Glamp It Up Under Mt. Mitchell

This beautiful waterfall along a UT to South Toe River

When I first thought about boondocking, I had this image of the kind of serene, tranquil lakeside camp site you would see in an Instagram post. Woolrich blanket covered logs, hand-woven hammocks strung up between towering pines, a roaring fire surrounded by people and a few musical instruments. I know this is not what real life is like, but it was so romantic to think about the possibilities I had to take the chance.

Our first trip was to a site down South Toe River road, in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell. I had done enough research to know where the best sites were, and I even called the Forest Service office to confirm the open container rules in the sites. However, we didn't get to leave our house until late afternoon. Our ETA: 8:30 PM. No worries, right?

We came in from the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) and headed down the road in the dark. The first few sites were taken, but a 3rd secluded site was empty. It wasn't near the river, so we noted it in our brains and drove farther down the mountain.

We came upon the motherload of campsites. Huge expanses of flat ground with ample parking interspersed with smaller, more private sites. Most had water access, which is why I had packed the fishing poles and updated our licenses. Alas, it was not to be. Every site had been taken, all the way to the Black River Campground. We slowly and sadly made our way back to the only site left: the one we passed on the way in that had no water access.

We made the best of it. We loved how secluded the site was, tucked away all by itself for at least a half mile in either direction. Once we pitched the tent and made dinner, we turned off all the lights and were treated to the most beautiful firefly show I have ever seen. The rushing water provided the soundtrack to a very relaxing evening.

The next day we lazed about the campsite and read. I walked up to the bridge closest to us and took a few photos of the stream pouring over the boulders. Naps happened. And more exploring. I noticed what seemed to be a trail to the right of the bridge, but there was no trailhead sign and I saw no blazes up the hill. I've now learned this is actually a trail, but I'm certain it is not regularly maintained.

After another night of the dance of the fireflies, we curled up in the tent and read until we fell asleep. We were slow to get out the next morning, not wanting to leave our quiet nook on the mountainside. We packed up the truck and headed out the way we had entered, noting on our map where the primo campsites were located.