Real estate mogul turned designer Shannon Moore knew she didn’t want to replicate the traditional rustic lodge vibe often seen at campgrounds upon envisioning her transformation of the now Magical Mountain Resorts.
Initially an abandoned 11.5-acre campground in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the Florida native dreamed from the get-go of turning it into a fairytale land like no other. A hideaway where guests can unplug and reconnect while on an enchanted and whimsical journey, a world of difference from the original spot.
Once Upon a Time

Moore stumbled upon the site in November 2021 after purchasing its main attraction — a beat-up, old bus, now known as the Midknight Bus — without a proper place for it to call home. (Long story short, she acquired the 1955 Bristol Lodekka for $2,000 after it changed hands by multiple owners, including, according to Moore, the late Walt Disney, and was showcased at The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in Pooler, Georgia.)
She calls the bus the “spark that lit that fire” and drove her to sell her entire rental portfolio in Florida, which was a years-long process to build and pour her heart into this magical resort. The location surely needed some tender loving care, as it hadn’t been given attention in 15 years.
“It was rough. I mean, really rough. Overgrown brush everywhere, buildings falling apart, and RV pads long since abandoned,” Moore explained of the scene when she initially purchased the property. However, the more people who urged her to walk away from the seemingly unprofitable destination, the more she fell in love with it.
“The land itself felt special,” Moore revealed, noting its breathtaking views nestled in the Nantahala Forest with a trout creek running through it and billowing trees. “There was a peacefulness there I couldn’t shake. It didn’t look like much on paper, but in my heart, it already looked like a fairytale.” The tranquility the site exudes with its stunning landscape, small waterfall, and bubbling creek particularly caught Moore’s eye, marking the beginning of the fast-moving journey for the Magical Mountain Resorts to come to life.
Bringing the Pages to Life
Creating something out of a fairytale book was an idea she’d had for a while, nixing the typical “bears carved into wood or beige and brown everything” aesthetic she’d seen at other campgrounds. Instead, Moore wanted magic, a unique destination for families to gather, making kids and adults say, “Wow, this is different” at first glance.
But it wasn’t just the never-before-seen look that she was going for. Moore desired a place that recreated her beloved childhood stories, where guests felt like they’d stepped into a storybook instead of a cabin. “The ultimate goal was to create something unforgettable — an immersive, magical experience wrapped in nostalgia and imagination,” she said.
Moore wasn’t the only one involved in making this happen. While the realtor came up with the themes and overall artistic vision, from the Alice in Wonderland and Candy-themed cabins to the popular fairytale garden, 250 artists from around the world contributed to the project. This included local carpenters, international woodcarvers, muralists, and welders.
Creatives Unite

Moore found these professionals mostly via Etsy, Facebook groups, and word of mouth, and many are notable players in their craft, such as Mitch Mitton (a former Disney Imagineer), Leon from Turkey, who hand carved the doors, and Geno, who hand forged the rose handles in Alice’s Queen cottage and Alice White Bunny Cottage. Still, the entire design is credited to Moore’s creative touch, and nearly everything she’d imagined came to fruition.
The resort founder prides herself on this, boasting that she “never compromised on my dream” despite any roadblocks that arose along the way. “I’m constantly reinvesting to bring new ideas to life, so anything that hasn’t happened yet is just waiting its turn,” Moore teased.
Hopefully, this means that the small wedding chapel she wanted to build to house a massive stained-glass window she’s been harboring will see the light of day. But she admitted that most of the flat land on the property has been allocated to the animals, so that might stay a pipedream for a bit longer.
An Unexpected Venture

What Moore has created has already stunned those unsure of her initial plans to open a fairytale-themed resort. “Honestly, most people thought I had lost it. I heard a lot of ‘Are you sure about this?’ and ‘You’re doing what?’ But I wasn’t looking for validation — I was building something I believed in,” Moore recalled.
To her critics’ surprise, the Magical Mountain Resorts has received overwhelming support, with visitors from families to Disney fanatics to bachelorette parties looking for a fun and unique getaway. “They’ve all come and found something unexpected here. It’s not a mainstream concept, but that’s what makes it special,” the investor added.
Her dedication to the venture never waned, as she uprooted her life to live and work on the property. Moore resides on-site in a modest, Florida-themed camper and has put her real estate career on the back burner to focus on the resort. “I’m still learning every day — from booking software to goat care — and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she gushed. She’s even thought about expanding and replicating the concept someplace else, but for now, her attention lies on making it as magical of a place as possible.
A Magical Adventure
Moore appears to have done just that with her seven themed cabins like the ones previously mentioned and The Caretaker’s Cabin, Snow White’s Cottage, and Sugar Shack, though the Midknight Bus and Alice in Wonderland cabin are the most sought-after. Additionally, the property has five RV slips and four tent camping sites to fully immerse in the great outdoors, as well as a certified trout creek, petting zoo, bathhouse, hammocks, swings, games, and barbecue grills.
Rentals are offered year-round, starting at $99 per night, depending on the season. Peak times run from March through August, and October is the most desirable during the crisp fall weather. Although on-site, the fairytale farm is a separate attraction costing $11 per person.
Happily Ever After
So, what is it about the Magical Mountain Resort in Hayesville, North Carolina, that captivates visitors? Perhaps it’s the desire for an experience-driven travel destination or staying in a rare tiny home. Moore thinks both of these are considerable factors in drawing people in due to their curiosity and appetite for storytelling that they can talk about long after their vacation ends.
“Guests are looking for connection, magic, and meaning. They find that here — whether they realize that’s what they were looking for or not,” she added, also pointing out the nearby hiking trails and activities like Lake Chatuge and the Bavarian town of Helen, Georgia.
But most of all, Moore stressed that everything was created with intention. “I wanted every corner to tell a story and spark joy. It’s not about perfection — it’s about presence,” she stated. “I hope that when guests come here, they slow down, breathe deeper, and leave a little more inspired than when they arrived.”
<p>The post This Designer Turned an Abandoned Campground in the Blue Ridge Mountains Into a Whimsical Fairytale Land first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>