The Land

At Thickety Fen

Nestled deep in a scenic Appalachian cove, Thickety Fen encompasses four acres of ancient forest and sunny meadow. To reach this land, you will journey far from city lights, deeper and deeper into the quiet, untouched mountains and hollers of East Tennessee.

Once on site, you are surrounded by the delicious song of trees, birds, and frogs, and the beauty of native wildflowers, pristine woodlands, and vivid, starry nighttime skies.

Still only 30 minutes from Asheville’s thriving cultural and artistic scene, the land is also surrounded by a stunning selection of jaw-droppingly gorgeous viewing, hiking, camping, and outdoor recreation options. 

The Sams Gap entrance to the Appalachian Trail is less than two miles away. Fifteen minutes takes you to the pristine, rushing waterfalls and peaceful swimming holes of Rocky Fork State Park and its fully accessible hiking trails. A half hour drive will deliver you to Cherokee National Forest, Pisgah National Forest, or The Blue Ridge Parkway. Drive a little farther and you can be in the Smokey Mountains, Nantahala National Forest, and half a dozen additional parks, forests, gamelands, and wilderness areas within an hour.

Thickety Fen welcomes all who seek the peace of the wilds and the community of those who remember we belong to each other. We are queer-owned and led, trans-friendly, and we celebrate living out loud as exactly who you are.

All of you is welcome here.

Features and Facilities

  • Hundreds of miles of trails, connecting directly with the legendary Appalachian Trail

  • A spring-fed frog pond full of native wildlife and plants

  • Gardens and fruit trees

  • A communal wash house containing a full bathroom and laundry

  • “Cedarmoss,” the main cabin and dwelling of Fen and their furry companions

  • “Apple Hall,” the smaller cabin and dwelling of Fen’s son, the property overseer, Everett

  • “The Bower Bird,” a full-size RV that is the dwelling of Fen’s son, Eli

  • “The Squirrel” (pictured), an adorable 1969 monitor camper glamped up and decked out with a woodland theme, available for overnight stays

  • Multiple campsites with full hookups for tent or hammock camping

  • Community art project centered on the rusty body of a 1950s Chevy pickup left here by previous owners. Art supplies are provided, and you’re encouraged to leave your mark!

  • On-site parking plus ample nearby public parking for overflow

  • Currently, only a few areas of Thickety Fen are wheelchair accessible and we do not have an ADA-compliant bathroom. It is large in our hearts to make as much of the land and facilities fully accessible as soon as we can. In the meantime, if you are concerned about accessibility, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.