Nestled in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina lies a 100 acre ranch on a half mile of river. An approachable rural setting offering a personal experience with nature. Sweeping mountain views and rushing water set a stage of magic and peace.

The land’s history is steeped in tobacco later transitioning to dairy farming. Hay and silage are still in producition and the cattle have been replaced by the heritage Mangalitsa pig. The 2020 economic downturn forced diversification into agritourism as sales to restaurants were halted. The river and forests were an ideal setting to host visitors keen on learning about farming, animals and agrarian focused education.

A farm scene with a green tractor, a white pickup truck, and hay bales on a grassy field near trees.
A large Mangalitsa pig with curly wool watching over four small piglets in a grassy field.
A campsite in a wooded area with tents, an umbrella, and parked cars.
MANGALITSA INFORMATION
A foggy outdoor scene with leafless and green trees, a gravel path, a green grassy area, and a black wooden fence.

The Smoky Mountains provide an ever changing landscape of light and mist. It captivates the imagination offering endless backdrops and moods.

2017

Purchased in 2017, owners Catherine and Rick Topel worked tirelessly to remove fallen trees, derelict structures and repair the land.

Two people in casual work clothes standing next to a large red excavator on a construction site with a clear blue sky. One person is wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, and the other person has glasses and a cap. There is a dog with a pink collar on the ground nearby.
Debris from a destroyed vehicle scattered on the ground near a rain-soaked grassy area with trees, hills, and a vehicle in the background.
A rural scene featuring an old wooden barn with a weathered roof, surrounded by trees and tall grass. A black pickup truck with a load of firewood in the truck bed is parked in front of the barn. The sky is mostly clear with some thin clouds.
A dirt road leading towards trees and hills in the distance under a blue sky, with a utility pole and power lines in the foreground.
Hilly landscape with grass, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.

2018

With infrastructure in place it was time to take the next step and introduce the Mangalitsa pig to the farming operation.

The Mangalitsa pig is a wooly lard breed originating in Hungary in the 1830’s. Its deep red muscle and silky white fat made it the darling of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Falling out of favor due to the vilifying of animal fats, the Mangalitsa was reduced to critcal numbers and limited genetics. Arriving in three tranches to the US, the breed has experienced a resurgence with chefs and foodies. The animals enjoy a truly pasture based life at Smoky Mountain River Ranch and provide delectible eats to visitors and area restaurants.

Five sheep standing on a grassy hill with a farm fence and trees in the background, surrounded by fog.
A scenic view of green trees and rolling hills shrouded in morning fog, with a white barn with a gabled roof in the foreground.
Two Mangalitsa sows in a grassy pasture, one lying down and the other with its back turned, near a wire fence.

A 200 year old breed revered for its red marbled muscle and silky fat. The Mangalitsa is a slow growing lard breed that was introduced to the US in 2007.

A Mangalitsa pig grazing on a grassy hillside with mountains in the background.
A lush green field with a flock of Mangalitsa pigs grazing, surrounded by a wooden fence, with a backdrop of trees and distant hills under a clear blue sky.
MANGALITSA INFORMATION

2021

The economic downturn forced Catherine and Rick to make several very difficult decisions.

They lost all sales to restaurants in 2020 and were faced with feeding and caring for almost 100 Mangalitsas. Processing dates were in place but they had no customers. Taking the only viable route, they created a farm store to sell their pastured pork through direct sales. Albeit they had no retail market! Enter Hipcamp…

Hipcamp is a booking platform for those seeking to camp on private lands. It allowed them to diversify into agritourism and provided both, a revenue stream for the farm and an instant sales outlet for their retail pork.

Recognizing the stunning beauty of the ranch, Catherine and Rick decided to share their property with camping enthusiasts. It has been so rewarding and fun for them! The numerous farm tours keep them busy, enrich their lives and provide education for visitors.

A person in dark clothing stands near a river in a wooded area with leafless trees, an orange tent, a table, and campfire smoke.
A grassy pasture with a river, trees, and an RV parked among the trees.
Raw Mangalitsa pork chop on butcher paper

2022

Smoky Mountain River Ranch gained recognition through several platforms as one of the top camping and glamping spots in the US!

Collage of outdoor camping and travel scenes featuring a desert landscape, a vintage bus in a wooded area, a lakeside campsite with a tent, a treehouse with seating, a campfire at night, and an RV in a desert. Centered on the collage is a graphic for the 2023 Glampy Awards by thedyrt.
Confirmation of a second place win at Hipcamp for 2023 season, congratulatory message to Smoky Mountain Mangalitsa Farm for being the second best Hipcamp in North Carolina for 2023, with a button to see the list.

2023

Smoky Mountain River Ranch is beginning to thrivc again due to the enthusiasm of farm visitors and renewed sales of Mangalitsa to area restaurants.

Leading brands and top chefs enjoy the unique qualities of Mangalitsa pork!

Iron Chef America’s battle between Iron Chefs chose Mangalitsa as the secret ingredient!

Smoky Mountain River Ranch was honored in 2022 to provide two pasture raised Mangalitsa to The Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL for the Michelin Star Gala Reveal Dinner. The pork was part of a a fourteen course meal served to 450 of the world’s culinary elite.

Sierra Nevada Asheville
Screen showing the title 'Iron Chef America' with a subtitle 'Battle Mangalitsa Pig'.
Black and white logo for Holeman and Finch Public House.
Michelin Star Reveal Dinner

2024

Smoky Mountain River Ranch was the location for several exciting new ventures.

“Every Man Jack” products and “Winston Cigarettes” used our exceptional setting to create media content to promote their products.

Outstanding in the Field served an incrdeible five course dinner to 200 diners at their signature long table in the heart of the ranch. Six days later Helene would change western NC for ever.

Winston cigarette pack with a swallow illustration, text indicating tobacco ingredients, and a vintage design.

OUSTANDING IN THE FIELD DINNER

The text "EVERY MAN JACK" written in large, bold, black letters on a white background.
Outdoor gathering with people around a long banquet table set in a grassy field during daytime, some standing and others seated, some holding umbrellas for shade. Outstanding in the Field dinner company
Elegantly set outdoor dining table with multiple wine glasses, water glasses, and white napkins on a white tablecloth, with a natural outdoor background of green trees and cloudy sky. Outstanding in the Field dinner company
Aerial view of a mountainside with a large group of people lining a circular path on the grassy field at the base of the hill, surrounded by trees and distant mountains. Outstanding in the Field traveling dinner company

HELENE ~ BEYOND WORDS

September 27, 2024 Hurricane Helene dropped devastating rains upon western NC. Extenstive flooding, landslides and loss of life dominated the event. SMRR was doubly impacted when the banks of The Pigeon River swamped lowering lying pastures. Dozens of trees were downed and massive amounts of shoreline destroyed. Mud, sand and debris smothered the land and damaged fencing and livestock shelters. Denied any government assitance we realized our recovery would be solely dependant on our own efforts and those we personally contract to assist us. Thank you to all who contributed! We appreciate you!

Flooded area with water rising above a fence and covering trees and parts of rooftops in a rural landscape with a hill and cloudy sky. Hurricane Helene 2024
A dirt path alongside a river with trees on both sides, under a blue sky with some clouds.
Flooded landscape with muddy water covering the ground, a small structure with a metal roof partially submerged, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence, overcast sky. Hurricane Helene 2024

2025

By March of 2025 SMRR was able to once again host visitors, hay our fields and produce litters of piglets.

Hipcamp shared some wonderful news ~ SMRR has reached a milestone of hosting over 5000 reservations and has been awarded “50 Favorite Places to Camp in America 2025”

We cherish our visitors and supporters; thank you!

Orange promotional graphic for Hipcamp featuring bold white text that reads '50 Favorite Places to Camp in America 2025,' with a QR code and the Hipcamp logo at the bottom.
A rural landscape with a green grassy field with hay bales, surrounded by trees, rolling hills in the distance, and a partly cloudy sky. Rolled hay bales dot the field
Piglets in a dirt pen with a wooden fence background and green grass in the foreground.
Close-up of a brown, curly-haired animal Mangalitsa pig, grazing on green grass in a fenced outdoor area with trees in the background.