J
Jeff B.
Traveler
TravelerCreekwood Farm RV Park
Beautiful river side site
The team here really maintains the property nicely and the shower rooms a kept clean.
Camping near Arden, NC
496 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campgrounds near Arden, North Carolina provide diverse camping experiences within easy reach of both mountain wilderness and urban amenities. The area includes established campgrounds like Lake Powhatan in the National Forests of North Carolina and Rutledge Lake RV Resort, offering accommodations ranging from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this region sit within a 15-mile radius of Asheville, making them convenient bases for exploring both natural attractions and city amenities. The proximity to both Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway creates opportunities for various camping styles from primitive tent sites to full-service RV resorts.
Seasonal considerations play a major role in camping availability around Arden. Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules, with several mountain facilities closing between November and March due to winter conditions and maintenance needs. A camper noted, "Book ahead—the guy said they'd been completely full since June," reflecting the high demand during peak seasons. Mount Pisgah Campground, for example, operates only from May through October. Weather patterns in the region can change quickly, especially at higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with some campgrounds like Lake Powhatan having limited coverage despite their relative proximity to Asheville.
Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of facilities at area campgrounds. The bathrooms at Lake Powhatan receive particular mention, with one visitor commenting they are "cleaned well everyday and are heated." Waterfront camping is popular in the region, with Lake Powhatan and Rutledge Lake offering water access that attracts families and anglers. While some visitors describe area lakes as "underwhelming," many appreciate their tranquility and fishing opportunities. Several developed campgrounds in the region offer amenities like laundry facilities, showers, and recreation halls. The proximity to hiking trails is another highlight, with many campgrounds providing direct access to forest paths. Despite being close to Asheville, many campgrounds maintain a secluded atmosphere that creates the feeling of being much deeper in the wilderness.
Best Campgrounds near Arden (496)
1. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina
"The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."
"PROS Discounted camp fee with senior pass
Reserved 169 days prior to arriving
Friendly and helpful gate attendant
Nearly 100% shade at each site
Excellent dark sky viewing
Private sites with"
from $37 - $135 / night
Check Availability2. Davidson River Campground
"Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."
"We had a quick nights stay in Davidson River Campground after picking up our new SylvanSport GO tent trailer in nearby Brevard, North Carolina."
from $37 - $84 / night
Check Availability3. Asheville East KOA
"As typical of a KOA, they shove you in there so you are very close to your neighbors. The stars of the park are the riverfront sites."
"My only gripe (and I know it’s not a huge deal) is the trailer park situated right by the fence that separates from the KOA."
from $50 / night
Check Availability4. North Mills River
"Small campground, but there are free off road sites not too far down the road. Cell service disappears but I love that kind of disconnect."
"State stocked river is close by for trout fishing, and the bathrooms are always clean being for what they are."
from $31 - $62 / night
Check Availability5. Mount Pisgah Campground
"We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the “cooler” campgrounds in western North Carolina for a weekend. Mt Pisgah Campground is at an elevation of roughly 5300’."
"Pisgah National Forest on the outskirts of Asheville, NC is a must stop for all ages."
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Rutledge Lake RV Resort
"Easy off the highway but far enough to be quiet. Lots of dining options close by"
"campground was decent Fishing pond has a lot of ducks and seaweed
Laundry room was nice and large - easy and quick to get 3 loads done
Waterfront site was fairly level and loved being able to walk"
7. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground
"It was level had tons of shade and even though you are close to your neighbors the sites are situated so that it doesn’t feel like you’re on top of each other."
"The only thing we would say is to be very careful if you’re up on one of the premiere Mountain View sites when you’re pulling your trailer down exiting the CG - it can be seriously steep and a tight turn"
from $75 - $200 / night
Check Availability8. Wilson's Riverfront RV Park
"Close to town to go check things out. Not a far drive to get to many great restaurants, breweries or cideries. Right on the river. Concrete sites, not extremely level, but good enough."
"The good- The proximity to downtown is the best you can get in a campground. If you choose a Riverfront site, you are literally 5 steps from the back of your RV from the French Broad River."
9. Asheville West KOA
"The only reason for the four star rating is due to the highway noise from I-40, which is located adjacent to the campground."
"It was an ideal location since it was between downtown Asheville and Waynesville which is where we split our time. The staff was friendly."
10. Creekside Mountain Camping
"Nice creek running nearby and a few short walking paths. The drive to spruce pine is scenic and long but head back toward bat cave and there ade neat little adventures to have with the kiddos."
"This was a great little spot away from the hustle and bustle of the highway. Very close to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Pool was clean. Arcade on site."
Drive Time
- 10 min from Asheville, NC
- 53 min from Greenville, SC
- 54 min from Spartanburg, SC
Recent Camping Photos near Arden, NC
996 Photos of 496 Arden Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Kozy Koala Cove: Minutes from town!
Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North CarolinaR
Wilson's Riverfront RV Park
Asheville's Bear Creek RV Park & Campground
Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5
Henderson Reservoir Dispersed Site #1
North Mills River
Wash Creek Dispersed Pull-Off
Utopia
Creekside Mountain Camping
Red Gates RV ParkB
Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground
Recent Reviews near Arden, NC
2225 Reviews of 496 Arden Campgrounds
- JJoAnn E.
ScoutSmoky Bear Campground
Awesome campground!
We’ve been coming at this campground for 13 years and it is always an enjoyable experience. The past owners, Barry and Chong, have turned over the day to day management to their son and daughter-in-law. They are so pleasant and accommodating. It is a small campground but drive thru spaces are big enough for big rigs. They keep the campground in immaculate condition…. Would give it 6 stars out of 5!
- June M.Scout
Highlands Riverbend RV Resort and Cabins
Mountain Gem in the "Gem Capital of the World"
With only 18 waterfront sites this campground facilitates comradery like no place we have ever experienced. Taco Tuesdays, Margarita Fridays, Soup Sundays, potlucks, on-site bluegrass concerts, sharing stories with new friends with our chairs and feet in the cool river water, watching the lunar eclipse in our best dress pajamas are all events we enjoyed in our two and a half months here. The campground is clean and well maintained at all times. The owners and hosts are outstanding individuals who truly make every effort to make everyone comfortable at their home away from home. Strangers really have become friends, just as advertised.
- MMoe F.
GuideBears Den
Lovely!
Really nice place to stay if you are visiting Asheville. Convenient to a variety of activities from biking, hiking & local attractions. The owners are very friendly, accommodating and have provided a beautiful, relaxing space. The parking space is covered, level and easy to back into. They have an expansive beautiful backyard, due partially to hurricane Helene, with seating areas for guests. They due have chickens & rooster, but they stay in their coop & run on the opposite side of the yard. There was no odor and the rooster only crowed during the day, which did not bother us. Looking forward to a return visit. The owners are currently working on an RV park in Brevard, which we hope to visit in the near future.
Jim M.GuideMt Pisgah Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
Loving the Parkway
NPS provides beautiful quiet campgrounds in the natural environment without all the modern amenities. If that why you camp this is for you. Perfect for vanlifers and others enjoying the outdoors
- MMalte S.Scout
Winngray Family Campground
Great family operated campground
Very nice and welcoming owner and staff. We felt like we arrived with friends when we got stranded with our RV with engine problems. We ended up staying for almost two months. A nice well maintained campground that features a dog run in the front and a little river that is accessible for the guest in the back. There is a store in the front that carries some camping basics one might need in a pinch. They also have a take one, leave one library a well maintained landry and off course bathroom/shower facilities for tent camper. Great location near fantastic hiking trails in short driving distance. You can hike a different trail within an hours drive for weks and weeks. The owner Dillan operates the campground in third generation and he is really nice. It may not be the flashiest place but definately our favorite mountain retreat. One bonus for us: T mobile has super fast 5 G coverage for our hotspot here at the winngray campground. Its like our internet at home.
- Norma J.Scout
Highlands Riverbend RV Resort and Cabins
Highlands Riverbend RV Resort
We have been coming to this RV park for 5 years, and just keep coming back. It's a beautiful campground with all sites on the river. Jodi & Tim (Owners) are wonderful, and make campers feel like part of their family. The comradery is like having a lot of friends in one beautiful environment. Taco Tuesday, potluck dinners, BBQ's and Margarita Fridays round up the different events provided at the big barn. And, it's only a hop, skip and jump to restaurants, site seeing, downtown Franklin and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Patty P.TravelerHighlands Riverbend RV Resort and Cabins
Highlands Riverbend RV Resort Franklin NC
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a beautiful hidden gem! This boutique campground right on the river is unlike your typical campground. It has that perfect combination of the peaceful, outdoorsy camping experience with all the amenities and little touches that make your stay feel special. We have been coming here for 6 years now.
The location along the Callasaja River is absolutely gorgeous, and there is so much to enjoy without ever having to leave the campground. Everything is thoughtfully designed, clean, comfortable, and well-maintained.
You can tell the owners have put a lot of thought into creating an experience rather than just a place to park your RV. Whether you want to relax by the river or the big brown barn where we have weekly gatherings (Taco Tuesday and Margarita Friday and pot lucks), enjoy the amenities along with a trading post on site, or simply slow down and enjoy the surroundings, this place has it all.
Give it a try and I promise you will be coming back!!
- LLaura B.Traveler
Spacious Skies Bear Den
Spacious Skies Bears Den Campground
Nice campground but getting in is treacherous. Don’t come up NC 226 it unfriendly for RVS . About 1 mile to the campground the road is horrible and will beat you and your rig half to death. The swimming lake is more like a mud hole then a lake and the game room machines wont take your money and the pool table is missing the cue ball and chalk. Overall I will not be coming back.
Guide to Arden
Camping spots near Arden, North Carolina sit between 2,100-5,000 feet elevation with significant temperature variations from lower valleys to mountain peaks. The area typically experiences up to 60 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush forests but occasionally challenging camping conditions during rainstorms. Fall visitors should prepare for temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night.
What to do
Fly fishing opportunities: At North Mills River Campground, the clear water creates ideal conditions for anglers. "The local Trout Unlimited group has also spent many hours upgrading the walkways and fence lines to protect the river," notes one visitor. Another camper mentioned, "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish!"
Mountain biking access: Davidson River Campground offers prime access to popular trails. "If you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground," explains one reviewer. The campground serves as a hub for cyclists, with another camper noting, "Most visitors are here for mountain biking from what I could tell."
Seasonal waterfall viewing: From March through October, take advantage of proximity to regional waterfalls. One visitor to Creekside Mountain Camping remarked, "Very close to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure." During spring runoff (March-May), waterfall volume peaks with melting snow and seasonal rains, making this an optimal viewing time.
What campers like
Temperature relief: Mount Pisgah Campground sits at over 5,000 feet elevation, providing natural cooling during summer months. "Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer," explains one regular visitor. This elevation difference can mean temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than Asheville during July and August.
Dog-friendly accommodations: Many campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas for exercise. At Asheville West KOA, campers appreciate the dedicated space: "Our dog enjoyed the dog park," and "I loved pet run area." Most campgrounds require leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside your vehicle or campsite.
River proximity: Several campgrounds feature waterfront sites with direct access to rivers. "The sound of rushing water" is commonly mentioned in reviews, with one camper at Creekside Mountain Camping noting they were "literally right on the creek." Another visitor shared, "My son spent hours hopping along the rocks in the creek."
What you should know
Bear activity: Prepare for wildlife encounters by using provided storage containers. At Mount Pisgah Campground, a regular visitor notes, "Bears occasionally enter campground but I have never had trouble with them. Keep all food secure in bear box provided at each site." Another camper at Creekside Mountain Camping reported, "Small Black Bear wandered up and stole some burgers we left in the cooler and came back later to say hey."
Early reservations essential: Secure your spot weeks or months in advance, especially for summer weekends. A visitor to North Mills River found off-season benefits: "Starting at $22 per night, after November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11 (hard to beat)!" The campground host at another location confirmed they'd "been completely full since June."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Arden, NC?
What camping is available near Arden, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Arden, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 496 campgrounds and RV parks near Arden, NC and 40 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Arden, NC?
Which is the most popular campground near Arden, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Arden, NC is Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina with a 4.7-star rating from 68 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Arden, NC?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Arden, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 40 free dispersed camping spots near Arden, NC.
What parks are near Arden, NC?
What parks are near Arden, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 parks near Arden, NC that allow camping, notably National Forests in North Carolina and Pisgah National Forest.
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