A Weekend Glamping Adventure at Gold River Camp in North Carolina

Have you heard of the word “glamping?” It’s a term often used to describe camping with a few luxury amenities to go along with the traditional tent camping experience. While my husband would never turn down the opportunity to go backpacking in the wilderness, I’m more inclined to enjoy the great outdoors with a comfortable bed and pillow to lay down on at the end of the day. After reading about different glamping setups around the country, I’ve been eager to try it for myself. So when one of my lifelong friends rented an entire campground to celebrate a milestone birthday, I was excited! Gold River Camp in Marion, North Carolina, offered the chance for a unique stay while exploring the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, just about 40 miles from Asheville.  

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​Gold River Camp sits on the banks of the Second Broad River. The owners have done a wonderful job of transforming this historic gold mine site into a comfortable glamping campground. If you are feeling lucky, you can even pan for gold while you are there or check out a nearby spot like Thermal City Gold & Gem Mine. Read more about North Carolina’s rich gold mining history. I had no idea that it was the only state that produced gold in the US for roughly 25 years in the early 1800s. 

With 6 glamping cabins and 2 glamping tents, along with several cabins with bathrooms, there is a place for everyone. They even have sites for tent camping, with or without water and electricity, along with one RV site. From the outside you may think you are heading into a simple tent or rustic small cabin. But once inside, both the glamping tents and the cabins are nicely decorated, with fluffy comforters and pillows, dressers and chairs in the cabins, and other small touches that radiate comfort. My tent “La Bonita” had a super comfortable queen bed overflowing with pillows, a coffee maker, two chairs, a hanging lamp, clothes rack, and my own fire pit and picnic table just outside.

To help enforce the “no shoes in the tent rule” there were two pairs of Crocs and a bucket of water just outside the door. I did have to remind myself to remember some of the basic rules of camping--always zip the tent fly to keep out any bugs or outside creatures, and bring a flashlight (or charged phone) for walking at night. Inside there were plenty of screened tent windows that could be uncovered for airflow. Several pet-friendly cabins are available on the grounds, just note there are some breed restrictions per insurance requirements. 

The cabins ranged from tiny (around 120 square feet) to a 600 square foot cottage with a full kitchen and bath. The shared bathroom with two private toilets was quite nice and much more private than the bathhouses I have used at other campgrounds. The other side of the bath house had 3 private showers. Even with a full-house, I never found either to be crowded. Just remember to bring a flashlight for those middle-of-the-night walks to the bathroom. Fortunately, there were also some lights on around the campground after dark. The campground itself is close to the road, so depending on whether you are in a tent or a cabin, you may hear some traffic noise.  

Scattered around the grounds were several comfortable seating areas, along with a covered pavilion that was the perfect spot for our group to hang out on a rainy weekend and play cards. The pavilion, right next to the river, was home to a coffee maker, games, tall bar tables, and a relaxing “pillows on the floor” seating area. Besides the picnic table in front of my tent, there were also several communal tables near the main fire pit. 

With the rainy weather, you could still enjoy a river view while staying dry under the pavilion. Hammocks and adirondack chairs could also be found on the grounds,  and there is a small, riverfront beach area. Plus the owners have provided both gas and charcoal grills for guest use. Small convenience charges applied to some things, like firewood, charcoal, and ice. Overall, I thought the per night rates for the glamping tent and cabin rentals were quite reasonable. 

The family that owns the campsite have put together all kinds of sample itineraries that cover the local area. Being at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains opens up plenty of opportunities for hiking, waterfalls like Tom's Creek and Linville Falls, and gorgeous scenic views. The area would appeal to families, couples, and outdoor lovers. While I enjoyed just spending time catching up with good friends under the covered pavilion, a few folks in our group ventured out in the rainy weather to explore a local brewery and nearby Little Switzerland before we all met up at the Historic Orchard at Altapass. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed that we didn’t have the mountain views to enjoy at the orchard. But the hot apple pie and sweet treats from the General Store, plus live music and dancing with friends made for a fun afternoon. 

I definitely have plans for a future visit to Gold River Camp, a great base for an outdoor adventure in North Carolina. If you go, let me know what you think! 

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