When planning a weekend in the misty, mysterious, and marvelously beautiful Appalachian mountains you must first make a choice: luxury or camping. Here in the hills you can go all out with resort-style glamping options or you can hit the sort of in-between options of cabins and backwoods B&B's, or even grab a backpack, pitch a tent, and head to the open land!
You won't regret any option you choose in the Appalachians, there is no right or wrong choice here! The entire mountain range is chock full of history, geography, and a unique culture that seems to illuminate the past, not to mention all the great local wildlife and native scenery that will take your breath away!
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Resorts: Blackberry Farm: Walland, TN - This 4,200-acre resort land in Tennessee is ranked number one by Travel + Leisure for several reasons, some of which include its beauty, amenities, 5-star dining, and overall design. Here you will be catered to by the resort's own in-house chef, baker, cheesemaker, chocolatier, and sommelier, all while enjoying the rustic beauty of the Tennessee mountains.
The Inn at Little Washington: Washington, VA - This historic inn provides first-class decor and food with 5-star ratings in this naturally beautiful portion of rustic Virginia. Take in all the local history, including that of George Washington’s time here in 1749, while enjoying local feasts of the finest quality and views that you won’t soon forget.
Greenbrier: White Sulfur Springs, WV - This gorgeous mountainside lodge is considered to be the "grand dame of mountain resorts," hosting many worldly guests since 1778. Enjoy lavish columns and decor, over 10 different decadent lobbies, and incomparable elegance visible in every touch. This is the most luxurious you can get while still being in the woods!
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Backwoods B&B's and Cabins: Caney Creek Cabins: Pigeon Forge, TN - Enjoy all that is the best of Appalachia’s hillside cabins as you sit in your rocking chair on the porch of this pastoral cabin overlooking some of the most breathtaking mountain views. They offer a private lake and fishing, gazebo for picnicking, and close access to Dolly Parton's Dollywood!
Abrams Falls Creek: Bristol, VA/TN - Straddling the border of these two mountainous states you will find the epitome of creaky porches, working farms, and endless parkland at Abrams Falls Creek. Immerse yourself into the sights and sounds of the amazing spot, perfect for a tranquil and secluded weekend away amongst nature's finest mountainside spots.
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Camping and Backpacking: When it comes to camping in the Appalachians you have seemingly endless possibilities depending on where you start, but here are some of our favorite choices for campsites and/or trails.
Backpacking: The Appalachian Trail winds 2,190 miles through 14 eastern states. That’s eight different forests and six national parks, which means a ton of trails of varying time lengths. This all depends on how much time you want to put into it, really, and where you start again. Choose between single-day, multi-day, or complete thru-hiking and backpacking.
The Whites: New Hampshire provides one of the more rugged and challenging stretches of the trail, but the views are definitely the most stupendous of all. This is the camping area in which you can scale Mount Washington, see all the best sights of the trail, and camp in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s hut system.
Shenandoah National Park: This smooth and fairly well-maintained footpath has gorgeous flora and fauna galore, a camping and hiking site unique due to the fact that is is a restored wilderness. So what was once farm and woodland are now protected wilderness areas, complete with several campsites and shelters. (You will need a back-country permit for this one).
