Ultimate Guide to Glamping in Western North Carolina
Thank you to the Glamping Collective for inviting us to stay. This post contains affiliate links, please read our disclosures.
Western North Carolina has stunning natural beauty and landscapes, making it the perfect setting for a luxurious camping experience known as glamping. Glamping, a mix of glamour and camping, allows you to immerse yourself in the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort and style. In this post, I will share our experience Glamping as a family outside of Asheville, North Carolina with the Glamping Collective.
The Appeal of Glamping near Asheville, North Carolina
I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and love returning home to visit friends and family. When the Glamping Collective invited our family to stay in one of their domes, I could not resist. We are always looking for fun things to do with our family and get immersed in nature. This was the perfect way to try something new and give the kids new experiences.
Speaking of experiences, we absolutely love traveling with our kids. Check out our latest travels to the Bahamas and more here.
The Glamping Collective
The Glamping Collective is a company that has redefined the luxury camping experience in the mountains. With a focus on comfort and style in the great outdoors, Glamping Collective offers geodesic domes and glass cabin, each property is carefully curated to blend seamlessly with its surroundings while providing guests with all the modern amenities they desire.
The Glamping Collective is super easy to access, located outside of Asheville, North Carolina near Waynesville and Canton. I grew up in a little town between Asheville and Canton and it was fun to reminisce as we drove by.
The roads are really easy to navigate and the community is located in a gated property that is well maintained. While it is very private, there are other clampers and groundskeepers around, so you feel safe and not super secluded. It’s also close to dining and grocery stores if you plan to stop for groceries on the way. We made a few runs to Ingles for birthday cake and dinner to grill one night.
Luxe XL Dome
We stayed in the Luxe XL Dome that comfortably slept 6 people and offered a private firepit, grill and hot tub with views. Our dome came with heated floors and toilet in the bathroom, a tiled shower, soaps and accessories for showering, a full dine-in kitchen, sitting room with pull out sofa bed, and two king size beds.
One night it rained and it was so peaceful hearing the rain fall on the dome. It was heavenly to sleep and listen to nature outside the dome while enjoying the comforts of a cabin or hotel room. They also offer smaller domes and glass front cabins.
Dogs are welcome with an extra fee and we loved including our dog Mercy on this family trip! She loved sitting on the porch while we soaked in the hut tub and exploring the trails with us. It was so fun to look up and see her peeking at us from inside the dome.
Part of the Glamping Collective’s vision is that every visit gives a visit. Every reservation completed at the Glamping Collective provides a OneWorld Health clinic visit for an underserved patient in a developing country. Fun fact, Scott and I served with OneWorld Health in Nicaragua in 2012 and love supporting this mission.
Activities at the Glamping Collective
We loved exploring the private trails on property, with over 5 miles of exploring available right outside of the domes. The first day we ventured on the Creekside trail and picked wildflowers along the path back.
Our final day, we went up to the Sunset Summit Trail after dinner before sunset. It was a longer hike that climbs in elevation so definitely wear long pants, comfortable shoes, and bring water.
Our children did really well with exception of a few areas where they wanted to piggy back up the steeper hills. We loved how grassy it was, with ample meadows and the most beautiful view of the mountains at the top.
Activities Nearby
There are endless amounts of activities to enjoy while in the area. I’ll highlight on a few of the things we did while staying at the Glamping Collective and I’ll list a few of our other favorite places from one of our many trips to the mountains.
Visit Asheville
According to Travel + Leisure Magazine, “Asheville is a place where time slows down, allowing you to savor each moment and create lasting memories.” It is one of the top travel destinations in the country with many accolades. But what if you want lodging that is just a bit out of the hustle and bustle, mixed with nature and scenic views? Glamping is perfect, located just 20 minutes west of Asheville.
While in Asheville, a few of our favorite restaurants include Limones, Curate, Sunny Point Cafe, Table Asheville, Modesto, and Tupelo Honey. There are so many amazing places to eat but we have frequented these places the most.
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There are also several breweries with food trucks and lots of space for the kids to roam. We love New Belgium and Sierra Nevada when the kids are along for the journey!
Visit Waynesville
We have spent a lot of time in Asheville (I grew up nearby) so we opted for a slower pace and closer drive over to Waynesville, NC. Some stores were closed because it was Sunday and it was raining, but we enjoyed a few of our favorite spots while there.
We started off with Orchard Coffee for a latte and a late breakfast at Beach Mountain Diner. A few other dining spots worth mentioning include Bogarts, Buttered Biscuit, Haywood Smokehouse, and The Sweet Onion. We have not tried Chef’s Table but we’ve been told it is amazing!
Our kids love Mast General Store (there are several in the mountains) and they love filling their candy buckets from the candy barrels. I love spending time looking at the clothes and all of the gifts. If you’re looking from something unique for a gift, this is a great place to shop, they something for everyone!
There are several antique stores in Waynesville worth visiting. Unfortunately we missed out on these for this trip because it was Sunday morning and most were closed. Be sure to check business schedules when planning your trip. A few to browse include Antique Antics and Sutton & Sons.
Visit Cherokee & Surrounding Area
There is so much to see and do in Cherokee, a town nestled in the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, filled with culture and history. From the historic Oconaluftee Indian Village to the captivating Museum of the Cherokee Indian, you can learn more about the vibrant community.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is nestled in the mountains with breathtaking scenery. It stretches from Virginia to North Carolina, with so many access points in the area near the Glamping Collective. As you drive along, you will get views of the mountains with pull off locations, hiking trails, and picnic areas.
Fontana Lake
I grew up going to Fontana Lake, a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains. The TVA flooded the area in the 1920’s and now this lake exists. It is 400 feet in some areas! A lot of it is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and cannot be touched, so there are not many homes on the lake. We rent a pontoon at Almond Landing with a tube to explore and you can also rent canoes. Just be mindful of logs after heavy rains and when they raise the level of the lake from the nearby creeks, etc.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, is a stunning area. It is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, with forests, waterfalls, wildlife, and the mist that gives the mountains their name. There is so much to do in the park and it’s easily accessed near the Glamping Collective.
One of our favorite things to do is drive by the Oconaluftee Indian Village outside of Cherokee, NC and see all of the Elk grazing in the wide open fields. It’s typically full of cars and tourists driving by to see them. When it’s hot outside, we’ve found it’s best to see them in the early morning and later in evening.
Try and catch the Elk when they’re in rut and they’re charging each other to clash horns. They’re so majestic and the sound of bugling is incredible to hear. If you’re up for a drive, you can also head over to Catoleechee and see them there.
There are old buildings that are beautiful to check out in the valley as well. We actually sat on our porch and listened to the elk in the valley below our Dome on our final night. Happy girl here to hear that sound!
Glamping in Western North Carolina
The area provides an incredible escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, making it an ideal destination for those looking to relax in nature. Glamping in Western North Carolina offers a great opportunity to disconnect from technology, connect with nature, and indulge in luxurious amenities.
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or time alone in the woods, Western North Carolina is the perfect place! Pack your bags, disconnect from the world, and enjoy yourself in the beauty of Western North Carolina on your next glamping adventure!
