Best Campgrounds near Hendersonville, NC

Camping near Hendersonville, North Carolina encompasses a range of experiences from established campgrounds to rustic sites in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest. Davidson River Campground, located in Pisgah Forest, provides access to numerous hiking trails and waterfalls, while Mount Pisgah Campground sits at 5,300 feet elevation along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nearby options include Lake Powhatan in the National Forests of North Carolina and North Mills River Campground, both offering varying levels of amenities. For RV travelers, Rutledge Lake RV Resort in Fletcher and several private campgrounds closer to town provide full hookup options.

Most campgrounds in the Hendersonville area operate seasonally, with peak season running from spring through fall. Davidson River Campground is open from March 15 to November 1, while North Mills River operates from late March through December. Mount Pisgah Campground has a shorter season from May through October due to its higher elevation. Bear activity is common throughout the region, with proper food storage required at all sites. Cell service varies significantly, with limited coverage in more remote forest locations. Summer temperatures are typically cooler at higher elevation campgrounds, making them popular escapes during hot weather.

National forest campgrounds fill quickly during peak season, especially on weekends. According to reviews, Davidson River Campground often reaches 85% capacity, at which point visitors cannot enter to view sites before registering. One camper noted, "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations," while another mentioned the "excellent dark sky viewing" at Lake Powhatan. Many campgrounds feature creekside or riverside sites that are particularly sought after. For those seeking proximity to town amenities, several RV parks are located close to downtown Hendersonville, providing convenient access to restaurants, shopping, and the historic district.

Best Camping Sites Near Hendersonville, North Carolina (395)

    1. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $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."

    2. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    63 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    15 miles
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $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"

    3. North Mills River

    26 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $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."

    4. Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    19 Reviews
    Fletcher, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 654-7873

    "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"

    5. Asheville East KOA

    52 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-3121

    $50 / night

    "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."

    6. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 648-2644

    $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 can be seen for miles around...and when standing atop its summit...you can see for miles...and it is beautiful. The trails are rugged, but doable. Along with hiking up Mt."

    7. Orchard Lake Campground

    13 Reviews
    Saluda, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 749-3901

    $38 - $48 / night

    "A swimming lake with slide. Boats, zip line, fishing, a game room, move room. Only bad thing is the bad house are probably the worst I have ever used."

    8. Creekside Mountain Camping

    16 Reviews
    Gerton, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 625-4257

    "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."

    9. Jones Gap State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Cedar Mountain, NC
    15 miles
    Website

    "This campground has 19 trail side sites that are all great and not far from the Middle Saluda River which runs through the middle of the park."

    "I used site 7 because an oncoming storm made me bug out of my trailside plans. Gorgeous site, a bit chilly by the river but beautiful and close enough to still use the park bathrooms!"

    10. Table Rock State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Sunset, SC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 878-9813

    "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 . "

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Recent Reviews near Hendersonville, NC

1834 Reviews of 395 Hendersonville Campgrounds


  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Creekwood Farm RV Park

    Great RV Park

    This park is conveniently located between Maggie Valley and Waynesville with access to lots of western NC attractions. The staff is excellent and cares about the campers' experience here.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Pride RV Resort

    Excellent RV Park. The staff is great and hospitable.

    The staff here care about the campground and put their best effort towards being hospitable to the guests.

  • Tyler I.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Orchard Lake Campground

    Always Welcoming

    Owners are great and very helpful, sites are always clean and welcoming!

  • Megan W.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great place

    We enjoyed the night/day with our kids! Sites are kind of small but absolutely beautiful surroundings. Zero signal, but can drive to the top of the road and you should get a bar to make a call.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

    September stay

    Grass on lots high, nice concrete spots, full hookup in good shape.

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    Great campground!

    As a solo traveler that doesn’t like excessive noise or want to be near kids, I just wanted peace and quiet to relax and listen to the sounds of nature. The owner, Jeanie(hopefully I’m spelling that right) understood completely and was sure to put me in a site where she knew the surrounding sites would be empty for the entirety of my stay and she was sure not to book anyone near me. Yes, the sites are fairly close together, but I stayed during the week and was able to enjoy most of the place to myself ….or at least the area of the campground that I was in. When I extended my stay an extra night, she was sure to warn me that there was a family with kids coming that night and that they’d be in my vicinity. I couldn’t have asked for a better campground host! She had all the info on waterfalls in the area which minimized my planning time/time staring at my phone. And the fact that the place is all pea gravel really makes a difference! It rained the first couple days I was there and my tent wasn’t a muddy mess which is always a plus!

    The bathrooms and showers were clean and the camp store had just about everything you could possibly need in a pinch. Firewood and ice were priced fairly, making it very convenient if you forgot to grab either one while you were out for the day. Will definitely be back! Actually, I can’t wait to go back!

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Starlight Hills Campground

    Mudpit

    If it’s going to rain while you’re here, I suggest finding another campground. I don’t mind dealing dirt while I camp but at this point, it’s a mud pit and all of my gear is covered in mud. My gear cleanup is going to take 10x longer than it usually does! And be sure to treat your tent with permethrin or be prepared to have daddy long legs take over. I’ve been camping all my life and I’ve dealt with a few of them in between the roof of my tent and the rain fly….no big deal. But on my first night, there was at least 50 in there! I couldn’t leave my tent without having them crawl all over me and trying to get into the tent. It was like fighting a losing battle because there were so many and they just swarm you. Couldn’t even sit my feet still by the fire without having them crawl over my feet or up my chair. I know we’re just in the woods but it’s definitely not worth the money per night. All of the other campgrounds that I’ve payed this much for are on pea gravel with nice drainage or on grass….with nice amenities…or at least actual bathrooms, not porta potties. The camp host never came by my site like the messages that I received stated. Granted, he said to call if I needed anything and that they’re on property, but I never met anyone and when I would call, I got “hello” that’s it. Not “hello, this is ___” or “starlight hills campground, how can I help you”. Very impersonal. Will not be back.

  • Isabelle C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Excellent Campground

    Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC is a hidden gem. Nice hosts, clean facilities in the woods. We have a 25 ft pull behind camper and sites are big enough for slide-outs. Picknick table and campfire ring was on site. We had a 30 amp full hook-up site. Campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, clean bathhouse and is dog friendly.


Guide to Hendersonville

Campsite options near Hendersonville, North Carolina range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks across varying elevations from 2,100 to 5,300 feet. The region's microclimates create significant temperature differences between valley and mountain campgrounds, often with a 10-15 degree variation even during summer months. Cell service is notably stronger at lower-elevation campgrounds, with most mountain sites experiencing limited to no connectivity in certain loops.

What to do

Fishing access: North Mills River Campground offers excellent trout fishing opportunities with direct river access. "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish! The campsite was great, not very crowded," shares one camper at North Mills River.

Mountain biking trails: Just inside Pisgah National Forest, Davidson River serves as an ideal base for cyclists. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures... if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground," notes a visitor at Davidson River Campground.

Lakeside recreation: For families seeking water activities beyond swimming, Orchard Lake Campground offers multiple options. "Pond has kayaks and canoes to use... We went kayaking and swimming daily. There is a slide in the middle of the pond that my son loved," according to a reviewer who visited this family-friendly site.

What campers like

Quiet forest settings: Many campsites near Hendersonville provide surprisingly secluded experiences despite their accessibility. A visitor to North Mills River Campground appreciates the solitude: "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."

Campground organization: Several campgrounds receive praise for their layout and site spacing. At Lake Powhatan, a camper notes: "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean."

Winter camping options: While most campgrounds close seasonally, some remain open year-round or offer reduced rates in off-season. At North Mills River, one visitor reports: "I went camping here on November 2nd, just after half of the campground closes for the off season. Usually starting at $22 per night, after November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill completely during peak season. At Davidson River, a reviewer warns: "This place is packed most all of the summer now so you don't want to show up without a spot." Similar patterns exist at most popular sites near Hendersonville.

Limited services: Many forest campgrounds lack amenities urban campers expect. "No showers or services in Pisgah National Forest," notes a camper at Davidson River Campground. Check campground details before arrival to avoid surprises.

Wildlife considerations: Bears are active throughout the region. One camper at North Mills River mentions: "Each site comes with a gravel platform for your tent, picnic table, bear box, and a fire pit with a grill top." Using provided storage is essential for safety.

Off-peak advantages: For those with flexible schedules, visiting in shoulder seasons offers benefits. A camper at Lake Powhatan shares: "We stayed for six days in March. We loved everything about this campground."

Tips for camping with families

Game room access: When weather doesn't cooperate, indoor options become important. A visitor to Orchard Lake Campground notes: "When it rained the game room had a movie on and lots to do inside. Pet friendly."

Water play features: Beyond standard swimming areas, some campgrounds offer specialized attractions. "There is a swimming lake with slide. Boats, zip line, fishing, a game room, move room," reports a family who enjoyed Orchard Lake Campground's many amenities.

Proximity to supplies: Unexpected needs often arise when camping with children. A camper at North Mills River highlights the convenience: "A big chain grocer is also just a 10 minute drive up the road, making it easy to grab last minute items you may have forgotten."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain have uneven sites. At Rutledge Lake RV Resort, a reviewer mentions: "Nice gravel level sites. Greg was very helpful at leading us back and gave us great information about the area."

RV-specific amenities: Full-hookup sites are limited in national forest campgrounds. Rutledge Lake RV Resort offers alternatives, with a camper noting: "The bathrooms are very nice, second only to Disney. The hosts were unbelievably helpful with our last minute after hours reservation."

WiFi considerations: Remote work requires connectivity that varies widely between sites. An RVer at Rutledge Lake reports: "Overall WiFi was problematic... was able to get up to 1.2 MB/s, but often dropped to next to zero. AT&T had 3 bars and 5 MB/s w/o a booster, 4 bars and 7 MB/s with it."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hendersonville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hendersonville, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 395 campgrounds and RV parks near Hendersonville, NC and 29 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hendersonville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hendersonville, NC is Davidson River Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 83 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hendersonville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Hendersonville, NC.

What parks are near Hendersonville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Hendersonville, NC that allow camping, notably National Forests in North Carolina and Pisgah National Forest.