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The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald

99%

· Hot Springs, Madison, North Carolina

500 acres hosted by Lisa A.

3 lodging sites · 2 tent sites

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

Romantic

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.

Lisa is a Star Host

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

We offer guests an off-grid and authentic Appalachian experience at our hike-in cabins and campsites located on 500 private acres atop the Newfound Mountains in Western North Carolina. Our Trailhead is located 45 minutes west of Asheville, NC and the hike-in trail leading up to our cabins and campsites is 2 miles long with 1,250 feet of elevation gain. The trail utilizes an old forest service road that parallels Bald Branch offering guests verdant landscapes and soothing sounds as they make their way up the mountain to our cabins and campsites which sit in the Saddle between Little and Big Sandy Mush Bald at an elevation of 5,000 feet. We have two antique Appalachian cabins on-site and two top-tier campsites available for guests. Our cabins and campsites are priced per person and can be reserved individually or collectively through our entire property buyout option for large groups, corporate retreats, weddings and events. A hearty and healthy breakfast is served each morning in our Main Lodge and is included with your stay and you'll never pay a cleaning fee on this mountain because we believe in Southern hospitality! Our Main Lodge (Cabin #1) has a sprawling front porch with spectacular views, a nicely appointed off-grid kitchen, full bathroom with hot shower and an upstairs loft that sleeps up to 10 guests. Our on-site host/s stay downstairs in the Main Lodge in their own bedrooms so they can keep the home fires burning, tend the garden, cook breakfast, clean the cabins and ensure that all your needs are taken care of during your stay. Guests in our Upper Cabin (Cabin #2) enjoy a wooded and secluded setting in an authentic Appalachian Cabin that sleeps up to 6. The downstairs area in our Upper Cabin features an open floorpan with a queen size bed, off-grid kitchen, dining area and the loft upstairs sleeps up to 4 people. Cabin #2 also features a full bathroom with and a tree-house like view from the front porch! Our cabin adjacent camp space features two spectacular campsites and is located 100’ from our Main Lodge (Cabin #1). Camp 1 and Camp 2 measure 12 feet by 15 feet and feature a soft grassy surface that is surrounded by natural boulder walls. Both campsites sit beside our neighboring property owned by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and feature a long-range mountain view that overlooks our lower meadow. Guests at our campsites are welcomed to breakfast daily and have full access to the restroom facilities in the Main Lodge. The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald were the dream of our founder, John “Doc” Adler, who wished to create a hike-in facility that provided a sense of hard-earned awe just like he found on the Appalachian Trail and at other infamous hike-in facilities. After acquiring the acreage he and his crew endeavored to bring that dream to life with their bare hands as they constructed an homage to the Appalachian history, culture, and architecture that Doc loved so dearly. Doc’s dream has finally come to fruition and now folks from all over the world are able to come on up to the cabins and experience the best that Appalachia has to offer: warm meals and wood stoves, panoramic views and porch-sits, the sound of rain on a rusted roof, a good book, dark skies, infinite stars, and shared-experiences with newfound friends!

Activities

Hiking

Wildlife watching

Fall Fun

Natural features

Forest

River, stream, or creek

Mountainous

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99%

446 ratings · 179 reviews

Nicole L.recommends

June 21, 2024

Cabin 2

Serenity in the mountains

We really enjoyed staying at the Cabins at Sandy Mush. The views from the area surrounding Cabin 1, as well as from the Upper Bald (a short but steep trail up from the cabins), are absolutely stunning. The area around the cabins is quiet and peaceful, with plenty of places to relax: porch swing, hammocks, firepit, or wandering around. We stayed in Cabin 2, and so much of what you might need for a comfortable stay in the woods is provided (water, linens, lanterns, kitchenware, firewood, etc), and we were pleasantly surprised by the sparkling bathroom. The host was pleasant and helpful, and prepared a yummy breakfast for us. Highly recommend, and we'll definitely be back!

Taya B.recommends

June 10, 2024

Cabin 2

A gift to experience <3

This was our second time visiting Sandymush and of course it did not disappoint. Found the landmark on top of the bald this time and explored more of the property including little bald. This land is gorgeous and such a gift to experience. Its special that its required to make such a strenuous hike to experience it fully, always worth it. Bring extra layers for windy evenings and power banks for phone charging. We did not sit out by the fire as much as we wished as the wind was strong, made the best of it though :) Doug was a great host and made delicious breakfast, our hearts were complete visiting with the kitten Lucy <3

Tera P.recommends

May 26, 2024

Camp 1

Making this our yearly family trip!

The views from our tent site were perfect! It certainly is breathtaking all over the property! We loved that we could bring out senior dog! He did great and enjoyed the creek breaks! Our tent site was close to the main cabin making it easy to use bathroom/kitchen amenities, yet private enough to enjoy the benefits of rustic camping. There are two tent sites. Perfect for a small group, but if you want tent camping privacy, know they are right next to each other. It was a great chance to meet new friends for life! We enjoyed the shower and clean linens to rinse off after a humid hot hike! Once we settled in, we spent the rest of the evening on the front porch of the main cabin taking in the nights sounds and views! Be sure to take the hike to Big Bald and Little Bald! Each bald highlights views of rolling mountains with fog settled in the valleys OR catch the sunrise atop one of them! The hike could be strenuous for a beginner backpacker or hiker. Especially carrying any personal belongings. But, know that it is very doable if you have a positive mindset, take your time with rest breaks and take advantage of the half way point bench next to the creek! I wished we could stay a week to check out and reset! Most definitely coming back in the fall and making this a staple in our adventure plans every year!

Amber P.recommends

May 25, 2024

Cabin 2

Gorgeous place! Worth the very hard hike up. Amazing views. Warm hospitality, great breakfast.

Arthur H.recommends

May 21, 2024

Cabin 2

As I was hiking up to the cabins it started to rain, and I wondered whether it was worth the effort for one night if the cloud cover was going to prevent good views. I was very wrong to think that. By the time I arrived the rain had stopped, and the sky was clearing. The views from Big Sandy Mush Bald in the late afternoon were fantastic, and I experienced a beautiful sunset and sunrise. Lisa was fantastic, and the cabin contained everything that I needed for a brief, but wonderful stay.

Janice B.recommends

May 13, 2024

Cabin 2

A strikingly beautiful place where the walk up stretches your legs and lungs just enough to allow you to whisper ‘WOW!” when you reach the cabins. And then, one more push to the bald, where words cannot express the wonder….We loved the experience, Doug’s grace and welcome, and the sense that the world slowed down for just a wee bit. The experience makes you realize that we can all be a bit kinder and that we all need to appreciate those who work hard to protect these places. Thank you Lisa and Doug!

Location

Hot Springs, Madison, North Carolina, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), and Miccosukee First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Lisa A.Joined in April 2018

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