RV campgrounds near Bryson City, North Carolina provide access to the Nantahala River and surrounding mountains with elevations ranging from 1,800 to 5,000 feet. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from March through late October, with limited winter availability due to occasional snow and freezing temperatures. Cell reception varies significantly between valley locations and higher elevation sites.
What to do
River recreation access: The Nantahala River offers family-friendly rafting opportunities just minutes from several campgrounds. "We needed a spot and found it by search on internet leaving Tallulah Gorge afternoon. Got here around 6 pm... Great spot, just for the night and near the rafting area and check in for that early next morning," notes a visitor at Nantahala RV resort & Campground.
Mountain hiking trails: Several maintained trails start within 10-15 minutes of most campgrounds, with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to advanced. A guest at Twin Creek RV Resort mentioned, "There's a road that goes through the campground that passes through to the back side of Gatlinburg, but it was very rough and dangerous in a big truck, but there's some great hiking back in there."
Seasonal events: October brings special Halloween activities at several area campgrounds. One visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Yogi Bear in the Smokies shared, "We camped around halloween and the entire campground has trick or treating for the kids on Saturdays. Clean, friendly and really great for kids."
What campers like
Creek access sites: Waterfront sites provide natural sound barriers and recreational opportunities. "We were on sites 12,13 and it was great!!! kids have a blast, we were right on the river and hiked to Mingo falls," reported one family at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Similarly, at Up the Creek RV Camp, a visitor noted, "There are clean and lovely creeks around the campground that makes it nice to camp by or kids play in."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain above-average bathhouses and common areas. "The bathrooms and showers are clean. The pet corral was enjoyed by my dog. The staff is very nice and helpful," shared a camper from Up the Creek RV Camp. Another visitor at Twin Creek RV Resort commented that the campground "is regularly updated, and it is very clean, and always has nice staff."
Quiet locations: Several campgrounds offer peaceful settings despite proximity to busy tourist areas. "This is seriously the quietest campground I've ever been to. I wouldn't bring children to it (there's nothing for them to do there, anyway) but it's a very relaxing 'adult' campground," noted one review of Up the Creek RV Camp.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Fall foliage season requires booking 3-6 months in advance. "It is so hard to get a reservation here, so we decided to take what we could get so we could try it out! A tip to get reservations! Call and put your name on a waiting list for the dates you need. If they have cancellations, they call the people on the list instead of releasing the dates on the website!" advised a visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort.
Site sizing variations: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs with multiple slides. "This campground is clean and in a good location to the main road but the sites are very small. We could not use our awning due to being so close to the camper next to us," noted a guest at Riveredge RV Park.
Management availability: Some smaller campgrounds have limited on-site staff. "We arrived to find a peaceful setting but no office or management on site. We were left to find our own sites using our reservation confirmation. The fact that there was no camp management on site left us with a sense of unease if there were to be an emergency of any kind," reported a visitor at Nantahala RV resort & Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer scheduled family events during summer and fall. "We were here during spring break. No fire rings but they will bring a fire pit to your site. Pool was still closed due to it still being chilly...grounds were well kept, a dog bath and clean bathrooms and showers. Good base for day trips to water falls, Cherokee, or Maggie Valley," shared one camper at The Great Outdoors RV Resort.
Creekside recreation: Natural water features provide no-cost entertainment for children. A visitor at Up the Creek RV Camp said, "My kids loved playing by the river. It's close to all the areas attractions but far enough where it feels like you are camping in the wilderness."
Transportation options: Some campgrounds offer shuttle service to nearby attractions. "The trolley stop at the entrance makes it easy to get into town without paying for parking," mentioned a Twin Creek RV Resort guest, while another at Riveredge RV Park noted "the pigeon forge trolley comes around every so often for guests."
Tips from RVers
Elevation challenges: Mountain roads require caution when towing larger trailers. One RVer at The Great Outdoors RV Resort shared, "The only issue I have is that if you are not there by 5pm, they will not park you so don't plan to arrive after work on a Friday and hope to spend the long weekend."
Leveling and site surface: Most campgrounds have gravel sites that may require additional leveling. "The sites are a decent size, but all loose gravel. It's difficult to walk on, and no grass for the dogs," reported a visitor at Nantahala RV resort & Campground.
Noise considerations: Road proximity affects some otherwise desirable sites. "We picked a site by the river but the river is also by the road. We heard road noise all night. Next time we will pick another site," advised an RVer at Riveredge RV Park.
