Mountain Creek Rest

The Islandsite is probably one of, if not the most unique and beautiful campsites I’ve stayed at. Brian communicated everything we needed to know ahead of our arrival. We will definitely be returning. Highly recommend bringing everything you plan on needing before arriving as the road into town is quite lengthy.

Conor W.

8 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2025

Tent · With pets ·

Heartstone is.... wow. Such a beautiful secluded camp site. Everything about my trip with my pup was perfect. We didn’t want to leave! I can't wait to come back!

Ali W.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2025

Tent ·

This was our 3rd year staying at Brian’s campsites! We absolutely love it! Brian takes excellent care of his sites. They are private and have the best views!

Audrey N.

2 reviews

Recommends

· November 2025

Amazing

Tent ·

Amazing campground out in the mountains. The gravel road was a little longer than I thought but I had no issues getting up there in my lowered Mazda3. Brian was a great host and stopped by to make sure I had everything I needed. I will definitely be back again!

Max S.

2 reviews

Recommends

· November 2025

This is where you want to stay!

Tent ·

Brian was an amazing host! With the bad weather during our week long trip he moved us into the cabin for an amazing deal! He also took us in for coffee and hot chocolate one morning and turned up the furnace since it got colder! If you are up for an adventure search “Cherohala Skyway” when you get into town. Dear Brian, we had an amazing vacation staying at your campsite, thank you for everything! :)

Heaven V.

3 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2025

Tent ·

We truly enjoyed our stay here! This was our second time camping at Brian’s land, and we finally got to meet him in person , he is so kind, caring, and genuinely checks in to make sure we were comfortable. He even helped guide us with some great hiking routes nearby, which made the trip even better. The campsite itself is beautiful, peaceful, and the perfect getaway if you love nature. We highly recommend this spot, and future Hipcampers should know that the host is very approachable and the land is amazing. We will definitely come back again! 🌲🏕️

Bina S.

3 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2025

Love it!

Tent ·

I stayed in this site for a few days, and the cabin site a few days. Both are gorgeous! The terraced design of the site is charming. The directions were accurate, the road easily navigable in a civic, and Brian made me feel very welcomed. Close to beautiful hikes and scenic drives. The natural beauty, privacy, and quiet here is far beyond what you'll find in a normal campground.

Erin K. S.

3 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

Amazing!

I cannot emphasize enough how beautiful this spot is. The stream, the trees, the quiet. I have camped in almost every state, and this is easily one of my favorite sites. The road in a bit bumpy, but doable. I easily made the trek in a civic. The road is also great for taking a scenic walk. The covered porch was perfect for a rainy afternoon, and the heater was a welcome addition on cool autumn evenings. Close to the stunning Joyce Kilmer Wilderness & Nantahala National Forest. I hope to come back again!

Erin K. S.

3 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

Tent ·

Great camp site with tons of natural beauty. Would definitely stay agan

Wyatt A.

3 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

Tent ·

The heartstone site was amazing! Sure it was rainy and cold but nothing a tarp couldn’t fix. Beautiful views from the site, nice trail to walk along the river. The drive up was a breeze nothing crazy even after all the rain. Will defiantly be coming back again!

Ian G.

3 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

Islandsite

Tent ·

Island Site was the perfect little spot. Looking for that peaceful off-grid spot? Island Site is the campsite for you. This campsite is a unique mystical little campsite deep in the forest with two roaring creeks, its own little nature trails, and a great host! Thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will definitely be returning.

Cody S.

2 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

Stunning Creek Site

Tent · With kids ·

Islandsite was hands down the most beautiful campsite we have ever stayed at in the eastern US. The lack of cell service paired with the tent platform over a rushing and babbling creek made for glorious and chilly night’s sleep. We stayed 2 adults and 2 little boys and they spent the entire time exploring the creek with moss-covered rocks to their heart’s content. The camp bathroom was convenient, especially for the kids. We were expecting it to be completely primal and private, and not expecting the host to be staying in the camper on site, but Brian was very kind and helpful. The directions were accurate and the recommendation for the firewood for sale up the road was great for grabbing on the way in. Would definitely come back to camp or stay in the cute cabin.

Jennifer A.

2 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2025

Hidden Gem Worth Every Mile

Tent ·

My wife and I needed a much-deserved break from our daily routine, and The Heartstone was exactly what we hoped for. From the start, Brian went above and beyond—he made sure we had clear directions and even shared his personal number to make our arrival seamless. The site was exactly as described, if not better. It was incredibly spacious, easily fitting our Gazelle T8 tent and my 4Runner loaded with all our Overlanding gear. When we ran into an issue with some damp firewood, Brian didn’t hesitate to help. He brought us fire starters and kindling from his own supply so we wouldn’t have to make a trip into town. That kind of hospitality is rare and genuinely appreciated. He also stopped by a few times throughout the weekend while working on his own site projects, always checking to make sure we had everything we needed. It’s clear Brian takes great pride in what he’s building here—his respect for nature and vision for expanding the property into something even more beautiful really stood out. He walked us through his plans for future sites, and you can tell he’s putting real thought and heart into every detail. This place is truly underrated and deserves more recognition. Even with the six-hour drive from South Carolina, it was absolutely worth it. The gravel road leading in might look intimidating at first, but don’t let it fool you—my wife made it in just fine with her stock Mazda CX-5 on regular street tires. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape, here it is!

Sidney P.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2025

Tent ·

Had a great experience tent camping at Islandsite! The campsite layout is one of the best and most interesting I've experienced. Got to meet Brian, he's very nice and knowlegeable about the whole area. He has 3 sites , all very cool designs, can't wait to try them all!

Jason B.

2 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2025

Tent ·

I almost didnt want to write a review because I dont want people to know about how amazing this place is!! Brian is such a fantastic guy I had to say so! Wonderful stay, easy drive in an out, hands down best camp toilet setup, 45 minutes to the nearest grocery store. Felt very private, Brian was so respectful and thoughtful and he did a wonderful job building the sites and Island Trail. Cant wait to return. 10/10 one of my favorite places Ive camped. And I downloaded the Gaia app Brian! Its great thanks for telling me about it haha.

Renly D.

6 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

Hidden Paradise!

Tent ·

We loved tent camping here!! It was literally a mini paradise. The most beautiful site we have ever stayed at. The directions from Brian on how to get there were clear and made finding the site very easy. We are looking forward to our next trip and booking this site again!

Amy H.

2 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

Tent ·

Very hospitable, friendly host! Extremely polite. The site is remote and as pictured. I fully intend to visit again, next year. Leaves peak change is nearing (guessing a week plus) - traffic may be heavy getting there. The scenery makes it a worthy destination.

Michelle E.

2 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

Serene and quiet

Tent · With kids ·

This campsite is amazing! It’s super private, right in the middle of the mountains, and there’s a little brook running right next to it with trout in it. The whole place is so peaceful and beautiful—perfect for getting away from everything. My family of three had a great time just relaxing, listening to the water, and exploring around. Definitely one of the most serene spots we’ve ever camped at, and we can’t wait to come back.

Joel H.

2 reviews

Recommends

· October 2025

We loved this site! The creek is so peaceful and the cabin was perfect. The site is easy to find using Brian’s directions. I’d recommend getting there before the sun goes down because it is very dark (but great for stargazing!).

Charlotte M.

3 reviews

Recommends

· September 2025

10/10!

Perfect spot to disconnect and be in a serene place all weekend! PLEASE BEWARE there is a giant active yellow jacket nest right on the bank of the creek at the site. If you have kids or are allergic, just be mindful. Brian was very easy to communicate with. The directions he sends you beforehand are spot on and we had no problem getting there. We did download an “offline map” (iPhone) before we lost service which was great to use on the way out of there. Wasn’t necessary but it was helpful. Even during the day, the cabin is pretty dark so bring extra lighting. Everything was very clean. The wood stove kept it nice and cozy. We will definitely be back!

Page P.

3 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2025

Best mountain campsite EVER!!!

Tent · With pets ·

What an amazing find! This was by far the most secluded camping experience we've had to date. There is a half mile between the next site. Island site has a trail through the woods that connects 3 sites (no one was at these sites or entire visit), perfect for a family vacation! There are two tent toilets and one structured (no carry out waste). Water access within feet of each site! No cell service here! I cannot stress how amazing this site is! I will be planning a family vacation, taking all the spots next year! We lost our keys at site, but Brian helped us get a locksmith out to laser cut us a new car key! The people in the area are so nice as well. Loved seeing a sign that read " If you're lucky enough to live on West Buffalo, then you're lucky enough".... Thanks Brian, for sharing your slice of mountain heaven!

Miranda C.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2025

Tent ·

Great site and comfortable. Brian has made it into a special place!

John S.

3 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2025

With pets ·

The cabin is very secluded and peaceful. Right by the river. This is such a magical space. Will be back! Ps. Bring lighting- string lights(battery powered), lanterns, headlamps because the cabin gets very dark at night.

Jennifer G.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2025

Will visit soon

Tent ·

Awesome place. Visit if you want to live close to nature and away from luxury. Camping tent was close to river . River and night sound help to relax and have sound sleep. Disclaimer: if you are in luxury hotel type guy then don't visit. If you like near to nature and enjoy raw natural beauty then it's perfect place for you

Bhaskar T.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2025

A Thoughtful, Dog-Friendly Escape

Tent · With pets ·

We stayed at Heartstone and absolutely loved our experience. We like remote sites away from others and although this spot had neighbors, we never saw them other than on the road. The site is built with so much intention—you can tell every detail was carefully designed to make guests feel at ease. We brought our dog along, and it was the perfect setup for all of us. On our second day, it rained nonstop, but even that couldn’t dampen the experience. The additional rain in the stream created a steady, soothing rhythm—though it did get quite loud at times, which added to the adventure more than anything. The water itself was beautiful, and the entire environment felt restorative and grounding. Heartstone is truly a special place, thoughtfully made, and we left feeling recharged. We can’t wait to come back. Be sure to pay close attention to Brian’s directions. We had no service and we’re glad we had saved his message ahead of time.

Samantha C.

3 reviews

Recommends

· September 2025

Intimate and private

Tent ·

This place is beautiful, enough so that I just stayed for the second time. The setup is optimal and provides plenty of space to spread out, yet it's very intimate. The outhouse is comfortable and sure beats other methods while camping. I will say be prepared if the weather is wet because the canopy surrounding the site is thick and it can stay damp. The access road is easy to traverse, and while I have a truck built for rough stuff, a regular vehicle can easily make it back to the site. Thanks for another fun getaway Brian.

Troy S.

3 reviews

Recommends

· September 2025

Perfectly Private

Tent · With pets ·

I loved tent camping with my dog at the Islandsite! It so so incredibly private. There was some equipment and a camper onsite but no one was using them so it was amazingly private. Beautiful spot with lots of space for me and my dog to roam

Janiece P.

7 reviews

Recommends

· August 2025

Tent ·

Loved camping here. The site was very relaxing, and remote. We saw 1 car, and did not hear anyone all weekend. The tent pad is great, just be aware it is slippery when wet. The island and creeks are gorgeous as well. We will certainly be back. Directions were wonderful, and we easily found camp, even with coming in after dark on the first night. Be aware there is NO signal, as soon as you leave Robbinsville. Download all maps needed beforehand. Also please keep in mind that you need to clean the campsite for the next guest. The guest before us unfortunately left multiple things, such as dog toys and tent stakes, plus they left their bathroom trash, and worst of all.. waste in the bucket without a bag. This is NOT the host’s fault and nothing against the campsite. It is solely the fault of the campers before us.

Anna C.

7 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2025

Is this the Best campsite in N.C.?

5 m car · With pets ·

I’ve camped a lot and I’m from North Carolina.. dare I say this is the best campsite in NC? Being on the confluence of streams means you have the best lullaby to fall asleep to on any given day. The moss and how lush and green it was scratched a part of my brain I didn’t know I needed scratching. Brian has done an amazing job. I was shocked to find a shovel, fire pocker, rake, broom, TP and air freshener and more as little luxuries at the campsite. I want to come back and stay again and again. We dipped in the creeks and our dogs highly enjoyed the little swimming holes that each mini waterfall created. Truly magical.

Robin J.

3 reviews

Recommends

· August 2025

Magical creekside hideaway

Tent ·