Camping near Highlands, North Carolina encompasses a range of options from established campgrounds to dispersed sites within the Nantahala National Forest. Van Hook Glade Campground, located directly in Highlands, provides tent and small RV camping from April through October. The surrounding area includes Blue Valley Dispersed Camping for more primitive experiences, while nearby state parks like Black Rock Mountain in Georgia and Tallulah Gorge offer additional developed camping options. The region sits at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains where North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia meet, creating a tri-state camping destination known for its waterfalls, hiking trails, and mountain vistas.
Most campgrounds in the Highlands area operate seasonally, typically closing during winter months. Van Hook Glade is open from April 20 to October 28, while some nearby state parks maintain year-round operations. The high elevation (approximately 4,000 feet) provides natural air conditioning during summer months, with temperatures often 15-20 degrees cooler than lower elevations in the region. Cell service is limited at most campgrounds, with Verizon offering spotty coverage in some areas. Bear activity is common throughout the region, so proper food storage is essential at all campsites. Many forest roads leading to dispersed camping areas are unpaved but generally accessible without four-wheel drive in dry conditions.
The camping experiences vary significantly between developed and primitive sites. According to one camper, "The temperature here in the hot summer is outstanding due to high elevation. The campground is rarely full these days which surprises me." Established campgrounds like Van Hook Glade offer basic amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets, while lacking shower facilities or hookups for larger RVs. Blue Valley Dispersed Camping provides more solitude but requires self-sufficiency as it has no facilities. The area is particularly known for waterfall access, with numerous cascades within short driving distance of most campsites. Hiking trails connect many of the camping areas to scenic overlooks and water features throughout the Nantahala National Forest.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$20 - $255 / night
"Just a short 30 minute drive over the mountain takes you to Highlands, NC....this little town was fantastic. Tons of great restaurants and also lots of boutique & antique shopping."
"We chatted about travel and places to go not just her in Georgia but also around the United States."
"We had reserved a walk-in tent sight and absoulty loved it."
"This hidden gem is a few miles off a major highway but well worth the journey. I would consider it among my top ten 'near a lake' spots in the entire US."
"There are primitive, walk-in sites that had the benefit of added privacy, but with 3 little kids, bathroom proximity was a higher priority this time around. "
"There are multiple cabins scattered around the lake but they are a good distance apart from each other so you won't be disturbed by your neighbors."
"Our plan was to start on the north end of River trail and hike for a few days camping in between. The Ranger there sold us a map of the trail since the ones online were not so great."
"Arrived to parking lot with bathroom (outhouse) with about a mile walk to campsites and river. We found semi secluded campsite beside the river equipped with firepit lantern post."
$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."
$36 - $45 / night
"This was our second visit, we always stop here when we are traveling between North Carolina and Alabama."
"And the steps back up will challenge the most fit among us. But the views and experience is well worth the pain."
"Directions: From Highlands, follow NC 28 south about 5.5 miles and turn right onto Blue Valley Rd. (S.R. 1618) at the sign. The pavement will end in a half mile."
"Almost all near a creek of some sort. Hiking trails near by. No facilities. Room for larger groups ~40 people max for the biggest site ~6 for the smallest"
$10 / night
"Access to the campground is a narrow partially-paved but well-maintained single lane road with only one area to pull over, so be careful when entering and exiting because if you meet another vehicle one"
"Definitely not a road to drive for those who aren't skilled in off road driving. We stayed in one of the back sites near the creek (I can't recall the number). Most of the sites were VERY secluded."
$7 - $26 / night
"There are 3 trailside primitive campsites that are on a peninsula overlooking Lake Keowee."
"The trail was relatively short, but the hills were bigger than expected. However, the payoff at the trailside campground is incredible. The sites are out on a point on Lake Keowee."
"If you had to go in the middle of the night though, you may be in a difficult position. There is also a trail from the site directly down to the river which is a plus. Overall great spot!"
"Quiet and secluded but other campers are around. There are toilet facilities but can’t remember if there was a water tap."
ScoutWe stayed for 1 night in campsite #1. The campground is small, quiet, and had a nice bathroom/shower set-up. I would recommend bringing your own firewood. They have wood to purchase but a few pieces in every bundle were punky and didn’t burn well.
ScoutWe're staying at the Glass House site. The campgrounds is awesome! There's no cell signal on the ground, but they have starlink at the bathhouse which works nearby. Our site has lots of room, sinks inside the old greenhouse, a fantastic gazebo for cooking, lots of lights, and room for both of our tents (one for my wife and I and one for our 3 kids). The community pavilion has an amazing fireplace, grills, and more. You can't go wrong bringing your family here!
TravelerWe stayed at site 12 for 3 nights and had a wonderful time! The campgrounds are lovely with lots of attention to details. It is also VERY clean! We can’t wait to come back!
TravelerRiver running next to it made for great view. Vaulted toilet close by and very quiet. No showers though.
ScoutThe staff are fantastic and they keep the maintenance up. The bathrooms are the cleanest I have had at a campground. A lot of locals camping and they are great people to visit with.
ScoutSnowbird is one of our yearly camping trips. It's really beautiful there. However, people seem to be unable to pick up their own trash. Every year there's abandoned tents and parts of tents left to rot. It's a shame. When we arrived there was a shredded tent left on the site. Last year it was a shelter tent. Come on people..
ScoutHad the best time at this campground! got a spot by the creek and was able to just relax! our water ended up not working out in the rv but we were right across from the bathhouses and they were clean and the water was HOT! Definitely will be back!
ScoutLoved this campsite. The hosts were so nice and accommodating and the site was so relaxing. From the sound/view of the creek. To having the free range chickens come say hello. This place was a great escape with trails in the Smokey mountains only minutes away. Highly recommend!
GuideWe absolutely loved this campground! The road in is beautiful although narrow and relatively busy. There are a ton of places to fish. We were there over the Memorial Day weekend and it was surprisingly peaceful and quiet. Several of the sites are right on the creek. There is no power, or any kinds of hook ups. There is a manual pump water source. We also had no Verizon cell reception. There are 3 pit toilets which did seem to be well maintained. Definitely one of the best camping experiences we have ever had and definitely one of my favorite spots.
Camping spots near Highlands, North Carolina sit at approximately 4,000 feet elevation in the Nantahala National Forest, creating a microclimate that remains 15-20 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Forest roads leading to dispersed sites often require high-clearance vehicles during wet conditions. Cell service is limited throughout the region with Verizon offering the best coverage in some camping areas.
Trout fishing access: 10 minutes from most campsites at Sarah's Creek Campground where anglers can find multiple creek-side spots. "The creek offers places to relax, fish, and even swim," notes Ferd B., while another camper adds "This river is stocked with trout. Fishing license is required but both SC and GA are acceptable as the river is the state line."
Waterfall exploration: Half-day trip to multiple cascades including King Creek Falls, accessible via a moderate hike. "Short hike to King Creek Falls," reports Jason D. about Burrells Ford area trails. For swimming opportunities, check out "Bust Your Butt falls, a fun sliding rock in certain conditions, about 5 mins downstream," according to Paul T.
Lake recreation: Full day at Keowee-Toxaway State Park with both hiking and paddling options. "There is a short path from the camp sites down to the lake. If you want to go swimming there are only a couple of locations that you can hang out for the day," advises Brandon D. For those with boats, be aware that "the ramp here is more suitable for kayaks and canoes" rather than power boats.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Blue Valley Dispersed Camping, where sites are "Beautiful, large, private sites. You couldn't see our site from the road, huge site, lots of woods surrounding for kids to play and explore, right beside a gorgeous large creek," according to Kristin S. Another camper mentioned, "We were very secluded and there was very little traffic on the dirt road."
Reliable facilities: Despite being primitive, Van Hook Glade offers "nice bathrooms and hot showers. Firewood is available for purchase, Well water available throughout the campground," according to Tom C. Sites include "a fire ring, lantern post, picnic table and tent pad."
Cooler temperatures: The elevation creates natural cooling effects during summer months. As one camper at Black Rock Mountain State Park notes, "In the summer when there are leaves and green on all the trees, it's breathtaking with the views. Once the leaves fall off, it's a bit spooky and can get windy without the leaves."
Road access challenges: Many dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. At Burrells Ford, "you have to drive two and a half miles down a forest road, and then you hike about a third of a mile to the campsites," reports Myron C. Other campers warn about "narrow, partially-paved" roads with "only one area to pull over."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Cherry Hill Campground, "Since it is pretty far from any major town or city, it got really dark at night, so this was really nice for watching stars." Van Hook Glade has "no TV or cell service. I drive into Highlands, (about 4 miles) to get a cell signal (T-Mobile)."
Bear precautions: Multiple campgrounds provide bear-proofing measures. At Sarah's Creek, "Most sites have bear proof food containers that you can utilize," and at Burrells Ford, there is "a hanging system for food since this place is in bear country."
Easy trails for kids: Devils Fork State Park offers family-friendly water activities. "So much for family's to do here. Water is so clear. Site is so clean," reports Marlene V. Another camper adds, "Beautifully located on Lake Jocassee! Camp sites paved, wooded and nicely spaced. The lake is gorgeous."
Open spaces for play: Look for campgrounds with room for children to explore. At Keowee-Toxaway State Park, families appreciate that "You could also access these sites by hiking if you chose. We only paid $12 for a one night stay at the campsite."
Cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, consider cabins. "We spent 2 nights in one of the cabins in this beautiful state park during a road trip through South Carolina. And let me say, 2 nights was not enough! The cabin itself was very well kept. There was air conditioning, 2 bedrooms, 1 full kitchen, 1 full bathroom, and a fire place."
Site length limitations: Most campgrounds near Highlands accommodate smaller RVs only. At Tallulah Gorge State Park, "Sites are a little small, and close together, but the sunrise from your tent/site is totally worth it." Another RVer notes that at Black Rock Mountain State Park, "Any trailer longer than 25 feet is tight getting to back sites."
Limited hookups: While some campgrounds offer electric and water, most are primitive. At Cherry Hill Campground, there are "no electric hookups. Bath houses aren't well maintained. Campsites are fairly private." For those needing some amenities, Devils Fork State Park has "Camp sites paved, wooded and nicely spaced. Bathhouses are clean. The lake is gorgeous. Boat ramp and trailer parking."
Level site challenges: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Oconee State Park, "Campsites are often uneven with alot of tree roots running throughout. It does require consideration before parking your trailer or RV."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV camping options in Highlands, North Carolina?
Yes, RV campers visiting Highlands have several options. The Great Outdoors RV Resort offers well-groomed sites with good amenities and friendly staff in a central mountain location. Gibson Cove Campground on Lake Chatuge provides RV sites with water, electric hookups, and exceptionally clean facilities on paved roads with gravel campsites. While not all campgrounds near Highlands offer full hookups, many accommodate RVs with partial services. For those willing to travel a bit further, several state parks in the region have RV-friendly sites, though reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season.
What campgrounds are available in Highlands, NC?
The Highlands area offers diverse camping experiences to suit different preferences. Indian Creek Campground provides relaxing creekside camping with private, well-maintained sites and clean facilities, plus a campsite store for necessities. Jackrabbit Mountain is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, offering lakeside sites on Lake Chatuge with direct access to mountain biking trails and water activities. Other options include Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground just across the Georgia border and several National Forest campgrounds. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations during peak season.
Where can I find camping near Highlands, NC?
Highlands, NC offers several excellent camping options in the surrounding area. Blue Valley Dispersed Camping is located just 5.5 miles south of Highlands on NC 28, offering primitive sites in a beautiful forest setting. For a more developed experience, Gorges State Park Campground provides scenic camping with hiking trails and waterfalls. Other nearby options include Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia and various campgrounds around Lake Chatuge. Most sites in the region are accessible from spring through fall, with some offering year-round camping depending on weather conditions.
Keep Exploring
