National Forests in North Carolina span over 1.2 million acres across four distinct forest regions, with elevations ranging from 600 to over 6,000 feet. Campsites in these forests typically experience temperature fluctuations of 20-30 degrees between day and night, even during summer months. Many campgrounds operate seasonally with most closing between October and March due to weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking from your campsite: Davidson River Campground provides direct access to numerous trails including the Art Loeb trail that starts at the campground entrance. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures... on the other hand if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground," notes Travis S.
Fishing opportunities: North Mills River Campground offers excellent fishing access with stocked and native rainbow trout. "The river is stocked and also has native rainbow trout exceeding 20 inches. Some fly-fishermen showcased their trophy catches while we stayed here," according to Randal C., who recommends tracking the stocking schedule for best results.
Water activities: Lake Powhatan features a swimming beach area and water access points. "Lots of hiking trails with nice scenery. The showers and bathrooms were nearby with clean showers," mentions Dylan B. The lake provides a central recreation point with trails branching from the campground.
What campers like
Accessibility to towns: Lake Powhatan campers appreciate the proximity to Asheville. "The campground is 15 minutes from downtown Asheville and 5 minutes from the North Carolina arboretum," writes Heather C. This makes it convenient for campers who want to combine outdoor experiences with urban amenities.
Spacious campsites: Many campsites in the region provide adequate room and natural buffers. "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations," notes one Lake Powhatan visitor. At North Mills River, Jonathan N. describes the experience: "I had a blast enjoying the peace and serenity of the woods, smelling the autumn spice of decaying leaves and campfires, and listening to the babbling river that runs through the center of campground."
Bathroom facilities: Most National Forest campgrounds maintain clean restroom facilities. "Bathroom was clean. Site was clean. Only one side of campground is open in winter," reports Julie T. about North Mills River. At Lake Powhatan, "Bathrooms are clean and there's hot showers. Firewood and ice are available for purchase by the gate," according to Roselyn T.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the National Forests operate on limited schedules. Mount Pisgah Campground is only open "May 5 to October 29" and maintains higher elevation than other options. "Spacious sites arranged for privacy. Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer," notes Ulrich M.
Wildlife precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage at campgrounds. "Bears occasionally enter campground but I have never had trouble with them. Keep all food secure in bear box provided at each site," advises a Mount Pisgah camper. At other locations, similar precautions are recommended with dedicated storage containers provided at many sites.
Weather considerations: Higher elevation campgrounds experience significant temperature changes. "Temperature dropped below freezing and during the night it felt like gale force winds buffeting the GO. Definitely will pick a lower elevation for camping if it's in October!" warns Ted H. about his Mount Pisgah experience.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Orchard Lake Campground provides multiple water activities for children. "We went kayaking and swimming daily. There is a slide in the middle of the pond that my son loved. When it rained the game room had a movie on and lots to do inside," shares Amanda M. This combination of outdoor and indoor options makes it versatile for families.
Natural playground options: Stream access serves as natural play areas at several pet-friendly camping locations. At North Mills River, campers report: "My family enjoyed being so close to the river and exploring a new area." The rocky shallow areas of streams provide natural entertainment for children.
Facility access: Consider bathroom proximity when selecting sites with children. At Davidson River, "Each site comes with a gravel platform for your tent, picnic table, bear box, and a fire pit with a grill top," making meal preparation more convenient for families. Campgrounds vary widely in amenities and setup requirements.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground has challenging but manageable access roads. "The road to get there is steep but obviously doable even with our 38' gas MH. We stayed at the premium sites on top," notes Randy C. Most reviewers mention the steep access roads require careful driving but are manageable with proper technique.
Hookup options: Rutledge Lake RV Resort provides full hookup sites with several waterfront options. "We had spot #10 water front. It had plenty of space for the 5 of us and 2 dogs. Nice gravel level sites," says Donna H. However, several campers note the sites are arranged close together with limited privacy between them.
Size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "Only back in spots but still nice," reports Mike F. about Rutledge Lake RV Resort. Many campgrounds in the National Forests have length restrictions and limited turning radiuses, requiring advance research before arrival.
