Lake Toxaway sits at 3,010 feet elevation in western North Carolina's Transylvania County, where over 250 documented waterfalls dot the surrounding terrain. Winter temperatures typically range from 25-45°F while summer months average 60-80°F. The area maintains significant rainfall year-round, contributing to the lush forests and abundant water features that characterize this mountain region.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 4-mile round trip hike to Rainbow and Turtle Back Falls from Gorges State Park Campground provides both challenging terrain and spectacular views. "Rainbow Falls, Turtel Back Falls and Bust your Ass Falls. The Visitors Center has free parking for RV's and Vans theirs numerous primitive sites and I found a Gem of a site about 2 miles from the parking lot," notes camper Mitchell G.
Mountain biking: Access trails directly from Davidson River Campground for immediate access to the extensive Pisgah National Forest trail system. A camper shares, "Great campground just inside Pisgah National Forest... mountain bike trails easily rideable from campground. Plus The Hub, Ecusta Brewing just down the road."
Fishing: Both lake and stream options throughout the region with some of the best trout fishing within minutes of many campgrounds. "Located in Sunset SC, near Clemson and Easley, this park is one of our favorites off of the Cherokee foothills scenic Hwy 11," mentions Fain H. about Keowee-Toxaway State Park.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: The newer campgrounds often feature well-maintained amenities. "The campground will have five primitive cabins, 16 tent and 14 FHU sites... The Visitor Center is beautiful," reports Lee D. about Gorges State Park Campground, which opened its developed campground in late 2022.
Privacy between sites: Many camping areas near Lake Toxaway offer good separation between campsites. "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean," notes Heather C. about their six-day stay at Lake Powhatan.
Water access: Multiple campgrounds provide swimming, fishing and paddling options. "This campground is cute and quaint," states Jennifer M. about her overnight stay at Adventure Village and Lodgings, which features a "babbling little brook nearby."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds in the area have limited operating seasons due to mountain weather conditions. "We 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," notes Doreen B. about her summer stay at Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking more solitude, hike-in sites offer a more remote experience. "Was not clearly marked, if at all that these campsites are a 2 mile hike from parking. Would have packed differently had we known!" cautions Padget M. about Gorges State Park's primitive sites.
Wildlife encounters: The mountain forest setting means wildlife, including bears, may be present. "The gatehouse says there is wi-fi in the parking lot, but we did not test it out. We had 2 bars of ATT coverage," shares Lisa A. about her December stay at Davidson River Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming opportunities: Lake access provides family-friendly water activities at several locations. "Ralph Andrews Park... is one of the best campgrounds that I have ever stayed in. Campground is located on Glenville Lake (aka Thorpe Reservior) which is the highest elevation lake east of the Rocky Mts," explains Nancy D. about Ralph J. Andrews Campground.
Educational activities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs and environmental education. "I would also highly recommend making the trek to High Falls because it really is an incredible waterfall," advises Asher K. about the family-friendly hiking option near Ralph J. Andrews Campground.
Cabin options for beginners: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfort with outdoor access. "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!" shares Jessica S. about her stay at Oconee State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Some access roads to glamping near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina can be challenging for larger rigs. "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," warns Lisa M. about Gorges State Park.
Electrical service: Check for specific hookup capabilities when booking. "This is a decent campground with a small RV loop and a handful of sites with water and electric.....well if the electric actually worked. Twice in one week this campground experienced a complete and total power outage each of which lasted for hours," reports Daniel G. about his stay at Keowee-Toxaway State Park.
Site leveling needs: Some mountain campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional equipment. "Site was not fully level, so we had to pull out the wheel levelers and go up about 4" on one side," shares Adam V. about his RV stay at Adventure Village and Lodgings.
