Best Campgrounds near Marion, NC

Camping near Marion, North Carolina encompasses a range of options from established campgrounds to free dispersed sites in the surrounding mountains. The area sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with several campgrounds providing access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Spacious Skies Bear Den and Mountain Stream RV Park offer developed camping experiences with full amenities, while Old NC 105 provides free dispersed camping opportunities between Lake James and Linville Falls. Riverbreeze Campground and Buck Creek RV Park are located within Marion proper, offering convenient access to town services. According to reviews, Spacious Skies Bear Den serves as "a perfect location for the Blue Ridge Parkway" with hiking trails, a fishing pond, and access to numerous waterfalls within 15 miles.

Most campgrounds in the Marion area operate seasonally from April through November, with limited year-round options. Summer temperatures can be significantly cooler at higher elevation sites, making them popular during hot months. Mount Mitchell State Park Campground, at higher elevation, provides relief from summer heat with temperatures often 10-15 degrees cooler than in Marion. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many sites, particularly those along forest roads and at higher elevations. Bear activity is common throughout the region, and proper food storage is essential. The dirt and gravel roads accessing dispersed camping areas like Old NC 105 can be rough but are generally passable for most vehicles, though 4WD is recommended after heavy rainfall.

The camping experiences vary widely based on location and elevation. Riverside sites along creeks and rivers are popular for their natural sound barriers and recreation opportunities. One visitor noted that Old NC 105 offers "about 5 camping spots along the road with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains," but advised arriving early or on weekdays to secure these prime locations. RV parks closer to town provide more amenities and hookups, while the dispersed sites offer more seclusion and direct access to nature. Black Mountain Campground (currently closed indefinitely) was known for its proximity to the Mount Mitchell Trail and shaded sites. Most campgrounds in the area are pet-friendly, though specific rules vary by location.

Best Camping Sites Near Marion, North Carolina (327)

    1. Spacious Skies Bear Den

    65 Reviews
    Spruce Pine, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 765-2888

    $24 - $999 / night

    "Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families."

    "Bear den was a perfect location for the Blue ridge parkway. We stayed at a two cabin lot that had a hot tub. Bear den has everything from RV camp sites to a game room."

    2. Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Linville, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 257-4200

    "This was our first stop on our first trip to North Carolina and now we don’t want to leave!"

    "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)."

    3. Curtis Creek Campground

    24 Reviews
    Old Fort, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 652-2144

    $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."

    4. Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    26 Reviews
    Montreat, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5616

    $28 - $56 / night

    "There are wonderful sites for families big and small around the central "soccer" field and sites for small-medium trailers and tents and camper vans in "Bear Alley" around the outside."

    "They'll deliver firewood ($5) to your site by golf cart, they even will collect your site fees as they drive around."

    5. Spacious Skies Hidden Creek

    15 Reviews
    Marion, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 652-7208

    $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."

    6. Mountain Stream RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Pisgah National Forest, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 724-9013

    $48 - $65 / night

    "There is alot to see somewhat close by too. We did Chimney Rock & Linville Falls, both absolutely beautiful!"

    "Located near many great hikes and river access. My Mitchell is about 60 minutes away on a beautiful drive. If you like peaceful and quiet campgrounds this is the place for you!"

    7. Asheville East KOA

    52 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-3121

    $50 / night

    "As typical of a KOA, they shove you in there so you are very close to your neighbors. The stars of the park are the riverfront sites."

    "My only gripe (and I know it’s not a huge deal) is the trailer park situated right by the fence that separates from the KOA."

    8. Buck Creek

    8 Reviews
    Marion, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 724-4888

    $45 - $69 / night

    "I moved to site 19, which is not on the creek but on the edge of the field. It was very level as well, and all hookups worked fine."

    "The campsites are a bit close to each other, but they are well maintained."

    9. Mount Mitchell State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Pisgah National Forest, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-4611

    $27 / night

    "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 amost all year.

    Tent sites are small, but nice."

    "There are plenty of tent camping sites along the Mountain to Sea trail and throughout the park. I camped by Commissary Ridge next to a small Creek and an excellent view of sunrise."

    10. Riverbreeze Campground

    8 Reviews
    Marion, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 925-8524

    $45 - $75 / night

    "The town of Marion is very close and a nice place to visit. There is also a Food Lion and several other stores for nearby shopping if you forget something."

    "Love it and the trails through the woods. Mostly quiet. Convenient to everything you need."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 327 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Marion, NC

1559 Reviews of 327 Marion Campgrounds


  • Shane N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Camp Stonefly

    Great small peacefully time

    Me and wife passing through. Stayed over weekend loved it

  • Gary S.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the Location, Left because of the Owners

    As 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Old NC 105 Dispersed

    Amazing views and Free camping

    This place is amazing, Free and clean campsites.

  • 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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NC

    Good spot!

    Spent 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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    This 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!

  • Robert B.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    FR472 & Black Mountain Campground Closed

    FR 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.

  • madison F.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Iron City Campground, Inc.

    great stop & stay

    nice campground. bathrooms and pool are CLEAN!!!! private bathrooms with showers. also has laundry ($) but has change for quarters in shop!! super big plus . also got a buddy site for the price of a normal one!

    not super crowded but still a nice community to be around :) 10 min drive into town as well. all sites have full hookups which was also super handy. not a bad price for what you get. only stayed two nights but would definitely stay again

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great place to stay just be aware of your surroundings

    Was a pretty nice camp site compared to a lot you just have to be aware of the people around you. Across from our campground there was another camper who seemed out of it who came up to us at 11:00pm and asked for tape for his tent. Also garbage bag and garbage on the ground at front of campsite. PEOPLE MAY NOT BE THE BEST AROUND YOU BUT THE SITES ARE GREAT!


Guide to Marion

Camping near Marion, North Carolina, offers a fantastic escape into nature with a variety of campgrounds that cater to different preferences. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there's something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the nearby hiking opportunities, especially at Davidson River Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Hiked the North Slope nearly 4 miles wore out the dogs perfectly!"
  • Fishing: The lakes and rivers in the region are great for fishing. Campers at Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina have enjoyed the fishing spots, with one stating, "The best thing about Lake Powhatan is the nice hike around the lake and the fun little lake beach."
  • Biking: Many campgrounds offer access to biking trails. A visitor at Roan Mountain State Park Campground noted, "We were able to access multiple mountain biking and hiking trails directly from the campsite."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Lake Powhatan highlighted, "The bathrooms were some of the cleanest we've seen."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A camper at Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway shared, "Quiet campground despite the number of sites."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the campground staff. One visitor at Asheville East KOA said, "The staff at the office and store are always nice."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park noted, "Site #48 does not have cell service for Verizon."
  • Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A review for Mount Pisgah Campground mentioned, "The campground was pretty busy during my stay."
  • No Showers at Some Sites: Not all campgrounds provide shower facilities. A camper at Julian Price Park Campground pointed out, "I didn’t realize that not all bath houses had showers."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly activities. One parent at Asheville East KOA mentioned, "There is a pool, playground, gaga ball pit, and fishing."
  • Space for Play: Choose campgrounds with ample space for kids to run around. A review for Bear Den Family Campground and Cabins noted, "Great campground. Big private sites, lots of activities for teens."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring your own food or check if the campground has a store. A camper at Lake Powhatan mentioned, "There is no camp store for extra supplies, but they do sell ice and plenty of firewood at the gate."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify the size of the RV sites. A reviewer at Kings Mountain State Park said, "The electric and water are in odd spots on each site."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight spots. A camper at Asheville East KOA noted, "Section A was extremely tight for navigating, parking, and camping."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds that offer amenities like dump stations and laundry facilities. A visitor at Roan Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground has laundry facilities, playgrounds, a small store with wood for sale on site."

Camping around Marion, NC, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Marion, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Marion, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 327 campgrounds and RV parks near Marion, NC and 25 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Marion, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Marion, NC is Spacious Skies Bear Den with a 4.7-star rating from 65 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Marion, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 free dispersed camping spots near Marion, NC.

What parks are near Marion, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Marion, NC that allow camping, notably Pisgah National Forest and National Forests in North Carolina.