Glamping is the perfect compromise for those couples or groups whose members have a different idea of the ideal weekend getaway. Some people prefer roughing it with nothing but a backpack and a sleeping bag, while others would rather die than get sweaty and would prefer a nice, clean hotel room at the very least, thank you very much!
If this sounds like you and your partner or friends, never fear! Glamping is the answer, and glamping in North Carolina is one of the best versions! You can enjoy all the privacy of a campground and the charms of nature without sleeping on the floor, living off squirrels, or waking up with a centipede on your pillow.
Each of these glamping locations has different levels of luxury, so take a look and see what would fit your group best. You’ll see some treehouses, glamping tents, yurts, cottages, and even a container home (read on to find out what that is). And no matter how far apart members of your group are on the scale of rugged to high-maintenance, you’ll find at least a location or two on this list that will suit all parties concerned. Are you ready to go glamping in North Carolina?
The Best Glamping in Western North Carolina
The Overlook – Luxury Glamping Dome
First on our list of destinations for glamping in North Carolina is The Overlook! Nestled in the heart of Hendersonville, North Carolina, The Overlook combines nature and luxury in this unique glamping dome experience. One to two guests can sleep comfortably in this glamping dome complete with one luxury foam mattress bed, a full kitchenette, and one bathroom.
Enjoy quality heating and cooling inside the dome while looking out at nature. Outside you’ll find a hot tub and a propane grill in a private outdoor living space. A peaceful creek runs nearby and you may be able to hear the sound of its gentle waters. It’s far enough out that wifi is not available, but the area does get cellphone reception. This location is ideal for adults only and does not allow children or pets.
Smokey Mountain Creekside Glamping Tent
If you like the sound of a creek and prefer a bigger one, check out the Smokey Mountain Creekside Glamping Tent. Slightly east of our last location, this one is located in Waynesville, North Carolina. Enjoy the calming sound of rushing water right outside your tent across from the cozy campfire pit. A bathhouse with a showerhead and running water keeps the rustic part of glamping alive, while the queen-size bed and top-shelf sheets bring in the luxury element.
This true North Carolina glamping experience is all-inclusive. Everything from toothpaste to continental breakfast items, and from firewood to paper towels are covered in the fee. All you need are your personal items and any additional food and drinks you may want for lunch, dinner, and snacks. This location is ideal for two guests, though a third is allowed with a small additional fee. Adults only – this location is not set up for children or pets.
Rustic Glamping Cabin on French Broad River
Located in beautiful Alexander, North Carolina, the Rustic Glamping Cabin is a 400-sq-foot elevated structure with a bedroom fitting three, a kitchen, a full bathroom, a living room, and a covered porch on a riverfront beach. A firepit and chairs are included, as well as a comfy hammock.
The river is large enough for kyacks if you want to bring your own, and inflatable innertubes are provided. Wifi and air conditioning are provided. This location is ideal for one or two people who want to unplug and enjoy the privacy of a luxury outdoor experience in the middle of nowhere but only 15 minutes from town. Children under twelve are not allowed, but older children are welcome and a single adult dog is allowed with a separate deposit against dog-related damages.
Luxury Secluded Treehouse
A #1 most wish-listed property for glamping in North Carolina on AirBnB, this Luxury Secluded Treehouse can be found in Old Fort, North Carolina near Black Mountain and Ashville. With a short walk down a well-lit path, you’ll reach the woodsy oasis. Stroll over the swinging bridge and you’ll find the cozy home away from home high up in the trees.
A spacious deck overlooks the forest and makes an excellent place for sipping morning coffee and listening to the birds sing throughout the hardwood forest. A private hot tub sits under the deck, along with a hot water outdoor shower and a compost toilet. Inside there is a full kitchenette, an LED fireplace, cable TV, wifi, and luxury bedding for two to three guests. This is a must-visit North Carolina glamping location!
Streamside Stargazing Yurt with Mountain Views
Nestled at the base of Peak Mountain just outside of Boone, North Carolina, sits the private Streamside Stargazing Yurt. Enjoy gazing at the stars in the clear, open sky while the nearby rushing stream lulls you to sleep. A two-person tiny home is available nearby to accommodate additional guests if needed.
The queen bed in the bedroom sleeps two adults while the queen bed pull-out couch in the living room sleeps two more. The outdoor camper shower sits near the private outdoor toilet just a few feet away from the Yurt. The deck patio area overlooks the stream and is lighted for late-night enjoyment. A cooler is provided with drinking water, and a bundle of complimentary firewood can be found just outside as well.
The Best Glamping in Central North Carolina
Lake Norman Yurt Getaway
Next up are options for glamping in central North Carolina! Nestled in the peaceful woodlands near Lake Norman in Statesville, North Carolina, is the Lake Norman Yurt Getaway. This cozy location is a bit more minimal than some of the ones listed before. The queen-size air mattress comfortably sleeps two guests, while the fold-out sofa sleeps an additional two. The simple kitchenette consists of a mini-fridge and coffee maker, and while there is no air conditioning, a space heater is provided to keep the place warm in cooler weather.
The toilet and shower are outside, but there are better bathroom accommodations about 200 feet away in a shared bath cabin. Guests can also enjoy a fire bit, barbeque grill, and a furnished and screened-in patio in this shared location. Wifi and cell service are available here.
Lakeside Yurt Near Raleigh
Unlike most of the spots on our list above, this Lakeside Yurt near Raleigh, North Carolina, is pet friendly. It’s twenty feet in circumference and has both AC and Heat. A queen bed and twin bunk bed provide enough room for two adults and up to two children to comfortably enjoy their stay here.
A sauna, gazebo, and firepit await you just outside of the yurt, and a fishing dock stretches out from the shore just outside as well. Inside you’ll find a small kitchenette with a microwave and toaster oven. A toilet, shower, and picnic table are also available. Activities ideal for this site include paddle boating, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, swimming, and wildlife observation.
Yellow Submarine Container Experience
Perhaps the most unique destination on our list of glamping in North Carolina, this container home is a dwelling built from shipping containers – the giant ones you see on trains or massive cargo ships. These containers are usually 20 -40 feet long and 10 feet wide. This container home, affectionately called the Yellow Submarine, is located in Saxapahaw, North Carolina, near the Eno River State Park and the Haw River Ballroom live music venues.
This site sleeps up to three guests, is wheelchair accessible, and is pet friendly. The kitchenette includes a fridge, freezer, microwave, coffee pot, and dishwasher. There’s also a grill, fire pit, and picnic table outside. Wifi is available as well as a private toilet and shower. A nearby creek is perfect for paddle boating. Hiking, biking, and wildlife watching are great activities for the area as well.
Water Creek Trail Cottage
Located at The Farm at Piper Hill near Silkhope, North Carolina, Water Creek Trail Cottage is a small, rustic cottage with a waterfront deck and a wall that becomes a screened-in porched. The deck is literally right on the water – making this an ideal spot for convenient fishing, enjoying your coffee while watching the water, or grilling out for your family with the sound of gently lapping water in your ears.
This cottage has one queen bed and one toilet, but no shower, kitchenette, or portable water. There’s a grill on the deck, but you’ll need to bring a cooler to store your food before cooking. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats are welcome on the lake. You can bring your own or rent kayaks or canoes from the hosts. Wildlife watching is especially entertaining here as it is near a farm with llamas, rabbits, alpacas, sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens, horses, cows, and even a camel.
The Best Glamping in Eastern North Carolina
Glamptopia Cottage
First up for glamping in eastern North Carolina is the Glamptopia Cottage! Located near the Croatian National Forest in Woodington, North Carolina, this beautiful blue Glamptopia Cottage with a charming front porch comfortably sleeps four guests between a full-size bed in the private bedroom and a queen pull-out couch in the living room. The kitchenette includes a mini-fridge, oven, stove, microwave, and sink. The full bathroom includes a toilet, shower, and sink.
A hot tub and playground are available nearby. Two vehicles can comfortably park in the driveway. A grill and firepit are available for use outside. The whole property is gated for your safety. You will obtain a code upon arrival so that you can come and go as you please from this lovely little cottage getaway.
Cashie River Tree Houses
These cabins in the sky each come with a queen-sized sleeping platform and a smaller sleeping loft above that. Each Cashie River Tree House has an elevated walkway leading to it from the ground so that you can safely reach it. There is no kitchenette though, so you’ll need to bring a cooler and a toaster for your own food.
A small dining area in each one comfortably seats two guests. Altogether, there are four treehouses each comfortably sleeping 3-4 people. A shared bathhouse includes toilets and showers. Camping on the nearby ground is also available with tent camping sites and RV back-in sites. This whole area would be a great place to take a large group of people to relax on, near, or above the Cashie River with accommodations for each and every person’s specific camping preferences.
Delux New Bern Cabin
Last but not least on our list of best glamping in North Carolina, the Delux New Bern Cabin sleeps up to six people comfortably – perfect for two couples traveling together or for a medium-sized family. There are two full beds situated as bunk beds and one queen-size bed. A full kitchen and full bath are available here. The kitchen features a minifridge, Keurig coffee pot, small stove, microwave, and sink. It also comes with cooking utensils and mixing bowls.
The full bath has not only a shower but also a tub. The patio outside overlooks the woods and a nearby lake perfect for kayaking, paddle boating, and canoeing. Several other cabins in the area are also available, making this another good spot for a large group to rent multiple cabins for a group stay. RV camping is also available nearby.
Wrapping Up Glamping in North Carolina
So what will it be? A cottage, container house, yurt, or treehouse? Whatever level of luxury you’re after for this trip, this list of destinations for glamping in North Carolina has it all!
Still on the hunt for more North Carolina camping? Check out our lists of the 13 Best Places for RV Camping in North Carolina and the 13 Best Places to Go Free Camping in North Carolina!