Camp by the River, under the Stars, in the Mountains, and on the Farm.
Welcome to Winding Stair Campground, a 40-acre luxury campground and working farm surrounded by National Forest, sitting just below the headwaters of the Nantahala River near Franklin, North Carolina.
Surround yourself with nature at any of our 10 unique, well-spaced camping and glamping sites.
Take a break from the world at our primitive camping sites, or book a stay in our river-side screen porch, renovated hay barn, or fern-filled glade. Or, for the ultimate comfort, try our studio apartment or our full-family retreat at Gooseberry House.
Cool off with a refreshing dip in the Nantahala River, then unwind by the fire at our communal Pavilion. While you’re here, stroll over to the farm to meet our Icelandic sheep, chickens, and guineas—or check out the historic, water-powered grist mill.
Whether you’re seeking starlit nights, riverfront mornings, or rustic glamping adventures, Winding Stair in Franklin, North Carolina, has something for every visitor.
History of the Land
Cherokee
This land was cared for by the Cherokee until European settlers officially acquired the land in 1819 through a treaty. The Nantahala River runs through this land. The name translates to “Land of the Noonday Sun”, referring to the steep sides of the valleys on either side of the river.
Logging
From 1927 to 1939 this valley was logged by the Ritter Logging Company. During that time, this area employed 150–175 men who produced 40,000 board feet of lumber a day. This community was known as Rainbow Springs and included many small homes, a boarding house, a hotel, a school, a church, a post office, and a commissary. When Ritter Lumber left in 1939, the land was sold to local families with another 7,000 acres incorporated into the Nantahala National Forest.
Cherokee
This land was cared for by the Cherokee until European settlers officially acquired the land in 1819 through a treaty. The Nantahala River runs through this land. The name translates to “Land of the Noonday Sun”, referring to the steep sides of the valleys on either side of the river.
Logging
From 1927 to 1939 this valley was logged by the Ritter Logging Company. During that time, this area employed 150–175 men who produced 40,000 board feet of lumber a day. This community was known as Rainbow Springs and included many small homes, a boarding house, a hotel, a school, a church, a post office, and a commissary. When Ritter Lumber left in 1939, the land was sold to local families with another 7,000 acres incorporated into the Nantahala National Forest.
Animals hauling railroad crossties for Ritter Lumber, on The Winding Stair, 1928
University of North Carolina Asheville 
Rainbow Springs Campground
In 1988, Buddy and Jensine Crossman bought 10 acres of this land and opened Rainbow Springs Campground. Being 100 miles from the start of the Appalachian Trail, this campground became a welcome stop for many thru hikers to re-supply in the camp store, wash their clothes, call home, and get a hot shower. In 2002, the property was sold and continued as a campground for a few more years.
Inside the old campstore (now the Apartment)
Rainbow Springs
Campground
Two of the cabins, later burnt down by developers
From the original Cherokee land stewards to European settlers, through to
20th century logging operations, and several iterations of campground and
development, this land has seen a lot. Our part in the story begins in 2010,
when we bought the land and began farming here.
Finding the Land
By the time we came across this property in 2010, it was in the hands of developers who had removed the cabins and bunkhouse, gutted the Bath House, and split the property into lots for houses in a gated community. Luckily none of the lots had been sold and with the real estate crash at the time we were able to purchase all 10 acres together. We used it as a weekend getaway from our home in Atlanta and added an additional 5 acres (now the farm) in 2013. Having fallen in love with the area, we now live here full-time.
Farming the Land
Late in 2014, along with two young farmers who shared our dreams of homesteading the property, we began building out the old camp store into an apartment, raised some chickens in the old bathhouse, and planted the first garden in 2015. By 2016 we had more eggs and produce than we needed and started selling at the Franklin Farmers Market. The next year we had our first CSA and Winding Stair Farm was born. Since then, we’ve added the Nursery location on the Highlands Road where we also sell our produce, lamb, spun yarn, and plants.
Reopening the Campground
For several years, the land was host to family and friends. In 2023, we reopened the land to the public as Winding Stair Campground, with nine sites spaced our over the property.
