Asheville is to North Carolina as Austin is to Texas, and while the surrounding countryside may look a little different (the green here is almost impossible to fathom), much of the vibe is the same: a landscape dotted with farms, friendly people, and limitless activities for outdoor enthusiasts. And much like glamping in Texas, Asheville glamping is likewise top of the line in comfort and beauty.
In recent years, Asheville has risen in popularity in the tourism scene, and for good reason: small, local breweries, delicious local food and a music scene that rivals Nashville. And while the term “glamping” might be almost a little cringeworthy, it’s everything you’d want for the ultimate Asheville experience: rustic and off-the-beaten-path, yet cozy, supremely comfortable and close to the action.
Asheville Glamping Havens For a Smoky Mountain Getaway
Grab your hiking boots and a good book: These Asheville glamping options combine hardy Blue Ridge Mountains hikes with plenty of opportunities to curl into a rustic oasis with a bestseller and a glass of wine.
1. Campfire Lodgings Inc. (10 minutes from downtown)
Image from The Dyrt camper Jeff G.
The closest to downtown Asheville on this list at just about 10 minutes away, Campfire Lodgings is the place you’ll want to stay for a night of Asheville glamping.
While there are options for RV stays or pitching a tent, you can also spend your time here in a yurt or cabin. Our personal favorite? The Cliff House. Secluded and shady, this is a rustic paradise that has interesting construction: the walls are formed from huge boulders, and old shipyard beams support the ceiling.
“Breathtaking. Proximity to Asheville is great. The hosts provide plenty of information about the town and activities there. We had to tear ourselves away from our camp spot to go to town. This campground is very convenient to great local food and arts as well as the Sierra Nevada Brewery and the Biltmore Estate. We talk about coming back here again a lot.” —The Dyrt camper Jeff G.
2. Mountain Stream RV Park (50 minutes from downtown)
As the name states, camping at Mountain Stream means you’ll be tucked into two mountainsides along a cheerful, rocky creek. The campground itself only caters to motorhomes (no tent campers), but they’ve recently added travel trailer and yurt rentals for a more glamorous night of camping in this scenic valley. If you choose to rent one of Mountain Stream’s decked out RVs, expect a classy stay, complete with slide-outs, comfortable bedding, a shaded deck area and a shower.
If yurt glamping is more your jam, Mountain Stream has gorgeous yurt rental options.These simply decorated yurts have beautiful wood floors, pools of natural light and obscenely comfortable beds to rest your body after a full day of exploring the surrounding North Carolina mountains. It’s pure heaven.
“Each Saturday evening, Kevin [an owner] serves up his special home cooked bar-b-que under the shelter at no additional cost, and many campers bring sides to share. It’s like having a backyard picnic with friends and family!” — The Dyrt camper Duncan C.
3. Buck Hill Campground (1 hour from downtown)
Image from The Dyrt camper Christopher C.
Just over an hour from downtown Asheville, Buck Hill Campground features 144 acres of Blue Ridge Mountains hiking and biking trails and a chance to relax in a cozy camping cabin at night. Nightly rates start at $50 and go up to $150, depending on size and amenities, but all campers experience comfortable beds and water views from each small front porch. For anglers, the North Toe River, known for its excellent trout fishing, meanders along the campground.
“We enjoyed a calm, quiet evening in this campground. The views were fantastic and the fireflies beyond words! With so much darkness, the other side of the river looked like a sparkling Christmas tree with the fireflies dancing their magic!” —The Dyrt camper Kirsten J.
4. Asheville East KOA (15 minutes from downtown)
Image from The Dyrt camper Daniel P.
The wide, lazy Swannanoa River is the perfect, natural amenity to a night’s stay at Asheville East KOA: Its cool waters offer swimming and tubing right in the campground! Asheville is a mere 15 minutes away, and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway with seemingly limitless hiking opportunities awaits. There are a variety of cabins to choose from for some of the best Asheville glamping available—much more impressive than your average KOA.
“Big, clean campground with great amenities such as a scenic walking path around the lake, pool, playground, clean and efficient bathhouses, hot breakfast options, nice camp store, etc. The cabin was perfect for a girls’ weekend away. I was completely satisfied with my stay. I gave the campground 4 stars because a 5 would have to really put the wow factor into play. In summary, this campground provided a great camping experience.” —The Dyrt camper Kelly M.
5. Bear Den Family Campground (1 hour from downtown)
About an hour’s drive from Asheville through North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest you’ll find Bear Den Campground, a fantastic option for exploring the city by day and easing into the quiet country evening at night. The campground itself features shaded, woody sites that offer privacy from neighbors. However, if glamping is what you’re after, Bear Den certainly delivers. There are simple, private cabins to choose from, or large amenity-packed cabins that even offer a deck hot tub with sweeping mountain views.
“We absolutely love this place. Great hiking to the waterfall!” —The Dyrt camper Stacey C.
6. Creek Ridge Camping (50 minutes from downtown)
Image from The Dyrt camper Erica R.
Just under an hour from downtown Asheville, Creek Ridge Camping has gorgeous campsites and even better glamping. This privately-owned campground was designed with privacy in mind—in fact, their website specifically states that each campsite has been perfectly situated so that there is no way you’ll be able to see other campers from your site.
Although tent camping in this area is incredible in and of itself, glamping at Creek Ridge is over the top. One glamping cabin has a hanging bed, while another is a tiny tin-roof glamping cabin for two. Creek Ridge also offers three glamping sites with tents on platforms furnished with comfy beds. They come stocked with cooking utensils and a coffee pot, and there’s a charcoal grill to fire up outside.
“They have the most amazing cabins and glamping sites if you are not looking to pitch a tent, all of which are so cool! The campground was 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 Dyrt camper Jennifer Z.
7. Four Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat (1 hour from downtown)
Four Paws is another Asheville glamping option that’s a bit on the outskirts of town—it’s about an hour away. What it lacks in proximity to the downtown area it makes up for in love for your four-legged family members. Four Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat is the place to take your dog glamping.
Each cabin has its own fenced-in yard, and its location at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains means hiking trails with the pup are literally out your backyard. There’s also a swimming pond that’s fully fenced-in, an agility park, a bathhouse and a grooming station, making Four Paws the best place to stop if you’re traveling with your pup.
“All of the cabins and trailers available to rent are so reasonably priced and have AC and fully functioning appliances. Every cabin or RV rental has its own private gated yard with your own fire pit. Several dog parks and a private pond for the pups means days of fun for an active, social dog.” — The Dyrt camper Ash D.
Related Campgrounds
- Jellystone Campground NC, Asheboro
- Roan Mountain Campground, Roan Mountain, TN
- Lake James Camping, Nebo, NC
- Pisgah Camping, Canton, NC
