Mill Spring, North Carolina sits at an elevation of 1,066 feet in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a natural gateway to both mountain adventures and lake activities. The camping season extends year-round with distinct advantages in each season, though fall brings particularly moderate temperatures and spectacular foliage. Winter camping rates typically drop by half after November 1st at most area campgrounds.
What to do
Explore Pisgah National Forest trails: Mills River area connects to extensive hiking networks. "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside," shares a visitor to Lake Powhatan.
Go tubing on Green River: Located just minutes from Columbus, this river offers both gentle floats and more exciting sections. "This camp ground offers tubing on the green river, and a couple places to camp. One has a pool and is in the hills and the other is primitive and has a bar and food," notes a camper from Silver Creek Campground.
Hike Table Rock: This challenging but rewarding trail system is worth the drive from Columbus. "The Table Rock trail is a must if you are nearby! It is pretty strenuous especially if you have health issues but is well worth the trek to the top. Just make sure that if you hike during the winter to give yourself plenty of time to finish the trail," advises a regular at Table Rock State Park.
What campers like
Dog-friendly facilities: The Rutherfordton area features specialized campgrounds for pet owners. "There are options as to how you want to camp. This year I had one site with a fence all the way around and most recently my site had a small fenced in yard for the dogs to use," reports a camper at Four Paws Kingdom.
Creek-side camping spots: Many campsites position tents and RVs near flowing water. "We had a great time! Campsite was perfect, staff was perfect, location was perfect. This is a great family spot!" writes a visitor to Emberglow Outdoor Resort about their creek-adjacent site.
Specialized yurt accommodations: For those seeking yurt camping near Columbus, North Carolina, options range from basic to luxury. Green Willow Farm Camping in Rutherfordton offers intimate yurt rentals among its four camping sites, making it an excellent choice for those wanting a unique yurt camping experience near Columbus.
What you should know
Winter camping considerations: Many campgrounds remain open but with limited facilities. "Just spent the weekend here and loved it! We planned to explore the area but ended up staying the entire time in the campground," notes a visitor at Emberglow, highlighting how self-contained accommodations like yurts can extend the camping season.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present throughout the region. "Small Black Bear wandered up and stole some burgers we left in the cooler and came back later to say hey and check up on us so be aware and keep your food under lock and key," warns a camper at Creekside Mountain Camping.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and maintenance differ between established campgrounds. "The showers/bathrooms were attached to the main office, and I really liked how the showers had a flexible hose. For safety and privacy, it was the type that can be locked so you don't have to worry about strangers being in the bath facility with you," explains a visitor to Travelers Rest KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with varied activities: Multiple on-site options keep children entertained. "Just a beautiful new place, very relaxing. Would be a wonderful place to plan a group trip due to the variety of accommodations (RV sites, treehouses, remodeled campers, pods, tent sites, etc.)," suggests an Emberglow visitor.
Choose sites with natural water features: Creeks provide built-in entertainment. "My son spent hours hopping along the rocks in the creek," shares a parent who stayed at Creekside Mountain Camping, highlighting how natural features can entertain children.
Consider specialized yurt rentals: Yurt camping near Columbus offers a family-friendly middle ground between tents and cabins. "We stayed for the weekend and Emberglow hosted a 5K. It was a great time. Great family campground. They also have yurts and tree houses that look like a blast as well," notes a camper at Foothills Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Book well ahead for premium RV sites: Waterfront and specialty sites fill quickly. "Spent 4 nights here. What a gem! Fabulous solid hiking including waterfalls and biking even around the park's roads. Love the feel of this campground. Living in the forest," advises an RV camper at Table Rock State Park.
Check road conditions: Some campground access roads present challenges. "The roads in the campground are dirt, rutted, and steep. I am glad we unhooked our Jeep before navigating our RV to the site. The RV rocked and rolled quite a bit. The site was level, clean with full hook-ups," warns an RVer about Foothills Family Campground.
Look for reliable wifi if working remotely: Connection quality varies dramatically. "Cell coverage was great (att & Verizon), so we had no issues working our 9-5s. Love the bubbling creek next to our site, which was so pretty from our back window," notes a camper at Travelers Rest KOA.
