This itinerary details a camping weekend in Bryson City, NC and includes a recommendation for a campground, activities and more.
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Weekend OVerview
Ready for a perfect getaway? Pack up your gear and take the scenic drive from Asheville to the charming mountain town of Bryson City.
This weekend trip is all about easy-going adventure, starting with setting up camp at Deep Creek Campground.
From there, you’ll have plenty to do, including hiking the nearby trails, tubing down the on-site creek, and enjoying a campfire dinner.
Before you head out, be sure to spend some time exploring Bryson City, the charming town that serves as your base for a weekend in the Smokies.
Drive To The Smokies
Enjoy the drive– it’s beautiful!
The drive from Asheville is a scenic journey through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Smokies.
It’s relatively straightforward– just take I-40 East and get on 74 near Lake Junaluska. Your destination is Bryson City and it’s just off 74.
We mean it when we say the drive is picturesque! The anticipation builds with every turn, and you can feel the excitement of the adventure ahead.
Check Into The Campground
First stop: the campground
After the scenic drive, you’ll arrive at the campground. While there are several campgrounds in the area, our recommended home base for this trip is Deep Creek Campground.
Deep Creek Campground is run by the National Park Service and is located inside Smoky National Park. There are several trails here and a creek that’s great for tubing.
Campsite reservations at Deep Creek Campground are required and may be made up to six months in advance.
One thing to note is that dogs are not allowed on trails in Smoky National Park!
Set Up Your Campsite
Don’t forget to reserve a spot!
To get a spot at Deep Creek Campground, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance. The campground has two different types of sites to choose from.
- Sites 1-42 are a “tents only” area located along the creek. These spots are tighter and offer less privacy.
- Sites 43-92 are more spread out and can accommodate both RVs and tents.
For groups traveling together, some sites in the second area are connected. We recently stayed in spots 46 and 47 and it was a great setup for two groups. If you prefer more privacy, other spots in this same area are more secluded.
Be sure to check the campground map when you reserve your site to find the best fit for your trip.
If you need some recommendations, here are our top picks for camp gear!
Go Tubing On the Creek
Cool off in the on-site creek
If the weather’s warm, you’ll definitely want to go tubing down the creek right at the campground. It’s a super relaxing (and sometimes not so relaxing…) way to cool off.
Just a heads-up: if you need to rent a tube, you’ll have to do that at one of the outfitters outside the campground before you arrive, since they don’t have rentals on-site.
There are also trails on the campground.
Campfire Dinner
Hot dogs, s’mores & wolf’ems
One of the most memorable parts of your trip will be the campfire dinner.
You can have a campfire at the site and there is also a charcoal grill for cooking. Need an easy campfire dinner idea? Plan on hot dogs!
The best part of the night will be the campfire treat. While s’mores are a classic, consider trying a fun, new-to-us campfire dessert: Wolf’ems.
Simply wrap some crescent dough around the end of a stick, cook it over the fire, and then fill the warm, hollow dough with your favorite toppings. It’s a delicious and fun activity for everyone!
Be sure to bring the crescent dough, a few fillings, and Wolf’em sticks to make this fireside dessert.
PS: don’t forget something to make coffee in (and a burner!) for the morning!
Before You Go: Explore Bryson City
Don’t miss the charming mountain town!
You can camp for one night or several– it’s up to you and your crew! One night is plenty to get the camp experience, though.
Before you head back to Asheville, make sure you take some time to explore Bryson City. It’s a great little mountain town with some fun shops and restaurants. Plan to shop around and grab a bite to eat before you head out!
