Campgrounds in the Balsam Grove area of North Carolina provide access to mountain forest camping in the Pisgah National Forest region. Davidson River Campground, located near Pisgah Forest, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with most sites available from March to November. Lake Powhatan and North Mills River campgrounds provide additional developed camping options within reasonable driving distance, featuring varying levels of amenities including electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities. The surrounding national forest lands contain both established sites and more remote camping areas.
Seasonal considerations affect site availability throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Davidson River Campground typically operates from March 15 to November 1, while Mount Pisgah Campground has a shorter season from May to late October. A camper noted, "Western North Carolina is hard to beat for natural beauty. The campground is rarely full these days which surprises me since we could never get in when I was a kid." Roads through this mountainous terrain can be challenging, with several campgrounds requiring travel on twisty, hilly roads through residential areas or forest service routes. Cell service varies significantly by location, with some areas providing limited to no connectivity.
The region's campgrounds feature access to creeks, rivers, and lakes as notable highlights. Many sites are positioned near waterways, with Davidson River offering creekside camping that campers particularly value. According to reviews, "The sites are plenty big, a little tight to back into, but not a big deal. There is no cell service but this is also a great opportunity to disconnect." Tent campers often find well-drained gravel tent pads at established sites, though some reviews mention these make staking tents more challenging. Privacy between campsites varies significantly, with some campgrounds like Lake Powhatan featuring vegetative screening between sites, while others have more open layouts. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain clean restroom facilities, though shower availability is limited at some locations.
$37 - $84 / night
"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."
$30 / night
"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."
"The alternatives #5 and #6 were close to the entrance and therefore exposed to the road, and #49 was next to the restrooms, but similar to #60, so stayed with #60."
"One drawback is that from the campground there is no easy access to the lake- you can either drive and park (and hope to find parking) or walk on a busy road . "
"We had reserved a walk-in tent sight and absoulty loved it."
"This hidden gem is a few miles off a major highway but well worth the journey. I would consider it among my top ten 'near a lake' spots in the entire US."
$37 - $135 / night
"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"
$20 / night
"We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River."
"We were looking for a place that was wooded and near a river or stream and lucked up at Lazy J. The staff answered our call right away and were both friendly and informative."
$31 - $62 / night
"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."
$32 - $71 / night
"**
The location is incredible!""A little close to neighbors but not too bad. Some sites in Riverbend offer more privacy. Can’t beat location, mountain bike trails easily rideable from campground."
"The cabins have electricity, but the water pump is outside and the bathrooms and showers are communal (but clean). There is a full size bed and two bunk beds in each one."
"Very clean,natural, beautiful trees , and a nice location. It is run by a very nice family. We were close to amazing waterfalls and hikes in DuPont forest."
$27 - $75 / night
"This is one of North Carolina’s best waterfall parks. Rainbow Falls, Turtel Back Falls and Bust your Ass Falls."
"There are six designated backpack sites along the Foothills Trail near the southern boundary of the park."
TravelerThe Van Hook Glade campground was very well maintained and offered an abundance of privacy and seclusion with close access to Highlands, showers, and a large public recreation area. The entire site was well kept and the camp hosts were diligent in their duties, while providing privacy. I stayed for two nights and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. We went the first week of May and were able to enjoy the campground practically alone.
GuideThe river nearby this campsite was absolutely unreal! Definitely made staying here worthwhile. Upon arrival, our site (02) has a tag with my name and our reserved days we are staying, and there was no need for us to check in. We reserved our site via recreation.gov, where it was $33, which is different than previous reviews but still very much worth it nonetheless. The campsites are snuggled in, but only in one line (only neighbors to your sides, not in front and behind you). Many small RVs and some tent campers too. Seemed to be a place well loved by families with its large picnic tables and shaded grassy areas. There were some educational signs around the area, including one about how the area can be prone to flash floods.
The river by the campground can be heard, but not seen from camp, but is a short walk down to the swimming area. The river was stunning and many folks were there enjoying it for the day & weekend. You can hear the river all night, with only accompanying vehicle noise from the main road next to the campground.
We were surprised to find the restroom facilities were not operational, and fallen into kinda rough shape but there was a portalet (portable toilet) available for the public visiting the swimming area and the campers staying overnight. Not the end of the world but something to keep in mind. Also, we had no signal in this area (which was a plus for us haha!), but there seemed to be a satellite nearby if needed. Overall, this little remote roadside & riverside site was well worth the adventure.
GuideFrom the lake, to the kind folks who ran the campground, Lake Powhatan was a delight. Closer to the city than we usually go for (~20 min from Asheville, NC), but still felt like true wilderness. All the campsites come equipped with a bear box for campers to use free of cost and the sites ask that you back in vehicles & rigs. We are in a small truck cap camper, so we had lots of room at this site. You can still see your neighbors, but are not on top of one another which is nice. There are also clean & convenient showers and restrooms at the sites (with hot water! Made us feel fancy! Haha). Speaking of convenient, they also have ice and firewood for sale on site when you arrive in case you forgot or needed something. Ice was $5 a small bag and firewood was $10 a bundle.
There is also nice hiking trails on site that we enjoyed, including a small dam and a small manmade waterfall on the other side. Trails wrap around to the lake’s little beach for visitors to swim (there isn’t always a lifeguard on duty, and wasn’t anyone swimming this trip due to it still being a little cool out). Listened to many birds throughout the trip and there wasn’t many bugs out this time of year. Great place for families to bring their kiddos, or for anyone looking to get away for a little bit. Definitely recommend checking it out.
ScoutGreat location. Right across the street from Pisgah Coffee Roasters, 10 minutes to downtown shops and restaurants, and minutes from the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and hiking trails. Sites are big enough for our 40 ft rig and suburban. Lots of space alongside the creek to spread out. Beautiful park. Will be back.
RangerThere are two campsites here seven and eight and there’s one across the road six I believe. They are very nice sites, but not a lot of room for parking. You could set up a number of small tents or a large tent on either site. There is a campfire ring and a creek that runs right alongside.
GuideAt this koa there's alot of stuff to do on the property. One cool this is the axe throwing thing and the big jumping pillow and the pool and hot tub. I tent camped at the sand pad with water and electricity. It was right in front of the lake. There where frequently duck in it . This koa was also very close to tiwn/in town.
RangerWe loved our visit in the fall here. It was very busy this time of year so be prepared. Spots are smaller so large rvs may struggle. We had a primative spot by the water where we filtered our drinking water. We ran our generator a little during the day, however, others ran theirs for long periods of time. I'd stay on the non genetator side next time. Lots of hiking and biking areas. Tons to do here! No cell setvice and gas is far away so fuel up.
ScoutAs always its the best . The people are not only awesome but very helpful and understanding. All very kind and just a joy to be around . Facilities are perfect and everything is better than I can hope each time.
ScoutThe campground sits between two interstate highways and is very noisy at times. Every thing works and we like it. We would return 👍🏼
Camping spots near Balsam Grove, North Carolina offer access to some of the highest elevations in the region, with nearby mountains reaching over 5,000 feet. Located in Transylvania County, the area experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with summer highs typically in the 70s. Fall brings vibrant foliage from mid-October through early November, making it a popular season for campers.
Waterfall exploration: 15-minute drive to multiple cascades from Davidson River Campground. "Looking Glass falls are just down the round into the forest and always a treat," notes Dave V., who adds that the campground has "a well-drained gravel tent pad...which makes staking your tent out a bit of a pain, but you won't endure puddling."
Mountain biking: Trail access directly from Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina. Angel K. calls it "a mountain biker's dream! Hikers too, but really, all trails allow for bikers-single track riding. The trail system goes into an experimental forest area. Ensure to print out a map before hand, I can't begin to start to explain how many small loops, links, connector trails there are."
Fly fishing: Prime spots in the North Mills River. Shannon K. notes that at North Mills River, "There are also primitive sites up two different roads. One heads back to the reservoir for some amazing fly fishing. We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing. The local Trout Unlimited group has also spent many hours upgrading the walkways and fence lines to protect the river."
Swimming holes: Natural options throughout the area. Ross B. says Davidson River Campground offers "a large swimming area, so, you could swim, fish, or just put your feet in. You are also close to Brevard. You can scoot into town to grab supplies or whatever you needed to do."
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate space at Mount Pisgah Campground. According to Steven B., "Sites are decent sized and fairly private. Can get chilly since you're at higher elevation." Phillip L. adds, "This site is very quiet with a lot of privacy. When we came most of the sites were full and this was 10 in the morning."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good bathrooms. At Lake Powhatan, Brittany S. found "incredibly clean" grounds with "the campground hosts very friendly and helpful, and the quick access to both the Blue Ridge Parkway and downtown Asheville are unbeatable." She notes that bathrooms and showers "are single use, not stalls, which I suppose could be inconvenient if there were a lot of people waiting, but it's nice to have the privacy!"
Nature immersion: Black Forest Family Camping Resort offers a natural setting. Meredith describes it as "Very clean, natural, beautiful trees, and a nice location. The sites are staggered down the hillside and gives you a sense of privacy. The bathrooms were very clean."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Balsam Grove campground?
Campgrounds in the Balsam Grove area offer various amenities to enhance your stay. Indian Creek Campground features creekside sites that are lush with greenery, private, and well-maintained. It has clean bathhouse facilities and a campsite store stocked with necessities. Another option, The Great Outdoors RV Resort, provides well-groomed grounds with good amenities and friendly staff. Most campgrounds in the region typically offer water access, toilets, and reservable sites, with some providing RV hookups depending on the specific location.
Where is Balsam Grove campground located in NC?
Balsam Grove is located in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, near Brevard and Rosman. The area is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest with Davidson River Campground nearby. This region offers convenient access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and is situated between Asheville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a central location for exploring the natural beauty of western North Carolina, with numerous waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic drives in the immediate vicinity.
What outdoor activities can you do near Balsam Grove, NC?
Balsam Grove offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Nearby Lake Powhatan features numerous hiking trails either on the grounds or just outside, perfect for day hikes. The area is known for stunning waterfalls, with Gorges State Park offering excellent waterfall viewing opportunities. Fishing is popular in the numerous streams and rivers. Mountain biking trails crisscross the region, particularly in Pisgah National Forest. The Blue Ridge Parkway provides scenic drives with spectacular overlooks. Swimming, kayaking, and tubing are available in warmer months, making Balsam Grove an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
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