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Best Campgrounds near Lake Junaluska, NC

3,113 Reviews

The western North Carolina mountains surrounding Lake Junaluska provide diverse camping experiences within the Great Smoky Mountains region. Cataloochee Campground, located about 15 miles northeast of Lake Junaluska in Waynesville, offers primitive camping in a secluded valley setting from March through October. Nearby Stonebridge RV Resort in Maggie Valley provides year-round accommodations with full hookups for RVs and cabins for those seeking more amenities. Creekwood Farm RV Park, situated along Jonathan Creek in Waynesville, features tent sites, RV spaces with hookups, and cabin rentals. The area balances National Park Service campgrounds with limited amenities against private resorts offering more conveniences, all within a 30-minute drive of Lake Junaluska.

Most campgrounds in the region require advance reservations during the peak season from May through October. As one camper noted, "The North Carolina side has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and less crowded and more laid back." Higher elevation campgrounds like Mount Pisgah (elevation 5,300 feet) offer cooler temperatures, with visitors reporting "when we arrived at 2:00 the temperature was a wonderful 72" even during summer heat waves. Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region. Many campgrounds feature creekside sites where "the sound of the creek at night melts all your worries away," though some locations near highways experience road noise. Cell service varies significantly, with many National Park campgrounds having limited or no connectivity.

Creekside camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Lake Junaluska area. Campers particularly value the shade provided by the dense forest canopy, with one reviewer noting "nearly 100% shade at each site" at Lake Powhatan campground. The North Carolina side of the Smokies generally offers a quieter experience than the Tennessee side, making it popular with families seeking a more relaxed atmosphere. Campground amenities vary widely, from basic facilities at national park campgrounds to full-service private campgrounds with activities for children. Several campgrounds provide convenient access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and horseback riding opportunities. Wildlife sightings, particularly black bears, are common throughout the region, adding to the authentic mountain camping experience.

Map showing campgrounds near Lake Junaluska, North CarolinaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Lake Junaluska, North Carolina (643)

    1. Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    31 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "The North Carolina part has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and less crowded and more laid back. Loving it! Beautiful. Just wish there were showers here....lol."

    "This:

    “Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."

    2. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 648-2644

    $30 / night

    "We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the “cooler” campgrounds in western North Carolina for a weekend. Mt Pisgah Campground is at an elevation of roughly 5300’."

    "Pisgah National Forest on the outskirts of Asheville, NC is a must stop for all ages."

    3. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    70 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 487-2683

    $50 / night

    "Cosby is great if you want to explore the eastern section of North Carolina sections of the park."

    "Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute.

    A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors."

    4. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    62 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    20 miles
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $37 - $135 / night

    "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."

    "PROS 

    Discounted camp fee with senior pass 

    Reserved 169 days prior to arriving 

    Friendly and helpful gate attendant 

    Nearly 100% shade at each site 

    Excellent dark sky viewing 

    Private sites with"

    5. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $37 - $84 / night

    "Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."

    "We had a quick nights stay in Davidson River Campground after picking up our new SylvanSport GO tent trailer in nearby Brevard, North Carolina."

    6. Balsam Mountain Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    26 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "These are very close to the entrance, to other sites, to the bathrooms, the campground hosts, and the dishwashing station, and they are right on the road."

    "And this campground is in a fabulous location. When you stay here, you are tucked in a lush green mountain about a mile above sea level."

    7. Stonebridge RV Resort

    16 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 926-1904

    $60 - $90 / night

    "Easy access to everything needed. Tent sites were a little small. But overall very friendly management. Close to Waynesville and all the cute places in Maggie Valley."

    "Not having to walk to the bath house in the middle of the night was a welcome relief, but RV camping is not my favorite way to“camp.”"

    8. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    53 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    19 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."

    9. Asheville West KOA

    24 Reviews
    Candler, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 665-7015

    "The location is amazing very short drive into town, hiking spots, and I highly recommend you take a walk around Lake Junaluska . We booked this spot for the location and it delivered."

    "The only reason for the four star rating is due to the highway noise from I-40, which is located adjacent to the campground."

    10. Creekwood Farm RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Lake Junaluska, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 926-7977

    "The staff, the location, the park itself. This is probably the best place we've ever stayed. It's beyond clean, staff is beyond friendly and accommodating."

    "Close to Asheville."

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Recent Camping Photos near Lake Junaluska, NC

1393 Photos of 643 Lake Junaluska Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Lake Junaluska, NC

3113 Reviews of 643 Lake Junaluska Campgrounds

  • Casey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    Great spot!

    The only reason I dinged it from five stars is because of the road noise. Other than that this place is beautiful! Great hike to a beautiful lake! Simple amenities. Great drive up tent spots surrounded by trees. Nobody else was here during the week so I had the place to myself! The rangers were incredibly helpful and friendly! I will be back!

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Mountain Rest Mountain Top

    Great campsite, you guys are pansies though

    great spot, can see the stars super clearly and its pretty much just open woodland once youre there.

    you dont need 4 wheel drive or a truck like some of these people are saying, i did it fine in my honda civic, just dont have anything with worse clearance than that, and be ready to get some branch scratches which is kinda expected for wood roads

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Gorges State Park Campground

    CAUTION: steep grades and curvy road

    This campground would’ve gotten five stars except for the road getting there was pretty exciting. The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down. Other than that, this campground was super nice. Has the nicest showers I have ever seen in a campground. All the sites for RVs are on concrete pads with electric, water, and sewer. This was a great staging point for our trip up to the great Smoky Mountains. The visitor center was very informative.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge

    Beautiful grounds if you feel like splurging

    It is an absolutely beautiful campground with an awesome club house and a ton to do. The pool and lazy river are heated. Honestly though you really need to want to splurge to justify staying here because you are still camping if that makes sense.

    Also the trolley “system” is super confusing and the front desk knows nothing about it lol

    Our site is great. It is right across the road from the playground without having to pay for a family site.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cades Cove Campground

    Quite, beautiful, weekend traffic

    This is one of the quietest campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Sites are nestled in the woods in a cove in the Smokies. No cell service. No internet. No cable tv. Just peace and quiet! This is a national park campgrounds, so no water, electric or hookups. There is a dump station and modern bathrooms. Cold water showers. There is a camp store with basics. There is a lot of traffic especially on weekends with visitors driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop Road.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Campfire Lodgings

    Tent camping

    Tent camping sites are walk in, down hill, obviously thar means hauling your stuff out uphill when you leave. RVers have a great view from the ridge top. But a difficult day camping is far better than any day at work.

  • Alden B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping

    Very Nice camping near Dupont National Forest

    If you want close access to Dupont and Pisga NF you're within minutes! The owners Mark & Esther are wonderful. We call him SouthSide Mark ( hails from South Africa). Some sites are a little tight, but fine. If you have a big rig call ahead. The cabin was wonderful. The bathhouse is older but very clean. You can tell the owners love their campers and property. The site is tree covered and hilly. We will come again, guaranteed! Watch your step. Wood Spirits are Everywhere!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Little River Campground & RV Resort

    Labor Day weekend

    Overall a positive experience. We stayed in the tent camping area. Absolutely beautiful site with a wonderful river view, but be aware that the direct river bank is considered common area including day use so it had a lot of traffic while we were there. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Being a holiday weekend it was very crowded and very noisy, including a few neighbors without regards to quiet hours. Overall the facilities including bath house are were very nice though I believe the large crowds caused issues with the crew being able to keep up with keeping them clean. The location is very convenient to Townsend and we rode bikes out to explore and get food in the evening. We would definitely go back just probably not on a holiday weekend.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mountaineer Campground

    Pleasant Stay

    Lovely campground on the river and close to amenities. Biking, hiking, tubing, swimming. My favorite experience here has been the pavilion prayer and fellowship on Sunday mornings hosted by Charm ministry volunteers. Very casual with lots of singing and great conversation in a very positive and welcoming atmosphere. The bathrooms and showers were kept very clean as well as the laundry and pool area. The camp hosts were very helpful and work hard to keep the above clean. The campground offers a 50% discount on a 28-day stay which I took advantage of. They allowed me to stay an extra 28 days due to my dog passing away so I could wait for his remains. They were very understanding, thoughtful and gracious during this sad time for me and I am very grateful to the management and hosts for the time, space and respect they extended to me July & August.

Guide to Lake Junaluska

Camping near Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails, like the Little River Trail, which offers stunning views and a chance to see local wildlife. One camper mentioned, “We did one of our hikes from our site— the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for bears and other wildlife. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground noted, “Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground.”
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in the local rivers and lakes. A camper at Davidson River Campground shared, “Davidson River Campground is perfectly situated for outdoor activities, plenty of hiking, good fishing, mountain biking, and climbing available all within a stone's throw from camp.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Greenbrier Campground said, “The bathrooms were amazing.”
  • Scenic Views: Many campgrounds offer breathtaking views. A visitor at Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground remarked, “The views are awesome at this park.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds often have activities for kids. A family at Greenbrier Campground enjoyed the “bounce houses, multiple playgrounds, and a lazy river with a swimming hole!”

What you should know:

  • Site Privacy: Some campgrounds have closely spaced sites. A camper at Cades Cove Campground mentioned, “Most sites are close together, and there is no brush to divide them.”
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in many areas. A visitor at Lake Powhatan noted, “We had very little cell service (Verizon).”
  • Bear Awareness: Some campgrounds are in bear country, so take precautions. A camper at Cosby Campground shared, “An assertive mother bear and her three cubs showed up at dinner time.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Bring Entertainment: With limited cell service, pack books or games. A camper at Cades Cove Campground suggested, “Have a good book, downloaded shows, crossword book, or what have you.”
  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. A family at Greenbrier Campground loved the “activities for kids.”
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds don’t have stores nearby, so bring enough food. A camper at Davidson River Campground mentioned, “It was great to have the coffee truck 5 mins away outside the campground.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground noted, “The roads in the campground are steep and hilly.”
  • Use Online Reservations: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially in peak season. A camper at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground said, “It was completely sold out.”
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds have limited amenities. A visitor at Lake Powhatan mentioned, “There is no camp store for extra supplies.”

Camping around Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, provides a great mix of outdoor fun and family-friendly activities. Whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Lake Junaluska campground?

Lake Junaluska campground offers a range of amenities for campers seeking comfort and convenience. Similar to Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina, you can expect clean showers and bathrooms, spacious sites with good spacing between neighbors, and helpful staff. The campground provides access to the scenic lake and surrounding walking paths. Many campgrounds in the region like The Great Outdoors RV Resort offer well-groomed grounds, good amenities, and friendly staff to enhance your camping experience in this beautiful mountain setting.

How much does it cost to camp at Lake Junaluska?

Camping costs at Lake Junaluska vary depending on the season, site type, and amenities. While specific rates for Lake Junaluska aren't detailed in the reviews, nearby campgrounds provide useful context. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers reasonably priced sites and serves as a good base camp for exploring the region. Some campgrounds in the area offer discounts for senior pass holders, as seen at Indian Creek Campground. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $25-$50 per night for standard sites, with premium waterfront or full-hookup sites commanding higher rates.

Where is Lake Junaluska campground located in North Carolina?

Lake Junaluska is situated in western North Carolina, nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains near Waynesville. It's located in a scenic area with convenient access to popular destinations like Asheville. The lake is approximately a 30-minute drive west of Asheville, making it an excellent base for exploring the region. Nearby Asheville West KOA offers camping options with proximity to Lake Junaluska, as reviewers note it's just a short drive away and recommend taking a walk around the lake during your stay.

Is Lake Junaluska campground suitable for RVs?

Lake Junaluska campground is suitable for RVs, offering sites that accommodate various rig sizes. The area is popular with RV travelers seeking mountain experiences. Nearby Stonebridge RV Resort and Creekwood Farm RV Park are known for being big-rig friendly with full hookups. Many campgrounds in the region, like those near Lake Junaluska, offer paved parking pads, water connections, and electrical hookups essential for RV camping. While some mountain roads in the area can be narrow, the main access routes to Lake Junaluska are generally well-maintained and navigable for most RVs.

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