
Amanda S.
Hipcamper since May 2021
Intro: Anthropologist, professor, conservationist and photographer, with my 16 1/2 year old pup, Matilda!
Find Amanda elsewhere:
www.amandastronza.com
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Past trips
The Crescent Oak Nature Cabin
in Off Grid Immersion Camp, TexasCamping near Hamilton Pool
in Camping near Hamilton Pool, TexasCute Off-Grid CABIN on 84 ACRES
in Cabin at the Ranch - Harper, TX, TexasAn absolutely idyllic get-away. Comfortable and quaint, with a perfect fire circle and the most beautiful tree and starlight framing the sweet, timeless cabin. Just loved it, and hope to return!
Pondside Tiny Cabin Retreat
in Tiny Cabin Pondside Retreat, GeorgiaA sweet oasis
What a beautiful place, tucked away in a beautiful wooded area, and created and cared for with thoughtful attention to all the details! I stayed here for one night with my pup, Matilda, and I was so delighted to feel so welcomed by Carol, and to find all the comforts and amenities I needed. She even included a little bed for Matilda.
The spot is perfectly situated next to a pond, and the water captures gorgeous light at sunset and dawn. There is a nice trail around the pond, too, with lots of beautiful mushrooms of many colors and sizes (we visited in July).
I loved the personalized welcome sign, the pretty solar lights, the washing station (with warm water!) and picnic table, the fire circle with chairs, and overall the very clean, secure and adorable tiny house with a comfortable cot and chair.
Honestly, I'd be happy to just live there.
I should add, too, that I was traveling alone with my pup, but as a single woman, I felt perfectly safe here.
I just loved this place, and I highly recommend it! Carol is really lovely, too.
Gateway to the Smokies
in Gateway to the Smokies, North CarolinaTruly a gateway to the smokies!
A well-cared for, out-of-the-way, but close-to-the-Smokies site, with lots of soft grass on a perfectly flat plateau at the top of a hill (if you stay in #1). The site features a nice picnic table and fire circle, and a spotlessly clean porta-potty.
Michael was super responsive and helpful--he had the place freshly mown just before I arrived.
The site is near the road, and even though it's across a small bridge, that is behind a locked cord, I worried just a tiny bit staying there as a single woman traveling alone. That's not the fault of the campsite--just a note for other potential solitary travelers. Also, you can hear cars from the site, but that's just a side effect of being so close to the gateway to the very popular Smokies!
Definitely recommend!
The Hide Out on Dark Ridge
in Dark Ridge Hide Out, North CarolinaTent Camping in the majestic trees
in Tent Camping in the majestic trees, VirginiaA lovely secluded and forested site
This campsite is just beautiful--private and quiet, at the top of a hill, surrounded with trees. Nice fire circle and a tiny table, just large enough to hold my lantern and water container.
As a single woman traveling alone, I felt 100% safe here as well.
Helpful to have a 4WD or AWD to make it up the hill, but the distance is walkable if not.
Little Trickle Camp
in JT Cooper Properties, LLC, VirginiaTucked away and beautiful
So beautifully appointed, clean, and well-cared for, and Jaclyn even left a small basket of camp supplies (lighter, wipes, sanitizer, map, etc.) in case I needed it on the picnic table. My pup and I had spent one peaceful night here during a road trip between Maine and Texas, stopping at Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The only tiny thing I might note is some worry I had as a single woman camping alone. The campsite itself tucked away and very private, across a small foot bridge from where I needed to park the car. But then my car felt a little exposed to the road, which made me concerned it might draw attention to me in the camp. I had no cell signal (AT&T) there, so that added to my worry. Of course, I was perfectly safe, and only a few cars passed the whole night.
I would highly recommend!
Barely Do Farm
in Barely Do Farm, PennsylvaniaTiny house
in Tucker N.’s land, MaineStarry Night Farmhouse on Ocean
in The Point, MaineSacred Nectar Sanctuary
in Sacred Nectar Sanctuary, New HampshireMy favorite camp!
This place is truly wonderful on so many levels--the scenery, the hospitality, the wildness, the serenity, the privacy, the amenities, the hosts, just everything. I think it's my favorite site on HipCamp, and I've stayed in many across the U.S. My pup and I spent a couple of nights in campsite #4.
As others have gushed, the views are just lovely, and as others have highlighted, the outhouse is a cool feature, and even a pleasure to use. I also loved the beautiful tree-covered nooks and grassy flats created for the tents.
Beyond the specifics, Nick and his team have clearly made an effort to create a whole special feeling and sense of place here. I felt welcomed and safe (single woman traveling alone), I had total privacy on what felt like the entire mountaintop to myself, and I had a general sense of joy and serenity. I think it's something to do with how the land is clearly respected, regarded, and loved. As a conservationist, this approach means everything to me! I will add that the care given to this place was reflected in my magical encounters with amazing wildlife here, including very special interactions with a bobcat and a porcupine.
Highly recommend!
Amanda's lists
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