Looking for a place to go glamping near Lake Junaluska? Find all the best glamping sites for your Lake Junaluska, North Carolina camping adventure with The Dyrt. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right North Carolina glamping spot for you.
__Glamping sites are now available at Lake Powhatan! Experience nature and outdoor recreation without sacrificing the comforts and luxuries of home. Choose one of 12 custom designed, fully furnished canvas platform tents in the heart of the national forest for your next mountain adventure, only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC. Learn more about glamping near Asheville . To book your glamping site, click here. Located just minutes from the popular city of Asheville, North Carolina, Lake Powhatan has something for everyone. The campground is convenient to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including art and music venues, shopping and dining in Asheville, scenic driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, numerous hiking trails and lakeside recreation.
Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, is also nearby. Note that use of personal watercraft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the lake due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem. The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are located near the campground.
The campground is situated in a heavily wooded area on the banks of Lake Powhatan in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. The elevation is 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers.
Among the more popular nearby destinations are Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, The NC Arboretum and the Biltmore Estate.
For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-7278.
Any cancellations must be taken care of directly with recreation.gov. Note that this facility does not provide refunds for No Shows or incliment weather.
$35 - $110 / night
Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
The Little River runs through the campground offering visitors the option to camp waterfront. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Elkmont Campground. The nearby and popular Laurel Falls Trail leads to a spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies are the most biologically-diverse area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Generations of campers have returned to Elkmont year after year, drawn by the sounds of the river, the tranquility of the forest, and the variety of recreational activities in the Elkmont area. Little River and Jakes Creek run through the campground, offering easy access for fishing or cool summertime splashing. Trailheads for Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail are located adjacent to the campground. Historic remnants of Little River Lumber Company's logging camp and old buildings from the Elkmont resort community offer campers a glimpse of life at Elkmont nearly a century ago.
Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' most famous tourist towns, is located about nine miles from Elkmont and offers organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
$30 / night
Greenbrier Campground TN is surrounded by the Little Pigeon River and offer RV sites, tent camping, RV rentals, cabins, and bell tents. Located only 6 miles from downtown Gatlinburg and 8 miles from the entrance to the GSMNP, we are convenient to all area attractions.
$35 - $258 / night
$26 - $37 / night
Welcome to Appalachia ! Come camp with us and enjoy the best of Blue Ridge Mountains camping! Our family-run Asheville West KOA offers great accommodations for everyone from tenters to RVers. Our tent sites are beautifully wooded, and our "Big Rig" friendly 50 and 30 amp pull-through sites are large, level, and have cable TV and FREE WI-FI ! Don't have an RV, or tent camping is not for you? No problem! You can "rough it" in comfort, staying in one of our cozy cabins or lodges. Relax with us and wake to the chirping of a variety of birds, you'll enjoy their song throughout the day. Enjoy scenic North Carolina hiking on one of our wonderful nature trails , easily accessed from any of our camp sites or take a relaxing hike on a number of picture perfect trails on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway and beyond. The options are endless. You'll enjoy surrounding yourself in the beauty of trees, flowers and wildlife. We are not far away from beautiful waterfalls as well! Come see what the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer. Children of all ages will love the pool, game room and themed weekend events. Our campground is not far from all the fun and excitement of downtown Asheville, white water rafting, gem mines, the Biltmore Estate , Pisgah National Forest , Chimney Rock, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Grandfather Mountain and many, many other attractions. Plan on camping an extra day or two- there's so much to see and do! Do you have a motorcycle? We have tons of beautiful rides to send you on! Do you need more suggestions of things to do in our area? We got you covered! Come and see us! Our KOA is family-owned and family-oriented. We hope to see you soon! The Asheville West KOA is "Going Green!" Look for the recycle barrels behind the office and next to the comfort station on the back loop. Theme Weekends - Crafts, crazy games, tournaments, t-shirt decorating, water balloon launching and more! Fun for kids of all ages. Visit our events calendar for more information on these great weekends!
North Mills River Campground is a rustic mountain getaway in Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Located just outside the popular city of Asheville, the campground provides access to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including an arboretum, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and numerous hiking, fishing and mountain biking opportunities.
The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are near the campground. Mills River offers excellent trout fishing, as well as tubing and swimming, which are kid-friendly favorite activities. Visitors wishing to learn more about the area can attend educational programs during the summer.
The campground is situated in the Appalachian Mountains at an elevation of 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes densely forested with hardwoods. The group camping area is adjacent to the beautiful, shallow waters of the Mills River.
Several natural and cultural attractions are within close proximity to the campground. Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway are among the most popular sites. The small town of Brevard offers various amenities and services, and visitors can take a trip to Asheville to visit art galleries, music venues, shops and restaurants.
For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-4167.
$14 - $40 / night
Over 2 million visitors annually come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove and its many historic structures. Popular activities here include hiking, biking, touring the 11-mile Cades Cove loop road and observing wildlife. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cades Cove never disappoints.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise and visitors to Cades Cove Campground love the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abram Falls. From Cades Cove Loop Road, follow the signage at the turnoff for directions to the trailhead. Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream. A nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, offering recreational activities for the entire family. Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271.
The park holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from the Cades Cove loop road. Townsend, located about nine miles away, offers full service grocery stores and fuel.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (865) 448-4103 for general information.
If you plan to arrive at a date later than your arrival date you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to avoid a cancellation to your reservation. If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to receive a refund. Rules and reservation policies can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
$30 / night
Cool, secluded, traditional camping is the style here. The peace and quiet of the outdoors is enhanced by the tranquil sounds of the stream behind your campsite, deck, or weather shelter. We offer a variety of campsites and rental cabins to accommodate all types of campers, from the rustic adventurers to the relaxing escapists. Our campground offers a great deal of amenities such as immaculate restrooms, a country store, cable TV, and Limited WIFI, to make your stay more comfortable. Enjoy activities such as relaxing in the cool and crisp climate, seasonal wildflower & bird watching, lawn games, cookouts, sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows, and stream fishing. As well as hiking trails and waterfalls. We are an excellent base camp to see all the local attractions the "Smokies" have to offer. Nearby find river rafting, tubing, gem mining, golf, trout fishing, and antique and craft shopping. We are an easy drive to Asheville, Cherokee, Franklin, or Maggie Valley and are only 2 1/2 miles to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway!
Come to where Mother Nature waved her magical wand and created one of the most natural of all wonders, Natural Hot Mineral Waters. Heated deep within the earth, these crystal clear carbonated waters are world famous for their mineral content and legendary healing powers. We pipe these waters to modern outdoor Jacuzzi type hot tubs that are drained and sanitized after each use. Hot Springs, located in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and cuddled along the banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River, is a town rich in history and beaming with natural charm, this town serves as an intersection along the historic Appalachian Trail and is part of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The heart of Hot Springs, North Carolina, is our 100 acre Resort & Spa. We feature modern Jacuzzi style hot tubs, positioned outside along the tranquil banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River; our tubs are supplied with a continuous flow of World Famous Natural Hot Mineral Water. We have a nationally certified & state licensed staff of massage therapists on hand to compliment your soaks or for separate service altogether. Located across the road from the Mineral Baths is the Hot Springs Campground. Here you can find peace of mind with ease and comfort. We feature eight primitive camping cabins, over a hundred tent sites (primitive, group & sites with partial hook up) & Full RV Hookups. On site comfort station features hot showers (seasonal) and clean bathrooms. Our beautiful grounds play host to several large events per year and we have the capacity for many more. Whether you’re coming off a long hike on the Appalachian Trail or just passing through, you don’t want to miss the charm and beauty of the Hot Springs Resort & Spa. Hot Springs Resort & Spa also offers other lodging options for those looking for a relaxing getaway. We have four luxury suites that have a Jacuzzi style tub with mineral water in the room. We also have a deluxe cabin with a full size outdoor Jacuzzi style tub.
Guide
Indian Creek offers the most relaxing creekside camping in North Carolina.
Every campsite is lush with greenery, private and well maintained after each occupancy. The bathhouse is the cleanest I have found and the campsite store carries all of your forgotten necessities, and more!
My husband and I love coming back to this campground, because how of well we and our kids sleep! The sound of the creek at night melts all of your worries away and takes you off to peaceful slumber.
This campground is always in rotation for a visit.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! Firefly Glamping is a unique glamping experience with lake access and a great spot to enjoy a late night campfire. Check them out and share some pics of your stay!
Legend
Cute place. Interesting stays. Glamping tent, a bus, a tent pad, a few tiny cabins and more. Owners are nice and very accommodating. Shared gas fire area. It was a very cold night and they had our tent with heated blankets. It was definitely a Unique glamping area.
Guide
We stayed here for a week to visit the Asheville area. The location is amazing very short drive into town, hiking spots, and I highly recommend you take a walk around Lake Junaluska . We booked this spot for the location and it delivered. Yes, that came with a lot of highway noise... but again we wanted an easy jumping off point. So we got exactly what we booked. What was the biggest difference maker was the staff. So lovely, so kind! Trash pick up from our site and each night they delivered firewood to us. Even would refill your propane tank and deliver it back to you. Spots were a little squeezed but not too bad. Dog park was awesome for our two pups.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! The Lakeside Getaway on Douglas is new to the Dyrt but has an amazing location to share with everyone, they have glamping tents but also spots for car camping by the river. Check them out and share some pics of your stay!
Guide
A smaller campsite but very well organized and maintained. Small lake on site. Several hiking trails nearby. You can hike a trail into the NC Arboretum. Very near Asheville and Biltmore Estates. Tent sites, RV sites and Glamping sites. Clean bathrooms and properly supervised. A hidden gem minutes from Asheville
Traveler
We've stayed in the newer section of the Park several times now--each time, a different experience: waterfall hikes in Dupont, a segment hike to finish off the Foothills Trail, nearby mushroom hunt dayhikes around the lake, incredible climbs to impressive vistas. A recommended destination that always satisfies--whether you love to backpack, dayhike, camp or glamp!
LegendI only stayed a night here but it was just the spot I needed to reorganize my truck and enjoy a wonderful hot shower.
Also really needed the quick swil in the lake in the evening.
This site sells ice and firewood usually (they were out of ice when I was there) and also has a number of "glamping" tents available to reserve.
Legend
This place is awesome! It’s not just an RV resort, they have so much more! Glamping, cabins, airstreams…something for everyone!
There are so many options for activities here to keep the whole family happy.
The bathrooms are really nice. Every thing about this place is nice. Sites are level. The river is perfect to explore, watch or relax by.
GuideExpensive but worth it. The owners are going all out with this campground. Tiny homes, glamping tents, and cabins for rent. Then there are on river and off river RV sites. The on river rv sites have a gazebo over the picnic table. Great facilities that are only being made better.
It is right before the entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park. Townsend is called the peaceful side of the Smoky Mountains.
Traveler
Honestly a very nice place, clean and well maintained. Very different than what we are used to, we would call this "glamping, but it seems to be the norm in the area. The staff was extremely nice andx accommodating to our needs. Sites were very close together, but also seemed to be thge norm. Only drawback was the guy weed eating the creek 10 ft from our site pelting us with weeds at 8 am while we cooked breakfast.
Scout
We did a company retreat at the Yak Eco Camp and were amazed at how private the location was. What's more, it was so expensive around town and at tourist traps, we were happy to have the property to retreat to and have an HQ for our entire group. The host mentioned many more amenities coming to the property that will surely make this the most desirable glamping spot for all mountain bikers, hikers, etc. in the area. They're adding a huge sauna, cold shower and much more to cater to all ages.
Legend
Camp Leconte Luxury Resort is located in Gatlinburg near the Greenbriar area of the Smokies. It’s a fairly small campground right on the Parkway. It’s close to town, but far enough away to avoid traffic. The campground has nice, paved spots for rv’s. It has glamping tent cabins, as well as vintage campers. There is a camp store, but the campground is not far from a grocery store and liquor store. There’s a trolley stop nearby also, so if you’d like To go to the strip, you can take the trolley and not worry about parking. There’s a nice pool and playground. Very clean campground.
Guide
We booked a glamping tent here for 2 nights. I paid the reservation in full at booking. When we arrived, I was advised that we still owed$33 for the reservation? I pulled the email from the reservation and it only had a link to access it. It was changed when I accessed it at the desk. It's not a lot of money but we were on a budget and it is about the principle. We had stayed here before in our RV and we enjoyed it. Tents were fun, far from bath house, need a parking area at bath house so families can park there. We will not return.
RangerWe loved this campground! Very nice and spacious sites. The campground was developed along the Little River and is absolutely gorgeous! The bathhouses are the nicest I have ever seen. The sites were level and had full hook-ups. They are renovating the pool and it looks like it will be amazing. It was easy to get to anything Smoky Mountain related including Cades Cove. If camping isn't your thing, they also have vacation homes, glamping tents, tiny houses, and airstreams to rent. We rode our bikes at Cades Cove which is closed to cars on Wednesdays, hiked the Spruce Flat Falls Trail and Rainbow Falls Trail. It was a great camping experience!
Legend
This is not exactly the camping in the woods without hookups atmosphere. This is more of a every want/need met glamping RV Resort. And it’s awesome!
The RV sites are large and level, full hookup. There are gorgeous cabins that look more like tiny homes, and the atmosphere at this park is a great way to retreat. 100 ft max for RVs.
Very kid friendly, pet friendly (Kamp K9), lots in the area to go do and see. Pools, hot tub, kitchen, firewood for sale, fishing access, snack bar, cable tv, and WiFi.
The staff here is awesome, very helpful and knowledgeable. The park is very clean and well kept.
Cellular service for TMobile was not very strong but AT&T provided plenty for streaming and working.
RangerWe had a lot of fun at our glamping campsite. The gorgeous tent was on a platform and included a large bed and decorated interior. The site had a campfire ring and was close to the bathroom. The platform had some chairs and the campfire wood was there for us.
I did have a bear encounter on my way to the bathroom during the night, but we both just backed away slowly. This was actually the experience that made me pro-camper with a bathroom lol.
The camp host arrived shortly after we did to check in on us and to give us the lay of the land. He fortunately also came around the next morning when our car battery was dead and gave us a jump.
The best thing about Lake Powhatan is the the nice hike around the lake and the fun little lake beach. It’s the perfect size for kids. Plenty of people also seem to enjoy the biking, but it’s a bit uphill for me and there can be a fair amount of cars.
Lake Powhatan is a great little getaway!
Scout
The property is beautiful, surrounded by a little rushing river which you can hear from quite a distance - lovely white noise for sleeping.
Gravel tent pads prevent mud when it rains. They're a little small though. Only 16' x 16' tents allowed though which made things challenging for my family of 7. We had to buy a new, smaller tent, and had no room to store our kitchen supplies inside.
Most of the tent sites are in a clearing the middle of all the campers, which makes you feel a bit on display. There are about 6 sites that are down by the river, surrounded by more trees and away from the campers that are fantastic, but they fill up fast.
This campground is definitely geared more towards campers / glamping. The shower rooms were nicer than many hotels and well maintained.
There is lots of room for kids to play safely and they're constantly expanding and adding new features. Firewood is available for sale, as well as golf carts for rent.
BRING QUARTERS if you plan to use the laundry room. Change is only provided during office hours.
I plan to return.
ScoutMy stay at Yak Brevard Glamping was nothing short of extraordinary. This unique gem tucked away in the heart of nature provided an immersive outdoor experience while ensuring utmost comfort.🏕️🌳
The campsite was beautifully maintained, offering clean, stylish, and comfortable accommodations. The tents were spacious, blending rustic charm with modern conveniences– a true testament to the thoughtful attention to detail.🛏️✨ The surrounding natural beauty was breathtaking; waking up to the serene sounds of nature and enjoying the evening stars was a rejuvenating experience.🌄⭐
The staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful, adding a personal touch that made the stay all the more memorable. Their local knowledge and recommendations for hiking trails and activities were invaluable.🙌🏞️
And let's not forget the fun part– yaking! It's not every day you get to paddle down a peaceful river and take in such stunning views.🛶🏞️
Yak Brevard offers a fantastic balance of adventure and relaxation, making it a perfect getaway for families, couples, or solo travelers. I can't recommend it enough for anyone seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature. Can't wait for my next visit!🌲💖
Guide
Spent two nights and three amazing days at this privately owned campsite. This campsite is in the mountains so be prepared for amazing views and a steep drive up to the office to check in.
We stayed in the Pavilion and loved it! We had a bit of a climb down the mountain on a well kept path to the river. There was a nice shelter to put our tent and a fire pit on a small front. The river was calm and swimmable. You could here the rush of the water At night while sleeping. So dreamy.
They have the most amazing cabins and glam ping sites if you are not looking to pitch a tent. All of which are so cool! The campground was but bigger than it appears on their map and just so fun. I spent one morning just hiking around the campgrounds. I felt like a kid again!
The hosts were awesome, helpful and so friendly. It was like staying at your friends place.
The bathrooms were incrediably clean and well kept. Showers were outdoors but private. So nice and plenty of hot water.
Hot springs is one of the few towns the Apelachian trail goes right through so it was cool to go into town and see the shops and restaurants.
There are actual Hot Springs in town so don’t miss the chance to visit them.
Laurel River was a great place to cool off and only a few minutes drive from the campsite. The watering holes were plenty and amazing.
Seriously, we will be back!
GuideI really wanted to love Lake Powhatan, it’s so close to Asheville and I thought it would be my go to place to stay when I wanted to visit friends there but the staff was rude and there were so many loud groups at night. I had a prime site with lots of space between myself and my neighbors and an easy walk to the bathrooms with hot showers. Dogs aren’t allowed in the small lake but there are tons of streams along the trails they are allowed in so that was perfect for my senior dog to cool off. The trails were crowded with people and mountain bikers but conveniently located to the campground. Along the streams there were tons of these tiny blue butterflies and I saw a young bear stroll past my campsite one morning, just magical really. At night people showed up late slamming car doors and partying at several sites, some that I could hear weren’t even on my loop and it was a bit frustrating. I also had a very uncomfortable interaction with one of the men working their (who didn’t make it clear he even worked there) who basically restricted my movement for several minutes and then accused me of trying to steal from the glamping sites because I was driving around checking out where I might stay the next time. I was so uncomfortable I packed up to leave right after and the people at the site next to me said they had issues the previous year with the staff, really unfortunate when you are trying to relax in nature. They and I emailed the campground about the incidents with no response from management, I will not be going back.
Scout
Well groomed campground in a central location in the mountains of North Carolina. Good amenities. Friendly staff.
Scout
Such a beautiful place. Lots of activities for children of all ages. Well kept swimming pool and bathroom areas. Lots of options on lodging. Short drive to downtown Cherokee, North Carolina. River access. Even has the start of a hike that goes to a Mingo falls.
Ranger
This is one of North Carolina’s best waterfall parks. Rainbow Falls, Turtel Back Falls and Bust your Ass Falls. The Visitors Center has free parking for RV’s and Vans theirs numerous primitive sites and I found a Gem of a site about 2 miles from the parking lot.
Guide
This place is by far my families favorite. We camp here every year. The campground is beautiful. The sites are clean. They have an amazing playground with an activity center. They always hold events for families. They have everything you could possibly think of. Staff is wonderful. You go long enough and they feel like family. Most highly recommended in western north Carolina. We love this place.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! I had the opportunity to talk with Kimberly about her amazing farm and she is looking forward to welcoming more campers to stay in this great area of North Carolina. Check out the farm and please post some pictures and a review on The Dyrt about about your experience!
Guide
The little town of Hot Springs North Carolina is a charming little place with several good food choices and an excellent brewery. The campground sits right on the French broad river which is beautiful and wide. Lots of river rafting opportunities and tubing in the refreshing river. Campground sites are adequate bathroom facilities and showers are spotless. Fantastic place to visit and go to the spa and sit in the natural hot spring water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Lake Junaluska, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Lake Junaluska, NC is Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina with a 4.7-star rating from 60 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Lake Junaluska, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 103 glamping camping locations near Lake Junaluska, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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