Earlier this year, OHI’s Senior Manager of Member Experience, Maris Brennan, traveled through the mountains of western North Carolina, meeting with campground owners and managers whose parks were deeply affected by Hurricane Helene. Her trip was part of OHI’s ongoing commitment to connect with members on the ground and support their recovery in both meaningful and tangible ways.
The devastation from Helene left its mark, from downed trees and washed-out roads to entire parks nearly erased by the storm. But everywhere Maris went, she found a shared spirit of gratitude and determination to rebuild, reopen, and welcome campers back.
EmberGlow Outdoor Resort – Mill Spring, NC
Tucked near Asheville, EmberGlow was one of the bright spots on Maris’s route. Despite the region’s recent turmoil, the roads to the campground were clear, and the property itself showed few outward signs of damage. EmberGlow’s team has worked hard to return to “business as usual,” and they’re looking forward to hosting their first annual BBQ and beer event, a promising sign of better times ahead. While bookings are slightly below average, the campground is open and ready to welcome guests, especially locals looking for a weekend getaway.
Buck Creek RV Park – Marion, NC
Once a lush and lively campground, Buck Creek is now little more than an open field. There are no buildings left, no signage—only a clearing marked on Google Maps. While Maris stopped by out of curiosity and concern, this site stands as a stark reminder of the storm’s power and the long road ahead for some parks.
Linville Falls Campground – Linville Falls, NC
Atop a mountain ridge sits Linville Falls Campground, where Maris met with owners Ken and Marla Snead. Their story is one of heartbreak and hope. The campground lost over 100 trees and suffered significant structural damage, but with immense effort, 95% of repairs are complete. Thankfully, no one was injured during the storm.
Though they missed six crucial weeks of fall business—typically their busiest season—Ken and Marla are eager for spring and hoping campers return. Local leaders, including the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, are working hard to spread the word: Linville Falls is open. And if there’s a silver lining, it’s that the storm accelerated upgrades to local infrastructure. Fiber internet and stronger cell service are now coming to the area, offering a silver thread of progress through the chaos.
Spacious Skies Bear Den – Spruce Pine, NC
Spacious Skies Bear Den suffered some of the worst visible damage. Roads were washed out, trees were toppled by a tornado, and the park was without power for 30 days. Maris toured the site with Brandy, one of the managers, and saw firsthand the sheer scale of debris, piles stretching half the length of a football field.
Despite it all, the team rallied. Staff, work campers, and local residents rebuilt road access themselves using storm debris and campground equipment. They’re now working around the clock to prepare for the summer season. Internet remains spotty in remote areas of the park, and trails are still being cleared, but the campground is open, safe, and incredibly charming.
In February, Spacious Skies committed to donating 10% of their reservation revenue to local businesses impacted by the storm, including their neighboring campground, Buck Hill. Brandy’s words have stuck with us: “We can’t come back unless you come back.”
Buck Hill Campground – Newland, NC
Located nearby, Buck Hill was hit hard—really hard. The campground lost not just buildings and pads but actual ground. They will not open this season. While no one was working onsite the day Maris visited, the owners had previously connected with OHI during CARVAC and shared the immense challenge ahead. Their story is one of total loss, but also of intention and slow recovery.
Starlite Trailer Lodge – Lenoir, NC
Starlite is one of the country’s oldest LGBTQIA family campgrounds and a vital part of its community. When the floodwaters came, the campground lost access, running water, and septic functionality. With the help of an OHI Foundation grant, owners Joe and Nathan were able to install generators, rig their well, and provide showers and potable water—not only to their residents but to their neighbors as well.
Though their buildings were spared, they faced massive erosion and uninsured losses. The couple has spent more than $250,000 out of pocket to get ready for the new season. Despite losing holiday and fall revenue, they’re determined to open with all amenities available. Their camper-van spaces may be fewer, but their hearts remain wide open. “We were lucky,” Nathan said, “but the kind of lucky you have to fight for.”
In addition to OHI’s direct support for the affected parks, Maris Brennan also played a vital role in helping the broader community by delivering essential supplies to the Neighbors Feeding Neighbors charity. Located just down the mountain from Spacious Skies, this organization, run by local pastors and volunteers, has been instrumental in providing aid to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Barn building, a “free supermarket,” receives food donations, while the bedding and warm clothing Maris delivered will be used in their “free mall” to assist displaced families. Now, as they shift focus from immediate aid to long-term recovery, Neighbors Feeding Neighbors is also sending a truckload of water to flood victims in West Virginia. The resilience and generosity of the volunteers and the community have been truly inspiring.
A Note to Our Members and the Outdoor Hospitality Community
These parks, and their owners, have faced more in a few months than many do in years. But they are rebuilding. They are reopening. They are welcoming guests back and investing in their communities.
You can help.
Help spread the word about the efforts to rebuild and support these North Carolina parks. Share their stories and encourage others to visit the area. Just be sure to ask for directions (don’t trust Google Maps on those mountain roads!).
Your support can make a real impact. To contribute to the ongoing recovery efforts, visit the OHI Foundation page at ohi.org/ohi-foundation/. Every contribution counts and together we can help these parks and communities come back stronger than ever from this natural disaster and beyond.
