#1 Hipcamp in North Carolina: Planetarium geodome, amazing overlooks, spa on site, beautiful views

Inside: A real parent review of Starlight Hills Campground in Bostic, NC with all the details.

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Starlight Hills Campground in Bostic, NC, under 90 minutes from Greenville, SC, has been named the #1 Hipcamp in North Carolina for three years running and we just had to figure out why – so we went. Now we know why it’s #1. 

Thanks to Starlight Hills for having us to their amazing property so we could write a review! 

Watch! Our Stay at Starlight Hills

I love camping and when I learned of Hipcamp, which is like an AirBnB for campgrounds, I signed up and started flagging properties that looked amazing, which is how I initially heard of Starlight Hills Campground. Years later, I got my wish to stay there and wow, I can see why campers love this spot. 

I can’t even tell you what I liked most: the hammocks at the community overlook where you take in views of the mountains, the private spa, the geodome with a planetarium, the hiking trails, the nearby fantastic swimming holes. So I’ll just tell you about all of them and how you can plan your adventure to Starlight Hills.

About Starlight Hills

This campground came into being kind of by accident. William and his wife moved to the area in 2019 to have space, to have land, and to enjoy the beauty of Western NC. They were nearly under contract for a different property closer to Asheville when it was swiped out from under them. Thankfully, this 40-acre property in Bostic, North Carolina was even better than their first option. 

But William didn’t really have a plan for a campground. He didn’t know what he wanted to do with the land but was happy to have it. He worked in the technology industry, one that was customer-facing, so when the pandemic hit, he was laid off. Out of job and with a bunch of land, he opened an email his cousin sent him that linked to Hipcamp and suggested maybe he could host some people on this land. 

What a cool idea, he thought. So he got some gas for his chainsaw and cleared three tent sites. And people booked them. Then he cleared some more sites, built roads through the campground, constructed decks for canvas tents, and eventually made a larger deck where the newest lodging – the beautiful LunaView Geodome – sits. 

People kept coming back again and again. And they really loved the property, so much so that the campground has been #1 on Hipcamp in North Carolina for three years running. 

The Sites & Lodgings 

Wiliam told me that when he was designing the campground and sites, he wanted something that he would book himself, which meant big, private wooded sites. As a tent camper myself, I enthusiastically agreed with him on these points. Every site is private and huge, even the ones with the canvas tent and the geodome. 

The property is very peaceful and serene. It has two hiking trails – one to a creek and the other to a gorgeous, 180-degree view of the surrounding mountains. 

The tent sites are big – I saw a couple sites that had three tents at them. The bell canvas tents are beautiful and built on platforms and can sleep up to four people. You can put a tent on those sites if needed as well. 

The LunaView Planetarium Geodome 

As for my LunaView Geodome, it was gorgeous. It’s perched at the end of one of the roads and on a large deck. The bed is heavenly and there’s a table with benches, a pullout sofabed, and a giant beanbag chair. 

The lighting is super cool. There are floor lights that change the color of the inside of the dome plus two different lights that create a planetarium effect with a giant moon and Milky Way and aurora borealis (the Northern Lights). 

So at night, you can be in the dark and turn on the planetarium lights and be amazed. My inner 80s child that put up glow-in-the-dark stars on my bedroom ceiling was loving this. 

The dome was totally clean and comfortable. I never sleep well when I travel but I slept so great here! 

They have fans for cooling and heating in the winter. 

The Spa

Yes, there’s a spa at Starlight Hills. It’s a campground so it’s not a five-star massage and champagne experience but wow, it’s relaxing and beautiful.

The spa consists of a hot tub overlooking the mountains, a small seating area, and a delightful sauna. I love hot tubs and saunas but I rarely use them so this was a huge treat. It was quiet, private, and just a time to do nothing and relax. I have a tough time doing nothing and relaxing but after hiking all day and jumping in cold swimming holes, the spa felt amazing so it was easy to chill out and be in the moment. 

I think this is an incredibly unique aspect to Starlight Hills because while it is a campground, there are certain things like this that help to elevate your getaway experience that fits in beautifully with nature and the outdoors. 

You have to reserve the spa ahead of time, which you can do via Swimply or by adding it as an extra when you book on Hipcamp. 

Showers, Bathrooms and the Community Overlook

Camping – or glamping – at Starlight Hills is rustic. It’s beautiful, but rustic. 

Personally, I loved the outdoor showers. They are private and have soap and shampoo and hot water. What else do you really need? 

There is no bathhouse on the property but they do have porta-potties near the showers and another one near the community overlook. William told me they are hoping to add more restrooms and build a bathhouse, but those are not inexpensive and take time.

The community overlook was another one of my favorite spots here. It has several picnic tables and grills with a stunning view of the sunset. I relaxed out there one night in one of the hammocks watching the sunset. It was absolute perfection. 

Nearby Fun

As if Starlight Hills wasn’t cool enough already, the location is absolutely ideal for outdoor activities. And if you’re reading this far, I’ll reward you with a very hidden swimming hole tip. It’s called Pot Branch Falls and it’s only about a 15 minute drive from the campground and then a 10 minute hike from the parking area. It’s a totally hidden and private swimming hole that is amazing. 

Here are other fun things to do nearby: 

Big Bear Falls

This is an awesome waterfall in South Mountains State Park, about a 25 minute drive from the campground. There are deep pools to swim, shallow areas to wade, and even a waterfall you can sit under. Park in the Jacob Creek access area and it’s about a 0.5 mile hike from the parking lot. 

South Mountains State Park

Speaking of the park, it has miles and miles of trails to hike. Some are still closed due to Hurricane Helene damage but I was able to clock over 7 miles by connecting Chestnut Knob, which has a gorgeous overlook, Sawtooth, Little River, Raven Rock, and the River Trail. And I even found a nice swimming hole at the end of the hike to jump in, which felt amazing. 

Here’s our Kidding Around review of South Mountains State Park.

Linville Gorge

Some trails at the Linville Gorge, like Shortoff Mountain, are under an hour from the campground. The Gorge is stunningly beautiful with amazing trails. Be sure to have a map on paper or downloaded on your phone as it’s rugged.

Lake James State Park

While most of this park is closed due to Hurricane Helene damage, I wanted to add to the story to keep in mind for the future when it opens back up. During normal operations, you can swim, hike, or paddle at this North Carolina State Park close to the campground. 

What to bring to Starlight Hills

Starlight Hills is a campground so you’ll need some of what you’d normally bring camping like food, a cooler, towels, and flashlights. 

I’d also recommend flip-flops, bug spray, maybe some camping chairs, and if you’re like me and can’t start a fire for anything, a camping stove. You can order firewood at your site when you book on Hipcamp. If you plan to grill out, bring charcoal.

Also via Hipcamp when you book at Starlight Hills, you can also add a kids camping bundle with magic flames, camping bag, and flashlight, s’mores packet, tiki torch rental, and reusable water bottles. 

Overall Review 

I love tent camping but also love not having to bring a tent and everything that goes along with it while having a blast at a cool campground. The LunaView geodome was such a cool experience not only because of its many unique aspects but also because I didn’t have to lug a tent, camping pad, tarp, etc. with me. It was so clean, comfortable, and private and a true oasis to return to after a day of exploring and adventuring. 

The time at the spa was fantastic. I hardly ever to get to do nothing for a little while while enjoying views in a hot tub. If I go back here, which I hope to do, I’ll be booking time at the spa. 

And William was so helpful and kind. He gave me precise directions to the swimming holes, which were certainly a highlight of the trip, and shared his love of the area freely. I was amazed at what he has been able to accomplish since moving here basically without any kind of plan. His no-plan has turned into a place where many beautiful memories are made. 

Starlight Hills is perfect for families, couples, or friend groups. Literally anyone will have fun here.

So now you know why Starlight Hills gets first place in North Carolina for Hipcamp’s best campgrounds.

Booking Starlight Hills

You have to book your site at Starlight Hills via Hipcamp. If you’ve never used the platform before, it’s very easy to do so. You just create an account and go book your adventure. 

At the time of this writing, tent sites are $38/night, the bell canvas tents are $105/night, and the LunaView geodome is $144/night. They also have a tiny house cabin for $98/night. Prices may change, especially during busier times of the year. 

The lodgings are pet-friendly. 

Starlight Hills Campground
7466 Bostic Sunshine Hwy, Bostic, NC
Starlight Hills Campground Website