Tuxedo Falls – Where Luxury Meets the Wild in Zirconia, North Carolina
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There are some places that don’t just give you a getaway — they wrap you in an entirely different world. Tuxedo Falls in Zirconia, North Carolina, is one of those places.
I recently spent some time out here, and I can honestly say this retreat is like stepping into a dream bubble. That is no exaggeration. It completely stole my heart. I’m already planning my next trip back.
This isn’t just a glamping spot. It’s fifty acres of preserved forest and trout-filled creeks, designed with such intention that you can feel it in every corner of the property. They nailed it. Ten out of ten. No stone left unturned. Everything is amazing — from the heated bathroom floors to the heated freaking toilet seat.
Yes, you read that right. Heated. Toilet. Seat.
Built with Intention
Tuxedo Falls was built to connect people with nature in the most comfortable, thoughtful way possible. Every detail — from the layout of the trails to the choice of local spices in the kitchens — reflects a deep love for the land and a desire to make guests feel both at home and in awe.
This is luxury with roots. It’s grounded, it’s nurturing, and it’s done so well that you can’t help but slow down and breathe a little deeper.
Trails, Waterfalls, and the Sacred Space
The property offers two miles of private hiking trails that wind past five different waterfalls. Some are delicate trickles, others are dramatic cascades, and all of them feel like they were placed there just for you to discover.
The trails lead you along trout streams, through rhododendron tunnels, and across small wooden bridges — some fashioned from fallen trees.
If you’re up for a walk, the hiking loop we explored is about three-quarters of a mile. It’s the perfect distance to soak in the scenery without feeling rushed. There are side trails for those craving a little more elevation gain, and a few gentler ones too.
In spring, the path comes alive with rare lady’s slippers — a treasure for wildflower lovers. Once a year, the trails glow with the magic of the Blue Ghost Fireflies, an otherworldly experience worth planning a trip around.
No matter the season, there’s always something new to discover here, whether it’s a fascinating mushroom, an unusual plant, or the waterfalls that steal the show.
There’s also a deck where two creeks meet, known as a sacred space. It’s the kind of spot where you just stand for a while, listening to the water and feeling like the rest of the world is far, far away.
Waterfall photo by Jared Kay
Wildlife & Seasonal Highlights at Tuxedo Falls
(A few more reasons to bring your camera and your curiosity)
Spring Blooms – Rare lady’s slippers and a carpet of wildflowers line the trail.
Summer Glow – Blue Ghost Fireflies appear once a year, turning the forest into a magical light show.
Fall Color – Trails blaze with autumn reds, golds, and oranges, framing the waterfalls in seasonal splendor.
Winter Wonderland – Some waterfalls transform into icy, glittering sculptures — my personal favorite. And don’t worry, with heated floors and even heated toilet seats, you’ll be perfectly toasty inside the treehouses and tents.
Year-Round Foraging Finds – Fascinating mushrooms and unique plants at every turn.
Waterfall Wonderland – Five distinct falls, each with its own personality and photo-worthy backdrop.
Treehouse photo by Jared Kay
Where You’ll Stay
You have two main options: treehouses or luxury canvas tents suspended among the trees. Both are fully equipped, both are gorgeous, and both offer unique perks.
Some have hammocks outside. Some have outdoor showers. One even has a bubbling Jacuzzi tub under the open sky.
Inside, you’ll find heated bathroom floors, ice makers, kettles for tea, pour-over coffee setups, and local teas waiting for you. Every porch is dog-friendly with a gated deck so your pup can roam safely while you relax.
They’ve truly thought of everything.
Luxury Tent in the Treetops photo by Jared Kay
Meals and Extras
One of my favorite parts of the stay was the local meal kits. We went for the steak dinner and grilled it right outside of our treehouse on the deck. It came with fresh corn on the cob, potatoes, and two of my absolute favorite Spicewalla blends: cowboy rub for the steaks and garlic herb for the potatoes. Perfection.
They also offer pizza kits for the onsite pizza oven.
We ordered the art kit add-on, which was enough for several people and came with canvases, note cards, a magnet, and plenty of paint and markers. It was the perfect rainy-day activity.
There are yoga mats in the treehouses, and if you book ahead, you can try catch-and-release fly fishing in the trout streams.
Snacks, Ease, and the “Mindless Vacation” Factor
Here’s something I loved so much about Tuxedo Falls: it’s practically mindless in the best possible way. You just show up, and you’re covered.
There’s an initial basket waiting with snacks and breakfast options, so there’s no scrambling to feed everyone as soon as you arrive — oatmeal with apples, oatmeal with fruit, granola, chocolate and peanut butter, apples with peanut butter. Plenty to get you through breakfast without thinking twice.
Then there are the local snacks: gourmet popcorn, chips, and more. I’m not even a potato chip person, but the rosemary chips from The Carolina Kettle Chips completely converted me. You can restock on-site too.
The well water here is fresh, pure, and perfectly cold — no plastic bottles needed. Pair that with a pizza kit for lunch, the steak kit for dinner, and leftovers for the next morning, and you could easily go two days without ever unloading a cooler or running to the grocery store.
As a mom, that is priceless. It also makes this an ideal surprise getaway. You can decide on a whim, hop in the car, and have everything handled from the moment you arrive.
Because your entertainment is covered too — art kits, binoculars for birdwatching, books, board games — there’s no pressure to leave the property at all. We didn’t, and when it came time to go, I didn’t want to.
More Than a Place to Stay
Tuxedo Falls feels like a luxury camp for adults, but it’s also family-friendly, couple-friendly, group-friendly, and perfect for retreats or weddings.
Their new event lodge is expected to be completed around Labor Day, and I can already picture it filled with people celebrating, laughing, and connecting.
Location and Nearby Adventures
You might not want to leave once you arrive, but if you do, there’s plenty to explore nearby.
Tuxedo Falls is about 35 minutes from Asheville. You’re close to the Carl Sandburg Home, Jump Off Rock, and the charming shops and restaurants in Flat Rock Village.
DuPont State Recreational Forest — with its famous Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls — is also within reach.
Final Thoughts
Tuxedo Falls isn’t just a place you stay — it’s a place you feel. A place where the air smells like fresh rain, the trails lead to hidden waterfalls, and your morning coffee comes with a soundtrack of rushing water and birdsong.
Come in spring for wildflowers, summer for fireflies, fall for blazing color, or winter when icy waterfalls sparkle like glass and your toasty, heated treehouse or tent makes the perfect base for the season’s beauty.
And no matter when you come, you can count on having the food, snacks, and comforts covered from the moment you arrive. (Additional fees, of course)
It’s just one more reason you’ll want to stay longer.
I didn’t want to leave — and I already know I’ll be back.