by Cathy Martin
Come springtime, the idea of camping sounds idyllic — getting back outside, immersed in nature as the Earth awakens from its winter slumber.
Then, reality sets in: Subsisting on granola bars and whatever you can cobble together over a small camp stove. Sleeping with just a few layers of nylon between you and the cold, hard ground. Communing with bugs.
And if you don’t already have camping gear, be prepared to drop a few hundred dollars on tents, sleeping bags and other essentials that — let’s face it — you’ll probably only use once or twice.
Luckily, this is the era of the new campground, where creature comforts like running water and hot showers are part of the experience. From compact cabins to luxury “glamping” tents, here are a few places to enjoy the great outdoors — AND get a good night’s rest in a soft, cozy bed.
Postcard Cabins, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
Asheboro
1.5 hours from Charlotte
These compact, minimalist cabins are right-sized for a solo or couple’s getaway, though some units have bunk beds to accommodate small families or groups. Located 15 minutes from Asheboro, the hilly, wooded site is ideal for travelers who want to feel like they’re getting away from it all — while remaining close to civilization.
The heated and air-conditioned cabins are small but cozy with wood paneling and large picture windows. Each of the 32 units is uniquely positioned for unobstructed nature views; some overlook a small lake.
There’s a mini-fridge and cooktop, hot water and a shower. Retro kitchenettes are stocked with dishes and basic cooking tools, and each cabin has a fire ring and Adirondack chairs for relaxing by the fire. Firewood, s’mores kits, water bottles, coffee, tea and hot cocoa are included in your stay.
BEST FOR: Solo adventurers or couples
PET FRIENDLY: Yes, with a $50 cleaning fee
NEARBY: Seagrove Café is a bakery and counter-service restaurant in a converted gas station serving coffee, tea, delectable homemade pastries, chicken salad, pimento cheese and more. A must visit in Asheboro is The Table, a bakery, coffee shop and café in a former hosiery mill with melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls and pimento-cheese croissants. At Magnolia 23, the service is friendly and the fried chicken is legendary, along with other down-home Southern dishes like chicken and dumplings, collard greens and persimmon pudding.
GOOD TO KNOW: Check-in is similar to an Airbnb; codes are provided ahead of your visit to access your cabin. There is no front desk or vending on-site, and the cabins are designed for a “digital detox” experience (no Wi-Fi). In the warmer months, bring bug spray!
Roamstead Smoky Mountains
Cosby, Tennessee
3 hours, 45 minutes from Charlotte
Roamstead opened in 2023 with Scandi-style cabins, yurts and lodge rooms above a cozy all-day restaurant and camp store. There are also camper and tent sites, as well as the Hemlock Cabin, a log cabin built in the 1800s that sleeps 7.
Heated cabins have kitchenettes, showers, Wi-Fi, porches and fire pits. (Yurts share a communal bath house.) The café serves coffee and espresso drinks, breakfast croissants, pizzas and milkshakes. After a day on the trail, pull up to the small bar for a frosty beer from a regional brewery or a seasonal craft cocktail.
Families will enjoy the heated saltwater pool, shared fire pits (each cabin has its own fire pit, too), lawn games, playground and covered pavilion for dining and movie nights. There’s a hiking trail on-site, but the real draw here is proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and popular trails like Clingman’s Dome and Abrams Falls.
BEST FOR: Families, couples or groups
PET-FRIENDLY: Some cabins and yurts welcome dogs with a $10 nightly fee.
NEARBY: Sugarlands Visitor Center — the main entrance to the Smokies — is 30 minutes away. Recommended hikes are posted in the lobby, and staff members are quick to suggest their favorite trails. Adventure Distilling, with a food truck, live music and moonshine tastings, is just down the road. There are grocery stores in the area but few restaurants, unless you make the 25-minute drive to Gatlinburg.
GOOD TO KNOW: While Roamstead is dog-friendly, most hiking trails in the Smokies are not. The 1.9-mile Gatlinburg Trail is an easy, flat greenway that accommodates pups.
Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins
Asheville
2.5 hours from Charlotte
For the best of both worlds — a rustic, outdoorsy escape and an urban weekend away — book a stay at Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins. The 16 cabins combine Nordic minimalism with an Appalachian flair. The A-frames are small but well-outfitted with private bathrooms, mini-fridges, microwaves and tea kettles. Each cabin has a balcony or deck.
Grab morning coffee, midday snacks, gear or souvenirs at The Canteen, on the upper level of the two-story communal River Lodge. Or post up on the wide porch overlooking the French Broad River with a cold beer or glass of wine. Cozy up by the campfire in the meadow, dotted with picnic tables and hammocks and illuminated with string lights.
BEST FOR: Outdoor-loving families or couples who also want to enjoy the perks of the city
PET-FRIENDLY: Some cabins are dog-friendly with a $30 nightly fee
NEARBY: Asheville’s River Arts District, home to studios and galleries including the North Carolina Glass Center, is five minutes away. Wrong Way is also close to west Asheville — grab breakfast or lunch at Sunny Point Café, Early Girl Eatery or Hole Doughnuts, or dinner at The Admiral, a cozy neighborhood spot.
GOOD TO KNOW: The cabins are located on a moderately busy two-lane road, so expect some traffic noise. Three deluxe cabins toward the back of the property offer a little more peace and privacy.
Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
4.5 hours from Charlotte
Open seasonally (April 2 – Nov. 30) Under Canvas is a luxury camping resort with safari-like tents on 182 wooded acres. Tents on wooden platforms are outfitted with West Elm furnishings and have woodburning stoves — firewood is provided.
Deluxe tents with king-sized beds have en-suite bathrooms with showers. Suites offer more space and include an optional kids tent with twin beds. Stargazer tents have a viewing window over the bed, so you can drift off to sleep while gazing at the night sky. Safari tents share a bath house — inside are private suites with sinks and showers.
The “lobby” is a 24-hour hub for dining (breakfast and dinner), plus coffee, tea and hot chocolate throughout the day. There are yoga sessions in the morning, and local musicians perform acoustic sets in the evenings while kids play games and make s’mores by the fire.
BEST FOR: Families, couples or solo travelers who value luxury amenities like organic bath products and upscale fare
PET-FRIENDLY: Yes, for a fee
NEARBY: The resort is 10 miles from Gatlinburg and the entrance to the Great Smokies, with its 500,000 acres of wilderness and more than 800 miles of trails. Nantahala Outdoor Center has a Pigeon River outpost (open seasonally) for whitewater rafting trips.
GOOD TO KNOW: The food here is above average, with plenty of healthy options (salads, seared trout, veggie and grain bowls) along with family-friendly favorites (burgers, chicken sandwiches, pork tacos). SP
