Since the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many of our travel plans this season (along with everyone else!), we’ve been taking the opportunity to explore some campgrounds close to home that we’ve never visited before.
This summer, we added Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground in Swannanoa, N.C., just a few minutes east of Asheville. This hidden gem of a campground in the western mountains of North Carolina provided a much needed long weekend getaway and respite from summer’s heat and humidity!
This campground is located on three tiers going up a small mountain. For the best views, pick the top tier (we stayed in site #28). From there, you have incredible views across the valley and mountains beyond. There’s no shade on this top level, but the sunsets are worth it, trust me.
To get to the top tier, you’ll take some hairpin switchback turns in your RV or travel trailer. The campground staff will guide you in a golf cart to your site. Just go low and slow and you should be fine. We saw some Class A Tiffin Motorhomes perched on that top level, with tow cars attached, so if they can do it, so can you!
The lower two levels provide more shade during the day. There’s a dog park on the second level, and bathhouses located on each tier of the campground. These bathrooms were some of the cleanest I’ve ever seen, and I don’t think it was just because of the pandemic. The sites are spacious and spread out, so social distancing from our neighbors was never an issue.
Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground is a great base camp to explore all that Asheville and western North Carolina has to offer. We made a day trip to Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River. On this day in July, when it was a blistering 90 degrees in Asheville, it was 63 degrees at the top of Mt. Mitchell. Talk about a great place to cool off! There were many hiking trails to choose from, or you could drive up to the top point and take in the panoramic views.
*Note: at the time of this writing, North Carolina has a statewide mask mandate in place. Please check local rules and regulations before you go so you’re aware of what you need.
We also took a day trip down the French Broad River with Zen Tubing. This was SUCH a fun way to spend a hot summer day as a family. Zen Tubing takes you via shuttle (masks required) to a drop off point, then you spend 2+ hours leisurely floating down the river in a tube they provide. You can also rent a cooler tube, which was great to have snacks and drinks on hand.
Other area attractions include the Biltmore Estate, Montreat College, downtown Asheville and much more.
It should be noted that while our two boys, ages 11 and 14, joined us on this trip, this is not really designed as a kid-destination campground. Kids are certainly welcome, but there is no playground or pool, and it seemed to be more retirees and families with older kids while we were there. But it’s a great place to stay if you’re visiting the Asheville area and want to add some phenomenal views to your agenda.
We hope you find time to visit Mama Gertie’s! Let us know what you think!