North Carolina's western mountains surrounding Dana provide camping opportunities at elevations ranging from 2,200 to over 5,300 feet. Weather conditions can change quickly, especially at higher elevations where temperatures typically run 10-15°F cooler than in the valleys. Camping spots near Dana, North Carolina offer access to the Eastern Continental Divide, where waters flow either to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
What to do
Fly fishing opportunities: North Mills River Campground provides access to premium trout fishing areas. "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish! The campsite was great, not very crowded. We had a great time!" notes one visitor to North Mills River.
Mountain biking adventures: Several trail systems offer varying difficulty levels within minutes of campsites. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures. If you're looking to see the sights of the forest and take a drive the scenic parkway then youve come to the right campground. On the other hand if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground," explains a camper at Davidson River Campground.
Lakeside recreation: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas with unique amenities. At Orchard Lake Campground, "We went kayaking and swimming daily. There is a slide in the middle of the pond that my son loved. When it rained the game room had a movie on and lots to do inside."
What campers like
Riverside sites: Campsites along waterways remain consistently popular, especially during summer months. A visitor to Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground shares: "Stayed here for a couple days to visit some friends who moved to Asheville. BE ALERT TO TURN WIDE WHEN TURNING INTO THIS CAMPGROUND. VERY NARROW BRIDGE FROM THE MAIN ROAD. Following day we brought down a speaker and just hungout and stayed cool in the shallower rapids."
Camping at elevation: Higher elevation camping offers relief from summer heat and humidity. "Spacious sites arranged for privacy. Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer. Shower in one bathroom. Trees all around for privacy. Drinking water located not far from any site," writes a visitor to Mount Pisgah Campground who has camped there for over 30 years.
Proximity to towns: Many campers appreciate being close to amenities while still enjoying natural settings. "Great location to all the hikes we planned on doing. Campsites are nice and spread out, however. Definitely recommend going during a busier season with a group of people," mentions a camper at Mount Pisgah Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds in the area fill quickly during peak season. "This area has become over run with tourists and the 'free' campsites have mostly been comandeered by squatters who rotate from site to site every 14 days. The campground has a great river to swim in and is close to Brevard and Asheville but reservations are recommended. This place is packed most all of the summer now so you don't want to show up without a spot," warns a camper at Davidson River Campground.
Limited services in some areas: Many campsites offer basic facilities but may lack amenities urban campers expect. "Campsites vary from primitive to group sites with restrooms and pavilions. No showers or services in Pisgah National Forest," explains a camper at Davidson River Campground.
Wildlife considerations: Proper food storage remains essential throughout the region. A visitor to Creekside Mountain Camping reports: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for children: Streams and small lakes provide natural entertainment for younger campers. At Lake Powhatan, "Even though it's only 10 minutes or so away from the edge of Asheville, it has the feel of being much further away. Several areas were closed due to the time of the year, but still explorable by foot or bike. Some reviews mentioned the lake being underwhelming. It is small, but looked pretty to me."
Indoor alternatives: Look for campgrounds with covered activity areas for rainy days. One visitor to Orchard Lake Campground shared: "This campground is wonderful! We found it out of an emergency stop and stayed for 5 nights. It is beautiful and has so much for the kids to do. To just let the kids be kids and have fun!"
Campground activities: Some private campgrounds organize regular events for children. "They have a bible lesson and activity for the children including hay ride on Saturday morning. They do a church service on sundays. They have plenty of activities for kids to do. A swimming lake with slide. Boats, zip line, fishing, a game room, move room," notes a camper at Orchard Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility challenges: Several campgrounds have narrow access roads that require careful navigation. A visitor to Rutledge Lake RV Resort observed: "Some of the internal resort roads are in need of resurfacing, as there are quite a few potholes. There are a few sites along the creek on the back left that are a little wooded and have some separation, we were in site 86 which was one of them, but most sites are very close together."
Connectivity concerns: Cell service and WiFi availability vary significantly throughout the region. "Campground wifi was excellent and quick. We work remote and usually have to hotspot our phone for video calls, but didn't have to here because it worked so well. AT&T was 1 to 2 bars at our site, but it worked just fine for calls and never had an issue, including video calls and streaming," reports a visitor to Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground.
Leveling and setup: Many mountain campsites require additional preparation. "The site was level so easy to pull up and set up smoothly. They have a fitness center, shower rooms, picnic tables and fire pit at every site," notes an RVer who visited Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground.
