Set up camp at a Sylva cabin rental at the base of the Plott Balsam Mountains.
At the foot of the Plott Balsam Mountains, a cabin in Sylva is the perfect place to start exploring mountain trails, national forests, and scenic rivers. Sylva cabin rentals range from primitive to developed, many with toilets, potable water, and showers or even more luxury amenities like full kitchens and hot tubs. A 30-minute drive makes Great Smoky Mountains National Park an easy day trip, where Hipcampers can hike, horseback ride, or mountain bike along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. For a look at the region’s history and sustainable forest practices, visit the Cradle of Forestry historic site in Pisgah National Forest. To the west of Sylva is Nantahala National Forest, where whitewater rafting draws adventure enthusiasts to the state’s largest forest. Mountain cabins and vacation rentals make it easy to wake up and dive straight into the day's activities, while cabins closer to Sylva offer access to the peaceful downtown. Some primitive cabins may require campers to supply their own water, although sources like the spring beside Swan Cabin in Pisgah Forest may be boiled or treated for an accessible water supply. Book early to score larger cabins that can accommodate groups—lodges tend to book up fast in the summer months.