The best bell tent rentals near Morganton, North Carolina

Camp in the Eastern Appalachian Mountain foothills around Morganton to become immersed in the nature of North Carolina. Tent and RV campers can find multiple riverside campgrounds right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and bike, hike, or paddle into the backcountry from their campsite. Catawba River flows west through the city toward Lake James State Park, where shoreline camping, swimming, and fishing are popular in summer. Winter travelers can try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing while backpacking in Elk Knob State Park, then warm up at a cozy cabin rental back in town.

100% (1.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Camp in the Eastern Appalachian Mountain foothills around Morganton to become immersed in the nature of North Carolina. Tent and RV campers can find multiple riverside campgrounds right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and bike, hike, or paddle into the backcountry from their campsite. Catawba River flows west through the city toward Lake James State Park, where shoreline camping, swimming, and fishing are popular in summer. Winter travelers can try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing while backpacking in Elk Knob State Park, then warm up at a cozy cabin rental back in town.

100% (1.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Starlight Hills

98%

(2478)

16mi from Morganton · 24 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bostic, NC

Our Spa and Geodesic Dome Planetarium is now available for booking! Our Pond is now OPEN! We are a constantly evolving location. Our goal is to provide a genuine secluded camping experience immersed in nature in a mountainous forest with privacy and well spaced out, secluded camp sites. We also have minimal light pollution, so our skies are beautiful for viewing the stars. We offer trails through natural wooded habitat with hidden gems of nature. Wildlife viewing throughout. There are feed locations to increase viewing opportunities. A creek on the property is lovely for walking. Centered between Charlotte and Asheville we are within your reach! We offer primitive tent camping, Glamping Tents a tiny cabin and Geodesic Dome. Lodging locations have a private Mountain View, fire pit area, Queen bed, Night Stand (built in phone charger), Desk area, interior and exterior lighting, heater and fan (powered by solar system). As a part of Starlight Hills Campground you have access to filtered drinking water, common overlook (w/ BBQ pits & picnic tables), trails, bathroom and showers. Welcome to bring all your furry family members ❤️. Please Note: 2 Wheel Dr. vehicles can access all of our sites. Gravel/ Dirt road up hill.

2. Mountain Farm Camping & Glamping

100%

(51)

33mi from Morganton · 37 sites · Tents, Lodging · Moravian Falls, NC

Nestled in North Carolina's Brushy Mountains, Growing Faith Farms & Retreat offers a tranquil escape from modern life, just 90 minutes from Charlotte. Perched atop the mountain, our retreat overlooks vast stretches of mountaintops, rolling hills, and verdant landscapes. Here, we cultivate more than just crops; we nurture a profound sense of tranquility and community. Our space is designed to encourage guests to pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the beauty and simplicity of nature. Our campsites provide a variety of camping options, from predefined sites to walk-in spots throughout our expansive 200-acre mountain. You can choose to camp by the creek, in a sunny field, or deep in the woods. In 2024, we introduced our private Shower House, featuring three fully equipped bathrooms with showers, sinks, and toilets, plus heating and air conditioning. We also offer pre-furnished bell tents, camping platforms, and at site water and electricity (select sites) for your convenience. If you want to immerse yourself in outdoor camping without sacrificing the comforts of home, our glamping tent features a queen-size bed with linens, as well as a twin bed that converts into a second bed for added convenience. Stay cozy with a heated indoor wood stove, and enjoy a kitchen table, dresser, and chair for your convenience. You'll also have access to a private bathroom complete with a fully functioning toilet, indoor/outdoor hot shower, and sink. Outside, a private covered kitchen awaits, equipped with a kitchen sink, cooler, pots and pans and cooking utensils. Relax in your lounge chairs on the porch and take in the views, and indulge in outdoor cooking with a gas grill, picnic table, and outdoor fire pit area. During your stay at our farm, guests can unwind amidst natural surroundings, visit with our animals, enjoy on farm activities and explore the wide variety of local attractions that the surrounding area has to offer. Just 30 minutes west, you’ll find the Blue Ridge Parkway. Kerr Scott Lake is only 10 minutes away, where you can swim, rent kayaks and pontoon boats, fish, or enjoy mountain biking and hiking on extensive trails. Prayer Mountain is about 2 miles up the road. To the east, explore several wineries and a local moonshine distillery. A half-hour away, visit the Amish community with shops like Shiloh Bakery and General Store (closed Sundays and Mondays). For fantastic hiking, head northeast to Stone Mountain, about 45 minutes away, which also features a renovated homestead. To the south, Rocky Face Park offers hiking and rock climbing, while Emerald Hollow Mine allows you to search for and keep precious stones. There are always concerts, movies and festivals happening in the area too for entertainment. Check the activities section below for more details!

3. Mila’s Bunny Farm

100%

(19)

36mi from Morganton · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging · Burnsville, NC

Nice secluded tent campsite on an angora bunny farm. Listen to the sound of the mountain creek while you sleep, and cuddle with bunnies by the running water wheel during the day. Very relaxing spot to decompress and unplug on 7 acres that are mostly wooded. Pisgah National Forest is just two miles away with plenty of hiking to explore. The charming town of Burnsville is just 10 miles on a beautiful, scenic highway. Homeplace Brewery, Birdfoot Taproom, and Snapdragon are among the local spots to visit. Asheville is also nearby at just under an hour’s drive. The trail entrance to Big Butt is a couple miles away with a few great overlook points. If you want to do the whole 24 mile length of the trail (featuring 5 mountain peaks above 6,000ft), I can make shuttle arrangements for your party to be picked up at the end. Navitat Ziplining is very close, as well as gorgeous flower farms and Mountain Light Sanctuary to visit over in Barnardsville. Come enjoy our mountain community!

4. Wildwood Heart Farm

100%

(4)

33mi from Morganton · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Boomer, NC

We are a holistic herbal farm, with glamping, primitive sites. Meditation trail, reiki, we are 1 mile from swim beach and near lots of hiking trails. Only 34 miles from Grandfather Mt National Park and 31 miles from Boone NC We have outdoor showers, handwashing area and potty. Gas grill, picnic tables, fire pit and firewood, a cooler is provided. We have beds in each bell tent, with one sleeping 2 adults and other sleeps 4. Butterfly Cottage will sleep 6 (coming May 2025) we also have 2 acres of wildflowers planted for our butterfly sanctuary. We have a wonderful foraged breakfast available by request Call with questions 336/304/0078 **NO Longer allowing pets due to damage** We are 🍃🍄 &; 🌈 friendly

5. Wunderland Resort

100%

(2)

27mi from Morganton · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Old Fort, NC

Wunderland is a new development that is underway and our focus is on connections, experience and sustainability. We will be offering various accommodations including, dreamy and immersive villas, themed tent structured, vanlife sites, and primitive camping. Additionally, the property will have many unique features to encourage deep connection with yourself and others, to relax and have a great time!

Stories from the community

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AnnMarie

November 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

Awesome spot with Amazing Mountain View’s. We stayed in the yurt which was all ready for us and it was perfect for our family.

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Patrick

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Mila’s Bunny Farm

Cat's camp is awesome! Loved getting to feed the bunnies in the morning. Location is pretty remote so the star visibility was unreal, loved looking up at them from our fire. Would absolutely stay again.

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Eddie

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Mountain Farm Camping & Glamping

Great facilities and area. All accommodations are clean and available. The host are awesome. They meet everyone and make sure that you get situated, familiar and settled down. Their hospitality is limitless. These folks enjoy what they do and make sure your stay is memorable.

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Micah

October 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Mila’s Bunny Farm

Cat was a fantastic host, showing us everything and helping hold rabbits, and sharing about all the details. She gave a great hike recommendation 1.5mile to the Waterslide Rock and we did it at sunset. The tent was spacious and she setup 2 extra beds with pillows and sheets and blankets. She gave us extra firewood which made for a fantastic fire at night and in the morning for drinks and warmth. The tent and waterwheel and rabbits and creek running past all made for a memorable trip!!

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Callie

October 2025

1 night at Mountain Farm Camping & Glamping

We had a great time! Peaceful, quiet night! Tina was friendly and got us settled in just fine. Wished we had time to pick flowers!

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Renee

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Mila’s Bunny Farm

10/10 would recommend this site for a friend! Cat was a great host, provided clear driving directions and directions once we arrived. The bunnies were close to our site but didn’t make a lot of noise and were so fun to play with! The drive to get there was beautiful and so worth being a little far away from town to get those views! Can’t wait to return!

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Tolman

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Mountain Farm Camping & Glamping

This was our second year coming to Growing Faith Farms and this year was just as wonderful as the first! We were greeted by Joe and Tina upon entering the property and they took the time to lead us up to our site and show us everything, even though we had gotten there well after dark. The bell tent itself is AMAZING. The bed is super comfortable and the provided heater kept it cozy in there all day and night. One thing that keeps us coming back to Growing Faith Farms is the peace and quiet that you get to experience while still having modern conveniences such as running water, HOT water, and electricity. If you’re looking to enjoy beautiful views in a quiet setting without giving up all the comforts of home, Growing Faith Farms is the place to go!

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Alexis

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

we loved it, felt very private. we will be back :)

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Eddie

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

Great location, great setting. Peaceful and scenic. All you need to bring is free time. Sunsets are unbelievable.

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Sarah

October 2025

With kids

1 night at Starlight Hills

Great campgrounds. We had an issue with our bell tent and William was able to accommodate us at an alternative site expeditiously. We ended up at MTG4 which was lovely. It was one adult and two kids and we fit comfortably in the tent. Quiet and scenic with lots of space for the kids to explore. We will be back to try out the dome with a 4th!

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Jason

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

We really enjoyed camping on Williams land. The tent and the lights with the tiki torches looked amazing at night. The directions took us straight there and it was easy to navigate around.

Amanda

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

We loved the yurt and camp ground! We will be back again!

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Megan

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

They thought of everything - showers, portapotties (CLEAN), firewood for sale, a pond (?), fire ring, games and bedding in the tent and great views. The string lights were also such a great touch. Just wish I had booked the dome!

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Mary Catherine

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

I loved my experience! The site was easy to find and the pictures were accurate. I will be back again.

The bell tents just down the hill from the larger glamping tents are another great option for a stay.

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Pratik

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Mountain Farm Camping & Glamping

The host were very helpful and made us feel settled. The place is absolutely beautiful with good views of the mountain. The tent was great and the fire wood provided on site is of great value.

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Nellie

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

Loved this campsite! My tent was fabulous, and close by the overlook with hammocks that were so nice to relax in. I booked the spa/sauna for an hour, and it did not disappoint - it's completely worth the extra fee!! I absolutely want to come back and stay here again.

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Amariah

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

We love this place. My (now) husband and I came here a few years ago for my birthday and tent camped. This year we "glamped" and it was wonderful. We added the s'mores package and the firewood bundle and it made it so convenient. We also took a late night shower in the outdoor shower and it was lovely. We'll for sure be visiting again

Steven

July 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Wildwood Heart Farm

Can’t express enough how absolutely beautiful & peaceful this place is. The hosts are AMAZING, kind, loving people. They make you feel at home as soon as you arrive(even if it’s late). There is UNLIMITED land to explore with their permission. The campsite has EVERYTHING YOU NEED- right down to entertainment. Will be visiting again & again!

Emily

July 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

SO BEAUTIFUL. MTG 1 had the most incredible view. We really really enjoyed our stay.

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Meredith

June 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Starlight Hills

The campsite was great and had beautiful views during the day and the stars at night. We enjoyed the lookout area set up with grills and hammocks.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best bell tents near Morganton guide

Where to go

Elk Knob State Park

Just over an hour outside Morganton, Elk Knob State Park offers primitive camping opportunities in the backcountry. Backpack 1-2 miles in for an overnight stay, and register your visit in the box at the trailhead. Then, set up at a campsite next to New River streams. Or take a daytrip and hike 5.5 miles up to the Elk Knob overlook to see panoramic views of North Carolina’s high country. Winter campers can try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on a mile of ungroomed trail in Elk Knob, as well.

Stone Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain, a 600-foot granite dome and National Natural Landmark, is the chief attraction at Stone Mountain State Park. Here, campers can explore waterfalls and creeks, spend the day rock climbing, or learn the history of the area at the restored 19th-century Hutchinson Homestead farm at the base of Stone Mountain. Some park campsites are ADA-accessible with hot showers, firepits, and 50-amp hookups. There are also hike-in primitive campsites available. Many nearby campgrounds are also close to horseback riding trails and trout fishing streams.

Lake James State Park

Just a half an hour west of Morganton along the Catawba River, Lake James State Park offers shoreline camping along Paddys Creek or Catawba River streams. Campers can boat and fish in Lake James waters, or take canoes and kayaks to primitive paddle-in campsites. Prepare for bears in some areas of the park. Most campsites in the park have firepits and picnic tables, and potable water is available throughout the park.

When to go

Morganton has hot, humid summers that start in May and last until mid-September. Average daily temps are generally above 80°F, and water sports at nearby campgrounds are popular during these months. Most rainfall happens during summer, as well—prepare for wetter days and set up at campsites with paved pads or rain covers. In the winters, moderate snowfall between December and March is perfect for mountain snow sports. An average winter temperature of 58°F makes skiing and snowshoeing enjoyable for campers who visit this time of year.