Black Bear Campground, near Lake James, North Carolina, is a fresh spot for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors. This campground offers a mix of tent and cabin accommodations, making it a solid choice for both seasoned campers and newcomers alike.

The facilities are top-notch, with clean bathrooms and private showers that visitors rave about. Many appreciate the spacious sites, which are set up to accommodate multiple tents, and the availability of firewood and ice on-site means you won’t have to make extra trips for supplies. One camper noted, “The host was wonderful,” highlighting the friendly atmosphere you can expect during your stay.

For those who love to explore, there are trails nearby and a fishing dock for some lakeside fun. The campground is also close to a seasonal restaurant, perfect for grabbing a bite after a day of activities. While some sites offer great shade, others might leave you feeling a bit toasty in the summer sun, so it’s worth checking in with the staff about site options.

With its clean facilities and welcoming vibe, Black Bear Campground is definitely worth a visit for anyone looking to unwind in nature.

At Black Bear Campground, we believe in the power of nature to bring people together. Black Bear Campground offers a place where families and friends can disconnect from their busy lives and reconnect with each other and the natural world.

Black Bear campground boast 31 primitive campsites along with five primitive cabins. On top of this, Black Bear Campground has a day use area that features a picnic area, a fishing pier and various hiking trails including the Fonta Flora State Trail. 

There's never a dull moment at Black Bear Campground! Whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, biking, or just relaxing by the campfire, there's something for everyone here. Check out our calendar of events to see what's happening during your stay.

Black Bear Campground

Marion is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Marion is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Discover great camping spots near Marion, reviewed by campers like you.

Marion

The Best Camping Near Marion, North Carolina

This is a brand new tent and cabin campground built by Duke Energy and run by McDowell county on Lake James. There is a boat ramp very close by, a fishing dock, picnic area, trails in and around the campground, and a seasonal Black Bear Marina Restaurant across the inlet or not far by road. All sites have tent pads and 2 parking spots. Many of the sites are a short walk from the car which affords privacy. There is a rental picnic shelter and a group csmping site. The rental camping cabins have 2 cots with a plywood base,( bring a mattress!). 

Great primitive campground opened 2023

This is a brand new campground. Either they keep the sites extremely clean after each guest, or we were the first to stay at our site. This is perfect for someone new to camping as the utilities are very clean and you don’t feel extremely isolated. I will say, since this is new, some of the sites may not have as much privacy as older established campgrounds, but there are definitely other more private sites available. Definitely worth trying out! P.S. the camp host was great and very welcoming!

New campground worth exploring!

Excellent campground there’s ice and firewood so you don’t have to make special trips to the nearest convenience store. They charge it directly to your card. The host was wonderful. The campgrounds has pavilions for rent so you can host large parties. The campsites are spacious and spaced fairly evenly apart. The restrooms are in immaculate condition. My only complaint is some of the campsites have great shading while other do not. The site we stayed in did not although surrounded by trees by midafternoon in the middle of June we were cooking like grandma’s chocolate cookies after Sunday service. During the fall or winter months those sites with less shade would really help. I would call the staff and ask in advance. We stayed at site #25

Black Bear Campground & Park

Host was great, camp site are far enough away from each other some are close enough for couple families together, bathrooms are clean and private beautiful area must try, only wish they had a first come first serve and not just on line reservation 

New campground 

Great place a little bit tight but not bad at all. The layouts are nice, there is a table, fire pit and most places can  squeeze 2 tents. They have clean bathrooms and individual showers. It does get quite warm in the summer. 

Photos of Black Bear Campground

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