Amazing Glamping and Cabins around Asheville, NC

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 yea, 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 everyone 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.  (photo above: Asheville Glamping)

The open air cabins at Cold Spring Base Camp 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 Rock Creek bike park or hike to the waterfall on the property, ride the onsite bike trails, take a cold plunge or just relax in a hammock or chair by the fire. Stay tuned for a treehouse, sauna and luxury bath house coming soon.

(photo courtesy of Cold Spring Base Camp)

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 bridge and even a tree coming through the middle of the bedroom, to domes of every size and even a mirror cabin.  And why walk down steps if you can take a slide. Several of their domes offer a slide option from the loft and hot tubs on the deck. While I’m cautiously curious about a cabin made of mirrors, you can count me as a fan of Asheville Glamping  and the ground they have laid for cool glamping ideas. 

Pisgah Highlands:

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. 

(photo courtesy of Asheville Glamping)

“ 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 is 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. 

(photo courtesy of The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald)

I don’t really know how to categorize the Wrong Way Campground. Is it a glamping, a motel, urban, nature based? But I do know it is very cool. Part of the reason for it’s 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 over a dozen A frames 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 peddles 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. 

(photo courtesy of Wrong Way Campground)

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. 

(photo courtesy of Edenwood)

Hartwell has worked as the French Broad Riverkeeper in Western NC for the last 20 years to clean up and protect our waterways. Recently 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 super stoked five year old and his less than stoked 14 year old.

(photo courtesy of Hartwell Carson)