576 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lake Toxaway in western North Carolina serves as a gateway to numerous camping options within the Blue Ridge Mountains region. Gorges State Park offers a newly developed campground with full hookup RV sites, tent camping areas, and primitive cabins, while Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort provides a more upscale camping experience with spacious sites along a creek. The surrounding area includes several state parks within driving distance, including Keowee-Toxaway State Park just across the South Carolina border, offering additional camping opportunities with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals.
Road conditions and accessibility vary throughout the region, with many campgrounds situated along winding mountain roads. Most developed sites in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through October. "The area is known for having over 250 waterfalls," noted one visitor to Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort, highlighting the natural attractions that draw campers to this mountainous region. Weather patterns can change quickly in the higher elevations, with cooler temperatures even during summer months and potential for heavy rainfall. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during leaf-viewing season in autumn when visitation peaks across the region.
Campers consistently mention the waterfalls and hiking opportunities as primary attractions in the Lake Toxaway area. The proximity to Rainbow Falls and Turtle Back Falls from Gorges State Park makes it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Several reviewers highlighted the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty of the region's campgrounds. "We loved this RV park so much, we kept adding nights," shared one camper at Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort. Primitive backcountry camping options can be found in nearby Panthertown Valley, though visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters, including bears. The combination of mountain views, water features, and forest settings creates diverse camping experiences within a relatively compact geographic area.
"We had a quick nights stay in Davidson River Campground after picking up our new SylvanSport GO tent trailer in nearby Brevard, North Carolina."
"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."
from $37 - $84 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The alternatives #5 and #6 were close to the entrance and therefore exposed to the road, and #49 was next to the restrooms, but similar to #60, so stayed with #60."
"One drawback is that from the campground there is no easy access to the lake- you can either drive and park (and hope to find parking) or walk on a busy road . "
"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."
"We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River."
"We were looking for a place that was wooded and near a river or stream and lucked up at Lazy J. The staff answered our call right away and were both friendly and informative."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This is a small campground near Lake Toxaway. The people were great. They had happy hour everyday at five."
"We were greeted by Jojo and escorted to our spot by Daegan who helped us get our camper situated. The campground was clean and tidy, and had firewood and ice available for purchase."
from $65 / night
Check Availability"This is one of North Carolina’s best waterfall parks. Rainbow Falls, Turtel Back Falls and Bust your Ass Falls."
"There are six designated backpack sites along the Foothills Trail near the southern boundary of the park."
from $27 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The first campsite we stayed at was on the Green Valley Trail, the second one was on the Panthertown Valley Trail right near the Schoolhouse Falls Trail, and the third was on Mac's Gap right past the Granny"
"The sites near the middle of Macs Gap trail are huge and there is easy access to a couple streams. Bring a good map and stick to the trails that your map covers."
ScoutGreat spot to pull in last minute. There are multiple spots along this stretch of road. Would not recommend if you want to post up somewhere private, decent amount of traffic pulling through for a mountain road.
ScoutBeautiful Campground, but Absolutely NOT Family-Friendly! I rarely leave negative reviews this strongly, but our experience at Turkey Creek Campground was so disappointing that I feel compelled to warn other families. First, I’ll give credit where it’s due. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the creekside sites are incredibly peaceful and serene. It’s a lovely setting, and during the day, the owner is friendly enough and seemingly hospitable. Unfortunately, the hospitality comes to a screeching halt the moment the clock strikes 10 PM.
We were two families camping together with six well-behaved kids who absolutely love the outdoors. We understand and respect campground quiet hours. We weren’t looking to throw parties, blast music, or disturb anyone. But apparently, at Turkey Creek,“quiet hours” doesn’t mean keeping noise to a respectful minimum. It means absolute silence, complete darkness, and seemingly no normal human activity whatsoever.
I’m not exaggerating.
* We were told to turn off ALL our lights at 10 PM.
* We were confronted for opening our vehicle’s trunk because it made a brief beeping sound.
* Our children were startled by a large spider near the bathhouse, and the owner actually yelled at them to be quiet.
* One evening around 11 PM, we were talking quietly INSIDE OUR OWN TENT, barely above a whisper, when the owner approached our tent door to reprimand us for talking.
* On another occasion, he approached us to complain that our children had left TWO STICKS on the ground near the bathrooms. Two sticks! At a campground surrounded by woods, where the kids had just walked down a wooded trail to reach the bathhouse!
And don’t even think about enjoying a little background music while sitting around your campsite. Music of any kind played through a speaker is prohibited, regardless of volume. Apparently, even a little John Denver played quietly while enjoying the mountains is too much to ask. I fully appreciate that some people camp specifically for peace and quiet. We respect that, too. But there is a massive difference between enforcing reasonable quiet hours and making paying guests feel like they’re constantly being watched, monitored, and reprimanded for simply existing. The owner’s enforcement of these rules felt excessive, confrontational, and completely out of proportion to what was actually happening.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying our family vacation, we found ourselves walking on eggshells, worried that the smallest sound, light, or ordinary childhood behavior would result in another confrontation. What makes this particularly frustrating is that our kids were doing exactly what we’d hope children would do on a camping trip: spending time outside, exploring nature, enjoying each other’s company, and making memories away from screens. Yet somehow, even that seemed unwelcome. If we hadn’t already paid for five nights, we would have packed up and left after the very first night. That’s how uncomfortable the experience became.
If you are someone who wants a meticulously maintained campground where everyone retires to complete silence and darkness by 10 PM, Turkey Creek might be perfect for you. But if you’re a family hoping to enjoy a campfire, share some laughs, quietly socialize in the evening, and let your children experience the simple joys of camping, I cannot recommend this place strongly enough AGAINST it.
There are so many beautiful campgrounds in this area, and I cannot imagine choosing to return somewhere that made our families feel so unwelcome. Beautiful property. Extremely disappointing hospitality. Absolutely terrible experience for families. We will never return.
ScoutHospitality and attention to detail can't be beat. Rates were very reasonable for the quality of facility and grounds.
ScoutVery pretty site but its right on the road
TravelerStayed 1 week in site 12. Great small campground, clean and quiet. Jojo was a great host and 5pm happy hour gathering was fun. Will DEFINITELY return. Its a great spot for launching adventures.
ScoutThis park was built several years ago by Millenium Motorcoach Company, and is just an incredible place! The sites are all privately owned, and rentals are managed by the resort, for the owners and renters alike. We have travelled for many years in our motorcoach, and have enjoyed accommodations like this seldom. You just want to stay and never leave!
TravelerThe view is worth it and is as advertised! We were in the first spot as you enter the park. We were concerned with noise, but it was not even an issue.
Our spot was right on the ridge and was stunning. I don’t think I closed the blinds on that side of the trailer.
Loss of star because of the road in/out. It’s one lane gravel and windy. It’s ok as long as you don’t meet anyone on the road. Dryer took 2 cycles to dry 2 towels and a few tshirts.
ScoutBathrooms are small and few. Interstate is close. Setting is beautiful and KOA is clean with friendly staff. Will stay again.
GuideThis is our first time coming here. We booked online, which was simple The campground is very well kept. The sites aren’t any closer together than your average campground. It seems to me that the owners are conscientious about keeping everyone spaced out so you don’t have anyone right on top of you. (The campground was not full during our visit) The only con to this place is you don’t get to pick your site. It’s assigned to you. I will said that I asked specifically for a shady spot & they obliged me. (Very nice owners) Not all of the sites are level but hey, that’s was risers are for 🤷🏻♀️ We didn’t have any issues after a couple of well placed risers. Even though the highway is close you don’t notice the traffic noise. It’s very quiet at night. When you arrive & get checked in, someone escorts you to your site & helps get you backed in. They will pick up, fill & return your propane tanks. You just have to leave your tank @ the edge of your camp site. If you leave your trash at the edge of your site they pick it up for you. They will also deliver firewood as well as a fire pit if you don’t have one.
Campsites near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina sit at elevations ranging from 2,800 to 3,200 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains, creating cooler temperatures even during summer months. The region receives over 90 inches of annual rainfall, contributing to the abundance of streams and waterfalls throughout the camping areas. Most primitive campsites have limited or no cell service, requiring advance planning for navigation and emergency contacts.
Explore Panthertown Valley: Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area offers extensive hiking opportunities with numerous unmarked side trails requiring proper navigation tools. "It is imperative to purchase a decent map for these trails and I highly recommend using the one available via the Friends of Panthertown website," advises one camper who warns that getting lost is common due to unofficial trails.
Fishing opportunities: Lazy J Campground provides direct access to the North Fork French Broad River with fishing spots adjacent to several campsites. A camper noted, "We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River."
Waterfall viewing: Davidson River Campground serves as a gateway to numerous waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest. "There are tons of hiking opportunities in the area with tons of waterfalls. We did get to hike to a few, but wish we had more time to spend there," reports a visitor who traveled 4 hours to reach the area.
River access: Lazy J Campground offers riverside sites with convenient water activities. "You can tube down and get out right at your site. Three Falls waterfall is just up the road. You can get tubes at the office," explains a regular visitor who appreciates the direct water access.
Lake swimming: Devils Fork State Park Campground provides access to Lake Jocassee with exceptionally clear water. "So much for family's to do here. Water is so clear. Site is so clean," notes one visitor who initially stopped to check out the campground and wished they had a reservation.
Secluded camping: Mount Pisgah Campground offers sites with greater privacy than many public campgrounds. "Spacious sites arranged for privacy. Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer. Trees all around for privacy," explains a long-time visitor who has camped there for over 30 years.
Bear activity: Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area has significant bear presence requiring proper food storage. "Be aware that the bears here are extremely bad. I actually had an encounter with a very large bear who charged my group and destroyed at tent, and heard similar stories from other campers," warns one visitor who still rated the experience highly despite the encounter.
Reservation requirements: During peak season (May-October), most campgrounds fill completely, especially on weekends. "This place is packed most all of the summer now so you don't want to show up without a spot," advises a Davidson River visitor.
Electrical reliability: Some campgrounds experience infrastructure challenges due to their remote location. At Keowee-Toxaway State Park, one camper reported, "Twice in one week this campground experienced a complete and total power outage each of which lasted for hours."
Primitive camping options: Keowee-Toxaway State Park offers trailside primitive sites accessible via moderate hiking. "There are 3 trailside primitive campsites that are on a peninsula overlooking Lake Keowee. Although only one of them is considered on the shore, they are all within walking distance (down a little hill) from the shore," explains a regular visitor who notes costs are only about $12 per night.
Kid-friendly facilities: Oconee State Park provides well-maintained facilities for families. "Bathrooms are super nice and clean," notes one visitor, while another explains there are "nice hiking area and swimming area" suitable for children of various ages.
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds feature resident animals that children enjoy watching. At Lazy J Campground, "Chickens and horses on site. Playground and lots of fun," reports a regular visitor who appreciates the entertainment value for children.
Road access considerations: Gorges State Park Campground has challenging access roads requiring careful driving. "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," cautions an RV driver who still found the campground "super nice" despite access challenges.
Campsite selection: At Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort (formerly Riverbend), site selection significantly impacts experience. "Stayed 7 days in #1 from 6/25 to 7/1 with two other RVers and was a romantic peaceful time with our own waterfall and creek running around us," reports one visitor who also warns, "Just a word on getting there- don't follow the gps onto Kim Miller Rd. Stay on Rt 64 and turn onto 281 past firehouse. Much easier!"
Pad conditions: Tent sites and RV pads vary significantly in quality and levelness across campgrounds. At Mount Pisgah Campground, one visitor notes, "Camper pads on the odd-numbered tent sites (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15) are not level, but Sites 1 and 3 plus the even-numbered sites have level parking pads."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lake Toxaway, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lake Toxaway, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 576 campgrounds and RV parks near Lake Toxaway, NC and 50 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lake Toxaway, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lake Toxaway, NC is Davidson River Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 82 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lake Toxaway, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 50 free dispersed camping spots near Lake Toxaway, NC.
What parks are near Lake Toxaway, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Lake Toxaway, NC that allow camping, notably National Forests in North Carolina and Nantahala National Forest.
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