10 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Pisgah National Forest offers several dispersed tent camping options near Asheville, North Carolina. Mills River Dispersed and Pisgah National Forest Dispersed areas provide tent campsites without amenities in undeveloped forest locations. Smaller tent-focused campgrounds like Paradise Ridge Permaculture and The Bike Farm provide more established tent sites within reach of Asheville while maintaining a natural setting.
Tent campsites in this region typically feature basic amenities with variable road access. Most forest dispersed areas require campers to bring their own water and practice Leave No Trace principles, as many lack established bathroom facilities. Fire rings are common at designated sites, but some areas prohibit open fires depending on season and conditions. Walk-in tent locations often feature more secluded spots but require carrying gear from parking areas to tent pads. During peak summer months, backcountry tent camping areas can fill quickly on weekends, particularly those within an hour of Asheville.
The tent camping experience around Asheville offers exceptional access to hiking trails and natural features. Many backcountry tent sites sit near creeks, providing both ambient sound and water sources that require filtration. Areas further from town provide deeper seclusion, with more stars visible and less ambient noise. Paradise Ridge Permaculture provides established tent sites with drinking water and fire rings but maintains a natural environment reached by walk-in or hike-in access. According to one review, "Harmon Den is a great area for camping if you like solitude and the sounds of the creek throughout the night," highlighting the sensory experience of tent camping in this region.
"As other reviews have said, this campground is in a lovely location, right on a small creek/river. The grounds are well maintained and grass covered for the most part."
"Me and my party of 6 stumbled upon this Gem after we had made reservations at another site that was extremely sketchy on Labor Day weekend so we called around and heard BRMC had some space."
from $15 - $50 / night
"Definitely some disrespectful neighbors but sites aren't closely packed. Get there early as possible as people can post up for a week there. Great launch pad for hiking and mountain biking."
"It wasn't officially designated but it was used as a campsite. You'll need four wheel drive to get in and out of it though."
"This location was amazing. We couldn’t have been happier with a spot. The host was extremely gracious, there is an outdoor shower, the camp fire setup is awesome, and the animals are friendly."
"I have cleaned out about an acre for tent or hammock camping, another acre for shared areas, and the pasture has about an acre wide open for dogs, horses or other well mannered animals."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $30 / night
"Got to see Asheville, some waterfalls and we went to the renaissance fair!! Wow the host were amazing at getting us anything we needed! Plenty of fire wood!"
"Happy to welcome this new listing to our platform. Check them out, and come back here to leave them some love!"
from $120 - $35 / night
"No generators allowed. But clean campsites and plenty of toilets. There's even a primitive hot shower. The people are very friendly both the campers and the people who operate the camp."
"If what you are looking for is a great place to get out in nature and get away from the crowds you’re in the right spot."
from $24 - $110 / night
"*this is just for the free campsites- there appears to be paid campsites and maybe RV hook ups very close by."
"Situated along the beautiful French Broad River."
"Beautiful campground with great campstore right at the entrance that sells everything. Large campsites with great privacy foliage, picnic tables, & fire rings."
"Cosby is a small town about a 45 minute easy drive from Gatlinburg. Heavily wooded, lends itself nicely to hammock camping."
"Most of the sites are better suited to tent campers, though a few of them are designated RV sites offering a back-in parking pad."
from $50 / night
"Love the privacy of this spot (#8) which is the closest walk in spot from the Parking area."
"Tent camping only. Nice, private walk-in sites. Creek runs through park. Definitely no call service. Only an emergency call box if anything goes on at night. It's a pack in pack out park."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
GuideMother nature is amazing and helps relieve stress from the ones who never deserved to be around you to take and cover it up. So I'll run to God's beauty, and enjoy my fire at the same time. Come on baby light my fire! ;)
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!
GuideThis location can’t be beat. Nestled between Asheville and Brevard, close to Pisgah NF and Sierra Nevada brewing! We loved the access to fishing here, even though we didn’t catch anything. The streams were pristine, the campground very well kept and the hosts were kind. And our dog obviously loved it!
LegendThis is almost a perfect park. Sites are a little tight, pond is nice, but geese were on another level. So loud at 3-5am it woke us up and kept us up. Our neighbors were also inconsiderately loud at 4-6am. We thought they were pulling out the first time and gave a pass, but it was 4 straight days. This was only place at the time time that had sites. Definitely pretty more scenic parks. We book 2 days out. Staff is super friendly and price wasn’t bad last minute.
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.
TravelerMy son, daughter-in-law, and twin grandchildren, and I camped here to watch the full solar eclipse in 2017. We had a beautiful tent site. There was a little playground that the kids really enjoyed and abundant shade at the camping site. Bathrooms were clean, wood for campfires was available, and we had a wonderful time.
TravelerThis place is a nice campground, quiet and the guests (during our stay) respect others by keeping the noise down. The spaces are set up to maximize privacy between sites. There is no cell phone service (to do this report we are in a picnic area by a small lake and I can get cell as well as internet on my travelfi device) sos is the only access. I normally listen to audio books but not while here. On my computer I could see three others with low signals; they might have had a better device/provider. The spots tend to the small back in typically found in campsites built before RVs got really big, type. There is another camping area I haven’t been to yet and I did see a large over lander (looks indestructible and tall/long) towable head that way and the campground attendant didn’t predict any problems so perhaps there are larger spots elsewhere. This place has single person shower rooms and nice flush toilets. The whole place is set in woodland so it isn’t like a commercial RV place that was more concerned with volume over aesthetics. This is a lovely spot with ample amenities (my space had no hookups) for our type of camping (toilets, trash, quiet neighbors, semi private spaces) just zero phone or internet.
TravelerThis campground has a great location in maggie valley, close to Waynesville with plenty to do in close proximity. While it is a traditional campground, they have very competitive rates for weekly and monthly stays. For us its the perfect getaway destination for the summers and fall. The staff is super welcomming and friendly. You find a cute creek on the backside of of the campground with trout as some fisherman told me. The staff takes pride in all the flowers, landscaping and seasonal decorations. Also nice to know is you are not being looked down to with an older camper. As long as your rig is decent and functional you are admitted.
ScoutLovely spot on the river. Freeway was loud but not too bad.
Tent camping near Asheville, North Carolina provides access to diverse forest ecosystems ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby cities. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests contain over 1 million acres of public land with variable camping policies depending on location and time of year.
**Creek exploration: Cosby Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers easy water access. "The rushing river and dense foliage with mountain laurel makes the air seem so fresh. I love just coming here and hiking upstream and playing in the river," notes one visitor at Jones Gap State Park.
**Mountain biking: Several areas provide direct trail access for cyclists. "If you are on a bike there are a few trails right on site and the campground is close to mills river, Pisgah, and DuPont state forest," explains a camper at The Bike Farm.
**Waterfall hiking: Many campgrounds serve as starting points for waterfall treks. "Check out Rainbow Falls a 90ft free falling waterfall that's about 2 1/2 miles from the campsites," recommends a reviewer about Jones Gap State Park.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the sense of solitude. "Unlike other state park campgrounds, each spot is about a quarter mile from the next, so you feel like you have the mountain to yourself," writes one visitor about Jones Gap.
Water features: Many campers enjoy the soothing natural sounds. "I tented along the river and the only thing you could hear was the river. Great sleeping conditions," reports a reviewer at Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground.
Community gatherings: Some campgrounds foster social interaction. "There is a nightly group bonfire, but no individual camp fires allowed due to being in a government watershed area," explains a camper at Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground.
Reservation policies: Site availability varies widely. "The sites are well maintained as well as the bathrooms. Please note than none of the campgrounds within GSMNP have showers," advises a camper at Cosby Campground.
Variable road conditions: Access to primitive sites can be challenging. "The dirt road to get there as well as the pull off for the campsite are rough and a bit dangerous for low/regular cars. It's doable but you should go very slow and watch out for giant holes and ridges," warns a camper at Mills River Dispersed.
Seasonal closures: Weather impacts accessibility. "Right after the North Mills River Campground Yellow Gap road is gated and closed due to damage from Helene in Sep 2024," reports a recent visitor to Mills River Dispersed camping areas.
Stream safety: Keep children supervised near water. "There are several camp site along the trail but they are well spaced so you get lots of privacy. The site is very close to the stream and there are two good shores for filling your water bottles," notes a camper with experience at Jones Gap.
Closest walk-in options: Some sites require minimal hiking with gear. "Love the privacy of this spot (#8) which is the closest walk in spot from the Parking area. We were able to hike in a ton of gear (coolers, dog bed, etc) with a little work and a few trips," shares a parent who camped with a toddler at Jones Gap State Park.
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger programs. "At night they set up a camp fire where all visitors can meet and greet, have a beer, or eat some burgers. The place offers a lot," explains a first-time camper at Hot Springs Campground.
Limited hookup options: Full-service sites are scarce. "Nice clean gated park. Nice big spots. Only 3 fifty amp full hook up sites. Lots of 30 amp and tent camping. Right on the river," advises an RVer at Hot Springs Campground.
Alternative accommodation options: Some tent-focused areas offer cabins. "There are also lot's of cabins if you prefer. Facilities are ok, could be cleaner and better maintained, but the host is trying," mentions a motorcycle camper at Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground.
Road access considerations: Vehicle type impacts site selection. "The campground we were going to stay in was full-up, and a bike riding ranger suggested this place just a few miles down the road," shares a Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground visitor, highlighting the importance of having backup plans during peak seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is tent camping to downtown Asheville?
Tent camping options vary in proximity to downtown Asheville. Hot Springs Campground is about 40 minutes from downtown, offering a balance between accessibility and natural surroundings. The Bike Farm is closer to town, providing tent sites with convenient access to Asheville's urban amenities. Most campgrounds in the area are within a 30-60 minute drive from downtown, allowing campers to enjoy both wilderness experiences and Asheville's vibrant city scene. The distance typically depends on whether you're camping in private campgrounds just outside the city limits or at more remote locations in surrounding national forests and parks. Many campers find this proximity ideal for day trips into town for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Where are the best tent camping sites near Asheville, NC?
The Asheville area offers excellent tent camping options in the surrounding mountains. Greenheart Forest in Pisgah National Forest provides a peaceful, healing environment with tent sites nestled in the woods. For a more rustic experience, Ammons Branch Campground offers secluded tent camping along curvy mountain roads, though it's not suitable for large RVs. Other notable options include dispersed camping in Pisgah National Forest, Hot Springs Campground, and several Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds within driving distance of Asheville. Many sites feature beautiful natural surroundings, access to hiking trails, and the opportunity to experience the region's abundant wildlife and scenic mountain views.
What are the typical amenities at tent campgrounds in Asheville?
Tent campgrounds around Asheville offer varying levels of amenities. Cosby Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains provides tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables, flush toilets, and drinking water. Big Creek Campground offers similar basic amenities with large tent pads and no RV access. Most developed campgrounds typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities. Many sites feature lantern poles and designated tent pads. Water availability varies, with some campgrounds providing potable water while primitive sites may require you to bring your own. Shower facilities are less common but available at certain private campgrounds. Cell service is generally limited in mountain areas, and electrical hookups are rarely available at tent-specific sites.
What state parks near Asheville offer tent camping?
Several state parks near Asheville offer excellent tent camping opportunities. Table Rock State Park in South Carolina (about 1.5 hours from Asheville) features Pine Point Primitive Campground for hikers seeking a backcountry experience with fire pits and picnic tables. Mount Mitchell State Park, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, provides tent camping with stunning views. Gorges State Park offers tent sites with access to waterfalls and hiking trails. While not state parks, nearby national forest lands like Pisgah and Nantahala offer abundant tent camping opportunities closer to Asheville. Most state park campgrounds provide basic amenities including restrooms, picnic areas, and access to trail systems, though facilities vary by location.
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