47 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The mountain town of Almond, North Carolina serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the western part of the state. Turkey Creek Campground, located directly in Almond, provides 40 sites with full hookups for both tent and RV campers from March through November. Within a short drive, campers can access multiple Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds including Smokemont and Deep Creek, which offer more primitive experiences. The North Carolina side of the Smokies tends to be less crowded than the Tennessee side, with Tsali Recreation Area providing additional camping options near Fontana Lake. Family-owned campgrounds and RV parks supplement the federal sites, creating a range of price points and amenity levels throughout the region.
Most campgrounds in the Almond area operate seasonally from spring through fall, with the primary season running April through October. As one camper noted, "The North Carolina part has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and more laid back." Advance reservations are strongly recommended for national park campgrounds, which fill quickly during summer weekends and fall color season. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage at all sites. Cell service varies significantly, with many campgrounds having limited or no connectivity. Higher elevation campgrounds like those along the Blue Ridge Parkway offer cooler temperatures during summer months, with temperatures often 10-15 degrees lower than valley locations.
Creekside camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the area. Many campgrounds feature water access, with streams running alongside or through camping areas. "The sound of the creek at night melts all your worries away," reported one camper at a nearby site. Facilities range from primitive (vault toilets, no showers) in national park campgrounds to full-service private campgrounds with bathhouses, camp stores, and recreation facilities. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with bear sightings common in the national park campgrounds. The region's campgrounds serve as excellent basecamps for exploring waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic drives including the nearby section of Highway 129 known as "The Dragon," popular with motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts for its numerous curves and switchbacks.
"Right outside of Gatlinburg so plenty to do and see if you feel like exploring outside of the park."
"I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."
Available this weekend
from $30 / night
"There’s a river that runs a long the outside of the campground. Good swimming holes. A store that sells food (the best ice cream), firewood & camping supplies."
"The sites were pretty close to each other but the store was convenient and awesome proximity when we biked the loop. Far drive from all of the other hikes and adventures we did."
Available this weekend
from $30 / night
"The Deep Creek Campground is located just minutes away from the charming Bryson City with its shops, breweries, little cafes an other attractions such as steam train rides on the"
"Quiet with plenty of space between the RV sites, surrounded by hiking trails and waterfalls. Tent sites are next to the river and in close proximity to one another."
from $30 / night
"The owner’s at Turkey Creek are very kind and inviting... water and electric at nearly every campsite, very clean bath facilities... small creek runs through the campground offering sweet sounds to fall"
"Such a beautiful location with access to many nearby attractions. Ramelle is so so sweet and took great care of us, as first time trailer campers and gave us the “best” location, right on the creek."
from $36 - $100 / night
"Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park."
"We only stayed for 1 night but really enjoyed the campgrounds proximity to activities on the North Carolina side of the park."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"Sites are first come, first serve, most sites are in the open with a few more private sites around the edge."
"Great for accessing the mountain bike trails at Tsali. The entire campground is first come first serve, never had a problem finding a spot, but does fill up by the weekend."
from $10 - $20 / night
"Located close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is a private campground and has several types of camping opportunities. "
"Plus you can rent tubes and drive a short distance into the national park for some fun tubing."
"My daughter and I were looking for a campground in or near Bryson City to reserve last week. Very nice and peaceful campsite for RV or Tent camping. We thoroughly enjoyed our night there."
"Great spot away from some of the more touristy campgrounds. Nice stream running next to park. Cool little trout pond, quails, chickens and ducks Limited sites."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $120 / night
"The campground is surrounded by a little river so many sites have river views. Most are relatively spacious. There are also a few spots on the road side of the island. The amenities were spotless."
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Greenbriar is located near the Greenbriar entrance of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, very near the arts and crafts district of Gatlinburg."
from $35 - $258 / night
"Small campground situated on the Tuckasegee River bank. Great location for area activities. Owners Karen & Jerry friendly and helpful! We will be back."
"Located beside the Tuckaseegee River, this is a great family campground if you don’t require a swimming pool or recreation activities offered by some of the larger franchise campgrounds."
from $50 - $55 / night
LegendBeautiful campground with all the amenities. If you like rustic in the woods this is not your place, but they advertise what they are. Top dollar for top service and gorgeous sites. All the frills if that’s what you want. We love both. Lots of grass for dogs and good dog parks if that’s important.
TravelerNext door to trolley depot, and Old Mill heritage. Walking path along river. Walking distance to shops. Nice camping spots, clean showers and bathrooms. Lots of kids amenities, pool open most of the time.
GuideI'm excited about visiting this place and being secluded by all the greenery and enjoying the sound of silence… I heard it was a wonderful place to visit and stay!
TravelerWe have stayed here several times over the years. It's nothing fancy but it is on the creek, sites are level and spaced fairly good. Kids have a pretty good play area and like to feed the goats. Love the tubing access!
TravelerVisited in October of 2025 to go to Dollywood. Close to everything yet feels private. VERY well maintained and super friendly hosts. Nighttime activities like bingo, games for kids, large tv area, loved the creek. Would stay there again.
TravelerMy family and I stayed here for our first ever family trip since we’ve all been grown - 5 kids, 3 boyfriends/husbands, 2 parents, 1 dog, so much fun. My parents stayed in one of the rentable RVs and my mom booked the 2 campsites next to each other on the little “island” for the kids, which gave us awesome privacy. The running water was amazing to listen to at night. My biggest complaint is the road noise, it’s close to an occasionally busy road for that area. Big 18 wheelers and motorcyclists using the road at times. But the campsite itself was beautiful and had so much open sunshine. They had recently added a bathhouse with 2 toilets and a shower, which was great. I will be back here.
TravelerSuper clean park, friendly hosts that had planned activities for evenings, close to most everything but yet felt out of the hub. would stay again
TravelerShowers give you maybe 20 seconds of warm ish water. The. Pretty much tap temps. Amazingly it’s still completely fogs up the bathhouse mirrors due to the inadequate exhaust. That may. Be due to the temp, exhaust, and venting strings are easily manipulated by one of the million children in the “Resort”. It’s not a resort in any way. It’s a campground that has really nice pads. Marginal hookups. Lots and lots and lots of bears. Big BIG bears. I’m a bear hunter. There isn’t one I’ve seen that isn’t a legit Pope and Young. The toilets are clean. The floor and showers are gross. The lazy river is cold. Hot tube warm. If you are a camper spending $250 a night and a resort fee per person, you still don’t get given a towel to use the pool. Front desk actually said the towels were NOT for campers but for “ hotel resort” guest. So why am I paying the fee? We stayed here because it was a Margaretaville property. There are many other nicer and cheaper options in town. It’s expensive. The bar car does not exist. There is wood delivery. But it’s a bundle of twigs for $10. It is dry. The food is Sysco crap and the inside bars are just part of the kids arcade or cafeteria. Live music was super strange. The guy literally was standing in the doorway to the cafeteria bar. Don’t waste your money here. If you do anyway, plan on bears digging thru your stuff every night. Kids? Dogs? And Bears……not good.
TravelerWe were probably lucky, but we drove in on a Monday and found a nice site with the creek/stream burbling in the background. Yes, there is dirt entrance/road and traffic, but not much and way quieter than family campgrounds. This site is my perfect idea of an amazing free off grid camping spot.
Nestled within the Nantahala National Forest, camping near Almond, North Carolina offers elevations ranging from 1,800 to 5,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates throughout the camping season. The region sits at the convergence of the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers, providing water-based recreation opportunities from spring through fall. Many sites in this area remain 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands even during summer heat.
Mountain biking at Tsali Recreation Area: Located 2 miles from Almond, Tsali Campground maintains 4 loop trails specifically designed for mountain bikers with designated days for bike use. "I've been going here for the last 25 years and enjoying the intermediate Mountain trails. As a flatlander I love to come to tsali to get my legs into shape for the mountains," reports one regular visitor.
Tubing adventures: Deep Creek Tube Center provides easy access to tubing opportunities just outside Bryson City. "You can rent a tube and take it into the national park, which is about a mile down the road. If you don't like crowds, I suggest that you go...a few weeks BEFORE Memorial Day," advises a camper who stayed at Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground.
Fishing at trout ponds: Some campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds on site. "Trout fishing pond on the property if you're hungry for a fresh caught meal," notes a visitor to Kirkland Creek Campground. These ponds typically require no license for onsite fishing, making them convenient for beginners.
Historic exploration: The Smoky Mountains contain numerous preserved historic structures. "Go on the car tour loop and make sure to stop and look at the cabins and church. History at its finest," suggests a camper from Cades Cove Group Campground.
Creekside camping options: Many campgrounds feature tent sites directly adjacent to flowing water. At Turkey Creek Campground, "water and electric at nearly every campsite, very clean bath facilities... small creek runs through the campground offering sweet sounds to fall asleep too," according to a frequent visitor.
Clean facilities: The privately-owned campgrounds near Almond often maintain exceptionally clean restrooms. "Cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen at a campground. This was my second time here and I will go back when I am in the area," reports a camper about Turkey Creek Campground.
Proximity to activities: The central location provides easy access to multiple outdoor recreation areas. "Minutes away from NOC, Tsali, and Fontana Lake," notes a visitor describing the convenience of staying near Almond.
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently report wildlife sightings, especially in the national park campgrounds. At Smokemont Campground, one visitor mentioned, "We even had elk walk through one morning." Black bear sightings are also common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds near Almond operate from March/April through October/November. "Tsali is always well-maintained. All the spots have dedicated tent area, picnic tables and fire rings. Only downside is it closes mid October until April," explains a camper from Tsali Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: During peak season (June-October), campgrounds fill quickly. For Smokemont Campground, "I reserved noon on day of check in and there were only two spots left," reports one last-minute camper.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Currently I'm using the Wi-Fi from my spot, since cellular service in this area isn't reliable. Make sure you download a google map 'offline mode' map of the area before coming, since service is limited for ATT and Verizon," advises a Turkey Creek camper.
Campground access challenges: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The driveway coming into the campground is steep, so drive slow, and I would highly recommend showing up before dark, not an entrance I would want to make after dark," warns a visitor about Turkey Creek Campground.
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer onsite recreation for children. At Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground, "Plenty for the kids to do, including gem mining, feeding goats and several playgrounds. Plus you can rent tubes and drive a short distance into the national park for some fun tubing," explains a family camper.
Ideal family campsites: Request specific sites when traveling with children. "We were tent camping in the off-season and had plenty of sites to choose from—Rick let us drive around to pick our favorite. We landed on Site 18 (highly recommend!) but sites 22, 8, and 9 also stood out," notes a family visiting Turkey Creek.
Wildlife education opportunities: The visitor centers provide excellent learning opportunities. "The campground is close to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and we had the luck of seeing a heard of Elk in the field at the center on our way in!" shares a camper from Smokemont Campground.
Laundry facilities: Several campgrounds offer onsite washing machines. "Washer and dryers are available, and showers and bathrooms are way better than average," mentions a Turkey Creek camper, which is particularly helpful during extended family trips.
Site selection considerations: RVers should carefully evaluate site dimensions before booking. At Deep Creek Campground, "Although sites say they are for tents or RVs, some are very odd and only have parking space for an RV on the road, and your table and other areas are above or below. So if you live close enough, it's important to check out the sites ahead of time."
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at certain campgrounds. "And bring levelers; you will need them!" advises an RVer about Deep Creek Campground sites.
RV size limitations: Larger rigs face access challenges at some campgrounds. "We had a 30ft camper and site 18 was the only one i would attempt to get in. Its great for smaller campers and tenters," notes a visitor to Tsali Recreation Area, highlighting the importance of researching site specifications before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Almond, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Almond, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 744 campgrounds and RV parks near Almond, NC and 61 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Almond, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Almond, NC is Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 128 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Almond, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 61 free dispersed camping spots near Almond, NC.
What parks are near Almond, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Almond, NC that allow camping, notably Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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