deceptively private," explains Erin H. about Greenbrier Campground.
Hookup availability: Many glamping sites offer full hookups. At Cades Cove, "All driveways shaded, paved, and level. Very pleasant place. Only negative is the requirement to check in between 9-10:00 am the following day if one arrived later than check in time, which caused me to change hiking plans," reports Kim L.
Bath facilities: Even with an RV, campground bathhouses are important. At Elkmont Campground, "Large campground but had level, shaded, and private camp sites. Flush toilets clean but no showers. Traffic was a beast but there were good hiking trails from campground."
Terrain challenges: The mountainous landscape can make travel difficult. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Shannon B. noted, "The only thing I really didn't enjoy was pulling the travel trailer through the mountainous terrain."
