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Little Switzerland, North Carolina provides multiple camping options along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with establishments ranging from Spacious Skies Bear Den Family Campground to Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area. The area features a mix of developed campgrounds with amenities, dispersed camping areas like Old NC 105, and primitive sites. Both tent and RV accommodations are common, with several locations also offering cabin rentals and glamping opportunities. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 3,000-5,000 feet, providing cooler temperatures during summer months and access to popular hiking trails including those to Crabtree Falls, Linville Falls, and Mount Mitchell.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with some forest service roads requiring higher clearance vehicles. The Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds typically operate from April through October, closing during winter months due to weather conditions. Reservations are strongly recommended at established campgrounds, particularly during fall foliage season when visitation peaks. Many campsites along the Blue Ridge Parkway fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. Cell coverage is limited or non-existent at most campgrounds, especially those in more remote locations. A review noted that "The campground doesn't have any cell reception! The closest place where you can connect to the internet is the golf course, or the general store on HW80."
Riverside camping ranks among the most sought-after experiences near Little Switzerland, with numerous sites positioned along the South Toe River and other waterways. Tent campers particularly appreciate the riverside sites at Black Mountain Campground, though these locations are often the first to be reserved. Developed campgrounds typically provide amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, and some offer shower facilities. Most campgrounds maintain relatively quiet atmospheres despite their popularity. As one camper described Crabtree Falls Campground, it's "a wonderful stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway" that "doesn't fill up as quickly" as some larger facilities. Many campgrounds serve as ideal base camps for exploring nearby attractions including Little Switzerland's shops and restaurants, gem mining opportunities, and the extensive network of hiking trails throughout the region.
"Great weather and close to many fun things around. Altapass orchard, Little Switzerland, Lineville Falls and Emerald Village Gem Mining."
"The drive is so scenic, offering arguably some of the best mountain views of the smokies. The surrounding area is just beautiful, lots of hiking opportunities, or just sightseeing."
from $24 - $999 / night
Check Availability"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)."
"River sites are first come first serve Has group camping {must reserve online} Large tent pads Rv sites Fishing Can purchase: Ice Soda/water Ice cream Kindling Fire starter Wood
Hiking: Access to"
"There are no supplies available at the office and the nearest store is a good distance so make sure you come prepared."
from $28 - $56 / 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"Nice, quaint campground off the BRP, near Little Switzerland {which offers the lovely Little Switzerland Cafe, open 11am to 4pm, with an adjacent general store, next to that is a cool eclectic bookstore"
"Located on the beautiful Blue Ridge Park in between Little Switzerland and Craggy Gardens/Mt Mitchell area at Milepost 339.5."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"The campground is open from May 1 to Oct 31...but if you walk-in to the sites, as in via the trails, you can rent a site amost all year. Tent sites are small, but nice."
"There are plenty of tent camping sites along the Mountain to Sea trail and throughout the park. I camped by Commissary Ridge next to a small Creek and an excellent view of sunrise."
from $27 / night
Check Availability"I would not recommend this for someone unfamiliar with driving a rig but once we got there it was amazing."
"Was able to get two sites right next to each other outside the main campsite area which was great."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"We stayed for two nights, a little away from the main camp area but was kinda glad for it. Had a great spot tucked into the woods near the water. Great path to skip rocks and just enjoy."
"It is tucked in next to the South Toe River with an excellent swimming hole, rapids for tubing, great trout fishing, and a good launching off point for hikes into the Black Mountains and Mt Mitchell."
from $28 - $70 / 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."
"There is alot to see somewhat close by too. We did Chimney Rock & Linville Falls, both absolutely beautiful!"
"Located near many great hikes and river access. My Mitchell is about 60 minutes away on a beautiful drive. If you like peaceful and quiet campgrounds this is the place for you!"
from $48 - $65 / night
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TravelerAll you might need for a night camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains! The drive there is part of the trip!Drinking water spouts located throughout campsites, with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Basic camp bathrooms with running water to freshen up. Hike to Frying Pan trail if you have time!! About 4/5 miles total but worth the hike to the lookout tower.
TravelerI was the only one at the campsite other than two semipermanent RV trailers. It was quiet, clean, and remote. Tent sites cool under nice tree cover. Elevation was great and views were as at our home in north Georgia.
I was camping in a rooftop tent and the ground was adequately level, not muddy, and marked OK, with minimal detraction from the beauty of nature. Had picnic table.
Might have been nice to have an electric outlet close enough to run my extension cord, but I was minimalist camping with a Bluetti power storage unit, DC refrigerator, and my own water supply.
The bathroom facilities were minimal, but adequate. The showering area could have been a little more inviting, perhaps, but again, I didn't use them anyway.
I would stay again, especially if they were situated between me and my ultimate destination as they met my short-stay needs.
Ron
GuideGreat spot! I didn’t stay at the pull off but further down the road there’s actual campgrounds with tent platforms and fire rings for dispersed camping. I found the last empty one. It was quiet but there was a bit of cycling traffic up and down the road. They had signs posted about bear activity and I even saw a bear come out 10 feet from my car! Didn’t bother me after walking back down the road. Nice quiet site :)
ScoutThe only problem I have with this app is you can’t find the campsite fees?
TravelerWe spent a Friday and Saturday night at site 23, which is a great spot. This is a spot for a smaller camper and has water and power only. The plug for power is a little further away than usual, so if you are plugging in to power you may need an extended cord. It’s a short walk to the bath house, which was well maintained. The dog walking area was spacious and also very clean. They also have a washer and dryer on site for laundry.
ScoutNice quiet campground about 1.9 miles out of boone NC. Lots to do here family friendly and pets freindly. Worth the stop.
Scoutgot lucky and found a great spot right across the road from beautiful viewpoint. road was busier during the day but calmed down at night. enjoyed our visit
ScoutFull hookups. Campground has several sites with million dollar views and a viewing point for the non view campsites to use. We would recommend it for Asheville area rv camping.
ScoutI’m thrilled to give this campground my highest recommendation! The owners and staff couldn’t have been more accommodating, helpful and kind! We called that morning because the campground we were booked at turned out to be awful. They fit us in and then we ended up extending our stay. We had to keep moving sites because they had other campers coming in, but it was worth it! Our favorite sites was 54 and 27. Some sites are close, but all are on the creek so you don’t notice it at all! Nothing better than waking up to the sound of water! The campground location is perfect, 20-30 minutes from things to do like hiking and wineries.
Camping spots near Little Switzerland, North Carolina typically sit at higher elevations between 3,000-5,000 feet along forest service roads and the Blue Ridge Parkway. These mountainous locations create unique microclimates where temperatures can drop significantly after sunset, even during summer months. The Toe River watershed provides numerous waterfront camping options, with access to trout fishing throughout the region.
Hike to waterfalls: 2.5 miles round-trip to Crabtree Falls offers impressive views. "The waterfall was mesmerizing! And a nice breaking spot for the loop distance," notes a visitor at Crabtree Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway.
Fish for trout: South Toe River provides excellent fishing spots. A camper at Mountain Stream RV Park reports "Beautiful level sites backed right up to Buck Creek where we enjoyed catching trout straight from our campsite."
Visit historic attractions: Miller Homestead at Roan Mountain State Park offers glimpses into mountain life. "You can also explore the grist mill with a nature trail or an old homestead. You have access to the AT about 10 miles away," explains a camper from Roan Mountain.
Explore dispersed camping spots: Old NC 105 runs about 13 miles with multiple forest sites. "You definitely need to be a confident driver if you do that though. Good luck, hope you enjoy it as much as I did," shares a camper who navigated the road in a sedan.
River proximity: creek sounds for sleeping. "The sound of the stream was so peaceful and relaxing. My husband did yoga every morning while I hung in my hammock and watched," reports a camper from Mountain Stream RV Park.
High elevation campsites: cooler temperatures. At Mount Mitchell State Park Campground, a camper noted "We left home and the temperate was well into the high 90's, however the temperate on top of the mountain never came above 62!"
Swimming holes: natural water recreation. Carolina Hemlocks offers "a swimming hole and a fishing hole, both well-maintained." Another camper added there is "Great camping sites. Tubing, swimming and fishing. Family friendly."
Scenic overlooks: mountain visibility. At Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping, campers find "gorgeous views of the valley and table top mountain and others are just nooks in the woods."
Weather changes quickly: At higher elevations, conditions vary dramatically. A Mount Mitchell camper shared, "The top of Mount Mitchell has its own micro-climate and is often foggy. The night we spent there was cold, windy and miserable."
Road conditions vary significantly: Some forest roads require higher clearance vehicles. On Old NC 105, a camper advises "the beginning of the road from either side is easy enough to get down but in the middle it gets really rough."
Limited connectivity: Most campgrounds have poor or non-existent cell coverage. At Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY, campers noted "There is no cell service on T-Mobile or Verizon inside the camp."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in fall. "This campground is usually packed with tourists coming to check out the parkway. It's a small campground, 9 sites total," explains a Mount Mitchell camper.
Road closures may affect access: Following Hurricane Helene, some facilities remain damaged. A Black Mountain camper reported "Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out."
Playground access: multiple play areas at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Spacious Skies Bear Den mentioned "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her."
Cabin options: alternatives to tents. "My two teenage boys and I stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture," writes a Bear Den camper, adding "the resort is kind of small but there are a few playgrounds and a small pond."
Swimming access: kid-friendly water spots. At Curtis Creek Campground, "The creek is right beside the campsites, and easily accessed by steps. My children loved it!"
Safety considerations: wildlife awareness. Remember this is bear country. Proper food storage is essential as "you need to keep your food in your car or the bears will get your food!"
Limited hookup availability: Many campgrounds have restricted RV amenities. At Crabtree Falls, "There are three loops in this campground: one for RVs (but no hookups), and two for tents/vans."
Site selection strategy: For optimal experience, research specific spots. At Carolina Hemlocks, a visitor noted "When driving through the main area though, spaces were pretty tight, very full, and not all seemed friendly for a camper/RV."
Elevation challenges: Higher campgrounds require preparation. "Wind gusts easily get into the double digits, and if you aren't prepared for that, it can be alarming," warns a Mount Mitchell camper.
Access restrictions: Some forest roads aren't suitable for larger vehicles. A helpful tip for Bear Den: "hint here if pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Little Switzerland, NC?
Spacious Skies Bear Den is highly recommended, located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway with scenic mountain views. It offers spacious sites, full hookups, clean facilities, a playground for children, and hiking trails accessible from the campground. Buck Creek is another excellent option just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Little Switzerland, particularly popular among motorcyclists for its proximity to scenic roads including The Diamond Back ride. Other notable options in the area include Linville Falls Campground and Mount Mitchell State Park Campground, both offering access to spectacular natural attractions. The region's campgrounds typically provide convenient access to local attractions like Altapass Orchard, Linville Falls, and Emerald Village.
What amenities are available at Little Switzerland campgrounds?
Campgrounds in the Little Switzerland area offer varying amenities. Crabtree Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway provides basic amenities including flush toilets but no electricity or showers. It offers a peaceful setting with scenic views at an affordable price. Many campgrounds in the region feature clean bathhouses, tent pads, and picnic areas. Some locations sell essential supplies like ice, firewood, and basic groceries. While most public campgrounds along the Blue Ridge Parkway have limited amenities, nearby private campgrounds often provide more facilities including electric hookups, water access, and dump stations for RVs. The natural beauty and access to hiking trails are major amenities throughout the Little Switzerland camping area.
Are there cabin rentals available in Little Switzerland for non-tent campers?
Yes, cabin rentals are available near Little Switzerland for those who prefer not to tent camp. Rutledge Lake RV Resort offers cabin accommodations and is within driving distance of Little Switzerland. The staff are friendly and often escort guests to their sites. Mountain Stream RV Park near Marion also provides cabin options for non-tent campers wanting to explore the Little Switzerland area. Many resorts in the region offer various cabin styles ranging from rustic to luxury with amenities like heating/cooling, kitchenettes, and private bathrooms. Cabin availability is typically more limited than camping sites, so advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak seasons like summer and fall foliage.
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