The Blue Ridge Mountains near Little Switzerland, North Carolina sit at elevations ranging from 3,000 to over 6,600 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Temperature drops of 10-15 degrees from valley floors to mountain peaks are common, with nighttime temperatures in fall often dipping into the 40s even when daytime highs reach the 70s. The region's unique geography creates small "thermal pockets" where glamping in Little Switzerland experiences different weather than sites just a few miles away.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: 1-mile trail at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area leads to cascading water. "There is a swimming hole and a fishing hole, both well-maintained. About a 30 minute drive from Mount Mitchell, and it's a beautiful drive on the parkway," notes a camper who visited with family.
Fishing in stocked ponds: 4-season access at Buck Hill Campground offers trout fishing opportunities without long hikes. "There is a little bit of everything here. Mountain location meets all the view requirements to include the rushing stream as you come in. Add a little creek through the middle and a fishing pond; what more do you need?" writes a reviewer.
Mountain summit exploration: 6,684-foot elevation at Mount Mitchell State Park provides the highest point east of the Mississippi. "With so much darkness, the other side of the river looked like a sparkling Christmas tree with the fireflies dancing their magic!" reports a camper who enjoyed the night sky views from a nearby campground.
Gem mining: Family-friendly activity located within 20 minutes of many campgrounds. "Emerald village is great and there is a trout farm you can visit and catch dinner guaranteed!" shares a visitor who stayed at Hidden Creek during Halloween festivities.
What campers like
Natural water features: Riverside sites at Black Mountain Campground are popular for their calming sounds. "Oh yeah! Awesome sites with great views, great trails, and spotless facilities! We stayed at a site right on the river and could hear the water flowing the whole time we were there," writes a camper who enjoyed the riverside location.
Cooler temperatures: 15-degree difference from surrounding areas makes mountain camping comfortable in summer. "We left home and the temperature was well into the high 90's, however the temperature on top of the mountain never came above 62!" reports a family who camped at Mount Mitchell.
Stargazing: Dark sky viewing is exceptional at higher elevations. "Our first night on this trip, the sky was clear and we could see the milky way!" shares a camper who stayed at Mount Mitchell State Park Campground.
Private decks: Elevated platforms at Mountain Stream RV Park offer unique camping experiences. "The deck over the rushing stream was a perfect place to sip coffee in the mornings and whiskey in the evenings," says a reviewer who appreciated the unique site layout.
What you should know
Cell service variations: Limited connectivity in many valley locations. "There is no cell service on T-Mobile or Verizon inside the camp. BUT, let's say you have a Verizon phone, and you really really need to talk to someone - well, here's the hint of the day. Walk down the main access road toward the junction with your phone on. Pass up all three of the private residences on the right, and you'll finally come to a stand of three trees growing together - ta-dah... you get two bars of Verizon in this exact spot," explains a camper at Black Mountain Campground.
Weather unpredictability: Rapid changes common at higher elevations. "Do pay attention to the weather, listed on the state park website. Wind gusts easily get into the double digits, and if you aren't prepared for that, it can be alarming, especially while tent camping," cautions a repeat visitor to Mount Mitchell.
Limited campsite availability: 9 total sites at Mount Mitchell State Park Campground, requiring advance planning. "This campground is usually packed with tourists coming to check out the parkway. It's a small campground, 9 sites total, the sites are relatively close together," notes one camper.
Seasonal closures: Limited winter access at most campgrounds with seasonal operations. "The campground is open from May 1 to Oct 31...but if you walk-in to the sites, as in via the trails, you can rent a site almost all year," shares a visitor to Mount Mitchell.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming holes: Shallow water access for children at multiple locations. "Great campground! We are tent campers and loved our time here! The campgrounds clean and the owners are super nice and helpful. We have a dog and love the dog park! The bathrooms are very clean and nice!" explains a camper at Linville Falls Campground.
Playground options: Multiple play areas at several campgrounds accommodate different age groups. "My two teenage boys and I stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture. The resort is kind of small but there are a few playgrounds and a small pond to go swimming and fishing in, and several hiking trails," shares a visitor to Bear Den.
Halloween festivities: Special October events make fall camping more engaging for children. "Halloween is awesome here, plan on a solid week here to see things in the area. Gem mines, waterfalls, brewery and shopping in nearby Asheville. They really cater to family oriented fun," notes a camper who enjoyed the seasonal activities.
Glamping accommodations: Comfortable alternatives to traditional tent camping include yurts and cabins. "The tiny homes and cabins looked enticing, but the other tent sites were a bit rough. There were several platforms, which are so helpful for wet camping trips," observes a family who stayed at Buck Hill Campground.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Steep approach roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. "Getting to know the owners and all the people who ran the campground BUT now that is is apart of a large corporation or hedge fund and people looking to satisfy shareholders it's not as fun. Sure we love the location (hint here if pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain.)," advises an RVer who has visited Spacious Skies Bear Den since 1995.
Level site availability: Gravel pads at many campgrounds provide stable surfaces for larger rigs. "The RV Sites are level. The bath house is clean. The WiFi is A++, can you say streaming?! You have your choice of open site or one with tree cover," notes a visitor to Buck Hill Campground.
Hookup variations: Full-service options limited at higher elevations. "Our site had a full hook up, electric and water (even with temps in the low 20's at night), we had a fire ring (or square), a picnic table perched on the deck, cantilevered over the stream, and lovely (back-in) site with privacy and shade," describes an RVer at Mountain Stream RV Park.
