A
Arlene E.
Scout
ScoutCampfire Lodgings
Beautiful views
Full hookups. Campground has several sites with million dollar views and a viewing point for the non view campsites to use. We would recommend it for Asheville area rv camping.
Camping near Arden, NC
492 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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 (492)
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
994 Photos of 492 Arden Campgrounds
Jordan D.
Kozy Koala Cove: Minutes from town!
Melissa W.
Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina
Sarah M.
Wilson's Riverfront RV Park
json R.
Asheville's Bear Creek RV Park & Campground
Tucker B.
Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5
Betsy W.
Henderson Reservoir Dispersed Site #1
Valerie A.
North Mills River
Jake C.
Wash Creek Dispersed Pull-Off
Han W.
Utopia
Anna R.
Creekside Mountain Camping
Brenda L.
Red Gates RV Park
Cassandra R.
Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground
Recent Reviews near Arden, NC
2203 Reviews of 492 Arden Campgrounds
Rogier P.ScoutCherokee-Great Smokies KOA
Fantastic site!
Great site with nice facilities like pool. Reception with large shop with basic camping needs, groceries and beer and wine. Wood service, delivered to your site, is also great! Could be experienced as a bit busy, but not noisy at all.
- AAlice W.Scout
FS 289 Pull Off
Tranquil but out there!
Great spots out by a creek but be prepared to lose cell service driving through the park
- kkathy U.Scout
Buck Creek
Amazing
I’m thrilled to give this campground my highest recommendation! The owners and staff couldn’t have been more accommodating, helpful and kind! We called that morning because the campground we were booked at turned out to be awful. They fit us in and then we ended up extending our stay. We had to keep moving sites because they had other campers coming in, but it was worth it! Our favorite sites was 54 and 27. Some sites are close, but all are on the creek so you don’t notice it at all! Nothing better than waking up to the sound of water! The campground location is perfect, 20-30 minutes from things to do like hiking and wineries.
Jim S.
GuideMount Pisgah Campground
Cool Change
Typical National Park Campground.Sites are small but spread apart.Not many that we could fit 28 foot Airstream .Clean restrooms and free showers. The rangers are very friendly. Very professional and helpful. The restaurant is great but you need to make a reservation.
Seth F.
TravelerConley's Creek Campground
A beautiful campground with wonderful hosts
The campground is in a great location and is beautifully maintained. The hosts, Anne and Chris, are very friendly and gave us great recommendations for local activities.
It is now one of my favorite campgrounds and I highly recommend it.
Colin R.GuideBalsam Mountain Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nice and cool in the summer
A very nice and clean campsite. The toilets are clean, and they have a dish washing station. No showers or hot water. If using the toilet after dark, take a flash light, there's no electricity here.
The best part is because of the high elevation, it's about 20 degrees cooler up here than the surrounding areas. Also, it's very quiet too.
However, because of the small winding roads, you won't get a RV or Travel Trailer up here over 20 ft in length. Mainly tent and teardrop campers. Only one 18ft long travel trailer here during my visit.
Melinda G.ScoutPeaceful Cove Campground
Great little campground!
We rented Andy’s RV and had a great time! Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate until the end of our trip, but the camper was superb. Fully stocked with everything we needed - even the makings for s’mores. If you’re looking for a campground with lots of amenities, this is not for you. If you want a great, peaceful place to stay on the river, it’s perfect. Nearby attractions in Franklin and Cherokee. 5+ stars!!
Robert G.ScoutBlack Forest Family Camping Resort
Great for families
We absolutely loved our experience at Black Forest. The owners genuinely care about your stay. They were only about half full when we went so they suggested a couple different sites for us to be spaced out from other people for privacy. When we arrived at our site we called the desk and asked if we could actually move to the one right next to it and they said sure no problem. Even if you were right next to others there are trees for at least a visual barrier at most sites. And you are fully in the woods so it isn’t that RV park feel. The bathhouses are clean and well maintained. The store at the check-in has everything you may have forgotten and the prices are actually reasonable. This place is very close to the restaurants on cedar mountain, less than 10 minute drive to everything. This was our first trip with our new 29ft camper trailer and I was nervous about backing into the site, but the way they have them set up you have plenty of room so it’s easy. The internet was a little spotty so we weren’t able to work remotely as planned but for us it wasn’t a big deal and we had enough cell service to send texts here and there. I read that the pool is heated but it was pretty cold!! But the weather was very hot when we were here so we didn’t mind that at all, we loved the pool.
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 492 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 67 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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