11 acres hosted by Doug B.
6 lodging sites
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Best in North Carolina: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Staff verified
Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.
Activities
Biking
Hiking
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Forest
Mountainous
98% 
261 Ratings · 215 reviews
Marisol S.recommends
October 6, 2024
Southern sun, full roof. 283
Dammmit Helene
It’s hard for me to write a review because my fear is I’m the last person who had the opportunity to stay at this amazing spot.
I was booked 9/23/24-9/27/24. Hurricane Helene was coming and I wasn’t worried about a bit of rain, but I listened to my gut and packed up that Wednesday. Thank goodness.
AMAZING view. Everything you needed was right there. You could even sleep without your tent if the weather permitted. No fires of any type are allowed, as this mountain caught fire decades ago. Bring your coffee pot and a hot plate and you’re good!
The drive up is easy. I made it with my Mitsubishi Outback. Parking is very limited.
The view! Unbelievable. Peaceful. Private.
I don’t know how the platforms fared but my hopes are everyone and everything is okay and everyone can experience this amazing location.
Tia S.recommends
October 6, 2024
Deck plus room for Class B Van. 269
Special Spot
What a great spot with amazing views. 15 min drive into town and what a special town Black Mountain is. It rained the whole time I was there but the covered deck and curtains kept me dry. I was camping here a day before the Hurricane Helene floods came through, it rained a lot but it was peaceful to listen to the rain on the metal roof. I hope the site is still there and everyone was safe.
Tatiana Z.recommends
September 26, 2024
Deck plus room for Class B Van. 269
Awesome Stay in the Mountains!
We loved this place! We came on Fri Sept 20th and left Sun Sept 22nd of 2024. It was 4 of us - 2 grandparents & 2 teenage girls, & a small dog. Entrance is on a gravel road, it was a bit steep but not bad at all. View from deck was beautiful. Our van was very close and conveniently parked. Place was clean & has a roof & electricity, big plastic table, 6 chairs, and many other things convenient for camping. There was enough water provided by host to use for 2 days. Place is also 20 min to downtown Black Mountain. We set up 2 tents, one for us and 2nd one for the girls. However, my granddaughter chose to sleep in a hammock. We made a mistake by taking our big 10x12 tent for ourselves; it hardly fit between the wall of the deck and the columns that are in the middle of it. The girls’ tent was smaller (8x8) and it fit well. There is enough space under roof for at least 2 tents but none of them should exceed 8 ft. Other decks were similar. They are at a comfortable distance from each other.
In the morning we made pancakes (we brought an electric 2-burner and an electric kettle) and left to Catawba Falls (about 30 min drive and very popular). Hike is pleasant and is of easy/intermediate difficulty (depending on trail) & waterfalls are breathtaking! We visited River Arts District (Mark Bettis gallery was beautiful!) & ate at Duck Taco (so delicious and reasonably priced). We stopped at Black Mountain & ate at Kildare Ice cream shop. The next day we picked apples at Skytop orchard.
Emily D.recommends
September 15, 2024
View Like No Other, Glamping. 279
Doug had everything imaginable to
Make this camping experience elevated. I spent 5 nights at site 279 with my dogs and had the most incredible time. It’s VERY private and little to almost no traffic because it’s off of a one way dirt road quite high up. I had hummingbirds visiting me daily and even saw either a coyote or a red wolf(I’m still not sure which it was!)run across the road up into the woods. The porta potty was beyond clean and was actually cleaned during my stay! I felt extremely safe and so immersed in nature that I was so excited every day to get back up to my site. It’s far enough that it’s secluded but still 15-20 mins into downtown black mountain. There were 5 5 gallon water jugs filled with freshwater, an amazing foldable cot that I spent a ton of time reading, a table, string lights, a huge lockable container to keep things in(think sealed food items) and ample room to walk around on the deck. So grateful for a truly beautiful experience, thanks again Doug!!
Cassidy F.doesn't recommend
September 13, 2024
View Like No Other, Glamping. 279
Reeked of portapotty chemicals
Message to host: Hi Doug. My family and I had to leave your rental tonight and book another air bnb open air cabin. We were unable to stay at your rental because there was an overwhelming chemical smell coming from the blue chemicals inside the portapotty toilet. We booked your rental because we experience chemical sensitivities and your rental is open air. While someone invests in a mountain air glamping experience, doesn't it make sense that they should not have to smell such an overwhelmingly strong chemical smell from the toilet that is two sets of stairs away? We want to smell forest, wood, nature. We came for nature here - we are from the city. Please consider refunding us our money. There's no reason why we should have to pay. Hope our experience can help you make changes to accommodate a changing world where fragrances and strong carcinogenic chemicals will be banned in the US like they are in many other countries. Blessings to you. Thanks. We will be contacting HipCamp for a refund.
Doug didn't issue a refund. Why would you not issue a refund if we didn't stay there AND had to be inconvenienced by traveling to his rental for no reason (wasting hours of our time on vacation). That's okay though - the law of energy works everything out. May all beings own their shortcomings and do the right thing.
Casey W.recommends
September 10, 2024
View Like No Other, Glamping. 279
This was my third time staying at Above The Fray! Every spot has great views and plenty of privacy. I really appreciate having the counter space, table and electricity. Every time I stay, I never want to leave! Also, only 15 min to Black Mtn where there are some awesome restaurants and shops.
Location
Black Mountain, Buncombe, North Carolina, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), Mánu: Yį Įsuwą (Catawba), 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 Doug B.
Joined in February 2020Things to do nearby
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Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.