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OurJeepLife
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014

Not For The Faint of Heart

Mama Gertie's Hideaway
15 Uphill Rd, Swannanoa, NC 28778

Last summer we wanted to take a trip to Asheville, NC and camp all the way down. Mind you we're coming from southern Maryland. Several weeks before departing Maryland, we stopped at one of the local truck stops to grab a laminated travel map and overheard a couple of RVer's talking about mamas campground. All we heard was praise and decided we would have to check this campground out.

Calling ahead to reserve a site (tent camping) we had a very limited selection to choose from, but the host assured us there was enough space within a secluded area of the campground. While on the highway towards Asheville, we noticed signs directing us right to the campground, so that's was easy.. but what waited ahead of us..

Hills and more hills.. Not suited for man nor beast. the hills within the camping area really took a toll on our knees and back.. mind you the tent camping was several meters away from any bathroom.. so walking down the bath house was easy.. the hard part was walking back up the steep hills afterward.

Two other issues crept up while camping there, 1st, while sitting in our chairs either early morning or late afternoon.. we heard this thumping noise and what seem to be allot of bark on the top of our tent.. turns out we just so happen to have set up tent under a squirrels feeding area and they were dropping their left overs all over us. death from above as we called it..

Later that night we were very well entertained by a young lady who camped two site above us. "Smelly Cat" as we later referred to her as, based on the (song from Friends) decided to play her guitar as well as her flute at 10:00 pm est.. If it wasn't for the fact that the camping area was so hilly with sharp hidden curves entering and exiting the campsites, the squirrels bombarding us for several hours and not having our deposit refunded because of these issues.. Just makes me wonder how this campsite is even staying in business.

Then realizing, Wait a Minute, We're out of our element..*slaps forehead* this isn't a typical tent camper campground, moreover it was an RVer's heaven with even more sites on the way. So if you're a tent camper or a weekend hiker, avoid mama's "RV" Campground.. I stress RV for a reason. The whole time we were there, we felt out of place and stuck out like a sore thumb. Next time, We'll make sure we select a tent campers campground instead of an RV park..

Two Thumbs Down..
  • The Over mountain Men had no problems with the squirrels,,,,,
    Dinner Time!:B

    But, what do I know, I wasn't there!:W :E
  • Sounds like a great place to camp, relax, and enjoy nature.
    And I've never heard of anyone wanting a refund because of squirrels...
  • Goodness. Hills in the mountains? And squirrels? Whatever is the world coming to?

    :R
  • We call that, NATURE!

    How can you derate a campground based on what Mother Nature has given us? If you don't like to "CAMP" get an RV then you can stop camping and begin RVing. Camping in a tent is supposed to be on a level with 'communicating' with nature. What you experienced is like me bit%^ing about mosquitos while at an RV resort...

    Last time we tent camped was in Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona. It rained most of the night and we ended up spending the next day with a tent full of daddy long legged spiders. I fail to see how that's the campgrounds fault.....just my opinion.....Dennis
  • TripAdvisor.com gives this cg 5 stars after 39 reviews.

    "This is a gem of a campground. Owner are helpful and welcoming. The park is well laid out and very convenient to I-40 and close to restaurants, shopping etc. All amenities were excellent. Will stay here again."

    "This little hideaway is a true gem. We have camped here a few times and each time we are reminded why we continue to come back. The sites are level, they are stacked on a side of a mountain therefor you get the feel of being camping in the wilderness and not next to the next camper. The staff here are amazing, they are extremely helpful and so nice to just sit down with on a none busy time and chat. The bathhouse is very clean and adjacent laundry room was as well. If your looking for a place in nature to relax, to open your windows and hear the water trickling down the stream that runs down the mountainside priceless. This is a must stay campground. We will be back again soon as we cannot wait to try out the new sites!!"

    "Best RV place ever! Beautiful clean pleasant. Such gorgeous area and the spaces are level clean and lovely. Laundry and showers are immaculate. Only problem is that people come back and you have to make reservations way ahead."

    "We had planned to stay at Mama Gertie's for the last 3 days of our vacation, but the federal government caused a change of plans by closing Lake Powhatan camping area. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise since Roxanne at Mama Gertie's was nice enough to find a site for us early. After having to spend 2 nights at another Asheville campground that was more like an RV parking lot, we were graciously welcomed to this beautiful spot just east of Asheville. NO OTHER RV PARK that we have ever visited can compare! Service was impeccable and the entire park & facilities were spotless. Hosts Jan & Jerry seemed genuinely pleased to welcome everyone & explain the future site plans-- even providing a golf cart tour. Next trip, we will not waste time searching for other parks. Mama Gertie's will be our one & only stop in the Asheville area. Thank you all for the warmth & hospitality."

    "We enjoyed camping at Mama Gertie's campground. The landscape between the campers was well planned. The facilities was clean, organized and the lighting was great. The campground provided all that you would need. It was good to stop in an area with seniors in mine. The place is hilly but that just makes more of a challenge to get around. We appreciated how quickly the staff handled our complaint about a barking dog."

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