Camping sites near Elk Park, North Carolina range from basic tent platforms to full-service RV parks, with most located between 3,000-5,500 feet elevation in the Appalachian Mountains. Winter camping is limited by road closures and freezing temperatures, particularly from December through March when overnight lows frequently drop below 20°F. Campgrounds in this region typically experience a 20-30 degree temperature difference between day and night.
What to do
Fly fishing opportunities: At Roan Mountain State Park Campground, the Doe River provides excellent angling. "Lovely camp, Doe River runs through so fly fishing is available. Husband did catch a rainbow trout near group tent sites. Several small brookies near the history center," notes Tracy D.
Waterfall exploration: Multiple cascades are accessible from camping areas, with varying difficulty levels. "There is a hiking trail that goes around the lake. There's also a trail that you can access from the park that leads to Hebron Rock Colony which is an incredible hiking trail. The trail follows a river with lots of great swimming holes," explains Danielle L. about trails near Julian Price.
Mountain climbing: The rugged terrain offers challenging hikes with substantial elevation gain. "This is a tough hike but well worth it! Make sure you factor in every mile may take up to 1 hr so bring plenty of water," advises Laura Z. about Grandfather Mountain State Park, where trails include ladder sections and steep climbs.
What campers like
Creek-side campsites: Waterfront sites provide natural sound barriers from neighboring campers. "We stayed right on the river. The sites are large and the fishing pond is so nice! You can rent tubes to tube down the river on site," reports Mary B. about Mountain River Family Campground.
Mountain views: Higher elevation sites offer panoramic vistas. "The upper numbered sites on the hillside are very private compared to most campgrounds. We have really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful place," shares Brian D. about Roan Mountain State Park. Many sites allow for direct mountain viewing while still maintaining tree cover.
Lake access: Several campgrounds feature water recreation. At Cardens Bluff Campground, "Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites. The interior campsites are nice as well, with vegetation giving enough privacy between campsites," explains Blake E.
Campground amenities: Some facilities offer unexpected conveniences. "The campground has all the amenities you could want. It has a small lake on property to fish or swim. Has a pretty good market for the things you might have forgot," notes Chris Y. about Bear Den Family Campground.
What you should know
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some locations. "The worst part I discovered about sites in the A loop is that you can hear traffic from the Blue Ridge Parkway all day long except for two to three hours in the middle of the night. On average, you can count on about twenty-five vehicles every five minutes," explains Myron C. about Linville Falls Campground.
Bath facility variations: Quality and availability differ significantly between campgrounds. "The showers in a new bath house, and they are private shower/restroom units," notes Myron C. at Julian Price Park, while at more primitive sites, no shower facilities exist.
Seasonal closures: Weather dictates operating schedules, with most facilities closing between November and April. "Campground is closed due to hurricane damage," reported Duane C. about Julian Price Park in a recent review, demonstrating how weather events can affect access even during standard operating seasons.
Reservation requirements: Many sites book months in advance, particularly waterfront locations. "A lot of spots in a small area. That would be my only complaint if you want to call it that," mentions Jennifer J., highlighting the space limitations that make early booking essential.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sites with built-in recreation areas reduce need for off-site entertainment. At Honey Bear Campground, "Good for kids - rootbeer float nights, outdoor movies with marshmellow pits, crerks to splash in. Full bathhouses, laundry & even a gameroom. My kids loved the tire swings & animals!" shares Karyn H.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs. "The visitor center could be a zoo. It is full of educational information and animals," notes Elizabeth V. about Grandfather Mountain State Park, which provides learning experiences for children of various ages.
Child-friendly hikes: Trails suitable for younger hikers are available near most campgrounds. "Our son told everyone we passed not to touch them, but that they could eat them!" describes Kirsten J. about their child warning others about stinging nettles along the Profile trail, showing how even challenging hikes can engage children.
Evening activities: Organized campground events provide structured entertainment. "Check with the office for the Saturday night movie! Weather dependent, they show a movie outdoors on the front lawn. Bring your chair or blanket and a cooler/snacks," suggests Steve V. about community gatherings at Honey Bear Campground.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry points. "When you turn into the campground, you will cross a narrow 1-lane bridge across Watagua Creek," warns Erin S. about Grandfather Campground, noting this potential difficulty for larger rigs.
Site leveling: Many mountain campgrounds require substantial leveling equipment. "The site was quite un-level side to side, and we couldn't get our trailer completely level side to side. The site was a bit tough to maneuver into (doable, though!)," shares Tracy H. about their experience at Grandfather Campground.
Utility availability: Full hookups are limited in the region. At Flintlock Campground, "The sites were so close we couldn't even put out our awnings! The sites are close together and many of them are not shaded very well," reports Beckie P., highlighting space constraints for RVs with slideouts.
Winter limitations: Few campgrounds accommodate RVs during winter months due to road conditions and frozen water lines. Sites that remain open year-round typically only offer partial services during cold weather periods.
