Ash Grove Resort Cabins and Camping - A Camper's Review

Ash Grove Resort Cabins and Camping is nestled deep in the woods in Brevard, NC. The fourteen acres that make up Ash Grove host shady and secluded walk-to tent sites, four furnished cabins, five combination drive-to tent sites/RV sites, and a whole lot more. You see, Ash Grove Resort is more than just a campground. It's family. Co-owners Mark and Steven are there to welcome you whole-heartedly, help make your stay there comfortable and relaxing, and treat you as they would their closest relatives.

I've just returned from a weekend get-away at Ash Grove Resort, and had such a fabulous time there, I just had to share this wonderful resort with you! I've been to hundreds of campgrounds in my lifetime, but this is definitely one of the best.

We chose to stay in one of Ash Grove's Stellar Campsites. These are sites that you walk to from a central parking lot. Unlike at many campgrounds, in most cases you can hardly see more than one other of Ash Grove's sites from yours, if that! There was one camp site beside ours, but no more anywhere in sight, unless we ventured down the trail.

Stellar means, "of the stars." I guess Steven and Mark decided to name their walk-to sites "Stellar sites" since the sites are so much in the heart of nature, with no cars driving past, no TV's blaring from neighbor's sites, no telephone wires criss-crossing overhead. While staying in one of the Stellar sites, you are completely surrounded by nature. I have to admit, we couldn't see many stars from the site we chose, but that's because there were so many trees overhead! These sites are some of the shadiest I've ever stayed in at a commercial campground!

All the Stellar campsites, by the way, are named for wildflowers. Our site, pictured above, was Aster. Beside us was Bluet. Other campsites include Clover (big enough for two tents) Daisy (very secluded and private) Elder, Fresia, Galax (another two tent site) Hemp, Iris, Jasmine, Kudzoo, and Lily.

An advantage to staying in Aster is it's the closest site to the parking lot and bathhouse. Yes, once we heard people talking near the bathhouse, but that was in the middle of the afternoon and wasn't a problem.

Worried about walking to your site carrying your tent, sleeping bags, camping chairs, and everything else? Stop worrying, as Mark and Steven thought of that. They've provided large wheelbarrows for that very purpose.

In fact, when you first get to the Ash Grove Resort, you're greeted by Steven in the office. He gives you maps and brochures about the surrounding area, and then directs you as to where to park.

Mark takes over from there, meeting you in the campground parking lot or at the cabins, going over the rules, bringing you a wheelbarrow to carry your tent and other items to your site, and even leading you to your specific site. He also, in his very friendly and outgoing way, provides tips and hints such as: Don't bother to take your clothes for the following day to your campsite. You'll most likely get dressed in the bathhouse anyway, which is right beside where you'll leave your car! Why bother to drag your clothes to the campsite and then back again?!

This is a picture of the Stellar camping sites' parking lot. The wheelbarrows, firewood for sale, bathhouse, laundry, recycling and trash bins, sinks for washing dishes, hot tub (not open during the summer months) and more are located all in this area.

The bathhouse has hot showers and flush toilets. Everything looked clean! A fan blows in warm weather, and a heater in chillier weather. And there are hooks galore! Paper towels and toilet paper are available and are replaced as needed. They've even provided a hair dryer (and electric outlets) for your convenience! My husband reported that shampoo bottles were located in the showers on the men's side, and I found some small ones in the women's showers as well. I can't say whether those were just left by other campers, or are there compliments of Steven and Mark.

Ahh, Blueberries! There are a bush or two of blueberries growing not for from the firewood stand. While we were there, Mark, who seems to enjoy children very much, made sure to show all the children staying in the campground where the blueberries were, encouraging them to pick and eat the ripe ones. If a child couldn't find any ripe ones, he helped him. See what I mean about this resort being about family?! That's the way the guests are treated here! Like family!

Don't be fooled by the emptiness of the parking lot in the photo above. This photo was taken in the early afternoon, when most guests were out viewing waterfalls or enjoying any of the other amenities of the western North Carolina mountains. Both evenings while we were there, the parking lot (and most of the sites) filled up. You might even want to make advanced reservations if you'd like a site during peak weekends!

There are waterfalls galore, hiking trails all around, a wet, slippery rock you can slide down (see Sliding Rock youtube below), and OP Taylors: "The Coolest Toy Store on The Planet!"

Do the kids like to tube, canoe or kayak? Headwaters Outfitters is one company that offers trips on the river. How about experiencing the thrill of a zip line? Z-Z-Zip offers zip trips.

Let's not forget about Pure Vida Adventures. They offer everything from paddling, to biking, to canyoneering, and more.

Oh, Biltmore Estate and Cherokee, NC aren't located too far away. If you head over to Cherokee, consider taking in their seasonal outdoor drama, Unto These Hills.

This is a great book for kids interested in astronomy! Not only is the book full of interesting information and star maps, but it also have exciting star related activities, such as flying a starry kite or building a twinkling thaumatrope!

Hooker Falls is located in Dupont State Forest. Many people swim there. The falls is located on the Little River, which is also home to Bridal Veil Falls, High Falls, and Triple Falls. You can find out more about these waterfalls via: DuPont Forest Key Attractions.

I'm NOT, by the way, recommending that you go over the waterfall in a kayak like the person in the video did! Man, oh, man! If you decide to do that, it's at your own risk!

Or make a reservation?

This is their official website: Ash Grove Resort Cabins and Camping

More photos of Ash Grove Resort. (Hint: Click on the images on the right hand side of the page to view a number of pictures of the cabins, or the campsites, etc.)

Map Of Ash Grove Resort

Mark And Steven's Ash Grove Resort Blog

Phone: 828-885-7216

Mailing address:

Ash Grove

749 East Fork Rd

Brevard, NC 28712

USA

The rechargeable battery in this lantern means you don't have to mess with propane or keep having to buy new batteries! Plus, the battery can be recharged via your car or camper, or even via the electric outlet at the campground!!

Although we use a campfire for things like hot dogs, corn on the cob, s'mores, bagels, and other campfirey type meals, we also take along a camping stove. The stove is great for heating up water for oatmeal, hot tea, apple cider, hot chocolate, or coffee on chilly mornings and evenings, as well as making a variety of one or two pot meals. Frequent camping meals for our family include vegetarian chili, burritos, spaghetti, baked beans, salad, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns, and many other things. In all honesty, although some people go all out cooking elaborate meals while camping, my husband and I have found that simple meals to make and clean up from are often best. That gives us more time for hiking and other fun activities!