Best Campgrounds near Candler, NC

Camping near Candler, North Carolina sits within the scenic Blue Ridge Mountain region, providing access to both developed campgrounds and natural settings. The area includes a mix of private RV parks, National Forest campgrounds, and mountain retreats. Asheville West KOA in Candler operates year-round with full hookup sites for RVs, tent camping areas, and cabin rentals. Nearby Lake Powhatan in Pisgah National Forest offers spacious, shaded sites approximately 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. Mount Pisgah Campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway provides a higher elevation camping experience at 5,300 feet, with cooler summer temperatures and access to hiking trails. According to campers, "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations," making these areas popular with families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from March through October. Mount Pisgah Campground typically opens from May through late October, while Lake Powhatan has a longer season extending from March to December. Winter camping options are limited primarily to year-round private facilities like Asheville West KOA. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with limited connectivity at higher elevations and in more remote locations. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. Many campgrounds recommend reservations, especially during fall foliage season when visitation peaks. Access roads to some campgrounds involve narrow, winding routes that may challenge larger RVs.

The camping experience varies considerably between locations. Lower elevation sites near Candler provide easier access to Asheville's amenities while higher elevation campgrounds offer cooler temperatures and mountain views. RV campers will find the most amenities at private parks like Asheville West KOA, which offers full hookups, a camp store, and shower facilities. National Forest campgrounds typically provide more basic facilities but offer greater natural immersion. Many campgrounds feature creekside or riverside sites that are particularly popular. Visitors should be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms during summer months and rapidly changing weather conditions, particularly at higher elevations where temperatures can be 10-15 degrees cooler than in Candler.

Best Camping Sites Near Candler, North Carolina (501)

    1. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    62 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    5 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"

    2. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    18 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."

    3. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    10 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 National Forest on the outskirts of Asheville, NC is a must stop for all ages."

    4. Asheville West KOA

    24 Reviews
    Candler, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 665-7015

    "The only reason for the four star rating is due to the highway noise from I-40, which is located adjacent to the campground."

    "It was an ideal location since it was between downtown Asheville and Waynesville which is where we split our time. The staff was friendly."

    5. North Mills River

    26 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    9 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."

    6. Asheville East KOA

    52 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    18 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. Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Asheville, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 254-4676

    "Close to town to go check things out. Not a far drive to get to many great restaurants, breweries or cideries. Right on the river. Concrete sites, not extremely level, but good enough."

    "The good- The proximity to downtown is the best you can get in a campground. If you choose a Riverfront site, you are literally 5 steps from the back of your RV from the French Broad River."

    8. Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    19 Reviews
    Fletcher, NC
    12 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"

    9. Campfire Lodgings

    15 Reviews
    Weaverville, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 658-8012

    "We had a premium site overlooking the French Broad River and the surrounding valley. Breathtaking. It is a clean campground with very nice hosts. The shower house was dated but clean."

    "The staff keep the location very tidy. My campsite was sufficiently distant from the more active RV area to feel removed. Situated in the woods on top of a mountain."

    10. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground

    28 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-4258

    $75 - $200 / night

    "It was level had tons of shade and even though you are close to your neighbors the sites are situated so that it doesn’t feel like you’re on top of each other."

    "The only thing we would say is to be very careful if you’re up on one of the premiere Mountain View sites when you’re pulling your trailer down exiting the CG - it can be seriously steep and a tight turn"

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Recent Reviews near Candler, NC

2263 Reviews of 501 Candler Campgrounds


  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Campfire Lodgings

    Tent camping

    Tent camping sites are walk in, down hill, obviously thar means hauling your stuff out uphill when you leave. RVers have a great view from the ridge top. But a difficult day camping is far better than any day at work.

  • Alden B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping

    Very Nice camping near Dupont National Forest

    If you want close access to Dupont and Pisga NF you're within minutes! The owners Mark & Esther are wonderful. We call him SouthSide Mark ( hails from South Africa). Some sites are a little tight, but fine. If you have a big rig call ahead. The cabin was wonderful. The bathhouse is older but very clean. You can tell the owners love their campers and property. The site is tree covered and hilly. We will come again, guaranteed! Watch your step. Wood Spirits are Everywhere!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    This is a great spot along a mountain ridge. The dirt road goes for about 13 miles. Would recommend a 4x4, but I’ve seen all kinds of vehicles travel the entire road from minivans to Honda accords. There are plenty of spots to choose from. Some have great views of the valley and table top mountain and others are just nooks in the woods. The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am). Some sites are right off of the road which could get annoying from all the traffic of people going to the hiking trails nearby. And there are spots tucked away a bit off of the road where you really don’t notice trucks and cars driving by. Awesome place for a weekend getaway! Definitely going to visit again.

    P.S. only 4 stars because there are only about 3-5 sites with a great view!

  • Robert B.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    FR472 & Black Mountain Campground Closed

    FR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you are caught walking beyond the gate.  Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.  The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out.  The water system is also destroyed as well as the road network in the campground.  There have been no announcements by the Forest Service about plans to repair the facility and, after a year, my guess is that there never will be.

  • A
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Triple Creek Campground

    Would recommend!

    It got only for stars because I can hear traffic from my campsite.
    I was next to a brook, under a paw paw tree. It was safe, very friendly. The bath and shower house were clean and very nice for tent camping! Laundry room, firewood delivery.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great place to stay just be aware of your surroundings

    Was a pretty nice camp site compared to a lot you just have to be aware of the people around you. Across from our campground there was another camper who seemed out of it who came up to us at 11:00pm and asked for tape for his tent. Also garbage bag and garbage on the ground at front of campsite. PEOPLE MAY NOT BE THE BEST AROUND YOU BUT THE SITES ARE GREAT!

  • Cassondra P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    Mixed Feelings

    This 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 down stairs to lake area

    Pool was clean

    Bathrooms had a gross smell to them

    During our walk there was definitely a strong chemical smell around park - it was strange

    There is a lot of airplane noise as it is close to airport

    Overall it was clean and friendly staff

  • Mandi R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Fort Wilderness RV Park

    Just passing theough

    The staff was friendly enough. The credit card machine wasn’t working, luckily I had cash. It’s more like a mobile home park not a campground. It was very quiet though.

  • Josh G.
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Rock Creek Recreation Area

    Tall trees, nice views and cool temps.

    We stayed in campsite #31. It's more than partially shaded. Cellular reception is fair. The sight is level. It was hard for me to back into with a 21' bumper pull. There is a campsite marker directly in front of the driveway that obstructs the backing angle. The temperature is cooler than in Erwin. Water hookups are scarce, there are three per loop. The camp host and rangers were very helpful and nice.


Guide to Candler

Camping near Candler, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: The area is surrounded by trails, including the Art Loeb Trail, which is popular for its stunning views. One camper mentioned, "Davidson River Campground is perfectly situated for outdoor activities, plenty of hiking... all within a stone's throw from camp."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offer great fishing spots. A reviewer noted, "There was a stream that runs through the back of the site that our kids loved."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip at local swimming holes. A review from Davidson River Campground highlighted, "There is a nice swimming hole at camp."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A visitor at Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park warned, "There isn’t cell service, so be sure to plan your next move before you head in for the evening."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during weekends. A camper at Hot Springs Campground noted, "It was comfortable during the weekdays, but started to get crowded during the weekend."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife sightings. A camper at Cosby Campground shared, "An assertive mother bear and her three cubs showed up at dinner time."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. A reviewer at Asheville East KOA mentioned, "There is a pool, playground, gaga ball pit, and fishing."
  • Space for Play: Choose campgrounds with spacious sites. A family at Lake Powhatan appreciated, "There was enough level space for a 6 person tent, 4 person tent, and large shelter."
  • Safety Precautions: Always supervise kids near water. A camper at Smokemont Campground noted, "The sound of the flowing River is wonderful."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Asheville East KOA mentioned, "Section A was extremely tight for navigating, parking, and camping."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with necessary hookups. A reviewer at Mount Pisgah Campground said, "No hookup, but bathhouse and hot shower."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near roads or train tracks. A visitor at Asheville East KOA noted, "Trains come through near the park at all hours of the day and night."

Camping near Candler, North Carolina, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Candler, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Candler, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 501 campgrounds and RV parks near Candler, NC and 36 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Candler, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Candler, NC is Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina with a 4.6-star rating from 62 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 36 free dispersed camping spots near Candler, NC.

What parks are near Candler, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Candler, NC that allow camping, notably National Forests in North Carolina and Pisgah National Forest.