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Facilities

Established Camping

Gorges State Park Campground

Gorges State Park Campground, near Sapphire, North Carolina, is a fantastic destination for those who love the great outdoors. This campground is known for its pristine environment, featuring clean sites and easy access to numerous hiking trails and stunning waterfalls.

The campground offers a mix of tent and RV accommodations, with some sites boasting full hookups. Visitors rave about the immaculate bathhouse and the well-maintained facilities, making it a comfortable place to unwind after a day of adventure. One camper noted, “The park has a great visitors center, lots of trails for hiking and seeing waterfalls, campground is pristine.”

For those who enjoy hiking, you’re in luck! The area is packed with trails leading to breathtaking waterfalls, including the famous Rainbow Falls. Reviewers have highlighted the peaceful atmosphere, with one stating, “The peace and quiet from being out in these woods was wonderful.”

While the campground is primarily a hike-in location, it’s worth the trek for the tranquility and natural beauty that awaits. Whether you’re looking to relax by the fire or explore the surrounding wilderness, Gorges State Park Campground is a great choice for your next outdoor adventure.

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Location

Gorges State Park Campground is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Asheville, reach the park from I-26, taking exit 9 onto NC 280 and traveling west toward Brevard. Turn west on US 64 and travel toward Sapphire. To reach the Grassy Ridge Access (west side of the park), turn south on NC 281 in Sapphire; the western park entrance is .7 miles on the left.

Coordinates

35.11297254 N
82.95335881 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Electric Hookups
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 17, 2023

Great place to be :

This is a great State Park campground. New, clean, lots of hikes and waterfalls. It doesn’t get any better than this !!

Site40
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Richard L., October 17, 2023
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Richard L., October 17, 2023
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Richard L., October 17, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 4, 2023

Pristine, quiet, and waterfalls

Great experience at end of May, 2023. The park has had primitive camping for years, but this year is the first season with an area for RVs/trailers and a separate area tent campers. All sites are level with concrete pads, except for the tent site. Fire pit is on bricks. Bathhouse is immaculate. The park has a great visitors center, lots of trails for hiking and seeing waterfalls, campground is pristine, and non-tent sites have full hookups. The park covers 7,000+ acres and hosts the start of the trail into Pisgah National Forest to the famous Rainbow Falls. We have a 17' Casita and stayed in a site with full hookups. Activities in the surrounding area include lots of waterfalls, hiking, mountain biking, golf, shopping and dining in the Highlands, and some great restaurants.

Site22
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Darlene R., June 4, 2023
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Darlene R., June 4, 2023
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Darlene R., June 4, 2023
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2022

UPDATED INFORMATION!

We visited this park on Saturday, October 22, and discovered this was the day that reservations were going live to begin reserving the brand-new developed campground(Grassy Ridge Access) for dates starting on October 29. The campground will have five primitive cabins, 16 tent and 14 FHU sites. We were not even allowed to see the campground on this day. 

Frozen Creek Access will continue to offer first-come, first-served tent sites free of charge. These are not reservable. There are six designated backpack sites along the Foothills Trail near the southern boundary of the park. Dispersed primitive tent camping is available in Pisgah National Forest along the Rainbow Falls Trail. Access to this trail is from the Grassy Ridge entrance to the park. These sites are not reservable and are free of charge, but you must register at the visitor center or the trailhead. 

The Visitor Center is beautiful– not sure when it was completed. There is also a large picnic shelter near the Bearwallow Valley Trail. 

We only had time to hike the short trail to Upper Bearwallow Falls but would like to return to camp here and hike to Rainbow Falls so this park is on our return list for sure!

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Lee D., October 26, 2022
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Lee D., October 26, 2022
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Lee D., October 26, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2021

Peace, quiet and beautiful waterfalls

We loved this place. It is a hike-in campground so know that before you go, probably 1.5 mile hike so nothing crazy. Once there the sites are nice and cozy with decent space between you and your neighbors. The peace and quiet from being out in these woods was wonderful. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table. The hikes to the waterfalls are easily accessible and totally worth it. If you aren’t into primitive camping this might not be for you.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Todd S., June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Todd S., June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Todd S., June 24, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed May. 30, 2021

More than just a campground

This is one of North Carolina’s best waterfall parks. Rainbow Falls, Turtel Back Falls and Bust your Ass Falls. The Visitors Center has free parking for RV’s and Vans theirs numerous primitive sites and I found a Gem of a site about 2 miles from the parking lot.

SiteP1
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 30, 2020

Hike in sites only.

Was not clearly marked, if at all that these campsites are a 2 mile hike from parking. Would have packed differently had we known! Once we got over the shock and set up, it ended up being one of the most peaceful and scenic sites that I have ever been to. There is no immediate water access but plenty of hiking trails that led to beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes.

Site5
Month of VisitSeptember
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  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Padget M., May 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Gorges State Park Campground by Padget M., May 30, 2020
  • (16) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Gorges State Park Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Gorges State Park Campground has water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the elevation of Gorges State Park Campground?

    Gorges State Park Campground is located at 3108 feet.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Gorges State Park Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is poor.