Consider one of these four outdoor experiences — each within about two hours of Raleigh — for an easy weekend getaway.
by Margaret Devitt

Glamping — a mashup of the words “glamorous” and “camping” — has become a trend over the past few years for folks who want to enjoy outdoor activities without truly roughing it. These scrappy locales offer just that: accommodations that are several steps up from pitching a tent (see: plumbing and climate control) but without the price tag of an amenity-filled hotel. With glamping becoming more of a trend, different locations have leaned into the experience to offer photogenic places to stay, sometimes with unique themes. As the weather starts to cool off and spending time outside seems more attractive, consider one of these four glamping experiences — each within about two hours of Raleigh — for an easy weekend getaway.

Covered Wagons in Lillington

Take a trip to the past — sort of — with a stay inside a covered wagon. Located along the Cape Fear River in Lillington, The Cozy Heron Glamping offers individuals and families the chance to stay the night in modern wooden wagons hand-hewn by the Conestoga Wagon Co. Each of these “wagons” is a raised platform with a canvas enclosure, equipped with AC, heat, Wi-Fi, refrigerators and a king-sized bed along with two bunk beds. The bath house is walkable and you can spend an afternoon around the communal fire pit and grill. The nearby Lost Paddle Pizza is a spot to grab a slice and a beverage after a day on the river.

Get outside: The campground is right on the Cape Fear, where you can bring your own gear for kayaking or river tubing or rent it from Cape Fear Adventures, the excursion company that owns the wagons. Raven Rock State Park is a 15-minute drive away and offers hiking and biking trails, fishing and paddle boarding.

45 minutes from Raleigh; from $129 per night; 100 S. Main Street, Lillington; capefearadventures.com

Tiny Houses in Rocky Mount

River and Twine in Rocky Mount is a collection of 21 tiny houses — each 20 feet long with 188 square feet of space — all arranged in groups around fire pits and Adirondack chairs. Each tiny house has a queen bed, sitting area and bathroom with a shower, not to mention “full hotel amenities, like TV, Wi-Fi and a microwave,” says assistant property manager Julie Baggett. “It’s like camping and a hotel in one.” They’re just across campus from the Rocky Mount Mills development, a complex of breweries, restaurants and retail in a renovated early 1900s cotton mill — so you can save the campfire for s’mores after you grab pizza or barbeque just a short walk away.

Get outside: There are a number of hiking and biking trails available nearby, including Rocky Mount Natural Surface Trail, Tar River Trail and Medoc Mountain State Park. Canoeing and kayaking are also readily available on the nearby Tar River Paddle Trail.

1 hour from Raleigh; from $139 per night; 24 E. Elm Street, Rocky Mount; riverandtwine.com 

Modern Cabins in Asheboro

Just a 10-minute drive from the Asheboro Zoo lies a collection of tiny wooden cabins, each with the option of one or two queen beds, situated along a trail leading down to a pond. Nestled within the woods, Getaway Asheboro’s rentals each sit on nearly an acre of land, leaving enough space between you and your neighbors for you to truly relax. “Enjoy the luxury of nature with all the necessities you may need,” says Getaway representative Lexie Gracey. “You can just pack your bag and show up!” 

Get outside: You can spend your time enjoying your surroundings or catch-and-release fishing, but if you’re looking to explore a bit more, there are plenty of hiking trails nearby with river, creek and mountain views. It’s a short trip to downtown for a drink at Carolina Tap House, coffee at The Table or some barbeque at Hop’s. For each vacation booked at Getaway, a donation is made to One Tree Planted, a nonprofit focused on environmental sustainability.

1 hour 35 minutes from Raleigh; from $122 per night; 2846 Old Cox Road, Asheboro; getaway.house

Log Cabins at Carolina Beach

Located just 2 miles from the waves and sand, Carolina Beach State Park offers the chance for visitors to camp out in cabins surrounded by pine trees. Each log cabin has a queen and two bunk beds, a charcoal grill, picnic table and laundry and showers in a communal area — so you get the classic camping feel without the hassle of setting up a tent. 

Get outside: In addition to setting up on nearby Carolina Beach, there are plenty of other attractions, such as the NC Aquarium, Fort Fisher Historic Site and activities like kayaking and fishing to keep you occupied. These cabins require some advance planning — often they’re booked months in advance — but the state parks website is easily searchable, with additional cabin options in the Raven Rock or Lake Norman State Parks, if Carolina Beach is full and you’re open to a different sort of adventure. 

2 hours 15 minutes from Raleigh; from $42 per night; 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach; ncparks.gov/state-parks/carolina-beach-state-park  

This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of WALTER magazine.