Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Croatan National Forest, NC is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Croatan National Forest. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Croatan National Forest. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$30 / night
"We were impressed with the paved parking space, picnic table, fire pit and level tent pad. It looks like these are very new. Proximity to cades cove loop was great."
"Picnic table, fire ring and grill, sand tent area, level driveway- all make for a good choice for any type of equipment. No cell service for Verizon and none for many miles on the drive to the site."
$30 / night
"Our site was good size and bathroom facilities were nice and clean with running water and flush toilets. I wish the national parks would have shower facilities at more of their campgrounds."
"I was in site A14, beside a branch of the Little River with a large tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, and paved, slightly sloped, parking pad."
$20 - $25 / night
"The lake is really clear and nice. The $15 campsites are narrowly placed between the road and the drop-off to the lake."
"it's a small campground has 4 sites with power I stayed a 5 which is near bath house has a beach that u could ride a bike to. also has two cabins which is primative."
"Amazingly clean campgrounds 10 minutes from the entrance of the National Park and 20 minutes from the Visitor's Center."
"The River is flowing behind the park, open to Tubers (Rental from the office), great outdoor playground and pool."
$18 - $32 / night
"I stayed this past weekend in the Butterfly Patch cabin. The cabin was spotless and comfortable The picnic table, fire pit and park style grill were all well maintained."
"They do cater to motorcycles but we were in quiet area in front. Quiet street. Actually motorcycle clients very quiet"
$60 - $185 / night
"Tiny homes, glamping tents, and cabins for rent. Then there are on river and off river RV sites. The on river rv sites have a gazebo over the picnic table."
"The amenities that this campground provides are top-notch: from their beautiful pool complex, restrooms and showers, laundromat, pavilion, coffee station, facility staff, this place is fantastic."
$20 - $45 / night
"I prefer to be the furthest from other sites so I chose the primitive site near the end and it was great. Bathhouse was clean and wifi was available in the cabin near it."
"Loved being close to the water. There were lots of great trails, and gorgeous waterfalls. Nantahala is just a beautiful area in general."
$30 - $160 / night
"Camp store has firewood and a few essentials, but they don't sell propane. We got ours filled at the Tractor Supply in Alcoa, TN nearby. They had crafts and hayrides while we were here."
"Overall a positive experience. We stayed in the tent camping area."
$44 - $140 / night
"But if you want to be close to the national park, this is a great pick, as you are just a couple miles from the beginning off the Townsend entrance to the park."
"Sites are well spaced, so you are not on top of your neighbors. Lots of trees and shade. Pool and playground. Full hookups and dump station. There is a small store."
$35 / night
"Nobody wanted to go because no electronics, no electricity, no running water. We had to drag the kids, the 1st time."
LegendGlampknox is located in Knoxville, close to downtown and The Smoky Mountains. The area is rural and beautiful, and the views from the site are wonderful, and the location is very convenient!
The property has a beautiful cabin that is also available to rent, as well as a wedding/event barn venue. There are horses on the property too. It is some of the most picturesque property you’ll find!
The site has a really nice tent cabin, with a covered porch, rocking chairs, and a wood burning stove. The tent has two twin beds, and they were super comfy. It has battery powered lanterns inside for light.
The site does have restrooms and an outdoor shower, both of which are just a short walk down to the barn. There is a large fire pit in front of the tent, and plenty of space for extra tents and great trees for hammocks. There is also a hiking trail around the property. The host also had firewood stacked for us at the tent.
Highly recommend GlampKnox for the perfect getaway!
GuideMy family is usually tent campers, but we decided this year we didn't want to deal with the hassle of setting up & breaking down camp. We chose this campground because of the rustic camping cabins they offer. The price is right, and the experience felt just like our usual camping trips without the set-up (& no worries about leaking tents during rain!).
Cabins are VERY rustic (perfect for us), one-room, with a handful of bunk beds & electricity. Ours had 3 bunk beds, so slept all 6 of us easily. You bring your own bed linens, and use the same shower-house/restrooms as tent campers would. Your site has a picnic table & fire ring. I believe they asked us to keep food out of the cabin. Not a big deal, since the cabins are basically just enough room to sleep anyway. We did breakfast most mornings of our week-long stay at our own campsite, as well as a few easy dinners (hotdogs), but for our bigger dinners we used their picnic shelter (which has a decent grill & a lot more space). If the park had been very busy, it might have been a little difficult to do so, since they only have the one picnic shelter, but we honestly didn't see more than a handful of other guests during our stay.
The grounds themselves are nicely kept. They come around every morning & pick up your trash from your campsite. They do have a pool, playground, park store, bathhouse. All the essentials. Did notice that the pool & bathhouse were often closed for cleaning mid-day. The bathhouse had a sign stating cleaning took place between 1-2pm, but it seemed like that block of time always ran over quite a bit. Not too big a deal, since most days we were out doing things off-site for the bulk of mid-day, but if you were tent camping & stay on the campground all day I could see that being a lot more annoying. The bathhouse is pretty typical of most state and national parks - maybe even a bit nicer. Kept well cleaned.
For the price, & the number of additional amenities, this place was perfect! Lots of waterfalls, hikes, & opportunities for outdoor activities in the area. Cherokee's not far away, and definitely worth a visit.
GuideAmazingly clean campgrounds 10 minutes from the entrance of the National Park and 20 minutes from the Visitor's Center.
You have a choice of "rustic" tent sites, tent sites with water/electric/cable hook-ups, RV, or Cabins. All sites are pet-friendly including cabins. All camp sites include fire pit and picnic table.
Lots of amenities are included in your stay. 2 bathroom areas, 1 shower area, pool, wi-fi, etc.
There's a general store in front of the campgrounds with gas station and small cafe attached. The general store will even deliver your purchased firewood to your site.
This Koa is near a lot recreational places and some restaurants. Also near towns like Gatlinburg, Pidgeon Forge and Knoxville.
A nice vacation spot.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained. You can tell the owner takes pride in the park. The place is laid out so that almost every site is creekside. Bathrooms are placed all throughout the park. plenty of parking. extremely nice bath house with 4 showers and dressing area separate as well as 4 toilet rooms also had 3 washers and 4 dryers, looked very new. plenty of hot water. we stayed in a camping cabin which had a full bed and sleeping loft. the loft is very large, 3 10-12 yrs old as well as 3 3-4 yr olds fit up there nice and comfy. they have camping cabins, fully equipped cabins, rv sites as well as tent sites. every site has a grill/fire pit and picnic table. they gave a camp store with firewood and just about anything else you need or forgot to bring. the town of sylva nc is only 15 minutes away and it has fast food, restaurants and, grocery and a walmart.
LegendCute place. Interesting stays. Glamping tent, a bus, a tent pad, a few tiny cabins and more. Owners are nice and very accommodating. Shared gas fire area. It was a very cold night and they had our tent with heated blankets. It was definitely a Unique glamping area.
GuideMy husband and I stayed here for my birthday in one of the camping cabins. We will definitely be back now that we have our A-frame camper. The campground is beautiful with a mountain stream flowing through the entire campground. Immaculate bathhouses and wonderful owners. Great store onsite and lots to do in the surrounding area.
LegendGreenbriar campground is located in Pittman Center, west of Gatlinburg, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains. The campground is certainly one of the nicest camping spots I’ve n the area. The campground is very large, and has multiple camping options. They have tent and rv spots, as well as cabins, but I also saw some teepee style tent cabins. The campground is very wooded, so you feel like you are getting a legitimate Smoky Mountain camping experience. The pigeon river runs through the campground, and is great for fishing, or swimming/tubing in summer. There is a dog park also, and the campground is pet friendly. This campground has so many things to do, and it is very popular, so if you want to camp here, I would suggest booking early, because spots are booked months in advance. The campground is very quiet at night, with just the sounds of nature. There is a camp store, with firewood, and you’ll want to enjoy a campfire, even in the middle of summer. I Highly recommend Greenbriar Campground for camping in the Smokies.
ScoutOwners are very friendly. Our tent campsite was very secluded, included a fire pit, picnic table, over looking deck, running water and electric. Loved hearing the running creek from our tent site. Very clean bathrooms. Highly recommended!
GuideElkmont Campground has over 200 campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Due to its central location and variety of amenities, Elkmont Campground tends to be very busy in the summer and into the fall. Restrooms at Elkmont Campground have flush toilets, cold running water, and utility sinks. Potable water is available at spigots near each restroom.
A variety of hiking is available in the park. Outside of the park in nearby Gatlinburg, you can find rafting trips, museums, restaurants, and more!
Experience the beauty of cabin camping near Croatan National Forest, North Carolina, where nature meets comfort in a serene setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find cabins to rent in Croatan National Forest?
While Croatan National Forest itself has limited cabin options, nearby Nantahala Hideaway Campground & Cabins offers rental cabins with convenient access to the forest. For a rustic experience, consider Donley Cabin, which requires a short hike to access. Many visitors also explore cabin options in surrounding areas that provide easy day-trip access to Croatan. The National Forest Service website is the best resource for any forest-owned cabins, while private operators manage most rentals near forest boundaries.
How much does it cost to rent a cabin in Croatan National Forest?
Cabin rental costs near Croatan National Forest vary based on size, amenities, and season. Basic rustic cabins typically start around $50-75 per night, while more equipped options range from $85-150 nightly. Moonshine Creek Campground offers camping cabins at competitive rates with beautiful creekside settings. Townsend-Great Smokies KOA provides pet-friendly cabin options with varying price points. Most cabins require a two-night minimum stay during peak season, and holiday weekends often carry premium pricing.
What amenities are available in Croatan National Forest cabins?
Cabin amenities near Croatan National Forest range from rustic to well-appointed. Greenbrier Campground offers cabins with comfortable beds, electricity, and heating/cooling systems. Gorgeous Stays provides unique cabin accommodations with heated blankets and shared gas fire areas. Most rental cabins include basic furniture, fire pits, and picnic tables. Higher-end options may feature private bathrooms, kitchenettes, porches, and proximity to streams or scenic views. Rustic forest cabins typically have minimal amenities, requiring guests to bring bedding and cooking equipment.
When is the best time of year to stay in a Croatan National Forest cabin?
Fall (September-November) is the ideal time to visit Croatan National Forest cabins, offering comfortable temperatures and spectacular foliage. Spring (April-May) brings wildflower blooms and pleasant hiking conditions. Summer (June-August) provides full access to water activities but comes with higher humidity and more crowds. Indian Creek Campground offers lush, green surroundings particularly beautiful in late spring and early fall. Winter stays at GlampKnox provide cozy accommodations with fewer crowds, though some forest roads may be less accessible during wet or icy conditions.
Keep Exploring
