330 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Pineola, North Carolina serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences along the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding mountain regions. Spacious Skies Bear Den offers cabin camping, RV sites, and tent camping with amenities including electric hookups and showers. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Linville Gorge Wilderness provides dispersed camping opportunities along NC 128, while Julian Price Park Campground features lakeside sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 297. The area's campgrounds typically accommodate various camping styles, from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots and cabin rentals.
The Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds operate seasonally, with most facilities open from April through late October. Linville Falls Campground at Milepost 316.3 provides access to hiking trails but lacks electric hookups and showers. Old NC 105 offers free dispersed camping options with fire rings but no facilities, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out waste. Weather conditions can change rapidly at higher elevations, particularly in spring and fall. Cell service is limited throughout the region, especially in gorge areas and along forest roads. A review noted, "Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping has amazing views for free! The road itself is all dirt and gravel and can get a little rough. It's much easier with a 4WD vehicle, but we saw sedans and minivans driving it."
Campers consistently praise the mountain views and riverside locations available throughout the region. Grandfather Mountain State Park campsites receive high ratings for their proximity to hiking trails and scenic overlooks. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of accessing the Blue Ridge Parkway from nearby campgrounds. Julian Price Park Campground features lakeside sites that fill quickly during peak season. As one camper described, "Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied." The area between Pineola and Linville Falls contains numerous small streams and waterfalls accessible from camping areas, making it popular for those seeking both mountain and water features in their camping experience.
"Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families."
"Bear den was a perfect location for the Blue ridge parkway. We stayed at a two cabin lot that had a hot tub. Bear den has everything from RV camp sites to a game room."
from $24 - $999 / night
Check Availability"Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied."
"This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Another lovely campground along the BRP, close to Linville Falls and gorge, picnic area and visitor center."
"There are cabins, RV spots and tent sites all with access to newly renovated restrooms and coin operated laundry."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."
"Great tent pads with running water located right next to every pad. Plenty of hiking and biking to do. Pool and playground for the kids to enjoy, a great place for easy camping."
"The campsite is always clean and friendly staff are there ready to answer questions on where to hike, eat and about the wildlife that's in this area of Western North Carolina."
"The positives: Location: very close to Grandfather Mountain entrance and BRP. There are plenty of stores, restaurants, antiques nearby too."
from $35 - $42 / night
Check Availability"Take 221 to linville falls, right on 183, and right onto kistler memorial highway. It’s a dirt road but no issues with my Subaru Forester. I camped here in December 2020 and didn’t see anyone else."
"We often camp in and around the Linville Gorge area, mostly in the primitive campsites down in the Gorge on Linville River. We stayed before Hurricane Helene but haven't been back since then."
"This was our first stop on our first trip to North Carolina and now we don’t want to leave!"
"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)."
"Love this family owned campground tucked away by the Toe River near Spruce Pine NC and the BRP. Linville Falls. Eat at Famous Louise’s."
"This is the kind of campground we would feel good about our kids biking around in the evening as they chase fire flies and meet new friends! "
"Check your tour cd to verify it works before driving away from the gate. It is helpful as you drive through and not all function correctly."
"This is the most beautiful hiking trails in the world! A lot of climbing rock slopes and ladders with scenic views from 6000 ft plus elevation."
from $17 - $37 / night
Check Availability"Hiking, fishing, swimming, and waterfall splashing abound on, and around, this campground. Many of the campsites are situated along Thorps Creek, so the sound of the creek can lull you to sleep."
"The 5 upfront are walk in, and more private. The about to be 12 in the back are pull in and much closer together. Two shower houses, one on both ends, no hookups."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability
ScoutNice camp and staff friendly. We drive the Blue Ridge Pkwy which was a bit of drive but the ride up to Mt Mitchell was beautiful. Only negative was the laundry rooms were small for a large camp like this but I made it work. Probably a bit more challenging during busy season but all that said this is a nice campground
ScoutGreat camping spot! Road isn’t horrible going up but there are some rougher areas toward the end of the road. Gorgeous sunset and sunrise spot! Fire rings seemed fairly abundant at the pull offs.
TravelerAbsolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
ScoutLet me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
Traveler3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.
TravelerThe road was very bumpy but I got up on my 2WD Honda Odyssey. A couple people came during the day to take photos, but the night was peaceful. A couple campsites on the drive up, less secluded though. View was gorgeous and the sunset was amazing. Amazing spot for stargazing.
ScoutMy husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
GuideSeems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.
ScoutWe brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back
Tucked between mountains at 3,658 feet elevation, Pineola serves as an access point to North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest and Blue Ridge Mountain wilderness. The region's steep topography creates microclimates where weather can shift rapidly, with summer daytime temperatures averaging 72-82°F and winter nighttime lows often dropping into the 20s. The varied terrain around this small North Carolina community offers camping options from forest settings to riverside locations.
Tubing on Wilson Creek: Visit Mountain River Family Campground for direct access to waterways. "You can rent tubes to tube down the river on site," notes Mary B., who stayed by the river. The campground provides easy water recreation without bringing your own equipment.
Hike to waterfall destinations: Take short hikes from Mortimer Campground to nearby cascades. "Two trailheads are on the campground, one of which is a beautiful and easy hike to a small waterfall," shares Chad K., highlighting the accessibility of natural features right from camp.
Fish in mountain streams: Multiple sites offer fishing opportunities in clean mountain waters. "The campground is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains...so beautiful! Quiet campground with hiking trails, small fishing lake, playgrounds, an arcade room, and camp store," reports Emily B. about her stay at Bear Den.
Primitive sites with views: Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping provides free access to scenic spots. "Nice, clean, open lots with beautiful views. We had decent cell service," mentions Amanda R., addressing connectivity concerns many campers have when venturing into mountain terrain.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Several campers note bathroom quality as a major factor in camp selection. "These are the cleanest bathrooms we've ever seen. The on-site store is a life saver and the hosts are very helpful," writes Phil W. about his September visit to Linville Falls Campground.
Less crowded seasons: Experienced campers recommend timing visits strategically. "We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied," notes one visitor about Julian Price Park Campground, highlighting seasonal advantages for those seeking more solitude.
Road conditions matter: Many campsites near Pineola require traveling unpaved roads. "Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping has amazing views for free! The road itself is all dirt and gravel and can get a little rough. It's much easier with a 4WD vehicle, but we saw sedans and minivans driving it," one reviewer mentioned.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically by location and carrier. "The campground is down a pretty long gravel road, so it's best to have what you need when you arrive. No quick trips to Wally World for resupply here," warns Tony E. about his experience at Mortimer Campground.
Weather preparedness essential: Mountain elevations create variable conditions year-round. "In late July it was cool in the evenings," shared Nicole L. about her stay at Grandfather Campground, showing how even summer nights require extra layers at higher elevations.
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specialized facilities for children. "My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site," shares Charles S. about his fall visit to Bear Den, where the playground proximity made supervising easy.
Check educational opportunities: Many sites provide learning experiences alongside camping. "The sites were amazing and ours backed up to a state park. In late July it was cool in the evenings. Some of the fire rings have 'flip over' grills which were super convenient," Nicole L. reports about Grandfather Campground.
Consider site location carefully: Waterfront sites provide entertainment but may have drawbacks. "We stayed in campsite 62. Our loop was very private and shaded. The only negative point was the street light right across from us. It was pretty bright at night," notes Katrin M. about her stay at Roan Mountain State Park Campground.
Check site dimensions: Campgrounds vary in their ability to accommodate larger vehicles. "We stayed here 10 days in our 34-foot travel trailer and were very happy with our stay," shares Erin S. about Grandfather Campground, noting, "The sites are fairly level, long but a little narrow."
Consider seasonal access: Mountain roads can become challenging in winter months. "The campground is very well maintained, and the bathroom was spotless. The staff, rangers and volunteers, were super friendly," mentions Katrin M. about facilities that remain accessible even during challenging weather.
Look for full hookup availability: While some sites offer limited amenities, others provide complete services. "It has a small lake on property to fish or swim. Has a pretty good market for the things you might have forgot. They have firewood and ice to purchase," notes Chris Y. about the conveniences at Bear Den.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Pineola, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Pineola, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 330 campgrounds and RV parks near Pineola, NC and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Pineola, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pineola, NC is Spacious Skies Bear Den with a 4.7-star rating from 53 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pineola, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Pineola, NC.
What parks are near Pineola, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 parks near Pineola, NC that allow camping, notably Pisgah National Forest and W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir.
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