Earthaven Campground

The Earthaven campground serves participants in organized in-person programs, including Earthaven Ecovillage tours.

The campground is in a forested area near the village center. The campground has drinking water, a compost toilet, solar shower, a tarped camp kitchen, and a rustic screened cabin. The campground does not have electricity or refrigeration. The campground is near the Council Hall for emergency phone calls and small electrical needs (like charging a phone).

Most camping is in tent sites, with cars parked in a nearby parking lot. Two sites are available for vans, small RVs (28 ft maximum), and car camping. There are no water or electric hookups at these sites.

Tenting not for you?

Reserve a bunk in the campground cabin. It’s comfortable and dry, with access to the campground amenities. Scroll down to learn more about the cabin.

Getting to know Earthaven & Community Privacy

Taking a tour is the best way to learn about Earthaven.  During the tour, you will get to walk through some of the central neighborhoods.  If camping, we request you get cozy and hunker down in the campground while you’re here and refrain from walking through the neighborhoods. This allows residents to feel at ease in their home without visitors wandering through their “front yards”. You are welcome to explore the Village Center which includes the Council Hall, Village Green, and Visitor Kiosk as well as some walking trails that do not traverse through neighborhoods. Thanks in advance for respecting our privacy.

Camping at Earthaven offers a great opportunity to connect with nature and unplug. May you also get to the chance drop into a slower, quieter pace than usual and connect with yourself on a deeper level.

Tents at the Earthaven campground

Reservations required

You must have a reservation to stay in the campground. Registrations for camping MUST be made at least 2 days before you plan to arrive. Last-minute registrations will not be accepted.

Options for camping at Earthaven

Campground Cabin

A NEW popular option! The campground hosts a rustic screened cabin for shared lodging with mixed genders and ages. Located under forest trees with screened windows and large overhangs, the cabin has proven to be comfortable and dry in the summer rain and heat. 

The cabin has two rooms, each with two wooden bunk beds, for a total of four beds in each room. Each bed is equipped with a comfortable waterproof camp cabin mattress. Cabin campers need to bring their own sleeping gear, such as sleeping bag and pillow. School of Integrated Living program participants may rent sleeping bags with their program registration.

Storage space within the cabin is limited; each camper has a shelf, clothing hooks, and shared space under the bottom bunk to store their belongings. The cabin does not have electricity, lights, water, or refrigeration. 

Cabin campers use the campground facilities, including the outhouse, shower, kitchen, and hand washing station.

This is an excellent option if you want to camp but not deal with a tent.

Campground Cabin at Earthaven Ecovillage
Campground Cabin at Earthaven Ecovillage, Interior
Camp site in the Earthaven campground
Outdoor kitchen at the Earthaven campground
Food storage box at the Earthaven campground

What to expect

Camping is primitive

The campground provides well water for drinking, a covered kitchen with propane burners for cooking, and an array of cooking ware and eating ware. There is also an outhouse with a composting toilet and hand wash station, and a propane-heated outdoor shower.

Campsite selection and parking

Campsites are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your car will be parked within walking distance, but not next to your site. Most campground sites are designed for two-person tents; some can accommodate larger tents.  

Assistance and communications

Your cell phone most likely will not receive service, though some cell phones using certain providers will get service in the valley. If there is an emergency and you really need to make a phone call, you may use the phone in the Council Hall to place a US call. This is a communal line so please keep calls brief and be mindful of sharing the space with others.

Kitchen amenities

The campground provides a covered kitchen with propane burners for cooking and heating water, kitchen cookware, flatware, dishes, dishwashing station, dish soap, dish towels, tables, benches, and an electrical outlet for charging phones. There are no lights, so have a headlamp with you.

Food preservation and storage

Bring your own food storage containers and a means to keep your food cold. The closest ice is available in Old Fort, about 10 miles away.

We share the woods with the wild, so we ask that all food be stored in airtight containers and/or your car to prevent the attention of critters large and small (bears, racoons, squirrels). We recommend keeping food overnight in a locked car.

No open fires

Open fires are not allowed in this campground.

Earthaven campground composting outhouse
Earthaven campground shower - two stalls with propane-heated water

Experience the magic of Blue Ridge ecovillage living

Tent at Earthaven campground

Camping with a Saturday tour

We run ecovillage tours most Saturdays. The schedule for a Saturday tour with camping is:

  • Friday, 2-4:30 pm – Arrive at the campground and set up
  • Friday 4:30 pm – Campground orientation
  • Saturday 10 am – Earthaven tour
  • Sunday or Monday – check out

If this schedule doesn’t work for you, either arrange for a customized tour or camp in a neighboring campground.

Camping with a customized tour

Customized tours are offered through our customized education program. With customized education, you work with SOIL staff to design an experience for your large or small group. For camping, the experience must include at least an in-person tour and campground orientation. You can also arrange for additional activities for your interests. Contact us to design a tour or program for your family or group.

    Hammocks at the Earthaven campground

    Cost

    Tent and vehicle camping is $25-35/night per adult. Kids are free. There’s a two-night minimum charge, but you don’t need to stay both nights.

    Cabin bunks are $70 each for 1-2 nights or $85 for 3 nights. All bunks must be paid for, even those used by kids. The cabins are shared, so there could be other people of any age or gender sharing a room with you. If you want a room for just your party, you can purchase all four bunks in the room.

    Tours are additional.

    NO dogs or other pets

    You will be excused from the land, if you bring a pet with you. We allow service dogs on a case by case basis. Please contact us directly for more details.

    Nearby camping options

    Sky Island Retreat is a pet-friendly getaway featuring log home rentals, camping cabins, and RV and tent sites. Sky Island is 8.5 miles from Earthaven.

    Curtis Creek Campground is located in the first tract of National Forest land in the Eastern US at the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) camp. The campground has tent sited with vault toilets and can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet. Curtis Creek campground is 17 miles from Earthaven.

    Refund and Cancellation Policies

    For Camping:

    • 90% refund for cancellations prior to 30 days before the tour.
    • 50% refund for cancellations prior to 10 days before the tour.
    • You may transfer your registration to another person prior to 3 days before the start of the tour.

    If SOIL closes the campground, you will have the option to reschedule your camping or receive a 100% refund.

    If SOIL denies your registration, you will receive a 100% refund.

    Campground reservations must be made at least two days before you arrive for camping. You will be asked to leave if you don’t have a reservation that was made at least two days ahead of time, even if the website accepts the reservation.

    Beyond these provisions, SOIL has a No Refund Policy on all of our registrations. If you cannot camp during your reserved time, your registration fee can be considered a donation to our nonprofit to support our continued work. Please contact us if you would like a receipt for this donation.

    For Customized Tours:

    If SOIL cannot schedule a customized tour that meets your requests:

    • If the registration was made at least 14 days before the requested tour date, you will receive a 100% refund.
    • If the registration was made fewer than 14 days before the requested tour date, there will be a $25 service fee and receive a refund for the balance.

    If you need to cancel:

    • 90% refund for cancellations prior to 30 days before the tour.
    • 50% refund for cancellations prior to 10 days before the tour.

    If SOIL cancels the tour, you will have the option to reschedule your tour, change to a virtual tour, or receive a 100% refund. If SOIL denies your registration for any other reason, you will receive a 100% refund.

    Beyond these provisions, SOIL has a No Refund Policy on all of our registrations. If you cannot attend the tour, your registration fee can be considered a donation to our nonprofit to support our continued work. Please contact us if you would like a receipt for this donation.

    For Regular Saturday Tours:

    • 90% refund for cancellations prior to 30 days before the tour.
    • 50% refund for cancellations prior to 10 days before the tour.
    • You may transfer your registration to another person or convert your registration to a virtual tour prior to 3 days before the start of the tour.

    If SOIL cancels the tour, you will have the option to reschedule your tour, change to a virtual tour, or receive a 100% refund. If SOIL denies your registration, you will receive a 100% refund.

    Beyond these provisions, SOIL has a No Refund Policy on all of our registrations. If you cannot attend the tour, your registration fee can be considered a donation to our nonprofit to support our continued work. Please contact us if you would like a receipt for this donation.

    Registration for Camping with or without Saturday and Customized Tours

    Complete the registration form once for your party of up to eight adults with the same schedule. It takes less than 5 minutes, and you will complete your enrollment with a credit card authorization.

    You must register for camping at least two days before your arrival. You will be asked to leave if you don’t have a reservation that was made at least two days ahead of time, even if the website accepts the reservation.

    After your enrollment is processed in our office, you will receive several email messages…

    1. An automatic confirmation of receiving your registration form
    2. A payment confirmation from our card processor
    3. Additional information from our registrar as the time approaches

    Note: Visitors may not bring pets to Earthaven.

    Contact Info - Step 1 of 4