Best Campgrounds near Burnsville, NC

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Burnsville, NC is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Burnsville and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Burnsville, North Carolina (401)

    1. Spacious Skies Bear Den

    65 Reviews
    Spruce Pine, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 765-2888

    $24 - $999 / night

    "Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families."

    "Bear den was a perfect location for the Blue ridge parkway. We stayed at a two cabin lot that had a hot tub. Bear den has everything from RV camp sites to a game room."

    2. Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    26 Reviews
    Montreat, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5616

    $28 - $56 / night

    "There are wonderful sites for families big and small around the central "soccer" field and sites for small-medium trailers and tents and camper vans in "Bear Alley" around the outside."

    "**

    Campground:

    Black Mountain Campground in the Pisgah National Forest, is nestled in Burnsville, NC but you must work at it to get there. https://cfaia.org/black-mountain-briar-bottom-campgrounds-in-north-carolina"

    3. Mount Mitchell State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Pisgah National Forest, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-4611

    $27 / night

    "The campground is open from May 1 to Oct 31...but if you walk-in to the sites, as in via the trails, you can rent a site amost all year. Tent sites are small, but nice."

    "There are plenty of tent camping sites along the Mountain to Sea trail and throughout the park. I camped by Commissary Ridge next to a small Creek and an excellent view of sunrise."

    4. Roan Mountain State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Roan Mountain, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 547-3906

    $14 - $54 / night

    "Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."

    "Great tent pads with running water located right next to every pad. Plenty of hiking and biking to do. Pool and playground for the kids to enjoy, a great place for easy camping."

    5. Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

    12 Reviews
    Little Switzerland, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5509

    $28 - $70 / night

    "We stayed for two nights, a little away from the main camp area but was kinda glad for it. Had a great spot tucked into the woods near the water. Great path to skip rocks and just enjoy."

    "It is tucked in next to the South Toe River with an excellent swimming hole, rapids for tubing, great trout fishing, and a good launching off point for hikes into the Black Mountains and Mt Mitchell."

    6. Asheville East KOA

    52 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    22 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."

    7. Pisgah National Forest Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    Barnardsville, NC
    11 miles

    "I am from the area, but I love to go up the hill and get away from everything.  If you get there early in the week, you should have the place to yourself."

    "Trails out the wazoo! Our doggies love the trails & there are quite a few family friendly paths."

    8. Crabtree Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    12 Reviews
    Little Switzerland, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5444

    $10 - $20 / night

    "On the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled in the trees and mountains of North Carolina, this campground is an older style NPS campground, but has been well maintained."

    "This review (just as future reviews to this page should be) is about the Crab Tree Falls Campground that is in North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Parkway and is managed by the National Park Service."

    9. Curtis Creek Campground

    24 Reviews
    Old Fort, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 652-2144

    $10 / night

    "I would not recommend this for someone unfamiliar with driving a rig but once we got there it was amazing."

    "Was able to get two sites right next to each other outside the main campsite area which was great."

    10. Toe River Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    6 Reviews
    Micaville, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5104

    "We went to downtown Burnsville and were pleasantly surprised. It had restaurants, a cute downtown, and neat playground called kid mountain."

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Recent Reviews near Burnsville, NC

1707 Reviews of 401 Burnsville Campgrounds


  • C
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Steele Creek Park & Campground

    Extra fees

    Sooo...went to book online. Selected my site and started the payment process. I was greeted by a pop-up stating that if I want to lock in my site, I'd have to pay an additional $20 fee.

    Okay, let me get this straight: I reserve a specific site for specific reasons, then the campground tells me they have the right to move me to a site of their choosing unless I pay them an additional $20?

    No thanks. Just lost my business. I'm sure it's a nice place, but really?

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Observation Knob Park

    On the water

    Beautiful, popular park. Not all sites are level. Sites are fairly close together. Excellent scenery.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Around Pond RV Park

    Nice stop

    nice stop off interstate, about 1 mile easy pull thru, during week stop, was quiet, peaceful, little traffic noise through nite. pond area, chickens, ducks, swans.

  • 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

    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.

  • Bailey R.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cardens Bluff Campground

    Lake side camping

    This relaxing little camp site has such pretty spacious camp site. We went day of in September and found a spot on the lake no problem. Do bring cash as it’s cash only if you pay the day you show up. Camp host were super nice and the price was wonderful. There weren’t as many bathrooms as I would have liked due to most being worked on. There is really good cell service on the camp site.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Roan Mountain State Park Campground

    New Favorite Campground

    This is my new favorite campground! There are trees everywhere and there really isn't a bad spot! Some sites were right on the creek (sites 40 and 41 were great). The tent camping area is beautiful and one of the best I've seen. We were at site 9, one of the only pull-through sites. We had water and electric and some sites have FHU. There are a lot of beautiful hikes in the area. No cell service, but there is (slow) wifi throughout the campground. There is a Verizon hotspot to make calls, but I couldn't connect with US Cellular. We will definitely be back!

  • Theresa S.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the location, Left because of the owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.


Guide to Burnsville

Camping near Burnsville, NC, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to relax or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails in the area. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities, especially at Davidson River Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Hiked the North Slope nearly 4 miles wore out the dogs perfectly!"
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, the rivers and lakes around Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park are great spots. A camper shared, "The stream that runs through the back of the site that our kids loved."
  • Biking: Many campgrounds, like Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina, offer biking trails. One visitor noted, "We were able to access multiple mountain biking and hiking trails directly from the campsite."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, have little to no cell service. One camper advised, "There isn’t cell service, so be sure to plan your next move before you head in for the evening."
  • Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can be busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Mount Pisgah Campground noted, "The only thing I didn't care for was how close the campsites are, virtually no privacy."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Cosby Campground shared a story about a bear encounter, saying, "Despite yelling and banging pots she repeatedly came into our camp."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. At Asheville East KOA, one parent mentioned, "There is a pool, playground, gaga ball pit, and fishing."
  • Space for Play: Choose campgrounds with spacious sites. A family at Bear Den Family Campground enjoyed, "Great campground. Big private sites, lots of activities for teens."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially near water. A camper at Lake Powhatan noted, "The lake was close enough for my 7 & 8-year-olds to bike."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Asheville East KOA warned, "Section A was extremely tight for navigating, parking, and camping."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near train tracks or roads. A visitor at Mount Pisgah Campground mentioned, "You do get some road noise and can hear people walking the road."
  • Plan for Amenities: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups and water access. A camper at Roan Mountain State Park appreciated, "The campground has laundry facilities, playgrounds, a small store with wood for sale on site."

Camping near Burnsville, NC, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Burnsville, NC?

Burnsville offers excellent camping options, with Mount Mitchell State Park Campground standing out for its stunning elevation and access to the highest peak east of the Mississippi. The Black Mountain / South Toe River Area is another top choice, featuring well-maintained roads along the South Toe River with peaceful, uncrowded trails. Both offer a perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, with Mount Mitchell providing reservable sites and Black Mountain offering more secluded experiences in the Pisgah National Forest region.

Are there RV rental options available in Burnsville, North Carolina?

While Burnsville itself has limited RV rental services, several RV-friendly campgrounds in the area accommodate rented vehicles. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina offers spacious sites with asphalt parking pads suitable for RVs, along with hookups and clean facilities. Julian Price Park Campground off the Blue Ridge Parkway also welcomes RVs. For rentals, check with RV rental companies in nearby Asheville (about 30 miles south) that offer delivery services to campgrounds. Most renters will need to arrange delivery or pickup from these larger towns.

What camping options are available near Burnsville, NC?

Near Burnsville, you'll find diverse camping experiences from developed sites to backcountry adventures. Grassy Ridge Bald - Dispersed BackCountry offers beautiful 6000' elevation dispersed camping along the NC/TN state line with spectacular views, though firewood is scarce. For more amenities, Spacious Skies Bear Den provides clean facilities, friendly staff, and family activities. Additional options include the serene Green Willow Farm Camping and the stunning dispersed sites along Old NC 105, perfect for boondocking with mountain views.