Glamping in Asheville, NC covers a lot of ground: treehouses with suspension bridges, geodesic domes with hot tubs, restored vintage campers, Airstreams on the French Broad River and hike-in log cabins at 5,000 feet. You get the woods, the creek and the campfire without packing a tent.
This guide starts with a vintage camper resort north of town, then turns it over to guest writer Hartwell Carson for his favorite stays, followed by more options, a quick guide by type of stay and answers to common questions. Updated October 2026.
(photo above: Asheville Glamping)
JuneBug Retro Resort: Vintage Campers in Weaverville
Weaverville, 355 Clarks Chapel Rd.
JuneBug Retro Resort is a 50-acre property in a private valley 12 minutes north of downtown Asheville, with half a mile of Flat Creek running through it. Its fleet of 10 restored 1950s campers sleeps two to six guests each, and every camper rental includes daytime use of the property's treehouse. There's a bathhouse, hiking trails, fire pits, a playground, hammocks hung over the creek and one of the oldest organic farms in Western North Carolina.
The Creek Lounge on site has live music on Thursday nights, and it's open to the public on weekends. If you want a quieter stay, the resort suggests booking Sunday through Wednesday.
Tip: JuneBug has a two-night minimum, except on Thursdays, when you can book a single night. The season runs May through October, so book early for summer weekends.
Hartwell Carson's favorite glamping stays
Guest writer Hartwell Carson co-owns Cold Spring Basecamp, the first stay on his list. Here's his take on glamping around Asheville, in his own words.
The sound of rain on the tin roof and the soft morning light slowly rouses me from my deep slumber. I spy my daughter awake across the cabin and she says "dad is this what glamping is?" I smile at the entire scene, but mostly because I am camping, but I don't have to spend the next 32 hours cleaning and drying out our wet camping gear. We headed down on a whim to Cold Spring Basecamp, because you can do that when you glamp. We didn't need tents, sleeping pads, camp stoves, pots, cookware, and the 47 million things it takes to "rough" it in the woods.
Maybe I am soft now. I used to go on long solo backpacking trips. I even owned a ¾ length thermarest because it saved me a few ounces of weight. So yeah, the queen bed, roof over my head, and wood burning stove are a bit soft, but you know what, they are awesome. So call me whatever names you like, I am out camping with my family and every one of us is having a ball. My son is playing with sticks by the fire, my wife is making coffee with the french press, my daughter is reading by lantern light, while I ponder what I will do with all the time I won't be drying and cleaning our tent later that afternoon.
Glamping has boomed in recent years, because lots of people like me still love the woods, the views, the sound of crickets and birds, but don't have a Scrooge McDuck swimming pool of gold coins to buy all the gear needed to camp or the time to pack it and clean it all. So great places have popped up all over the mountains around Asheville. Cabins, domes, treehouses, and places with much more character than a downtown hotel room. Here are my favorites. Do yourself a favor and check them out, whether it is predicted to rain or not.
Cold Spring Basecamp: Open-Air Cabins near Saluda
Zirconia, 125 Cold Spring Base Rd.
The open air cabins at Cold Spring Basecamp make sure that even though you are comfortable in your bed with lots of amenities, nature is front and center. Waking up to the sun and the sounds of birds and the creek is what it is all about. My wife was worried about bugs, but the property is delightfully devoid of mosquitos and instead of having to open the door to nature, we are there front and center.
This isn't like so many campgrounds that jam you together, as if I drove out to the woods so I could look at the side of someone's RV. These cabins are private and widely spaced from each other. They were once part of a kids summer camp and have been painstakingly restored to preserve the rustic charm. Solar lights guide you to your fire pit at night, but you can spend your days exploring nearby DuPont State Forest, eating in Saluda and Flat Rock, riding Ride Rock Creek Bike Park or hiking to the waterfall on the property, riding the onsite bike trails, taking a cold plunge or just relaxing in a hammock or chair by the fire. Since this was written, they have added a treehouse, a creekside sauna and a luxury bathhouse.
Asheville Glamping: Treehouse and Domes with Slides and Hot Tubs
Located just a short drive from downtown Asheville, Asheville Glamping is kind of the gold standard when it comes to glamping in the area. If you have dreamed of it, they probably offer it. From a really cool treehouse, complete with swinging bridges, to domes of every size and a deluxe bell tent. And why walk down steps if you can take a slide. Two of their domes have slides from the loft, and a few sites have hot tubs on the deck. You can count me as a fan of Asheville Glamping and the ground they have laid for cool glamping ideas.
Tip: Asheville Glamping is open spring through fall and closes for the winter.
The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald: Hike-In Log Cabins
Trailhead: 19001 NC-209, Hot Springs
"A sense of hard earned awe" sums this place up perfectly. Earning your view and the charming rustic stay makes this place even sweeter. And the views are stunning. Our Western NC mountains are gorgeous and blessed with lots and lots of beautiful trees, but it isn't always easy to get a great view. That is just one reason the long range views from Sandy Mush Bald are such a treat.
The log cabins at The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald are part of a 500 acre property and they appear to have been in place since the dawn of time. In reality these historic cabins were transported to the property and reassembled. The old charm is much better than any new cabin that they could have built. A view like this is a very rare treat, so don't miss the chance to hoof up the mountain and be rewarded.
Tip: The hike in is 2.15 miles with about 1,350 feet of climbing, and the cabins are open from late April through early November.
Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins: A-Frames on the French Broad
West Asheville, Midnight Drive
I don't really know how to categorize the Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins. Is it a glamping, a motel, urban, nature based? But I do know it is very cool. Part of the reason for its charm is that it doesn't really fit a mold. It is a couple miles from downtown Asheville with a sweet location overlooking the ancient French Broad River and Asheville greenway system. So its location is close enough to be urban, but the vibe is all nature and glamping. It is too nice to be glamping, but when is the last time you complained something was too nice.
The A-frame cabins cast a majestic scene along the greenway. They have all the amenities you could want in the rooms and on site, with a coffee shop, bar, gifts and even my son's favorite juice box. But don't stay on site too long because within a few pedals of the bike you can be at a climbing gym, breweries, restaurants or paddling down the river. My favorite is paddle boarding to their bar and then biking back.
Update: Hurricane Helene flooded the lodge and several cabins in September 2024. Everything was restored and fully reopened by the end of 2024.
Edenwood: Treehouse and Barn Cabins near Hendersonville
Hendersonville, 12 minutes from downtown
Including Edenwood in this list kind of breaks my rule about glamping. Half of the word glamping indicates there is some element of camping involved. Camping involves sleeping outside, roughing it, and being slightly worried about where you have to go to the bathroom. But the main aspect of camping is being surrounded by nature, taking in the view, soaking up nature, and for these parts of camping, Edenwood nails it.
Their cabins are amazing and the atmosphere makes you feel you are part of the landscape. The huge windows in the barn lure you outside to the view of the dock and pond. The firepit outside can scratch your camping itch, but when you are ready to soak in the tub, take a shower or go to the bathroom with no fear, then they have you covered.
Pisgah Highlands: Off-Grid Cabins next to Pisgah National Forest
Candler, about 25 minutes from downtown Asheville
My theory about the increased popularity of glamping is everyone's desire to experience something outdoors and unique. Also the increased likelihood that even though you are camping, you could still score with your significant other. Pisgah Highlands nails this. The place is overflowing with charm and if the creekside outdoor tub doesn't do it for you, then you have bigger relationship problems that might not be fixed.
They really lean into what they have, which is 125 acres of crazy beautiful mountain property full of rustic charm. When you think of the mountains of Western NC this should be the image that comes into your mind. Killer long range views and classic boulder filled gurgling mountain stream. Their cabins aren't crazy fancy, but the rustic charm is on point. Honestly, I would rather shower outdoors any day of the week, so keep your fancy indoor plumbing, although their two bedroom cabin does have fancy indoor facilities, but the outdoor bathtub is where it's at. The lounging net over the mountains, the creekside swimming hole, the old wood charm, and the sounds of nature make this place very special.
Tip: Most of the cabins are off grid, and you'll need an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle to reach them.
More glamping and cabin stays near Asheville
- AutoCamp Asheville, 125 Amberglow Rd., Woodfin. Opened in 2026 on 16 acres along the French Broad River, with custom Airstream suites, cabins and smaller Bambi suites for couples, plus a plunge pool and a general store. Dogs are welcome for a fee.
- Asheville River Cabins, South Asheville near Biltmore Park. Cabins and adults-only Airstreams on the French Broad River, some with private hot tubs, fire pits and river views.
- The Glamping Collective, about 20 minutes west of downtown off I-40. Mountaintop geodesic domes and glass cabins, some with hot tubs, plus 5 miles of private hiking and biking trails. Most units are adults only. The XL domes sleep up to six and allow children.
- The Pines Cottages, 346 Weaverville Rd., Woodfin. A vintage motor court with cottages and log cabins, some with porches and fireplaces, six miles north of downtown.
Glamping in Asheville by type of stay
- Treehouses: The Nest at Asheville Glamping, the treehouse at Cold Spring Basecamp and The Treehouse at Edenwood.
- Domes: Asheville Glamping and The Glamping Collective.
- Vintage campers and Airstreams: JuneBug Retro Resort, AutoCamp Asheville and Asheville River Cabins.
- Cabins: Cold Spring Basecamp, The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald, Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins, Pisgah Highlands, Edenwood and The Pines Cottages.
- Private hot tubs: some domes at Asheville Glamping and The Glamping Collective, and the Airstreams and some cabins at Asheville River Cabins.
- Closest to downtown: Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins, AutoCamp Asheville and The Pines Cottages.
Frequently asked questions
Is glamping near Asheville open year-round?
Not everywhere. Asheville Glamping closes for the winter, JuneBug's season runs May through October, and The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald are open late April through early November. Check each stay's website for winter dates.
When is the best time to go glamping in Asheville?
Spring and fall are the most comfortable. October weekends book up early because of the fall color.
Which glamping stays near Asheville allow dogs?
Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins has dog-friendly cabins, Asheville Glamping has two dog-friendly domes, and AutoCamp Asheville and Pisgah Highlands welcome pets. The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald do not allow pets. Fees and rules vary, so ask when you book.
What's the difference between glamping and camping?
Glamping gives you a real bed, a roof and usually a bathroom, so you get the campfire and the woods without packing a tent or sleeping on the ground.
Guest Writer: Hartwell Carson
Hartwell spent years as MountainTrue's French Broad Riverkeeper and became its Clean Waters Director in 2025, still working to clean up and protect our waterways. Hartwell and his partner Steve Waggoner took an old rundown family property and brought it back as Cold Spring Basecamp, an amazing destination for camping, glamping, biking, hiking and relaxing. Hartwell is CEO of breaking stuff and cleaning up stuff and can usually be found working on the property with his kids. (photo courtesy of Hartwell Carson)
