Dark Ridge Hide Out (Adults Only)

99%

649 reviews

· Elk Park, Avery, North Carolina

20 acres hosted by Curtis C.

2 lodging sites · 4 RV/tent sites · 2 RV sites · 5 tent sites

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Best in North Carolina: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Full RV hookups

Electrical, water, and sewage hookups are available at select sites.

Curtis is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

"Adults only" doesn't mean anything other than just "no children", so as to preserve the natural peace and quiet, and assurance that there won't be loud and unruly children on the property. Inquiries and booking requests received after 9: pm may not be answered until the next morning. Dark Ridge Hide Out, is a 20 acre parcel in the Blue Ridge Mountain's on the back side of the Beech Mt Ski Resort in a secluded quiet and safe community with less than a dozen homes in a one mile radius. Away from light and sound pollution. Except for an occasional passing vehicle "and often none at all from 10pm to 6am" all you will hear is the sound of the creek which runs through the lower section by the RV sites, cricket's and frogs at the nearby fish pond and only the light from the moon and star's in the clear mountain sky and fire flies. It is my home place with a tobacco barn and a big combination cattle/tobacco barn built almost entirely just by my Mom and Dad in early 1940"s. My parents and grand parents lived off of the land here and raised cash crops like cabbage, corn and tobacco, we also raised sugar cane and made molasses, we had free range chickens, as many as 50 honey bee hives and over 50 head of cattle, two or three hog's and of course a horse. There was four main fields; two for cow pasture, one meadow to grow hay "now Christmas trees" and the main one on my part where all crops were grown is where the camp sites are. I grew up helping with the crops and other farm chores, one was to go to the pasture and bring the milk cows in and do the milking every day before and after school, feed the hogs and chickens, gather the egg's, let the chickens out in the morning and close the chicken house in the evening to protect them from critters like opossums, raccoons and wildcats. This is where I grew up, my dad grew up and, near where my mother and both of my grandparents grew up. My house was built in 1905 the same year my dad was born. The campsites are on my 20 acre section section of the original 82 acres with the house and barns, the remainder went to my brother but now is out of the family. The section of Elk River with the Compression Falls "45 ft high" and Twisting Falls which is part of Pisgah National Forest is less than two miles from here, and an old logging road going around the mountain above the river for about three miles to another Falls "Elk River Falls, 65 ft high" is a great place to hike or mountain bike. You will be free to explore and hike any part of my property except the house and out building's. The pond's are full of Trout and Blue Gill fish that are like pet's they love little pieces of bread. You can feed the fish but no fishing.

Activities

Biking

Fishing

Hiking

Fall Fun

Natural features

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Lake

River, stream, or creek

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Reviews

99% Recommend1364 ratings · 649 reviews

Curtis's campsite offers a serene and beautiful setting, perfect for those seeking peace and quiet in nature. The site is praised for its cleanliness, spaciousness, and the thoughtful amenities provided by Curtis, who is a friendly and accommodating host. Visitors appreciate the privacy between campsites and the easy access to hiking trails, creeks, and waterfalls. With excellent ratings across the board, Curtis’s site is a top choice for campers looking for a tranquil retreat.

Summary AI-generated from real reviews

Recommends

· May 2025

Host was extremely friendly and helpful. He had directions for hiking and biking nearby. We found him very accommodating and would stay there again.

Julie D.

1 month on Hipcamp

Recommends

· May 2025

Nice, quiet campsite

Very enjoyable camping trip this weekend at Campsite #2. It's set back into the trees and private. Just wanted some quiet time to chillout and read, and be with my dog. It was great!

Emily W.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· May 2025

A beautiful space in the mountains! I loved having enough space between campsites, and the amenities were always clean and easy to access. Curtis was a wonderful host! I look forward to coming back again!

Scarlette K.

2 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Creek view site 1

We loved camping on Curtis’s land! The creek site is beautiful, with space from other campers and also the serene ambiance & view of the waterfall. Curtis has created a very thoughtful and enjoyable space to have a relaxing camping experience. The bathroom and shower house is a short walk from this site, the fire pit & grill made cooking a breeze, and there are plenty of beautiful places to explore on his property, including the creek, waterfall and fish ponds. Thanks so much, Curtis!

Emma T.

5 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Exceeded expectations

Curtis has created a special little place to relax and enjoy. As a solo female traveler, I felt very safe on the property. I stayed in the Winnebago for a few nights and it provided everything I needed and more. Excellent wifi, satellite tv with hundreds of channels, basic cookware, clean towels and linens with lots of comfortable spots to relax inside. The creek is the centerpiece of the property, followed closely by all the happy fish in the two ponds. Foot bridges and trails allow for serene exploration. Curtis is an excellent host and Im very grateful to have found his place. Im already looking forward to future trips. (I'll be bringing another Tin Cup!)

Robin H.

6 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

Love Dark Ridge

Beautiful place. Quiet, full hookups, Curtis is a fantastic guy. We’ll be back.

Susan C.

3 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Curtis was very communicative and in a very beautiful area. His property was very secluded and peaceful. We were only there for one night, but it was a nice place to stay between Shenandoah and the Smoky Mountains. Thank you!

Cj S.

3 reviews

Mixed feelings

· April 2025

Rugged mountain camp

Beautiful rugged part of the country. As you drive in on the tiny curving mountain roads you witness all the devastation from Helene last September. There are trees down everywhere and obvious evidence of landslides and places where roadways were washed away. The host of Dark Ridge was born and raised on the land. He’s a true mountain man. Unless you have an off road setup, this would be a tough place to get to. We didn’t have great weather while we were there, but the mist on the mountain in the morning was gorgeous. The shower wasn’t operational yet for the season, but the porta potty was really clean and recently serviced. We were the only ones there, but the spots are pretty close together, for awareness.

Sarah M.

21 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Don & Laura's stay on site #2

We loved camping here in our 20' travel trailer. Curtis is a fantastic host and we enjoyed talking to him. Every morning we hiked up to the top of the field and played ball with our dog until he was exhausted. Sitting by the creek and listening to the peaceful water was a great way to pass the time. What started out as a short stay turned into an eleven night stay. We are sad to leave this peaceful place and we will return next year for a longer stary. Thanks Curtis we enjoyed our time here.

Donald G.

4 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

secluded and peaceful

easily accessible, secluded, and very peaceful land. i woke up to several deers grazing outside. campsite came with a table and grill. it felt safe and Curtis was gracious to give me instructions to the site, as long as you messaged him before 9pm.

Charmine M.

10 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Great spot, Curtis is one of the most welcoming people I’ve ever met! Me and the boys had a great time in his hammock sites and loved the guidance he gave us to the local spots.

Trey W.

3 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2025

Great place for an outdoor get away. Unique spot to hammock with all of your best friends ! Would definitely recommend!

Jenny K.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Quiet, tranquil scenery! Curtis was incredibly hospitable and gave me a rundown on the area to help me settle in. Highly recommend!

Matt S.

2 reviews

Recommends

· January 2025

Snowboard Trip

Curtis was super nice and met us on arrival. The site is about a 33 minute drive to Sugar Mountain.

Alize S.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· December 2024

Hill side camping

First and fore most let me say that when I booked this trip I did not think about what the area had been through several weeks prior with hurricane Helene. We pulled a 12' cargo trailer that we actually slept in and our first day up there was the day after the first snow. So it was a little slick in places. But like everyone has mentioned, Curtis was an amazing host. Making sure we had what we needed and recommendations on how to get around after the after math of the storm. We went looking for an adventure and we found one. The grounds were quiet except for us 😉, and the sites were level despite being on an uphill meadow and we'll taken care of. The nearby falls are a must and I can on imagine what we could of seen if some of the roads weren't blocked at the time to do construction, which crews are working diligently on to restore. The hike down to the nearby falls was steep and rocky but we'll worth the trip. I would recommend this place to others anytime. Plenty of all types of nature to be seen.

Michael D.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· December 2024

Curtis has such a lovely plot of land and our campsite was perfect! perched right at the top of a hill and you have a nice bit of tree coverage and a pretty view! I would definitely love to come back to this site some time in the future and check out the near by hiking trails (hurricane helene did some damage to them and there was a notice not to use them on all trails)! Also I would like to shout out Curtis for his kindness :D My buddy and I were on his land for thanksgiving and he brought us both up a thanksgiving meal! It was delish and greatly appreciated! <3

Mc M.

3 reviews

Recommends

· November 2024

Quiet getaway

Curtis was incredibly nice and accommodating. He had a great spirit and gave us some great tips about the area. We had a great time exploring on his recommendation, and the property was beautiful, private and quiet.

Anya W.

7 reviews

Recommends

· October 2024

We loved it!

We loved our time camping at this beautiful property!! Our host went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed. We loved the fresh spring water ♥️ and exploring the gorgeous property

Amy I.

7 reviews

Recommends

· October 2024

Great place to camp out

Beautiful campgrounds, nature trails, fields and river for hiking. All near some great waterfalls. I hope the full mountain is open again soon, but the RV park was accessible when I left. I got to experience a tent on the mountain and an RV down by the entrance off Dark Ridge Road. Both have beautiful views and their own vibes. It’s a special place tucked into a quiet mountainside and well worth the visit!

Jon R.

5 reviews

Recommends

· September 2024

Site was everything as described, and each site was spread out enough that it still felt private. Appreciated the welcome greeting and ability to walk the property, the short trails and enjoy the ponds. Curtis was more than accommodating and quick in his responses- and even delivers firewood and there’s pizza options too to enjoy- delivered to the camp sites even! Will definitely go back when I’m in the area again.

Sara N.

8 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2024

Awesome place!

This site did not disappoint , it is labeled as a tent spot but the awesome host let us park two off-road travel trailers on it for peaceful weekend in the mountains. We will be back!

Milligan D.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2024

Beautiful land & great hospitality!

We loved camping in our campervan on Curtis's property. We were on Site 5, and loved the privacy and the view. Curtis was an wonderful host- very kind and welcoming! He provided great information about local hikes, the history of the land, and the plants and animals that lived there. We took the waterfall hike that he recommended. It was a steep descent! But swimming at the base of the waterfall and having it all to ourselves made the hike worth it!! The pizza delivered directly to our campsite was yummy and a nice personal touch. I hope to go back, and highly recommend.

Alicia T.

5 reviews

Recommends

· September 2024

Very quiet and nice level spot. Enjoyed our stay and Curtis was very nice and helpful with information.

Sonya F.

9 months on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· September 2024

Curtis was an awesome host, met us at the camper and showed us how everything worked. Plus gave us some recommendations for things to see and do around the area. The 37' camper is definitely showing its age. Not the cleanest and it did have a stale smell to it. The towels and sheets were clean. When I was walking my dog around the pond I did enjoy seeing the gator (fake of course).

John R.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2024

Nicest Host on Hipcamp

We had a fantastic stay camping on Curtis’s land! Curtis was an exceptional host. He made us feel incredibly welcome from the start and went out of his way to share information about local activities and events. One of the highlights of our stay was meeting his adorable little poodle, Boo Boo, who added an extra touch of charm to our visit. Curtis’s warm hospitality and engaging stories made our time there truly memorable. It’s clear that Curtis is one of the nicest hosts on Hipcamp. His genuine care for his guests and the welcoming environment he creates set him apart. I wholeheartedly recommend staying with Curtis to anyone looking for a wonderful camping experience. Thank you, Curtis, for everything!

Victoria P.

3 reviews

Recommends

· September 2024

Beautiful site! Curtis is such an accommodating host. We will definitely be back! Be sure and order the pizza!😋

Kristian K.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2024

Awesome camp ground highly recommend! It’s only 10 minutes from some really cool waterfalls as well

Ryan S.

10 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2024

Hidden gem near Beech Mountain

Dark Ridge Hideout is a wonderful place for tent camping. There’s plenty of distance between campsites, and Curtis, the owner, is such a wonderful host. He tries to make everyone’s stay enjoyable.. he will bring you firewood, and even a fresh made hot pizza if you want one. I stayed at site two Forest View, which felt secluded and peaceful yet it was a comfortable walking distance to the shower building. The shower building was very roomy. It only has one shower in it, but there is also a sink with a mirror, Long table and two chairs for sitting. I have camped in many places, And this shower house was so much better than some of the other places I’ve stayed. The floor of the shower is A slab of stone surrounded by large gravel, which makes for easy drainage. It keeps the shower from being slippery and it keeps water from standing in the shower. As a result, it looks very clean. I am already planning to return in the fall.

Laura C.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2024

Another lovely few days on site 8 at Dark Ridge Hideout.

Kathleen C.

6 reviews

Recommends

· August 2024

Quiet, Peaceful Campsite

This was one of the best camping trips ever! Curtis is super friendly and his adults only campsite is gorgeous. Plenty of space between each campsite and you wouldn't even know you had any neighbors at all. Quiet, quiet, quiet, the perfect camping trip with only nature's music at night and in the mornings. The bathroom and shower with warm water is a nice touch as well. There is a nearby waterfall just a short 5 min drive over into Tennessee and then a brief hike on the trail from the parking lot. Compression Falls...definitely take some time to check it out. All in all, this was a 5-Star experience for us and will be coming back here again.