Conleys Creek Campground

06/16/2025

How has it been two months already?

When we purchased our second campground, we hit the ground running. It turns out that two campgrounds are more work than one. Who would have thunk?!!!

Our first guests arrived on the day we purchased it. Even though we currently own and operate Conleys Creek Campground, this has been such a unique and beautiful addition. Now that some time has passed, we have seen the campground come alive with plants blooming, birds and their babies, and other critters. We paid special attention to feedback from our guests about any changes or improvements, and very quickly got it listed on numerous platforms.

Our little mountain hideaway means so much to me. It still takes my breath away, every time I drive up the mountain and arrive on the property. It's where the stars shine a little brighter, the coffee tastes better by the fire, and you can actually hear yourself exhale. Whether it’s a solo retreat, a romantic escape, or a full-on family adventure — we wanted a place where people could come and just be.

We quickly created a boiler-plate website. Now, we have been quietly working behind the scenes on something special, and it’s finally live: our brand-new website for Black Bear Lodge! 🐻🌲 My son, Jack, has been very instrumental in this process. He has a real talent and understanding of what to do and how to make it engaging.

Creating this space (and now this site) has been a real labor of love. The new site makes it easier than ever to explore our cozy tipis, check availability, or reach out with questions (yep — we even named the contact page Send Us a Smoke Signal... because why not?).

Take a peek: www.theblackbearlodge.com
I would love to know what you think — and even more, I’d love to see you there sometime.
Back to real life now... but with a full heart. 💛

Explore our luxury tipis in serene surroundings.

03/27/2025

Spring has officially arrived at the campground, and that means it was time to give The Dixie Chicks Inn—our beloved chicken coop—a deep clean!

We swapped out the bedding with fresh pine shavings, tidied up the nesting boxes, and gave our feathered girls a cozy refresh just in time for the new season. They're clucking their approval, and honestly, we are too.

At our campground, we take pride in keeping things clean, comfortable, and full of charm—for guests and animals alike. If you’re craving a peaceful spring getaway with a touch of farm life, come stay with us. We’d love to share it with you.

01/27/2025

Winter time in the Smoky Mountains are when all things slow down. It sometimes feels challenging to go outside, but when I bundle up, it is always worth it. 🥶

2 hikes this week with Chris, Jack and Teddy Bear (our New Foundland dog) reminded me that Winter is equally as beautiful up here as the other seasons, I just have to look a bit more closely at my surroundings.

Pinnacle Park in Sylva and the David P. Monteith Park are where we went earlier this week. Both are dog friendly and Newfies love the cold weather! ❄️🐾

While there had been a lot of additional debris and destruction when we previously went to the Monteith Park last month from the hurricane, now I could finally see signs of life, and renewal. With that, hope follows closely behind.

And for those who don't like the cold, hang in there, January is almost over! 🗓

10/31/2024

This section is not near us, but very worth noting for those traveling. Bit by bit, progress is being made. Thanks to FEMA and so many other groups and individuals.👍

Large commercial vehicles are NOT allowed to use this route. They need to continue to use the assigned alternate routes.

On a separate note, the Smoky Mountains National Park road through Cherokee to Gatlinburg is and has been open for a couple of weeks.

Unfortunately, there continues to be a large amount of accidents because drivers are driving it like it is a highway, not a scenic narrow and windy mountain road with lots of switchbacks and pig tails. The accidents tie up the road in each direction for hours each time one occurs.

SLOW DOWN!!!! BREATHE, ENJOY THE FALL FOLIAGE, AND ARRIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE SAFELY.

10/27/2024

Hurricane Helene did more than lots of damage to western NC. On a positive note, it seemed to have delayed the leaf peeper season. 🫣 The mountain views are wonderful right now!

Our weather has been mild, and while many people canceled or decided not to come to our area due to the extensive damage in certain areas, local businesses continue to be suffering, since most rely on visitors.

It is weird to still have our roads and highways be so empty and to see our nearby lovely towns so quiet.

Cherokee, Bryson City, Dillsboro, and Sylva are all up and running. Smoky Mountain National Park is open as well.

The scenic Smoky Mountain Railroad is running it tours and will shortly open its very popular Polar Express train ride for the season. Sylva has its upcoming WNC Pottery Festival on Nov 2nd. Fall at Darnell Farms takes place Oct. 30th. Bryson City will host the Haunted theatre on Halloween night, while downtown businesses will celebrate Halloween with candy for the kids also on Oct. 31st.

Come and enjoy our Fall season! 🎃 🍁🍂

10/08/2024

This post is specifically for those being affected by Milton. Most people plan for water, supplies, batteries, food and gas. Don't forget to get CASH!!!

Once things reopened here, most places still couldn't take debit or credit cards. Bank ATM's still aren't workinging in a lot of areas.

We were at Ingles yesterday in Sylva and their system unexpectedly shut down. Management did a good job trying to assist customers. But, cash is King.

If you are evacuating, we are open, have power, showers, and internet. We are a Campground in Whittier, NC. We are set up for RV's, tents, those in their vehicles, and we have a large RV we rent out. Please contact us directly at 407-341-7830. If we can help you, we are more than happy to do so.

Please share this post.

Thank you,

Anne and Chris

10/06/2024

I am not even sure how to write this. But, I am betting it will be long. Grab a coffee or a drink and follow along.

I have seen so much devastating news on line about Western NC and inaccurancies as well, that Chris and I decided to drive around various parts of our Swain and Jackson county area to find out first hand a semi-accurate portrait of local communities. We were also at the Asheville airport. (It is up and operating).

Without a doubt, we have hard hit areas nearby that are still reeling. But, a lot has improved and we are not nearly hit as bad as Asheville and other areas east of us. I am told the eye of the hurricane went over our area.

Most of any nearby flooding from creeks and rivers have subsided to normal levels in Bryson City, Whittier, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva. In fact, that water is clear and we saw people fishing. Power, water, WIFI, and cell service have returned to most of the above mentioned areas. Streets are clear and businesses are open. This includes gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and other shops.

Walmart in Sylva had 47 large commercial trucks deliver goods very recently to help them restock their inventory. Food Lion in Cherokee received extra trucks full of supplies, unfortunately, because they couldn't get to other intended destinations.

Blue Ridge Parkway is still closed, mostly from fallen trees. Route 441 through the Smoky Mountains National Park from Cherokee to Gatlinburg is open. However, after talking to a Forest Ranger at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, she informed me that they are closing it at night indefinitely. I think from 10:00 pm until 7:00 am.

They had several bad accidents since reopening. She said that folks were driving on it like it was a major highway, instead of as very steep, narrow road with lots of blind spots, switchbacks and pigtails. Even 18 Wheelers were illegally going across, which resulted in several accidents. There are now signs and personal stationed at each entrance to turn the trucks around.

Our local schools reopened this week. The Smoky Mountain Railway have available trips to the Nantahalla Gorge, and their other destinations resume on October 11th. The Smoky Mountain National Park has most of its trails reopen to the public.

We saw Fema, Homeland Security, and numerous smaller trucks and trailers (filled with supplies and food) in the Asheville area and locally. Also, military helicopters were both on the ground and in the air at the Asheville airport. Biltmore Estate remains closed and the River Arts District is devastated.

People are in limbo and many want to volunteer to help. It's a fine line between helping and being in the way of efforts that are trained to assist in these situations.

But, I can tell you this. Those of us who have small businesses in the less affected areas are being badly hurt. We are up and operational. Our weather is perfect and we have no guests. The next 3 weeks were supposed a beautiful time for leaf peepers to enjoy our beautiful mountains. Every business I spoke to, had close to 100% cancelations. We are no exception.

That said, if people want to help those in the devastated areas, here are some suggestions.

Please financially donate to reputable organizations, such as Red Cross, United Way, NC Disaster Relief Fund, Americare (donation page for Hurrican Helene), or Humane Society. There are many more, but this is a starting point.

There are numerous local organizations and volunteer efforts. Too many to list. Churches, business groups, chambers of Commerce, and others can guide you accordingly.

We, personally want to offer help to those displaced, rescue workers, and volunteers. We are small, but have some RV and tent sites. We also have a very nice RV for someone to stay in. If you need a quick overnight or several night stay in your vehicle, we want to help. Please call or text us directly.

Chris and I want people to know that we have power, internet, cell service, clean water, and a bath house to assist those who are helping others. Our number is 407-341-7830 (ignore that it is a FL number, I have had it forever!).

We are truly appreciative that our property made it through the hurricane intact, but there is no joy in knowing that others near us are hurting. We all know the saying, "This too shall past", but please don't ignore the current pain many are dealing with. Get the message out and PLEASE SHARE this with others.

Thank you,

Anne and Chris

09/30/2024

Letting folks know that Conleys Creek Campground in Whittier is now open. We had closed prior to the storm for vacation. We did not lose power, water or internet. The nearby roads are open to us. Some further away are not. If some folks are not sure where to go, due to other camp grounds being damaged or waiting for repair, call or text us at 407-341-7830.

If we can accommodate you, we are happy to. There is no cell service in most of Western NC, hopefully that will change soon.

Please share this with others who are looking for a place. We have some RV sites, Tent camping, and a 38' luxury RV available.

Thank you, Anne and Chris

09/24/2024

Hello!

We wanted to let guests know we will be closed today, Tuesday Sept. 24th through Oct 3rd. We will reopen on the 4th. You can still contact us at 407-341-7830 with inquiries or bookings for any time after Oct. 3rd.

Thank you,
Anne and Chris