Escape to the Mountains This Fall at Winding Stair Campground Near Franklin, NC

I love camping, especially in the fall, but sometimes I want campfires, mountain views, and sleeping by the river without packing half my garage. That’s why I love Winding Stair Campground near Franklin, NC. You can pitch a tent if that’s your style. Or you can stay in a glamping tent, cozy cabin, or the River House (my favorite) and enjoy all the fun of camping without sleeping on the ground. It’s also a working farm, so you get the bonus of seeing cute animals like goats, sheep, and ducks.

I’ve spent a weekend here every October for the past three years, and it’s become one of my favorite fall traditions. Here’s everything you need to know about staying at this cozy mountain campground.

Winding Stair Campground is a gated property that sits on 15 acres. It’s set back from the road, so you don’t really hear any traffic. At night, it’s so quiet that all you hear is the river and the occasional owl. It’s one of the most peaceful campgrounds I’ve stayed at.

Even though the campground has several lodging options (more on that below), everything is spread out, so it never feels crowded. There’s no playground, but there are wide open spaces where kids can run around and explore.

My Favorite Place to Stay: The River House

For the past three Octobers, I’ve stayed at the River House. It’s a great option if you’d rather not sleep in a tent but still want the camping experience. The River House is just steps from the river and includes four full-size beds, a super cozy wood-burning stove, and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs overlooking the water. It even comes with adorable, outdoor-themed pillows, linens, and blankets, which you’ll need because it gets pretty chilly on autumn nights.

One of my favorite things to do here is grab a cup of coffee, sit by the river with a book, and listen to the water flow by. It’s a great place to hang a hammock and relax. The river is pretty shallow, so it’s not ideal for swimming or wading, but it is a good spot for fly fishing.

The River House is also conveniently close to the campground pavilion. Since several people in our group were staying at different campsites, the pavilion became our gathering place for potluck dinners, music, and relaxing.

There are no restrooms at The River House, but the bathhouse is within walking distance. Be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight, because it’s gets very dark here at night.

Camping, Glamping, and Everything in Between

One of the great things about Winding Stair is all the fun options for lodging, along with traditional campsites.

Some of the more unique options include:

• The River House – Cozy riverside bunkhouse for groups or families.
• Glass House – A glass-enclosed camping experience with power and running water.
• Hay Barn – Farm views, a king bed, and plenty of rustic charm.
• Fern Gully – A safari-style glamping tent tucked into the forest.

Larger groups can reserve dedicated group camping areas, while families wanting all the comforts of home can stay in The Studio or Gooseberry House.

Amenities That Make Camping Easy

Winding Stair has clean bathhouses with showers and little conveniences like toiletries and hair-styling tools. After a long day of hiking, I was so grateful for the hot showers.

The campground also has an honesty store stocked with firewood, snacks, sunscreen, and other essentials in case you forget something. There’s also a gorgeous covered pavilion with a massive stone fireplace that’s perfect for groups to relax and hang out. There are also refillable water stations, recycling, EV charging, and golf cart rentals if you want to take a spin around the campground.

Between certain hours, guests can wander over to the farm area to meet the sheep, goats, chickens, and ducks. It’s not a petting zoo, though, so be respectful of the animals. Campers can bring their dogs to the campground, but pets aren’t allowed in the farm area.

One thing to know before you go: cell service is basically nonexistent. Wi-Fi is available near the camp store, though.

Hiking Near Winding Stair Campground

If you like hiking, Winding Stair Campground is close to many gorgeous trails and waterfalls! Some of my favorites include:

• Siler Bald for incredible panoramic mountain views
• Pickens Nose for dramatic overlooks
• Big Laurel Falls for an easy waterfall hike
• Mooney Falls for a quick scenic stop
• Albert Mountain Fire Tower for one of the best 360-degree views around
• Wayah Bald Lookout Tower for stunning, easily accessible views.

Where to Eat and Drink in Franklin, NC

If you want to head into town for food or drinks, Franklin is a short drive away. We always stop at The Lazy Hiker Brewing Company for pizza, burgers, and live music. It’s also fun to see the Appalachian Trail thru-hiker banner covered in signatures from AT hikers passing through town.

Other places you might want to try:

• Caffé Rel: European-inspired entrees and sandwiches inside a gas station (yes, really!).
• Gracious Plates on Main: Locally sourced, farm-to-fork dishes.
• 828 Café: Health-conscious breakfast and lunch with organic ingredients.
• Slanted Window Tasting Station: Wine, beer, and bourbon tastings with live music on weekends.

Know Before You Go

• Winding Stairs is just over two hours from Greenville
• Open seasonally (The Studio and Gooseberry House are available year-round)
• Quiet hours: 10 am – 8 pm
• Wi-Fi available near the camp store
• Limited to no cell service
• Pets allowed at select sites
• Check-in begins at 1 pm for most accommodations

Why You’ll Love Winding Stair Campground

There are loads of campgrounds throughout Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina, but Winding Stair is pretty special. If you go in the height of autumn, when the leaves are a brilliant red and gold, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard.

I’ve stayed at Winding Stair every October for the past three years, and I don’t see that tradition ending anytime soon. I look forward to the visit all year. If you’re craving a quiet mountain weekend, this is one campground that’s well worth the drive.

Address: 7984 W Old Murphy Road, Franklin, NC 28734
Phone: 828.283.4182

Learn more or book your stay at windingstaircampground.com.

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