It’s exceedingly rare today to truly “unplug” or find solitude anywhere, never mind in a bucket list-worthy destination such as the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains.
Yet, aptly-named Glamping Unplugged provides exactly that: solitude and the opportunity to unplug in the heart of one of the most gorgeous parts of the U.S. To be specific, these North Carolina glamping domes are just outside of Boone in Deep Gap, exactly 12 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Side note: One of the closest BRP overlooks to the glampsite also happens to be one of the most scenic (and that’s saying a lot). Grandview Overlook is just 7.7 miles, or 14 minutes, from the glamping domes.
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So, are you intrigued and ready to unplug, literally and figuratively? Let’s be honest; we all are!
Read on to learn all about these unforgettable North Carolina glamping domes, including what to expect, what to bring (and equally important, what not to bring!), and some general glampsite do’s and don’ts.
Glamping Unplugged Overview
On its website, Glamping Unplugged lays out its mission statement and gives guests a glimpse of what to expect: “We believe in a modern, balanced life with scheduled time to immerse in nature, unplug and focus on what is important. Yourself. Your mindset. Your circle. And Nature.”
While, yes, this is North Carolina glamping (glamorous camping, for anyone still wondering) in a fabulous geodesic dome tent, it’s a rustic and very literally “unplugged” experience — which is a very, very good thing. There’s no running water or electricity and absolutely no wi-fi, all part of why it’s one of my top unique places to stay, ever.
The winding, postcard-perfect drive out to the glamping domes puts you in a relaxed mindset miles before you actually arrive. When you do, you’ll hardly believe this glampsite is just 20-ish minutes from downtown Boone.
Despite sitting along a fairly well-trafficked, state-maintained road, the glampground feels like it’s hours from civilization. Thanks to a natural rise in the road, the glamping domes sit at the bottom of what I can only describe as a mini canyon, well-shielded from the road and directly on a creek — a creek that happens to be stocked with trout.
The constant babbling drowns out any potential street noise and the property’s 8.5 acres truly feel like 100, especially because they’re shared with just one other geodesic dome tent.
The Glamping Domes
The first thing you’ll likely notice about your geodesic dome tent (aside from the jaw-dropping view, that is) is that it’s a heck of a lot bigger than it initially seems.
At about 10 feet tall in the center and 20 feet in diameter, the Treehouse Dome is nearly 300 square feet and easily accommodates up to four people. Although I didn’t go inside the neighboring dome tent, I believe it’s the same size.
The Treehouse Dome at Glamping Unplugged has one king bed and one set of bunk beds, plus indoor seating for two and a wood-burning stove for warmth in the winter.
It sits on an enormous deck directly above the creek (it is called the Treehouse Dome, after all) and features multiple outdoor seating areas including a large picnic table, as well as a charcoal grill and fire pit.
Also outside, glampers have access to a dedicated porta-potty (one per dome) that’s cleaned daily. I know it’s not the most glamorous topic, but it really was one of my most pleasant porta-potty experiences ever!
Packing for Glamping: What’s Included + What Isn’t
Glamping Unplugged provides each of the domes with:
- A large cooler
- BBQ grill (charcoal — BYO)
- A large portable power supply (similar to a GoalZero Yeti or a Jackery) with a variety of charging cables
- Rechargeable lanterns
- An impressive selection of board games
- Bed linens and towels for the creek
- Firewood and starter logs for the indoor stove; only in the winter months
- Small rechargeable fans for warm days
- Compostable, disposable plates, bowls, and utensils
- Biodegradable wet wipes, for taking “bird baths” and cleaning your hands after visits to the porta-potty
Bring the following North Carolina glamping essentials:
- Drinking water — a good rule of thumb is one gallon per person, per day
- Ice for the cooler
- Charcoal for the grill
- Firewood for the outdoor fire pit
- Spices and other staples for cooking (if you want to keep things simple, grab takeout on your way. Boone is a surprisingly great foodie town!)
- Camp coffee setup and supplies — I travel with an AeroPress Go and a super simple backpacking stove. Also, Hatchet Coffee in Boone is legitimately one of the best coffee shops I’ve ever been to anywhere and it’s about 15 minutes away.
- Headlamp for walking around the Glamping Unplugged property at night
- Bug spray
- Fishing pole (adults need a North Carolina fishing license; easy to get at Wal-Mart)
- S’mores supplies
- Great attitude
Know Before You Go
- When you book one of the glamping domes, the owners will send you a detailed document answering many FAQs. It’s well worth spending 10 minutes reading this.
- You WILL lose cell service the second you cross under the Blue Ridge Parkway on Elk Creek Road. It’s another 15-20 minutes from here to the glamping domes, so take care of any necessary communication before heading out.
- There is no running water aside from the creek, which is safe for bathing but not drinking. Bring plenty of water.
- Glamping Unplugged is dog-friendly!
- This is the Blue Ridge Mountains. Like the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains, it’s humid and buggy. Bring bug spray and/or a Thermacell.
- The Deep Gap glampsite is open year-round. The glamping domes are well-insulated and the main road is plowed consistently, even in the dead of winter. Glamping Unplugged has a second glampsite in Fleetwood, where 4-wheel-drive is required in the winter months.
- The glamping domes on property sit about 50 yards apart and the entrances face away from one another, so you have plenty of privacy.
- You can’t park right outside your glamping dome. You’ll park a scenic 3 to 4-minute walk away, and each dome has its own heavy-duty utility cart for hauling your stuff. Your welcome email tells you this is part of the experience. I admittedly had my doubts, but it truly is!
The parking area and bridge leading to the glamping domes
9. Speaking of parking, look for the “Yurk Parking” sign. It is indeed a typo (never mind that Glamping Unplugged doesn’t have yurts to begin with…), but an endearing one. Again, part of the North Carolina glamping experience!
10. There is such thing as glampsite etiquette. Practice Leave No Trace, be respectful of fellow glampers, and generally leave things better and cleaner than you found them.
For major bonus brownie points, bring the rechargeable power packs with you when you head out for the day and charge them using your vehicle battery. Just don’t forget to put them back!
Bottom Line: Is Glamping Unplugged Worth it?
If you genuinely enjoy being immersed in nature and have a bit of an adventurous streak, the answer is a resounding YES! I absolutely loved my Glamping Unplugged stay and only wish I had more time. The glamping domes are also the perfect introduction to camping for people with limited outdoor experience.
For me personally, the combination of the incredibly beautiful setting and actually unplugging make Glamping Unplugged one of the best glampsite experiences in the country.
Ready to Book Your North Carolina Glamping Dome?
To lock in your North Carolina glamping experience with Glamping Unplugged, book through VRBO (also below) or visit their website.
Finally, be sure to pin this post on Pinterest for trip planning and glamping inspo! Happy glamping!
