Horse Shoe RV camping offers options within 15 miles of the small unincorporated community in Henderson County. Located in western North Carolina at 2,110 feet elevation, this area serves as a gateway to both the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night while summer daytime highs typically reach the upper 80s.
What to do
Tubing on the Green River: Wilderness Cove Campground provides access to river activities within a 30-minute drive of Horse Shoe. "My kid(12) and I had a great experience here: 2 nights in tents and 2 in a River Cottage. The tent camping is not quite 'roughing it': there's pretty reliable WiFi and the bath house is air conditioned and kept very clean," notes one camper.
Fishing in stocked lakes: Rutledge Lake RV Resort offers on-site fishing opportunities. "I really like this place, clean, quite, and warm. Nice sites with and great stream and pond on property to fish, and yes it's easy to catch a fish here!" reports one visitor.
Mountain biking access: Several rv campgrounds near Horse Shoe, North Carolina serve as basecamp for trails. "Great place to stay if you like mountain biking with DuPont and pisgah national forest being close by," mentions a Rutledge Lake camper.
What campers like
Dog-friendly facilities: Red Gates RV Park receives high marks for pet amenities. "Plenty of space and areas to walk our dog. They even have an off lead dog area with water available and poop bags. There was a lake on the property to walk around and adds to the beauty of a walk," writes one reviewer.
Central location: Staying at RV campgrounds in the Horse Shoe area provides convenient access to multiple destinations. "Spent 3 nights here while exploring the Asheville area. Perfect for this. Close to Asheville and other local sites. Quiet, peaceful," notes a Red Gates visitor.
Clean washrooms: Several campgrounds maintain quality facilities. "Pristine bath house! Pristine campground! We truly enjoyed our time here!" states one Red Gates camper. Another visitor at Wilderness Cove Campground adds: "Very clean, small, quiet campground. Tents only, they do have some cabins for rent. Nice clean bath house."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some RV parks have tighter configurations. "Sites are quite close together. No great views, but very functional," explains a Red Gates RV Park guest.
Seasonal operations: Several rv campgrounds around Horse Shoe have limited operating seasons. Red Gates operates April through November, while others remain open year-round. "We stayed from November through April," notes a visitor at Land of Waterfalls RV Park.
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. Land of Waterfalls campers mention: "It is right on US-64, which is great, but can be a little loud during the day."
Mountain driving required: Access to many campgrounds involves navigating mountain roads. "The drive down the mountain is a little nerve-wracking for a city boy, and my car's low clearance had me scraping my underside on some rocky bumps inside the property," notes a Wilderness Cove visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Check bathroom facilities: Wilderness Cove earns praise for clean bathrooms that work well for families. "Camped at Wilderness Cove in August 2020 for 2 nights. Very clean, small, quiet campground. Tents only, they do have some cabins for rent. Nice clean bath house."
Consider cottage options: Some campgrounds offer alternatives to tent camping. "Moving to the cottage was meant to be easier on my kid, but I didn't expect all the amenities: refrigerator, screened in porch, and very comfy beds," shares a Wilderness Cove visitor.
Look for activity spaces: Boylston Creek RV Park & Cabins provides family-friendly camping with 24 total sites. "Great spot, friendly people. New," notes one visitor about this recently opened facility.
Tips from RVers
Check site length specifications: Wilson's Riverfront RV Park accommodates various RV sizes but requires careful navigation. "Interstate traffic was loud, WiFi wasn't strong enough to connect to, no amenities other than the bath houses & walking trail that apparently ran along most of the length of the road. When you come off the interstate you have to make a extremely hard right to get into park, not possible with a big rig...had to go up to the office/shop and turn around."
Site leveling considerations: Pay attention to site grading. "Grass on lots high, nice concrete spots, full hookup in good shape," notes a Wilson's Riverfront visitor.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites with 50-amp electrical service are available at several locations. "All sites are nice gravel; all full hookups. The pull-thrus were actually easier to back in to given the one-way road structure, but it was honestly 50/50 either way," explains a Land of Waterfalls RV Park guest.
