By Jen Brooks of Asheville Date Night Guide
A happy marriage of glamour and camping, “glamping” has emerged as an ideal way to experience all the positives of the camping, while leaving out the negatives. Every glamping community has its own unique offerings and vibe. The amenities of glamping far exceed those you’ll find at traditional campgrounds, allowing that extra comfort for enjoying the outdoors. Here are our five picks for making all your Asheville area glamping dreams come true!
1. Asheville Glamping
Spread among three properties, both remote and urban, Asheville Glamping offers tents, yurts, glam-retro trailers and a romantic dome! Striving to give guests an adventure, not just a place to stay, Asheville Glamping delivers just that.
Rural Glamping
Their more remote, 15-acre property is home to Rosie The Riveted, The Glaminal, Baby Airstream, Little Louie, Boho Tipi, Mini Yurt, Dome and Bell Tent. This property is surrounded by horse and cattle farms with mountain views and a pond. With the French Broad River and hiking trails close by, there are plenty of “outdoors” at your fingertips.
Urban Camping
The Silver Bettie, Deluxe Bell, The Rebel Belle and Tent cabin live on their 3-acre, urban property located in West Asheville. The Yurt sits on 2.5 acres all by itself, next to a small goat farm. Did we mention the Deluxe Bell Tent has a jacuzzi? Yeah, that’s glamping for ya! www.ashevilleglamping.com
2. Franny’s Farm
Eco-Cabins & Glampsites
Home to events and weddings, Franny’s Farm is located in Leicester, not far from Asheville. This glamp community has all the farm charm you could want for a cozy night away. The property is spacious and has rolling pastures and a ridgeline view that is breathtaking.
On the ridge of the farm are two Eco-Cabins and Glampsites… all overlooking Franny’s organic farm with gardens, chickens, turkeys, sheep, goats, 2 pigs and a donkey. The cabins offer the comfort of one full-sized bed and a twin bed. The Glampsites are set up for you to bring your air mattress and bedding and be ready to glamp with the permanent tent in place. All have direct access to the community building, which houses the kitchen, bathrooms and shower house.
The vibe at Franny’s Farm is one of love, farming and community. Hike the trail to Moonshine Mary and enjoy the company and sounds of the extended farm family and community fire pit. {Check out Asheville Date Night’s 5 Sunday Funday trips for things to do nearby.] www.frannysfarm.com
Farm Friend Bend
Another perk of Franny’s Farm is yoga with goats! An interactive yoga class brings out the zen with new furry friends. Classes are appropriate for all levels, but ideal for beginning yogis or those in desperate need to play with baby goats. Which, if we’re being honest, is every human. Don’t forget to get your tickets to classes and bring your mat. [For more things to do, check out 25 Free things to do in Asheville.]
3. Brahma Ridge Event Center
Home to many outdoor weddings and events, Brahma Ridge is a nature lover’s dream. You’ll go down winding mountain roads and follow signs to find your way onto the property. It’s heavily wooded with a clearing of rolling, picturesque pastures. You’ll find regular campsites, along with bell tents on platform decks. A community building sits at the center, where you’ll find the restrooms and a small coffee and tea station in the mornings. There’s a gravel pathway leading to the pavilion and community fire ring up on the hillside. www.brahmaridgeeventcenter.com
4. Mountain Springs Cabins
Mountain Springs Cabins is a charming village of cabins, tiny cabins and yurts. There are walking paths for exploring the surroundings and a stream running alongside. Start a late afternoon fire at one of the cozy creekside fire rings with seating. Stroll through the center of the property, where you’ll discover a large pasture with a pavilion, grills and yard games.
The yurts are located in a “village” of semi-private space, just steps away from the stream. The “Yurt Village” includes a deck, picnic table and communal fire pit with comfy seating. Each yurt has one private bathroom located in a bathhouse which has a toilet, sink and shower. Having a private bathroom will allow you to leave all of your personal items in the bathroom throughout your stay. rvcoutdoors.com/mountain-springs-cabins
5. Campfire Lodgings
When you go to Campfire Lodgings, you go for the view! Located on Goldview Knob, prepare for a front row, mountain-top view of the French Broad River. With numerous trails running throughout the 100-acre property, you’ll have access to good hiking right from your campsite.
The yurts are perfectly perched on spacious decks built into the side of the mountain and overlooking the lush woods, rolling hills and river below. It’s not hard to melt into the landscape and be joyfully stuck in the moment. The interior of the yurts have a fireplace and a skylight — perfect for cozy stargazing. www.campfirelodgings.com
Feature image credit: Asheville Date Night Guide
About the author: Jen Brooks is the Owner/Writer/Photographer at Asheville Date Night Guide. She also owns Bombe Honey, a local farm table and folk art business here in Asheville.