Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Linville, NC is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Linville, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Linville, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$24 - $999 / night
"Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families."
"The campground is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains...so beautiful! Quiet campground with hiking trails, small fishing lake, playgrounds, an arcade room, and camp store."
"This was our first stop on our first trip to North Carolina and now we don’t want to leave!"
"Headed up the road from Lake James to find this stunning view down into the gorge from our site.
Technically, the GPS coordinates for this site will take you a little further up the road."
$30 - $45 / night
"Another lovely campground along the BRP, close to Linville Falls and gorge, picnic area and visitor center."
"Easy access to the trails around and over Linville Gorge. You can easily spend 2 days exploring trails along both sides of Linville Gorge and staring at the Falls."
"It has free tent campsites and it is right next to Linville Gorge. This allows plenty of adventurous trails ranging in difficulty."
"We’ve primitive camped in the Linville Gorge Wilderness for many years and absolutely love it. It’s peaceful and secluded and the views are absolutely gorgeous."
$28 - $181 / night
"Hidden Creek not only has a nice creek running through the campground within 20 feet of my site, but also the nature trail is off the beaten path from the very active campground along a small river."
"Gem mines, waterfalls, brewery and shopping in nearby Asheville. There is plenty to do year round, make sure to buy a family pass for games etc. they really cater to family oriented fun."
"The close proximity to Linville Falls, Blowing Rock and the Blue Ridge Parkway was perfect. We will definitely be back to explore the area more."
"Friends of my went and paddled the Wilson Gorge close by. Tubed down the river, just plenty to do for a weekend trip."
"We often camp in and around the Linville Gorge area, mostly in the primitive campsites down in the Gorge on Linville River.
We stayed before Hurricane Helene but haven't been back since then."
"Take 221 to linville falls, right on 183, and right onto kistler memorial highway. It’s a dirt road but no issues with my Subaru Forester. I camped here in December 2020 and didn’t see anyone else."
$28 - $56 / night
"They'll deliver firewood ($5) to your site by golf cart, they even will collect your site fees as they drive around."
"This is a wonderful spot to be to explore the surrounding areas:
- The famous Mount Mitchell trail, starts a short walking distance from the campground."
$10 / night
"I would not recommend this for someone unfamiliar with driving a rig but once we got there it was amazing."
"Was able to get two sites right next to each other outside the main campsite area which was great."
$21 - $36 / night
"This is a brand new tent and cabin campground built by Duke Energy and run by McDowell county on Lake James."
"Host was great, camp site are far enough away from each other some are close enough for couple families together, bathrooms are clean and private beautiful area must try, only wish they had a first come"
GuideThis is my new favorite campground! There are trees everywhere and there really isn't a bad spot! Some sites were right on the creek (sites 40 and 41 were great). The tent camping area is beautiful and one of the best I've seen. We were at site 9, one of the only pull-through sites. We had water and electric and some sites have FHU. There are a lot of beautiful hikes in the area. No cell service, but there is (slow) wifi throughout the campground. There is a Verizon hotspot to make calls, but I couldn't connect with US Cellular. We will definitely be back!
ScoutAs a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.
ScoutMe and wife passing through. Stayed over weekend loved it
ScoutAs a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.
TravelerThis place is amazing, Free and clean campsites.
ScoutTent 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.
GuideSpent two nights here at a site right next to the creek, which was awesome listening to the running water as you fall asleep. Easy to get to, just a forest service road. A 4x4 makes it easy but there were minivans and junkyard beaters driving by. There are multiple sites along the service road and not too close to each other.
GuideThis is a great spot along a mountain ridge. The dirt road goes for about 13 miles. Would recommend a 4x4, but I’ve seen all kinds of vehicles travel the entire road from minivans to Honda accords. There are plenty of spots to choose from. Some have great views of the valley and table top mountain and others are just nooks in the woods. The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am). Some sites are right off of the road which could get annoying from all the traffic of people going to the hiking trails nearby. And there are spots tucked away a bit off of the road where you really don’t notice trucks and cars driving by. Awesome place for a weekend getaway! Definitely going to visit again.
P.S. only 4 stars because there are only about 3-5 sites with a great view!
ScoutFR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you are caught walking beyond the gate. Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out. The water system is also destroyed as well as the road network in the campground. There have been no announcements by the Forest Service about plans to repair the facility and, after a year, my guess is that there never will be.
Camping near Linville, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Linville, North Carolina, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Linville Gorge in North Carolina?
Linville Gorge offers several excellent camping options. Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he provides primitive sites along the Linville Gorge Trail and by the river, though permits may be required. Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping features numerous free boondocking spots with breathtaking mountain views. For those seeking more amenities, nearby options include Buck Hill Campground and Linville Falls Campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The area provides a mix of established campgrounds with facilities and rugged wilderness camping depending on your preference.
What amenities are available at Linville River Campground?
Linville River camping areas primarily offer primitive experiences with minimal amenities. At Linville Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll find basic facilities including potable water, flush toilets, and fire rings. For those seeking riverside camping with more comfort, Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina provides clean showers, bathrooms, spacious sites with good privacy, and access to numerous hiking trails. Most dispersed camping options along the Linville River are primitive with no facilities, requiring campers to pack in water and practice Leave No Trace principles. Cell service is limited throughout the gorge area.
When is the best time of year to camp in Linville, NC?
Spring through fall offers the best camping in Linville, with late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) being ideal for moderate temperatures and smaller crowds. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway is particularly enjoyable in spring and fall when it's less crowded. Summer provides warm days perfect for exploring waterfalls and swimming holes, though popular campgrounds like Spacious Skies Bear Den fill quickly. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to potential snow and closures along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Always check weather forecasts and campground seasonal operations before planning your trip.
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