Forest City sits in the foothills of western North Carolina at an elevation of approximately 1,020 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with mild springs, warm summers averaging 85°F, colorful falls, and cool winters where temperatures can drop below freezing at night. Most RV parks around Forest City operate on gravel roads with varying terrain and stay open from April through October, though several remain accessible year-round.
What to do
Fishing at Buck Creek: The clear waters at Buck Creek provide excellent trout fishing opportunities directly from campsites. "Site #4 is on the creek. It was short for my 32-foot RV but manageable. It had full hookups," notes Kevin A., adding that "There were two swimming holes along the creek, which were a ton of fun."
Explore Lake Lure: Just 2 miles from Hitching Post Campground, Lake Lure offers boating and lakeside dining. "Lake Lure at 2 miles with Lake house bar and grill, both inside and outside decks with view of Lake, it even has a boat dock for customers arriving by boat," shares Beverly T., who appreciated the convenient location.
Hiking near Marion: The Blue Ridge Parkway is accessible within 10 miles of Mountain Stream RV Park via Route 80. "Located near many great hikes and river access. My Mitchell is about 60 minutes away on a beautiful drive," mentions Megan M., highlighting the park's proximity to outdoor adventures.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Mountain Stream RV Park maintains exceptional cleanliness standards. "The bathhouse was immaculate and the camp store and firewood delivery is very convenient," reports Kara L., who enjoyed relaxing in the creek. Another camper, Anthony I., confirms "very clean facilities, and a great location to explore the area."
Quiet surroundings: Red Gates RV Park offers a peaceful setting. "Quiet, peaceful. Sites are quite close together. No great views, but very functional," writes Roberta P., who stayed three nights while exploring Asheville. Another camper, Brenda L., called it "pristine" with a "pristine bath house."
Family-friendly amenities: Maple Ridge RV Park provides recreational options for all ages. "Well maintained and super nice. Nice children and adult play area, cornhole, horseshoes, swing set, and fire pits," shares Jeff K., describing his experience at this small but well-equipped campground.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: At Hitching Post Campground, site conditions can be uneven. "We were on site A, its definitely big rig friendly. We travel in 30 TT and we had tons of room," reports Beverly T., though Kristi D. notes, "We were in site D, which was not very level."
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds close during winter months. Buck Creek operates from "April 1 to November 1" with 74 sites, while Mountain Stream RV Park runs from "Apr 1 to Nov 30," requiring advance planning for shoulder season visits.
Cell service limitations: Internet connectivity can be spotty. Duncan C. reports at Mountain Stream RV Park, "Cell service is almost non-existent, but you can use the wifi for calls if necessary." Elsewhere, campers note varied WiFi quality depending on site location.
Tips for camping with families
Stream access for kids: Wilderness Cove Campground offers natural water play options. Dave mentions, "The tent camping is not quite 'roughing it': there's pretty reliable WiFi and the bath house is air conditioned and kept very clean." The campground maintains 26 sites year-round.
Pet-friendly options: Many campgrounds accommodate four-legged family members. "Several sites have a dog pen. My dogs really enjoyed the extra off leash time," shares James at Maple Ridge RV Park, which has 16 sites with full hookups.
Recreation areas: Buck Creek provides dedicated spaces for family activities. "The central field area is mowed and set up as an RC flying field. A few campers flew their model airplanes. It was fun to watch," recalls Kevin A., highlighting this unique amenity.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Rutledge Lake RV Resort, waterfront spots offer advantages. "We had spot #10 water front. It had plenty of space for the 5 of us and 2 dogs. Nice gravel level sites," reports Donna H., though Ray & Terri F. caution, "most sites are very close together, many probably less than 15' apart."
Check office hours: Office closures can limit amenity access. "The only thing I would recommend is keeping office open later then 5. When office closes you can not take boats, or kayaks out," notes Donna H. about Rutledge Lake RV Resort, a consideration when planning daily activities.
Navigation challenges: Forest City's rv campgrounds often require careful driving. Wilderness Cove Campground visitor Dave warns, "The drive down the mountain is a little nerve-wracking for a city boy, and my car's low clearance had me scraping my underside on some rocky bumps inside the property."
