Get outdoors: These are the best glamping spots in North Carolina.
With mild weather on tap in North Carolina, it’s the perfect time to pack some gear and cute clothes and head to the mountains to frolic through a meadow.
If you don’t see yourself enjoying the process or pitching a tent and being at the mercy of the outdoors, then consider a glamping trip. Two of these campgrounds — Stonebridge RV Resort and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Golden Valley — were even included in the 2023 Campspot Awards, recognizing the top outdoor resorts in the U.S. and Canada.
Check out this list of glamping spots in the state that are perfect for admiring the beauty of nature from the safety of a fabulous cabin. Or, if you want to stay a little closer to home, consider some of CharlotteFive’s other suggested glamping spots in and around Charlotte.
Boone Cocoon
Location: 5 minutes from downtown Boone
Distance from Charlotte: 117 miles
Embrace the blooming flowers and warmer weather at Boone Cocoon, a cozy, elevated pod located in the Boone wilderness. The pod is connected to a bridge walkway that’s illuminated by string lights on the railing. Take some aesthetic photos and videos for your social media. The pod fits four guests, and yes, there is a private bathroom.
Cost: from $99/night
How to reserve: Book online
Cherry Treesort
Location: 1920 Flat Rock Road, China Grove, NC 28023
Distance from Charlotte: 34.8 miles
Elevate your glamping experience by staying in one of Cherry Treesort’s 10 treehouses. Each treehouse fits 4-8 people and comes with amenities like private bathrooms, a Keurig coffee maker and a private deck. Make the most of your experience by going into town and meeting some of China Grove’s locals and hitting up some local attractions like Stag & Doe, The Gem Theater and Lazy 5 Ranch.
Cost:
$131/night for the “Miss Molly” treehouse
$134/night for the “Mimi and Papa’s” and “Chico’s Hideaway” treehouses
$146/night for the “Sweet Ashley” treehouse
$163/night for the “Nona’s Nest” treehouse
$164/night fro the “Traci’s Treasure” and “Lucy Lu’s Hobbit House” treehouses
$174/night for the “The Tolson” treehouse
$184/night for “The Big Nick” treehouse
$212/night for the “Trevor’s Layaway” treehouse
How to reserve: Book online
Flintlock Campground
Location: 171 Flintlock Campground Dr, Boone, NC 28607
Distance from Charlotte: 104 miles
Take a peaceful glamping trip to Flintlock Campground located in the center of North Carolina’s High Country. Each cabin comes complete with a full-sized bed and twin bunk beds, free wifi and private hot showers. Take some Instagram-worthy photos at popular attractions like Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad and Daniel Boone Native Gardens.
Cost:
$32/day for tents, pop-ups, and vans with water and electricity/day
$42/day for full-hook-ups (30 AMP electricity, water, sewer and satellite TV)
$47/day for full hook-ups (50 AMP electricity, water, sewer and satellite TV)
$47/day for pull-throughs and Creekside sites and $70.75/day for cabins
$4/night for extra occupants
$5 pet fee
How to reserve: book online
Getaway Asheboro
Location: 2846 Old Cox Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205
Distance from Charlotte: 92 miles
The tiny cabins at Getaway Asheboro give you a cozy area to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring, stargazing and birdwatching. Choose between a one-bed cabin — that comfortably fits two adults and one child — or a two-bed cabin — that comfortably fits four adults or two adults and two children. Each cabin comes with a fire pit and grill grate, a two-burner stove and a mini fridge. You can also find a hiking or stargazing buddy at the neighboring cabins that are scattered throughout the outposts.
Cost: $129/night
How to reserve: Book online
Glamping Unplugged
Location: 300 Rendezvous Ln, Fleetwood, NC 28626
Distance from Charlotte: 119 miles
Stay at Glamping Unplugged, where you can tune into nature while still having access to lighting, a private toilet and a charcoal grill. The campground offers an F.A.Q. page that can help you find the perfect property to stay at and answer more questions about what your stay will look like. The campground has six properties — five of which are on AirBnb: Tree House Dome, Starry Night Dome, Family Dome, Getaway Dome, Tiny “AF” (A-Frame) and Original Dome.
Cost:
$96/night at the Family Dome
$99/night at the Tiny “AF” (A-Frame)
$116/night at the Getaway Dome
$118/night at the Starry Nights Dome
$125/night at the Tree House Dome
$142/night at the Original Dome
$100 pre-authorization fee.
How to reserve: Book online
Honey Bear Campground
Location: 229 Honey Bear Campground Rd, Boone, NC 28607
Distance from Charlotte: 102 miles
Less than 3 miles from Appalachian State University and a little over 4 miles from downtown Boone, Honey Bear Campground is perfect for a weekend getaway from everyday stress. The campground has several amenities like a full-service coffee shop, a dog park and movie nights on the weekends. Don’t worry, there is also a bathhouse, complete with four hot showers and six bathroom stalls — three on each side — that is no more than a 2-minute walk from the furthest cabin.
Cost:
$27/day for primitive tent
$32/day for the improved tent
$65/day for the group tenting
$90/day for the four person cabin
$5/day for each additional adult
$3/day for each child
$20/day for extra tents.
How to reserve: Book online
Into the Wild Retreat
Location: 2568 Flatwoods Post Office Rd, Creston, NC 28615
Distance from Charlotte: 139 miles
The Into the Wild Retreat offers luxury cabins and has features like a French press coffee maker, a grill and a wood stove. The retreat has four rooms: Gone to the Woods and Woodsong — which accommodates two people — and Call of the Wild and Into the Wild — which accommodates six people. Even though there is no wifi access, you will have access to cell service, allowing you to relax “off the grid” while still having some connection to the outside world.
Cost: from $80/night for the Gone to the Woods and Woodsong cabins, and $135/night for the Call of the Wild and Into the Wild cabins.
How to reserve: Book online
Mountain Light Sanctuary
Location: 143 Ranger Rd, Barnardsville, NC 28709
Distance from Charlotte: 155 miles
Mountain Light Sanctuary offers 13 lodgings, eight of which have electricity — The Lodge, the Hermitage, the Treehouse, Oconaluftee, Frodos, the Balihouse, Amitaba and GardenView. Stay in one of the standard guest rooms in the lodge where you have indoor toilets and showers; all outdoor lodgings have an outdoor composting toilet and showers. If you prefer a private tent, you can stay at the sanctuary.
Cost: $100 for membership fee, $20/night for camping, $10/additional person sharing a camping tent and $20-$80/night for lodgings.
How to reserve: Book online
Rusty’s Root River Camp
Location: 4904 Whitson Branch Rd, Green Mountain, NC 28740
Distance from Charlotte: 136 miles
Whether you’re going on a girl’s trip or a romantic getaway, Rusty’s Root River Camp has tents that accommodate two to six people. The camp includes on-site men and women’s bathrooms with hot showers, fire pits and outdoor cooking stations. You can even park your vehicle right outside of the tent.
Cost: from $150/night
How to reserve: Book online
Sky Ridge Yurts
Location: 200 Sky Ridge Dr, Bryson City, NC 28713
Distance: 224 miles
Location: 4151 Barrier Store Road Mt. Pleasant NC 28124
Distance from Charlotte: 34.1 miles
Sky Ridge Yurts offers both luxury yurts and cabins that fit three-six people. The two luxury cabins — Stecoah House and Wayah House — have a washer and dryer, a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a full kitchen with appliances, dishes, cookware and flatware. The seven luxury yurts — Fontana, Nantahala, Cherokee, Tsali, Tuckaseegee, Junaluska and Santeelah — have wifi, full baths and satellite television.
Cost:
From $114-$134/night for the Cherokee and Tuckaseegee yurts
From $134-$154/night for the Nantahala yurt and the Tsali yurt
From $154-$174/night for the Santeetlah yurt
From $184-$204/night for the Fontana yurt and the Original Yurt in Mt. Pleasant
From $194-$214/night for the Junaluska yurt
From $234-$264 for the Stecoah House cabin
From $264-$294/night for the Wayan House cabin
$75 pet fee
How to reserve: Book online
Smoky Mountain Glamping
Location: 588 Qualla Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785
Distance from Charlotte: 160 miles
Make sure to bring clothes, food and good vibes for your glamping trip to the Smoky Mountain Glamping Creekside Tent. When staying in the tent, you can expect to have luxury bedding, KuJu pour-over coffee and breakfast foods like granola bars, fresh breakfast pastries and yogurt.
Cost: $185/night, $55 for one-time cleaning fee and $185 refundable damage deposit.
How to reserve: Book online
Stonebridge RV Resort
Location: 1786 Soco Road, Highway 19, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Distance from Charlotte: 146 miles
Stonebridge RV Resort, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, offers glamping-style amenities including an on-site arcade, live music, a playground and sports facilities, a pool and more. It’s also pet-friendly and includes a dog park.
Cost:
From $45/day for an RV site
From $90/day for cabins
From $115/day for chalets
From $145/day for a chateau or creekside cottage
From $155/day for a country cottage
How to reserve: Book online
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Golden Valley
Location: 182 Jellystone Pkwy, Bostic, NC 28018
Distance from Charlotte: 70.9 miles
Tucked at the base of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains between Asheville and Charlotte, Jellystone Park Camp-Resort includes more than 600 acres where guests can fish, splash around in an interactive water playground with water slides and a swimming pool, explore hiking and biking trails, bounce on a jump pad and more. The family-friendly site offers numerous planned activities and themed weekends, along with a general store and food-and-beverage options. Add-on amenities are available, as well.
Cost:
- From $55/night for a tent site
- From $100/night for a 4-bed cabin
- From $199/night for a glamping tent.
How to reserve: Book online
This story was originally published March 10, 2023 at 6:15 AM.
