By:
Submission
If you're looking for a relaxing getaway for tent camping, look somewhere else. I went here with my dad for this past Labor Day weekend and we won't be coming back.
The Pros:
The amenities at Grumpy Bear are fantastic. Bathrooms are spotless and there are 4 private rooms with showers, toilets and sinks. It's in a good location, close to Cherokee and the Smokies, with lovely views of the river. Our interactions with the staff were generally positive. The farm across the street is easy to walk to and has great icecream (though their dog needs to work on his manners).
HOWEVER,
We were told our campsite would be "marked off with cones" and, when we arrived, we discovered this was because our campsite was basically an up-cycled parking space. It was right next to the teepees and our tent ended up right alongside the path to and from the teepees, so we had constant foot traffic within a foot of our tent door. The site shared water with the teepees and electrical with the cabin. We didn't need either, but these were further signs that this was a parking space they'd decided to rent out. Or picnic table was placed on a hill at such an angle that anything you put on it slid right off. We moved it and leveled it with some rocks from the river. That helped a little, but it was still wedged between our firepit and a nearby tree. I wish I had taken some photos of the site to attach, but I only have this one where you can see the proximity of the table to the fire.
All in all, we were rolling with the punches and having a decent enough time until Saturday night rolled around. There were about 15 people crammed in and around the cabin next to us. About 9 o'clock, they started absolutely BLARING the WORST drunken karaoke from their porch. They had a microphone and speaker and the occupants were taking turns coming OUTSIDE for the whole campground to hear, rather than partying within the cabin where their noise would've been muffled. We're early risers and had lied down for the evening when the intention of relaxing for a while and then drifting off. So much for that. After enduring the progressively-increasing volume from outside for close to 2 hours with no end in sight, we just decided to leave. We'd planned on packing up the next morning anyway, so we quickly disassembled our tent via headlamp, crammed everything into the truck, and drove home.
To be fair, we didn't try to ask the staff to intervene or to ask the yodelers to quiet down. But we shouldn't have had to.
If we'd been in an RV, I don't think the proximity to other neighbors would've been as much of an issue. Likewise if we'd had a proper site and not a parking space. For what we paid ($80 a night), we expected more. Grumpy Bear needs to enforce quiet hours (within their office hours would be fine) or offer alternative rates to tent-only campers.
TL;DR: If you're a tent camper looking for a relaxing experience, don't risk staying here. The sites are too close together and you may end up having headlights through your tent and footsteps by your door all night. If you don't mind the possibility of noise and a party atmosphere, then come to Grumpy Bear for the amenities, river views, and location.
Update 9/22: Following the owner's response, I'll acknowledge that I may have gotten the price wrong. I can't confirm that. But our reservation was NOT short notice. We had heard about the site a year in advance from a relative and made the reservation in November the year prior to our stay. We were not told before our stay that it was an overflow campsite and we made the reservation online for "Campsite 10". This was on the reservation we printed and had with us in the truck. I don't remember seeing anything about tent camping not being allowed AND another group of guests was tent camping during our stay. The site was booked under my dad's name, but we sat down together to make the reservations, I was the one called prior to our arrival, and I was present for every conversation we had with the owners except for one exchange when my dad bought firewood.
We loved our stay at Grumpy Bear! Owner greeted us and is super nice and was very accommodating with working with our schedule. The bath house is very clean and the showers are super nice, complete with a laundry area and a porch overlooking the river. The campground is quant, beautiful, and peaceful but still close to everything in town. It was lovely to hear the sounds of the river right at our site. Getting to see the train pass by was a neat experience too! Even better the Wi-Fi works at your site which is great if you work remotely. This is the perfect spot if you are visiting for the GSMR or just want some camping for fun on the river. Would go out of the way from Asheville to stay here again! We will be back just for fun!
This campground is a hidden gem in Bryson city area. The owners are so kind, responsive, and hands on. The scenery is absolutely stunning. The sites are a little tight but you have so much room behind your units that it’s barely noticeable. We will 100 percent stay here again when back in the area.
My first time in this incredible place.
Super quiet and where we can enjoy nature on the banks of the river.
The owner is very attentive and organized.
Super clean bathrooms (Better than many 5-star hotels).
Thank you very much and we will definitely return to this magical place.
Great campground that's located right by Bryson City. I'd definitely stay here again, it's perfectly located on the river and right down the road to downtown Bryson City. The owners are very nice and personable and will help you in anyway. The bathrooms are probably the nicest and cleanest I've seen. There are 6 private bathrooms and each has a shower. It's a small no frills campground only 19 spots and some tee pees and that's fine by me,you get amazing views of the river and the mountains. Right across the street is a farmers market called Darnell Farms,which I will definitely go to again for fresh meats,cheeses, candies, vegetables and locally made jams,salsa, ciders and the like. The whole area is beautifully decorated for the holidays, I'll be staying here again next Christmas.
