Collettsville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain area sit at elevations ranging from 1,200 to over 3,500 feet, creating distinct temperature zones that can be 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby lowland areas. This temperature difference makes luxury glamping in Collettsville, North Carolina particularly appealing during summer months when campers can enjoy moderate temperatures while still accessing mountain recreation. Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially for premium glamping sites with electrical hookups.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 2-mile round trip. Near Linville Falls Campground, a moderate trail leads to multiple waterfall viewing platforms. "At the top of Linville Falls you can hammock camp on a Rock are within 50 feet of the Waterfall," notes visitor Mitchell G., highlighting a unique camping opportunity not available at most sites.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Catch-and-release. The fishing ponds at Steele Creek Park & Campground provide reliable catches for anglers of all ages. As Wayne Q. reports, "The water was clear with a small beach. Friends of my went and paddled the Wilson Gorge close by. Tubed down the river, just plenty to do for a weekend trip."
Off-season recreation: November options. While many glamping sites close for winter, Thousand Trails Green Mountain stays open until November 15, offering fall color views. Larry M. confirms: "We spent 14 nights here Oct 2020. Not one day where we disappointed. Beautiful park with full hook ups. People here where super friends and there are people working on the park keeping it clean everyday."
What campers like
Creek-side tent sites: Natural sound barriers. The rushing water at Flintlock Campground creates natural white noise that masks road sounds. According to Myron C., "I feel fortunate to have gotten site 23, which is at the end of the lane and next to the creek where it forks and joins back up to make a single creek close to my campsite."
Private mountain glamping: Small-batch sites. Unlike larger resorts, Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers widely spaced sites on a mountaintop. One visitor noted, "The campsites are very spaced out. The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat." This setup provides better separation than most glamping options in the region.
Communal amenities: Shared indoor spaces. Some glamping sites offer modern lodge facilities with full kitchens. Kenneth C. describes Starlite Trailer Lodge: "The property is very well-maintained and clean. It contains a lodge with a very large kitchen with everything you could possibly need to cook (except your food). There is a large amount of seating inside the lodge as well as outside on the covered patio."
What you should know
Mountain road challenges: Navigation warnings. Accessing many glamping sites requires careful driving. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, one reviewer warned, "If pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain."
Limited cell service: Connectivity gaps. Many glamping locations have spotty coverage. Sara M. advises, "You will lose cell service ~20 minutes from the campground. Print directions before leaving home." Several sites offer Wi-Fi at additional cost, usually $8-15 per stay.
Temperature fluctuations: Pack accordingly. The mountain elevation causes significant temperature drops after sunset, even in summer months. One camper shared, "In late July it was cool in the evenings." Most luxury glamping units provide heating, but tent glamping requires additional insulation.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Request specific sites. At Julian Price Park Campground, family-friendly sites are strategically located. Charles S. recommends: "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30pm. May be different in the Summer. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site."
Kid-friendly water features: Creek-based play. Many families choose creek-side glamping for built-in entertainment. Kimberly H. from Steele Creek notes, "We saw several kids playing in the creek and it looked fun. We will have to come back in the summer to enjoy the water."
Family programming: Weekend activities. Several glamping operations offer scheduled activities, especially on weekends. One visitor to Honey Bear Campground shared, "We stayed at Honey Bear on the weekend before Halloween. The campground had several family activities like a haunted trail and trick or treating for the kiddos."
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: Reliable hookups. RVers note that most glamping resorts offer 50-amp service rather than 30-amp. Tracy H. found Grandfather Campground accommodating: "Hookups: many sites have full hookups. Price: only $40 per night during a very busy season in the mountains."
Pull-through accessibility: Size limitations. Many mountain glamping sites have tight turns. One RVer noted, "Even those [pull-through sites] were tight to turn in and get out. The sites were so close we couldn't even put out our awnings!" Request site dimensions when booking.
Dump station access: Limited hours. Several glamping resorts restrict dump station hours to prevent nighttime noise. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, campers must use the dump station during office hours, as noted in their policies: "They have a dump station where you can empty your tanks on your way out."
