The 7 best glamping spots for stargazing in North Carolina

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

By Dorothy Scott

Glamping is the new camping (thankfully), so we’ve gathered the best spots in North Carolina to go stargazing without sacrificing yourself to too many mosquitoes.

Camping in the South just hits different, and North Carolinians know it. Maybe it’s our famous style of BBQ, which makes perfect camping meals, or maybe it’s our state’s propensity for warm, rich weather, which undoubtedly gives us more quality time than other camping-heavy states, like Washington or Oregon. In either case, it’s clear to see why we Carolinians love camping — and why some are turning to glamping instead.

You see, camping is great until you’re bit by a thousand mosquitoes or drenched in sweat thanks to high humidity levels. Our state’s weather is warm and nice, yes, but it also comes with its fair share of subtropical side effects that can make camping outside less than fun at times. When you want to enjoy a carefree camping trip, turn to glamping, and you’ll never look back.

Glamping is, as it sounds, the more glamorous version of camping. Think cabins, home-cooked meals that don’t require building a fire, and air conditioning. It’s simply a more comfortable way to get out of the house — and your town — for a little while and be immersed in nature without fully sleeping in it. You can enjoy it throughout the day while retreating to your glamping spot when you need a break, including everyone’s favorite clear-skied nighttime activity: stargazing.

Ready to book your next memory-filled glamping trip, complete with stars galore? Here are North Carolina’s best spots.

1. River’s Edge Treehouse Resort (Robinsville)

Address: 195 Old U.S. 129, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Description: River’s Edge Treehouse Resort is the perfect place to start our list because it’s an immaculate mix of nature and glamor. This resort offers full-fledged houses in the woods that resemble the most breathtaking version of any childhood treehouse you could dream up. Full bathrooms? Check. A kitchen area with a refrigerator, microwave, and counter space? Check. Air conditioning (arguably the most essential detail on this list)? Check.

Oh, and did we mention that the property’s six treehouses are named after specific types of trees? That’s right: You could book the beautiful Yellow Pine cabin, or you could lean toward the Black Walnut or the Persimmon. Rates for the cabins average about $200 per night, though there’s slight variation depending on whether you book a multi-night stay or a single night.

Outside the cabins, visitors are free to use the grounds’ fire pit, which comes stocked with firewood and kindle so you don’t have to forage for your own, and there’s a beautiful gazebo on the property, as well. It’s perfect for morning coffee or afternoon tea, if you ask us. Plus, there are hiking trails, fishing spots (fishing equipment included), gas grills (cooking tools included), and more. Here, it seems you’re truly taken care of.

This might be why River’s Edge Treehouse Resort has a full 5-star rating on both Tripadvisor and Yelp. “OK, rarely does an overnight venue deserve 5 stars…but this one does. It’s beautiful, comfortable, clean, homey, relaxing,” one Yelp reviewer wrote of the resort. Meanwhile, a Tripadvisor reviewer wrote, “This is an amazing place. Seems so secluded but only 5 minutes to area restaurants. Very quiet and peaceful. This is a must place to visit.”

The best part? You’re free to stargaze anywhere you want since the property is so focused on being communal. You can stay by your cabin or follow the river to a clearer view if it’s a partially cloudy night.

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2. Getaway Asheboro (Asheboro)

Address: 2846 Old Cox Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205

Description: If you like the idea of a woodsy cabin but don’t necessarily want to go all in on the treehouse vibe, look no further than Getaway Asheboro. This rental company offers cabins for about the same price as River’s Edge Treehouse Resort, averaging about $200 per night, though the price varies depending on day(s) of the week you plan on staying there and even the months in which you decide to stay, similar to how flight prices fluctuate.

Getaway Asheboro is only an hour and a half from Raleigh, so you’re truly never far from a mini stargazing vacation. What’s more, where River’s Edge only has six cabins, Getaway Asheboro boasts 32 (and 31 acres of land), which can make for a lot more community — and a lot more fun. Another key difference is that these cabins come with a stove, whereas the River’s Edge cabins only have a grill and a microwave. Other amenities here include heating, air conditioning, hiking trails, and even close access to the North Carolina Zoo.

That all sounds great, but what are people actually saying about Getaway Asheboro? Well, on Yelp, where the property has a 4.6-star rating, guests seem to love that it’s a real, well, getaway, just as its name implies. “I did a solo getaway with my dog and it was the best glamping experience I could’ve ever imagined!” one reviewer wrote. Tripadvisor guests have had similar experiences, giving Getaway Asheboro a cumulative rating of 5 stars. “The cabins are well appointed and the large picture window offers beautiful views, light, and opens up the space,” one Tripadvisor reviewer wrote of their visit. With windows like that, stargazing at Getaway Asheboro sounds mighty dreamy, doesn’t it?

3. Sky Ridge Yurts

Address: 200 Sky Ridge Dr, Bryson City, NC 28713

Description: Looking for something that’s not only a little more glamorous but also the number-one glamping destination in the entire United States, according to USA Today? If so, you need to check out Sky Ridge Yurts, located in Bryson City. Sky Ridge Yurts has several yurts on its rental list, yes, but it also offers cabins for those who prefer a little more of a close-to-home feeling. Not familiar with yurts? No problem! All you need to know is that they’re circular homes held up with wood, poles, and fabric, but they’re much sturdier than they appear, even if there aren’t bricks or other heavy-duty construction materials involved.

Just like other glamping hot spots, Sky Ridge Yurts’ buildings — yurts and cabins alike — are fully furnished, including beds, kitchens, flat-screen TVs, air conditioning and heating, WiFi, and more. You’ll never go amiss here, basically. Adding onto that sense of security is the company’s list of add-ons that can enhance your stay. You can purchase a luxe s’mores kit to utilize at the on-site fire pit, a wine basket to sample delicious local drinks, or a photography bundle to bring home memories of your trip. Sky Ridge Yurts has seemingly thought of everything.

Worth noting is that the pricing per night for the yurts and cabins isn’t made immediately clear on the company’s website, but since many of the rentals can sleep between four and six people, it’s safe to say they’re probably higher than the previous cabins on this list that only comfortably sleep two.

Sky Ridge Yurts’ well-thought-out glamping game plan undoubtedly contributes to why the company not only ranked so highly on USA Today’s list but also sits in Yelp and Tripadvisor reviewers’ good graces. In fact, both platforms currently show a full 5-star rating for Sky Ridge Yurts. “It is glamping at its best,” one Yelp reviewer said of their yurt stay, while one Tripadvisor reviewer warns its readers, “Get ready to be absolutely blown away by one of the most incredible places I have ever had the chance to stay at.” You had us at artisan s’mores under the stars!

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4. Emberglow Outdoor Resort (Mill Spring)

Address: 95 Pinewood Trl, Mill Spring, NC 28756

Description: Nestled on the western side of the state near the South Carolina border, Emberglow Outdoor Resort has something for everyone: yurts, tent sites, cabins, RV sites, treehouses, campers, and more. In fact, Emberglow’s rentals can sleep everywhere from one person to 10, meaning you can stargaze solo or with your favorite family and friends. What’s more, everything on Emebrglow’s property is spread out enough that there’s plenty of room to through down some towels or blankets, lie down, and enjoy the stars in peace without worrying about bothering others or becoming too crowded.

Emebrglow’s facilities look nice, especially compared to normal camping. That said, you shouldn’t expect the same level of luxury that you’d get at Sky Ridge Yurts; there aren’t fully equipped kitchens and sprawling living areas in each rental at Emberglow Outdoor Resort the same way there are at Sky Ridge Yurts. That said, there’s enough to make this trip cushy.

Depending on the type of rental you choose, you’ll have access to a refrigerator, WiFi, a comfortable bed, and some lounging area. Plus, communal benefits abound, including yoga classes, a sand volleyball court, bicycle rentals, a pool, hiking trails, and so much more. Oh, and a food truck sets up shop every Friday and Saturday!

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Emberglow Outdoor Resort has a 5-star rating on both Yelp and Tripadvisor. North Carolinians love their outdoor time, especially when done in style, which is also made clear in their reviews. “They thought [of] EVERYTHING! I cannot express enough how much we enjoyed our time at Emberglow. My family rented a yurt for three nights and we never wanted to leave,” one Yelper wrote. Meanwhile, a Tripadvisor reviewer called their stay “The best campground experience I’ve ever had.” Not shabby!

5. The Glamping Collective (Clyde)

Address: 2504 Crabtree Mountain Rd, Clyde, NC 28721

Description: A super-easy getaway for Asheville residents, The Glamping Collective is one of the best stargazing sites in North Carolina. This property spans 160 acres atop local mountains, meaning you have an elevated — and clearer — view of the stars. But that’s not all. The Glamping Collective is specifically known because of its glass cabins and domes, giving you all-day — and all-night — access to your surroundings, including the sky. During the day, soak in the mountains, and at night, get lost in the cosmos.

True to its name, The Glamping Collective’s domes and cabins put you at ease instantly. They have heating and air conditioning, WiFi, private decks (for stargazing and so much more), in-unit showers, comfortable beds, coffee makers, toaster ovens, and more. It’s a full hotel experience — just mountainside and swathed in natural light. Plus, The Glamping Collective has a common area with a communal fire pit, picnic tables, games, and more, so you’re never far away from traditional and new camping experiences alike. These amenities do cost a pretty penny — two nights in the Luxe Dome added up to $720 in our cart before fees — but the view might just be worth it.

But do reviewers think it’s worth it? The Glamping Collective only has two reviews on Tripadvisor, but both reviewers gave it a full 5 stars. Both reviewers seemed to thoroughly enjoy their stays, even noting that the nearby town of Canton wasn’t too far and had groceries and restaurant options. Of course, we’re here for stargazing, and that didn’t seem to disappoint, either. “The views are spectacular any time of day or night,” one reviewer wrote. “Very friendly and helpful management, super clean and comfortable accommodations, and the views were stunning,” another wrote of their trip.

Bonus tip: When you’ve had enough of the stars, you can view real debris from a SpaceX aircraft that’s on display at the starting point of The Glamping Collective’s Sunset Summit Trail. It was found this May and has been on display since early June.

6. Paint Rock Farm (Hot Springs)

Address: 1295 Paint Rock Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743

Description: You might not think of the word “farm” when you think of glamping, but that might all change if you visit Paint Rock Farm in Hot Springs. This venue, which overlooks Pisgah National Forest, describes itself as the perfect place to “relax, retreat and reconnect,” and the pastoral photos on its website certainly look rejuvenating. Paint Rock Farm has 11 cabins ready to welcome guests from spring through fall, so travelers will need to look elsewhere if planning to travel through the dead of winter. That said, making the trip during one of the farm’s operating seasons might be worth it, especially if you’re into stargazing, as its website specifies stargazing as one of the best things to do there.

Paint Rock Farm is beautiful, and its cabins come with all the amenities you need for a weekend getaway spent under the stars. Each cabin has a private deck, so you can stargaze in comfort without fear of being watched, and a picnic table, so you can enjoy meals and get some fresh air at the same time. The interior is nice, too, with Paint Rock Farm noting that it’s designed and decorated the cabins to be as relaxing as possible, including super-soft-looking bedding.

Despite appearing to be a popular venue, Paint Rock Farm doesn’t have a surplus of online reviews. Still, the ones it does have lean positive. “We loved our stay here. Honestly it was even more beautiful and picturesque than the photos,” one Google reviewer wrote. “Quiet, clean, Hiking trails, great folks, great facilities. The little river perch cabin we stayed in was perfect for a peaceful and romantic get away.”

Bonus tip: Did you know Paint Rock Farm hosts weddings? Book your wedding there and spend the night in one of the cabins for an extra dreamy, stargazing-filled wedding night.

7. Riverside Escapes (Alexander)

Address: 3056 Old Marshall Hwy, Alexander, NC 28701

Description: Riverside Escapes is a private rental firm servicing the Alexander area, and it notably has two popular properties: the Americana Cabin and the Riverside Retreat. Both are great glamping options, as they give you a comfortable, bug-free space to return to after a day of enjoying the wilderness. What makes it so special is that it’s on a small island, making it a particularly unique getaway destination compared to the other glamping spots on this list. Stargazing on a small island, fire blazing, and s’mores flowing? Yes, please!

The Americana Cabin will set you back $150 per night before fees, while the Riverview Retreat property, a cabin on the banks of the French Broad River, comes in at $250 per night. Do note, though, that this isn’t glamping to the same degree as the other spots on this list. It’s better than traditional camping, but from what we can tell, you won’t be enjoying air conditioning or a hot, steamy shower at the Americana Cabin.

If you want the most amenities, book the Riverview Retreat. It has heating and air conditioning, TVs, DVD players, a washer and dryer, a refrigerator with an ice maker, and so much more. That said, both properties are great for folks who love being in or near water, and there is plenty of hiking and fishing to do at both, too.

On Tripadvisor, reviewers often discuss the enjoyable times they’ve had at the two Riverside Escapes properties. “The Americana Cabin is a perfect blend of rustic and comfort! There are enough [amenities] to make it cozy and comfortable in bad weather, but in good weather you can enjoy the hammock, cook on the campfire, and fall asleep to the sound of the river,” one reviewer wrote, adding, “This is a great spot for outdoorsy folks who want the luxuries of a shower after a long hike and a bottle of wine around the campfire!”

Ultimately, we think this destination seems fantastic for stargazing, but don’t just take it from us. Take it from this reviewer: “We enjoyed our food cooked on the open fire under a blanket of stars. The perfect remote getaway for nature lovers!”