Best Campgrounds near Franklin, NC

The Franklin area in western North Carolina features several developed campgrounds accommodating various camping preferences. Standing Indian Campground, located within the Nantahala National Forest, offers tent and RV sites with access to drinking water and toilets. Rose Creek Campground provides full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections, along with cabin accommodations. Pines RV Park and Cabins offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV spots, and cabin rentals, making it a versatile option for visitors exploring the region.

Seasonal considerations affect camping availability around Franklin, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Standing Indian Campground typically opens April 1 and closes October 30, coinciding with peak hiking and outdoor recreation seasons. "The campground is really well cared for and the staff's effort really shows," noted one camper about Rose Creek Campground. Road access varies across sites, with some campgrounds like Pines RV Park featuring paved roads while others have gravel or dirt access roads that may require caution during wet weather. Cell service can be limited in more remote locations, particularly in the higher elevations of the surrounding mountains.

Campground amenities range from basic to comprehensive across the Franklin area. Pines RV Park receives consistently positive reviews for cleanliness and hospitality, with multiple visitors praising the owners' helpfulness. According to one review, "Lou meets you at the office and guides you to your campsite and politely offers to guide you in." Most developed campgrounds provide picnic tables and fire rings at individual sites. Many campgrounds offer proximity to natural attractions, including the Little Tennessee River for fishing and swimming, and access to popular hiking trails such as the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail. The surrounding Nantahala National Forest provides additional recreational opportunities with its extensive network of trails and scenic mountain views.

Best Camping Sites Near Franklin, North Carolina (718)

    1. Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground

    57 Reviews
    Rabun Gap, GA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 746-2141

    $20 - $255 / night

    "We chatted about travel and places to go not just her in Georgia but also around the United States."

    "We stayed in one of the tent-only, walk-in sites. This was our first (and so far, only) walk-in tent camping experience as a family. I gotta say - there were challenges. "

    2. Standing Indian Campground

    19 Reviews
    Otto, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 524-6441

    $26 - $100 / night

    "Standing Indian is located at 4000+ feet , 20 minutes from Franklin,NC."

    "This campground is very spacious and in the beautiful NC mountains right outside of Franklin. Each site has a firepit, picnic bench, and leveled gravel space for pitching a tent."

    3. Rose Creek Campground and Cabins Franklin, NC

    9 Reviews
    Franklin, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 547-0707

    $22 - $100 / night

    "This is a really large and very nice campground near Franklin, NC that caters to both RV and tent campers. They have a ton of sites and several bathroom facilities."

    "There is a small pond for fishing and some amazing waterfalls nearby to walk too! We used our pop up camper and the campsites were gravel and level."

    4. The Great Outdoors RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Franklin, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 349-0412

    $48 - $54 / night

    "Well groomed campground in a central location in the mountains of North Carolina. Good amenities. Friendly staff."

    "We traveled to Franklin N.C. A couple weeks ago and stayed at Grear Outdoors RV Resort. We were greeted by gracious hosts who were also the owners."

    5. Van Hook Glade

    12 Reviews
    Highlands, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 526-5918

    $24 - $40 / night

    "There are many sites to visit nearby. Western North Carolina is hard to beat for natural beauty."

    "Great, small campground near Highlands, NC. Private sites, nice hosts, and clean bathrooms."

    6. Deep Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    29 Reviews
    Bryson City, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 488-3184

    $50 / night

    "The Deep Creek Campground is located just minutes away from the charming Bryson City with its shops, breweries, little cafes an other attractions such as steam train rides on the"

    "Quiet with plenty of space between the RV sites, surrounded by hiking trails and waterfalls. Tent sites are next to the river and in close proximity to one another."

    7. Pines RV Park and Cabins

    4 Reviews
    Franklin, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 524-4490

    "Tent sites are near the small stream running behind the grounds. Clean bathhouse, rec-room with pool table and two cabins to rent."

    8. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "Right outside of Gatlinburg so plenty to do and see if you feel like exploring outside of the park."

    "I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."

    9. Peaceful Cove Campground

    4 Reviews
    Franklin, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 356-9769

    $45 / night

    "Having the river steps away to fish and let the dogs swim was absolutely perfect! We are very appreciative of both of them for welcoming us and our fur kids to their little slice of heaven."

    "This site is super close to all the amazing Cullasaja river swimming sites. Although the campground is not very large overall it is well cared for and in an incredible location."

    10. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    53 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    27 miles
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park."

    "We only stayed for 1 night but really enjoyed the campgrounds proximity to activities on the North Carolina side of the park."

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Recent Reviews near Franklin, NC

3419 Reviews of 718 Franklin Campgrounds


  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

    Lake view but live in campers

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeelah Dispersed

    Two seperate areas

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • George M.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Mulky Campground

    Great location for fishing

    A lot of the campsites are right on the water, so it's super easy to fish. But if you want something more private, there are also some secluded spots up the road.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Trash..

    This area was easy to find with Apple Maps and T-Mobile and Verizon had signal. When we drove in it was around 9pm in a Saturday night and all sites was taken with what looked like people living there. And the road dead ends. All along the water. Tents and tarps everywhere. We found one spot not on the water and set up. Fire rings and picnic tables are at every spot. But when I woke up and it wasn't pitch black my heart broke. There was bags of trash and litter everywhere around us and tossed in the forest around us. The forest had a lot of thorns but I was able to get three large kitchen bags of trash out. From propane tanks to over twenty cans of food. Just tossed into the woods. We camp all over the United States, and this is our first place close to home and it broke my heart to see how our state treats these beautiful places. Please don't come if you don't appreciate nature enough to not use it as your trash can.

    So on Dyrt there's two sites with this name and same gps but you can follow around the lake and find the other one. Both areas are a lot alike. But definitely more fit for tent camping on the water. Park by the road and walk down sites so none fit for us since we camp in the truck. The sites all looked like the other areas around here where people very much lived there and never left, so not one site at either camping area was open.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Creekwood Farm RV Park

    Great RV Park

    This park is conveniently located between Maggie Valley and Waynesville with access to lots of western NC attractions. The staff is excellent and cares about the campers' experience here.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Pride RV Resort

    Excellent RV Park. The staff is great and hospitable.

    The staff here care about the campground and put their best effort towards being hospitable to the guests.

  • Megan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great place

    We enjoyed the night/day with our kids! Sites are kind of small but absolutely beautiful surroundings. Zero signal, but can drive to the top of the road and you should get a bar to make a call.

  • Jacquelyn I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Chattooga River Lodge and Campground

    Connect with nature

    This was my first stop traveling and my converted short bus. I have been here before so I felt super comfortable being here. But I have never can’t. I am at campsite six which is perfect for a smaller rig or take camping. It’s right along the creek and very private with a short walk to the bathhouse. Through a fun trail you can make it to the lodge. This campground is surrounded by many places to hike and scenic waterfalls. It’s a must stay. The owners Mat and Teresa are amazing.

  • s
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

    Worst experience ever

    Absolutely the worst advertised campground I’ve ever been to in my life. They stated it was“riverside” ummmm nooooo!!! It’s basically a big open field with absolutely no privacy or shade. Picture Woodstock. The“barely there stream of water” was covered by trees at the campsite and there was basically just a huge mound of dirt where they told us to set up. We asked for a different spot and they said they were full. We paid SIXTY SIX dollars for this tent camping experience on the river!! We asked for a refund and they refused(otherwise, I wouldn’t have left a review at all. They should have made it right.) We luckily found a beautiful spot at Deep Creek Campground otherwise we would have had to drive two hours home!!! Do.not.be.scammed.


Guide to Franklin

Franklin, North Carolina sits at the edge of the Nantahala National Forest at an elevation of 2,119 feet, creating cooler summer camping temperatures than lower-elevation regions. The area receives about 54 inches of rainfall annually, making the surrounding forests lush but requiring campers to prepare for sudden mountain weather changes. Most camping sites near Franklin remain accessible from April through October, though some private campgrounds offer year-round options.

What to do

Tubing on the Little Tennessee River: During summer months, several access points near Franklin allow for water recreation. "We spent 3 amazing nights and 4 days hiking the Smokys with 40lb packs and good vibes. I loved this campground along with all the others. The hikes were brutal at some points but the views were always worth it. The best part about the 14 mile days was the whiskey and the river," shares a camper from Deep Creek Campground.

Waterfall exploration: Multiple waterfall hikes exist within 30 minutes of Franklin. "Waterfalls are quite close by - a walk behind waterfall. Bust Your Butt falls is a fun sliding rock in certain conditions, about 5 mins. downstream," notes a visitor to Van Hook Glade.

Gem mining: Several local attractions offer gem mining experiences near Franklin, known as the "Gem Capital of the World." At Peaceful Cove Campground, a visitor mentions, "We just finished up a week stay here, and it was excellent. Andy is a wonderful host and very knowledgeable of the area. If you get a chance, try Cafe Rel (French restaurant). It was suggested by Andy, and it WILL NOT disappoint!"

What campers like

Creek access for cooling off: Many campsites feature creek or river access for swimming during hot weather. "We could hear the stream from our site at night. Exactly what we were looking for but beware of the walk up sites because they do not update which ones are available online," reports a camper at Standing Indian Campground.

Mountain temperature relief: The higher elevation provides natural air conditioning. "The temperature here in the hot summer is outstanding... it's 15-20 degrees cooler than elsewhere in the state due to high elevation," notes a visitor to Van Hook Glade.

Small, well-maintained campgrounds: Many campers appreciate the more intimate camping options. "This small family run campground reminds me of the camp grounds I visited with my grandfather. Lou meets you at the office and guides you to your campsite and politely offers to guide you in. We used his help and he guided us in to an inch of the cement pad for our front porch," writes a camper at Pines RV Park and Cabins.

What you should know

Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have limited access for larger vehicles. "The road to this campground is very narrow, the hill is very steep, and there is at least one very tight hairpin turn. Unless there is another way into this lovely park that I am unaware of, I would not attempt to tow a 5th wheel or other large trailer to this location," warns a camper about Standing Indian Campground.

Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or no cell reception. "Highly limited cell phone reception but only if you have Verizon. Five minute drive into town and you are fine though," reports a visitor to Van Hook Glade.

Reservation requirements: Most Forest Service campgrounds require reservations during peak season. "We stayed for one night, on a weeknight in early December. The campground was completely deserted (one other camper came in the evening, there were only two of us there!). Most of the campground is shut down during that time," explains a visitor to Smokemont Campground, highlighting the different experience in off-season.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water activities: Look for campsites near gentle streams. "The headwaters of the Nantaha River flow through the campground providing a gathering place for families to enjoy playing in a cold mountain stream," shares a camper about Standing Indian Campground.

Plan for wildlife encounters: Bear safety is essential in this region. "Bear proof garbage cans are on site; people often report seeing them; I haven't here. Don't leave your food out - I leave it in my car in a cooler," advises a Van Hook Glade camper.

Bike-friendly campgrounds: Some campgrounds have good internal roads for kids. "This place has no electric hookups, but a good enough bath house. We come here annually. The staff is nice at the campground and at the lake you can hike to (or drive to) that is associated with the campground. The kids love this campground. They can ride their bikes around and they play all day long," reports a family at Black Rock Mountain State Park.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for slope: Many sites require careful leveling. "Sites are fine (gravel, level, full hookups, spacious, fire ring/firewood on request, picnic table)," notes an RVer about The Great Outdoors RV Resort.

Smaller rigs preferred: The mountain terrain favors compact RVs. "This is a small RV and tent campground alongside a creek in the mountains of NC. This site is super close to all the amazing Cullasaja river swimming sites. Although the campground is not very large overall it is well cared for and in an incredible location," shares a visitor to Peaceful Cove Campground.

Fire restrictions vary: Check current rules before planning campfires. "Large campground with paved roads and drives. Rocks line the driveway of each site, close enough to require careful placement to leave room for stairs and slides," advises an RVer about Smokemont Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Franklin, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Franklin, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 718 campgrounds and RV parks near Franklin, NC and 64 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Franklin, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Franklin, NC is Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 57 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Franklin, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 64 free dispersed camping spots near Franklin, NC.

What parks are near Franklin, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Franklin, NC that allow camping, notably Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.