The best safari tent rentals near Sylva, North Carolina

Nestled in the Plott Balsam Mountains, this small town is a short drive from two national forests, where campers can enjoy tent campsites, RV campsites with nearby restrooms, and cabins inside the park. Nantahala Forest offers over 500,000 acres of scenery to explore, while Pisgah Forest includes campsites with spectacular views over Linville Gorge. For backcountry and frontcountry tent camping in the mountains, visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Trails for hiking and biking as well as rushing rivers and whitewater rafting make Sylva an exciting home base to discover western North Carolina.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Nestled in the Plott Balsam Mountains, this small town is a short drive from two national forests, where campers can enjoy tent campsites, RV campsites with nearby restrooms, and cabins inside the park. Nantahala Forest offers over 500,000 acres of scenery to explore, while Pisgah Forest includes campsites with spectacular views over Linville Gorge. For backcountry and frontcountry tent camping in the mountains, visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Trails for hiking and biking as well as rushing rivers and whitewater rafting make Sylva an exciting home base to discover western North Carolina.

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Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camp LeConte

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28mi from Sylva · 36 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Gatlinburg, TN

Welcome to Camp LeConte Adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains and only 4 miles to downtown Gatlinburg you can't get a better location than Camp LeConte. Camp LeConte is a family owned and operated campground since 2013. Ian and Linzy Nicely, and their three children, are happy to have a family business where they can share the love of nature, mountains and Gatlinburg with all their guests. Ian is a lover of all things outdoors. Mix that with Linzy's style and love of decorating and that's Camp LeConte. A glamorous camping destination where you can stay in a luxury tree house, European safari tent or a 1960's retro camper. Bring your own RV or camper and stay in one of our full -hook up sites with 20, 30 and 50 amp service, water, sewer, cable and free wifi. Maybe you are wanting your kids to pitch a real tent (just like you did when you were their age!). We offer primitive tent sites for those of you who really want to rough it!

2. LAKESIDE GETAWAY ON DOUGLAS

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45mi from Sylva · 56 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Dandridge, TN

Lakeside Getaway is a seasonal peninsula on Douglas Lake of primitive camping sites in historic Dandridge, Tn just 30 min from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. Come enjoy your boat, jet ski, or kayaks from our 75 foot boat dock and new concrete boat ramp for launching. Our pavilion is a nice commons area with a charcoal stove and can be reserved for private parties. We rent out Kayaks to parties or individuals. Our quite cove is about 2 miles long and very secluded... Great for Kayaking! Call for more details and questions: 423-231-9399 or 423-231-4094

3. Canopy Cove Camping Retreat

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17mi from Sylva · 9 sites · RVs, Lodging · Bryson City, NC

Brand new, family owned campground situated less than 6 miles from Bryson City. We currently have 3 RV sites for rigs under 27’ and 2 safari tents. On site, we have built a 1/2 mile trail to the top of the property to unveil an unobstructed view of The Great Smoky Mountain National Park including Clingman's Dome and The Road To Nowhere. There is a boat launch 4 miles down the road where you can then paddle across Lake Fontana and access miles of designated hiking trails and even the Appalachian Trail. We are a beautiful 16 mile drive from both the Tsali mountain bike trail system and The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) with some of the best whitewater in the Eastern US.

4. Cashiers Glamping

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25mi from Sylva · 1 site · Lodging · Cashiers, NC

Experience mountain glamping at its finest in the heart of Western North Carolina, near the charming towns of Highlands and Cashiers, NC! Nestled amidst breathtaking scenery, our off-grid space offers the perfect opportunity to unplug, relax, and immerse yourself in the crisp mountain air. With countless waterfalls and hiking trails just around the corner, adventure awaits at every turn. Allow this serene setting to serve as your base camp as you embark on your next great outdoor excursion. Indulge in the tranquility of nature and let the mountains be your refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

5. Comfy Yurts And Safari Tent

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48mi from Sylva · 3 sites · Lodging · Brasstown, NC

Craving something different and unique? Experience the great outdoors with all the comforts of a cozy bed, hot water bathroom, and temperature-controlled air. With no WiFi (but excellent cell service), it's the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Each of our rentals—2 Yurts and a Safari Tent—features its own private deck and glamped-out bathroom. Guests can also take advantage of our shared outdoor eating area, grill, and fire pit. Relax under the stars, and depending on the time of year, you might even catch a glimpse of the firefly extravaganza. We’re excited to share that our neighbors at Tri-County Racetrack—just 0.6 miles down the road—have officially reopened! On race nights, you might hear the distant rumble and roar of the action from your cozy yurt or tent. Some folks love the energy and excitement... others might prefer a quieter evening under the stars. Either way, we want you to know ahead of time so you can plan the stay that’s right for you. If you’re up for a night of dirt track fun, check out their schedule online. Let us know if you have any questions—we're here to help you create the experience you want.

6. Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort

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23mi from Sylva · 3 sites · Lodging · Lake Toxaway, NC

Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort is tucked away in Lake Toxaway, NC. Our 27 acre property is surrounded by woods with hiking trails on site. We have 44 RV sites and 2 Glamping Tents. A short drive away you can experience National forests and state parks. Our area is known as the Land of the Waterfalls with over 250 waterfalls to walk, hike or bike to. We are also minutes away from one of the oldest rivers in the world, The French Broad River for kayaking, canoeing or tubing. Surrounded by nature you will truly feel peace and serenity.

7. Firefly season glamping

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40mi from Sylva · 1 site · Lodging · Sevierville, TN

This ain’t the Ritz, but as far as glamping goes, this is as fancy as it gets. You will have a full bathroom with hot water, a rainfall shower head, and a normal toilet. Our plumbing is just like that of a regular house. The tent has split unit air conditioning /heat. Relax by the fire table, take in the stars, take a ride down to the lake access, enjoy boat ramp access, and the romance of a night under canvas in a comfy bed. It doesn’t get more Insta-gram than this! Escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary with our glamping tent.Nestled in a serene natural setting, our tent offer the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern luxury. Come Enjoy firefly season!! BEFORE YOU BOOK: 1. Guest Must be 21+ Years to Rent 2. During winter, the tent can be cold as it is not insulated. However, we provide portable heaters and heated blankets to keep you warm. 3. When you go glamping, it's important to remember to bring bug spray. Glamping is a luxurious form of camping, but that doesn't mean you won't encounter bugs. So, it's always better to be prepared and have bug spray on hand to make your experience more enjoyable. 4. The glamping site is located alongside the road. 5. There are some twigs falling on the roof of the glamping from a tree above, which can be a startling noise.

8. Luxe Tent/Private Bathhouse/Wifi/AC

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28mi from Sylva · 3 sites · Lodging · Topton, NC

Simply Glampin’ has all you need to retreat into the woods and enjoy a getaway to reconnect with nature. We are located less than a mile from the gorgeous Nantahala lake, where you can swim or rent kayaks, pontoons, ATV's and more. This area of Western North Carolina has so much to offer outdoor enthusiasts such as mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, and the famous white water rafting.

Camper favorites near Sylva

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Cashiers Glamping

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(7)

25mi from Sylva · 1 site · Lodging · Cashiers, NC

Experience mountain glamping at its finest in the heart of Western North Carolina, near the charming towns of Highlands and Cashiers, NC! Nestled amidst breathtaking scenery, our off-grid space offers the perfect opportunity to unplug, relax, and immerse yourself in the crisp mountain air. With countless waterfalls and hiking trails just around the corner, adventure awaits at every turn. Allow this serene setting to serve as your base camp as you embark on your next great outdoor excursion. Indulge in the tranquility of nature and let the mountains be your refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Comfy Yurts And Safari Tent

100%

(9)

48mi from Sylva · 3 sites · Lodging · Brasstown, NC

Craving something different and unique? Experience the great outdoors with all the comforts of a cozy bed, hot water bathroom, and temperature-controlled air. With no WiFi (but excellent cell service), it's the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Each of our rentals—2 Yurts and a Safari Tent—features its own private deck and glamped-out bathroom. Guests can also take advantage of our shared outdoor eating area, grill, and fire pit. Relax under the stars, and depending on the time of year, you might even catch a glimpse of the firefly extravaganza. We’re excited to share that our neighbors at Tri-County Racetrack—just 0.6 miles down the road—have officially reopened! On race nights, you might hear the distant rumble and roar of the action from your cozy yurt or tent. Some folks love the energy and excitement... others might prefer a quieter evening under the stars. Either way, we want you to know ahead of time so you can plan the stay that’s right for you. If you’re up for a night of dirt track fun, check out their schedule online. Let us know if you have any questions—we're here to help you create the experience you want.

Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort

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(3)

23mi from Sylva · 3 sites · Lodging · Lake Toxaway, NC

Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort is tucked away in Lake Toxaway, NC. Our 27 acre property is surrounded by woods with hiking trails on site. We have 44 RV sites and 2 Glamping Tents. A short drive away you can experience National forests and state parks. Our area is known as the Land of the Waterfalls with over 250 waterfalls to walk, hike or bike to. We are also minutes away from one of the oldest rivers in the world, The French Broad River for kayaking, canoeing or tubing. Surrounded by nature you will truly feel peace and serenity.

Firefly season glamping

88%

(4)

40mi from Sylva · 1 site · Lodging · Sevierville, TN

This ain’t the Ritz, but as far as glamping goes, this is as fancy as it gets. You will have a full bathroom with hot water, a rainfall shower head, and a normal toilet. Our plumbing is just like that of a regular house. The tent has split unit air conditioning /heat. Relax by the fire table, take in the stars, take a ride down to the lake access, enjoy boat ramp access, and the romance of a night under canvas in a comfy bed. It doesn’t get more Insta-gram than this! Escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary with our glamping tent.Nestled in a serene natural setting, our tent offer the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern luxury. Come Enjoy firefly season!! BEFORE YOU BOOK: 1. Guest Must be 21+ Years to Rent 2. During winter, the tent can be cold as it is not insulated. However, we provide portable heaters and heated blankets to keep you warm. 3. When you go glamping, it's important to remember to bring bug spray. Glamping is a luxurious form of camping, but that doesn't mean you won't encounter bugs. So, it's always better to be prepared and have bug spray on hand to make your experience more enjoyable. 4. The glamping site is located alongside the road. 5. There are some twigs falling on the roof of the glamping from a tree above, which can be a startling noise.

Luxe Tent/Private Bathhouse/Wifi/AC

100%

(3)

28mi from Sylva · 3 sites · Lodging · Topton, NC

Simply Glampin’ has all you need to retreat into the woods and enjoy a getaway to reconnect with nature. We are located less than a mile from the gorgeous Nantahala lake, where you can swim or rent kayaks, pontoons, ATV's and more. This area of Western North Carolina has so much to offer outdoor enthusiasts such as mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, and the famous white water rafting.

Stories from the community

A

Aly

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Luxe Tent/Private Bathhouse/Wifi/AC

This was definitely one of the best clamping experiences we have had! Alisha has thought of every detail! We loved the sink for washing dishes, the close and clean bathroom with a hot, relaxing shower, and the coffee and coffee maker for the morning. The heated blankets were a must with the weather, and helped keep us so cozy! I loved how we did not have to bring pots, pans, soap, etc making our trip so much easier to pack for. We went to the Lake Ends Restaurant which was so fun (BYOB!), hiked nearby, sat by the lake and read our books, and went on the Andrew's Valley Railroad experience. These were all so fun and relaxing! The only thing was we were very close to our neighboring glamping tent with little privacy. It would be nice to glamp with a friend in the neighboring site. Otherwise, it was such as pleasant stay, and we will definitely return!

A

Adam

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort

The tent was great and all amenities were perfect! Also super convenient to anywhere you want to get to.

L

Leigh

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Cashiers Glamping

Absolutely loved everything about this site. They thought of everything!!! We will be back. 😁

D

Daria

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Cashiers Glamping

Beautiful setup! We had everything we needed and really enjoyed the stay. Every single item at the tent has a purpose, and we loved it.

A

Alexi

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp LeConte

Soooo cute! :] definitely hope to be back next time we visit the area. Everything was absolutely clean. great indoor showers, bathroom, and even laundry right by the campsite. Electric fireplace to keep warm. We even received our key to lock the door to our glamp tent. Play area for kids, pool, and a little shop. So many of those things and more that we did not expect. It was much better than advertised. Thank you for all the attention to detail! We had a great comfy trip!

S

Sarah

September 2025

1 night at Cashiers Glamping

This was one of the best camp set ups we’ve been to by far. Parking is right there, great fire pit and grill set up. We had some light rain in the morning, so the covered porch was perfect while we waited it out and had our breakfast. Will definitely be coming back .

Gary

August 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Luxe Tent/Private Bathhouse/Wifi/AC

We had such an amazing time at Simply Glampin! 🌲✨ The glamping tents are beautiful — thoughtfully decorated, super comfortable beds, and all the little touches that make it feel like luxury in the middle of nature. We loved the outdoor space: a cozy firepit, decks for relaxing, and clean bathrooms with amazing showers. It was the perfect spot for us to escape the noise of everyday life while still enjoying comfort, coffee, electricity, wifi, and even coolers if needed. The property is nice and secluded, so you really feel tucked away, but it’s also just a quick drive into Franklin, NC where we enjoyed a great dinner out. The best of both worlds! We came here to relax, recharge, and enjoy the outdoors in style — and Simply Glampin delivered. We’ll definitely be back!

J

Jessica

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Luxe Tent/Private Bathhouse/Wifi/AC

Wonderful place to stay for a weekend in the woods! They had everything you could possibly need available for our stay, and the tent was very clean and comfortable. Would definitely recommend!

A

Anel

April 2025

Weekend Trip to Firefly season glamping

We had a fantastic stay here. The amenities were perfect, especially the shower. The area was also very quiet. Would definitely come back!

M

Maxx

March 2025

1 night at Firefly season glamping

This little set up was great! Surrounding area was quiet and the amenities were awesome!

Other options near Sylva

Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground

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48mi from Sylva · 5 sites · Swannanoa, NC

Welcome to Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground If a western North Carolina mountain camping experience is what you’re looking for, Mama Gertie’s is the place for you! We offer full hookup RV sites for motorhomes, travel trailers, truck campers, and 5th wheels. We also have a small number of water and electric-only sites for pop-ups and micro-campers or those not requiring a sewer hookup. *Our glamping safari tents and cabins are now available for reservations! We are conveniently located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, Black Mountain, and many local recreational options. *We are open year-round. *Our Mountain View RV sites and Safari Tents are closed from approximately November 1st through March 31st and we have limited availability for cabin rentals. Please call our reservations desk at 828.686.4258 if you have questions.

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Potable water

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Star Gazer Stays Glamping Village

34mi from Sylva · 3 sites · Sevierville, TN

The Stargazer Stays Glamping Village is located along a nature reserve, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Village is the perfect setting for those looking to escape the chaos of city living and reconnect with the great outdoors. Our Copernicus Luxury tent brings you closer to nature with all the comforts of home! Our village is the epitome of 'done for you' glamping. All you need to bring are your clothes, light toiletries and food. This spacious glamping tent can accommodate up to 5 guests with 2 separate sleeping spaces. Guests can choose between a sleeping area outfitted with a queen sized bed, or a second sleeping area equipped with a single bed and one bunk bed. The Copernicus Glamping Tent features an extra level of privacy with wooden walls separating the living spaces. All of our tents are equipped with a mini split HVAC system to ensure your temperature controlled comfort. An open living, dining and kitchen area provides you and your guests with the perfect space for meals and entertainment. The Kitchen is minimally stocked with dishes, silverware, glasses and mugs and feature a microwave and a Keurig (coffee pods included). Prefer to have someone else brew your coffee? Join us at The Heavenly Roast coffee shop with the included $10 gift card and let us pour you a cup of freshly brewed cup of Joe! The attached veranda creates a comfortable space to socialize in nature, with ample outdoor seating. Each tent also features a deluxe park grill. You and your guests can also enjoy the community fire pit, hot tub and lawn games! We've even included popcorn and a s'mores kit. We feature an online store stocked with camping essentials and souvenirs that are delivered to your tent. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a girl's weekend, or even a family vacation in the Smokies the Luxury Copernicus tent will meet your needs.

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Potable water

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best safari tents near Sylva guide

Where to go

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Just an hour northwest of Sylva, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers stunning mountain views, hiking trails, and a variety of tent camping options. Backpackers can explore backcountry sites that require hiking to the campground, while frontcountry camping offers easy car access and a developed campsite with restrooms, a firepit, and a picnic table. Reserve a site early to score a group campsite for eight or more people in the front country, or book a horse camp, where Hipcampers can enjoy vehicle access, horse hitch racks, and basic camping facilities.

Nantahala National Forest

The largest national forest in North Carolina, Nantahala covers mountain and valley landscapes with hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails as well as whitewater rafting and camping. Explore a variety of developed and primitive tent campgrounds with lakeside, streamside, and forest views, plus options for group and dispersed camping. Four RV campgrounds offer space for RVs and campervans in the Nantahala Ranger District, with access to nearby showers and flush toilets. The park also offers a primitive cabin and a fully-equipped lodge with 16 beds and a kitchen. It’s advised to book early as group sites tend to be popular in the summer months.

Pisgah National Forest

An hour’s drive northeast of Sylva is Pisgah National Forest, home to the Cradle of Forestry historic site as well as waterfalls, whitewater rivers, and expansive mountain and forest hiking trails. Tent campers can find a variety of sites with drinking water, showers, and flush restrooms, while RV campers can enjoy the park’s amenities and a dump station at North Mills River. Stop by Wiseman’s View for a stunning look over Linville Gorge. Hipcampers can also book mountainside campsites, riverview sites, and forest campgrounds, but remember to check the availability, as some sites are only open seasonally.

When to go

The popular camping season in Sylva runs from April to October, with the period after Labor Day a favorite for those seeking cooler nights and less humidity. July is the hottest month in the region, with average highs near 85. The state allows camping all year, although it’s important to call ahead because not all sites are available year-round. Experience is recommended for winter camping in the high country, where the slopes are often snowy. For Hipcampers seeking a more relaxed winter experience, many lower-elevation areas around Sylva offer car camping, tent camping, and RV campsites.