Best Tent Camping near Marion, NC

State parks and national forests surrounding Marion, North Carolina provide diverse tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Lake James State Park offers two distinct tent campgrounds: Catawba River and Paddy's Creek, both featuring walk-in tent sites with water access. Catawba River campground has a circular path leading to waterfront sites that are particularly popular among tent campers. Black Bear Campground, rated highly for its spacious tent sites, provides basic amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilets. For those seeking more seclusion, Pisgah National Forest offers dispersed backcountry tent camping with fewer amenities but greater privacy.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature dirt or gravel pads with varying degrees of levelness. Access roads to primitive tent camping areas often require careful navigation, with Mortimer Campground requiring at least 9 miles of dirt road travel. Fire rings are standard at established sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Tent campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, particularly at higher elevations where temperatures can drop significantly at night even during summer months. Bear activity is common throughout the region, so proper food storage is essential at all tent sites. Most established campgrounds provide toilets, but backcountry tent sites typically require campers to follow Leave No Trace principles.

Tent-only sites often provide a more authentic outdoor experience than mixed-use campgrounds. According to a recent visitor at Catawba River campground, "The sites were all unique and cozy in a little circle path that takes you down by the water, with many nice places to hang a hammock." Campers at Briar Bottom Group Campground noted the importance of securing food items, as "black bears will come take it if not." The walk-in tent sites at Mortimer Campground are described as "more private" than the drive-in options. During peak summer months, higher elevation tent sites offer relief from heat, while spring and fall provide comfortable temperatures for primitive tent camping throughout the region.

Best Tent Sites Near Marion, North Carolina (66)

    1. Black Bear Campground

    5 Reviews
    Marion, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 803-5819

    $21 - $36 / night

    "Excellent campground there’s ice and firewood so you don’t have to make special trips to the nearest convenience store. They charge it directly to your card. The host was wonderful."

    "This is a brand new tent and cabin campground built by Duke Energy and run by McDowell county on Lake James."

    2. Paddy's Creek — Lake James State Park

    2 Reviews
    Linville, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 544-6800

    $27 / night

    "I needed some lake time and it didn't disappoint!

    The campground is a 2-minute drive (6-minute bike ride) down to the beach and there is a huge swimming area there."

    "We visited the Paddy Creek campground at Lake James last year. The campsite was impeccably maintained with the cleanest bath/shower house I have ever experienced camping."

    3. Catawba River — Lake James State Park

    1 Review
    Linville, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 544-6800

    $27 / night

    "We stayed at the Catawba River campground which you can park and walk-in to your campsite. The sites were all so unique and cozy in a little circle path that takes you down by the water."

    4. Pisgah National Forest Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    Barnardsville, NC
    22 miles

    "Definitely some disrespectful neighbors but sites aren't closely packed. Get there early as possible as people can post up for a week there. Great launch pad for hiking and mountain biking."

    "It wasn't officially designated but it was used as a campsite. You'll need four wheel drive to get in and out of it though."

    5. Camp Attocoa

    1 Review
    Glen Alpine, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 413-4973

    6. Briar Bottom Group Campground

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

    $125 / night

    "Briar Bottom Campground is located in the heart of Pisgah National Forest, close to several hiking trails."

    "Bathrooms are shared with other group sites. Outdoor spicier at every site along with picnic tables under shelter and a campfire ring. Great spot to take the family. We went for 6 years straight."

    7. Maple Camp Bald

    3 Reviews
    Pisgah National Forest, NC
    16 miles
    Website

    "A little below where we set up camp, we found a natural spring for water and theres a decent amount of firewood around. We parked at the top of Mt."

    "It’s a 6 mile hike up Maple Camp Ridge on trail 191 (Buncombe Horse Range) starting from a small parking lot close to Carolina Hemlocks Campground."

    8. Steele Creek

    4 Reviews
    Jonas Ridge, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 652-2144

    "I have stayed at all the free campsites around and left my review for each. This is by far the quietest, nicest, cleanest , site yet !"

    "There’s a nice big spot at the end of the trail where you could rooftop tent/car camp, but the actual site is about 100’ away."

    9. Mortimer Campground — National Forests In North Carolina

    10 Reviews
    Collettsville, NC
    25 miles
    +1 (828) 652-2144

    $20 - $30 / night

    "The 5 upfront are walk in, and more private. The about to be 12 in the back are pull in and much closer together. Two shower houses, one on both ends, no hookups."

    "Had some friends stay next to us in a class b. A small trailer would fit, nothing big. No W/E/S but great place. Come early to reserve. You must set up camp immediately. No reservations."

    10. Upper Falls Campsite

    1 Review
    Casar, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 433-4772

    $15 / night

    "Site 3&4 are my favorites because they are close to water access (bring a good filter). Plenty of trees to choose from for a hammock setup."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 66 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Marion, NC

1361 Reviews of 66 Marion Campgrounds


  • Dave V.
    Aug. 29, 2017

    Mount Mitchell State Park Campground

    Lofty Blue Ridge Experience

    Mount Mitchell State Park, highest peak east of the Mississippi...6,684ft elevation... is located on The Blue Ridge Parkway, but it is still a bit of a climb (for foot or vehicle traffic) to get to the summit. https://www.ncparks.gov/mount-mitchell-state-park

    Getting here the day after the solar eclipse, it was still pretty busy...and if you are traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway...speed is only 45 mph, so do your calculations. There are only nine, yes, count them...nine tent camping sites. So reservations are a must if you want a site! 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. You get a timber lined tent pad, a crushed limestone area with picnic table, wooden lantern post, and a fire ring with flip grate...and a bear secure food storage bin. There are flush toilets between sites 3 and 7... and two water spigots nearby.

    If campsites are full and you desire to hike the trails, you can register your vehicle with office, leave it there in the parking lot and locate a place to make camp along the trails. There are also several free roadside sites marked with a brown plastic post with a small tent emblem on them. Ordinarily these are along a stream where you can gather water (filter it!)...but it is primitive (LNT!).

    The park has a restaurant, a museum, gift shop and an observation tower at the summit. Pretty cool that the observation tower is ADA...but steep.

    Check weather reports. These mountains make their own weather. And remember, for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, temperature decreases by 3 degrees (roughly...there is constant debate). So pack wisely. Surprisingly, though reports called for rain...we saw none.

    Great hiking and long mountain views are one of the draws. The walk up the Observation trail is paved but steep, so give yourself some time if you are wanting to capture the sunset. If hiking, there are a myriad of sites that offer maps, levels of difficulty and recommendations. Did I mention that if you are planning to hike for the day...plan and pack for weather?

    A worthwhile place to pitch your tent, but there are also several other campgrounds at lower elevations that also have great trails and more amenities.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area

    Beautiful & Free but Lots of Road Noise

    Just on the edge of Watauga Lake sits this free dispersed camping area that is perfect for tent camping only. This is a park outside the gate and walk your gear in type of place, some bring your IKEA bags or a wagon. Opportunities for fishing and boating are abundant. Most of campsites are large, very shaded, and have at least one fire ring. A handful of sites have direct water access, and are more private. 

    There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground. Please Leave No Trace! Also, we would not recommend camping here on a busy weekend because the road is very close and the trucks are very loud! 

    The nearest town is Butler, which is small but offers the basics such as groceries and gas.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2019

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Older Campground with Great Location

    Julian Price Campground is part of the Julian Price Memorial Park, which is along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the northern part of North Carolina. I have heard about this park for many years, so I wanted to finally camp there. It is an older park, and it shows. We stayed at site A4, and I chose this site for a few reasons. It was close to the lake, but unfortunately, we couldn’t see the lake from the site. Many of the sites in the A loop are reservable, and they have been reserved for several weeks(maybe months) in advance. They are the best sites as far as seeing the lake and sometimes because they are larger. The worst part I discovered about sites in the A loop is that you can hear traffic from the Blue Ridge Parkway all day long except for two to three hours in the middle of the night(about 1:30 to 4:30). On average, you can count on about twenty-five vehicles every five minutes(I know because I counted). It doesn’t help that the parkway is under construction and the road is gravel, which makes the sounds of vehicles even louder. The restrooms in A loop are old and need updating. There are no showers in A loop. The only showers are between B and D loops, which are on the other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. On the positive side, the showers in a new bath house, and they are private shower/restroom units. We rode through all of the loops to see what the other sites were like, and some of the sites are seldom used if the picnic tables and surrounding vegetation is any indication. Some of the picnic tables are covered in moss. Those were mostly in the sites that were small or sloped. For that reason, it is a good idea to look at the photos on the website for each site before reserving. Many of the sites are walk-in sites and you can set up before the 3:00 time for reservable sites. As far as activities, there is no swimming, but fishing is allowed. There is also a boat ramp, and you can rent canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. The lake is hatchery supported, and I did witness someone catching a fish as we walked along the lake trail. While we were in this area, we saw several small deer, including one that came through our campsite. Our campsite was spacious, and it had a concrete picnic table, a fire ring, a lantern pole, and a tent pad. The tent pad needed some maintenance since the dirt had washed onto it and made it slightly sloped. Not until later did I discover that there was a tall dead tree next to our tent. Only the top part was dead, but it could be a potential danger. The site next to ours was sectioned off because of a dead tree. If you are staying in A loop, I give it two stars, especially since the sites and bath house need maintenance, and because of the road noise. If you are staying in B or D loop, I would give it three or four stars. The sites in E loop are mainly for RVs and have less shade. One section in the A loop also is an open field and has limited shade. Overall, it’s not a bad choice for a campground, but it needs updating. What it has going for it is location. It is along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cone Memorial Park is down the road, which is a great destination in itself. There are lots of hiking trails and the beauty of the mountains is spectacular.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 23, 2022

    Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    Shade, Shade and more Shade!

    PROS 

    Discounted camp fee with senior pass 

    Reserved 169 days prior to arriving 

    Friendly and helpful gate attendant 

    Nearly 100% shade at each site 

    Excellent dark sky viewing 

    Private sites with large space along with vegetation between sites 

    Very quiet 

    Asphalt parking pad surrounded with bean size gravel 

    Concrete picnic table 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

    2 hook lantern pole 

    Electric at water connection for heated water hose connection 

    Recycle bins in campground loop 

    Trash dumpsters immediately out of campground loop 

    Firewood for sale but gate attendant told us to buy at Ingles (grocery store) where it is $3 bundle cheaper and we did! 

    Next to North Carolina Arboretum 

    Close to Asheville Outlet Mall and Camping World 

    CONS 

    3 bear sitings a day prior to our arrival in campground, according to gate attendant 

    No overnight gate closure even tho RULES proved at check-in stated gates closed at 10pm, but no open hours in RULES

     Lakeview site 38 not level 

    Up hill sewer connection at Lakeview site 38 

    Fire ring not cleared of ash upon our arrival 

    Non-moveable concrete picnic table and beyond camper awning 

    2 toilets and 2 showers for entire Lakeview Loop (21 campsites). There were lines! 

    Low hanging tree branches over roadways and roadside tree branches over roadways so it was a maneuvering obstacle challenge to not scrape camper roof and sides Campground roads narrow with tight curves along with roadway asphalt dropped off to steep shoulders; could be challenging to novice rig drivers (as we witnessed that more than once) 

    Two-and- a-half-mile drive on a twisty hilly road through residential neighborhood to get to the campground 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • Katrin M.
    Aug. 14, 2023

    Mount Mitchell State Park Campground

    Absolutely stunning

    First of all... it is very hard to reserve a campsite for the weekend. And I completely understand why. It is simply beautiful. The campground has just 9 walk in sites. We stayed at site number 1 which is the closest to the parking lot. It was very private ( I think the most private of all) but number 5 and 6 have the best views. All campsites come with a firepit, picnic table, and a lantern pole.
    The bathhouse is very clean but had no showers or hot water. A very nice ranger sold us some firewood which was available in the parking lot. There are several ways to go up to the summit. You can hike 0.6 miles, which starts on top of the campground, or you drive up. On top of the mountain is a observation tower, a gift shop, a little museum, and a drink and snack bar. The fact I loved the most, was the the nice cool temperature. It was in the lower 70's during the day and about 50 at night. Be careful with the weather. It can change very quickly. A ranger came by and warned us about a coming thunderstorm. We found shelter on the porch of the bathhouse. It was very nice to watch the rain and the wind. We would camp here anytime again. It is really worth it.

  • D
    Sep. 25, 2020

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Great high country campground

    This campground is minutes from Blowing Rock NC, which makes it super popular. There are restaurants and grocery stores nearby. There are two sides: the A-side is next to the lake but has no showers, just flush toilets, water spigots, and a food storage area. The other side has newer bathhouses.

    RV spots have electric hookups, tent spots do not. Many on lakeside have to be reserved in advance and are not as isolated as they may appear on the recreation.gov website. If you are thinking the “first come first served campsites” that are lakeside will be up for grabs at any given time you will be disappointed. I would recommend reserving one if possible. Tent pads are decent and will have some small gravel in them, they will for a standard six persons tent but that’s about it. Fire rings are standard size and sites have a lantern post, along with a cement top picnic table.

    Note that if you are towing a trailer and tenting you may have issues finding a place to park. Solid campground with friendly staff.

  • S
    Aug. 28, 2018

    Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    Great, quiet campground with clean restrooms and hot showers

    We took our 5 and 3 year old sons camping here this past weekend and had a great time.

    Site: Our site was on the Hard Times loop which offered huge, flat gravel pads (our site was an RV site but also perfect for tent camping since it's pea gravel and not paved). If you have a 6-person or larger tent, opt for a gravel RV site, as you'll get tons more room than the "tent-only" sites which have the tent pad surrounded with railroad ties.

    Facilities: Powhatan really takes care of their facilities. Restrooms were cleaned multiple times per day and the showers are clean and the water was actually hot - awesome after a day of hiking before jumping in the sleeping bag. Gate house sells ice and firewood too.

    Activities: Tons of trails within Bent Creek but are mainly geared towards mountain bikers. Had to be on constant alert with my kids and dog, as the bikers absolutely bomb down these trails. Similar to hiking in Dupont but with a heavier concentration of mountain bikers. This was the only downside of camping here but there are some great hiking-only trails off the BRP just 30 min away. I wish the trail system worked its way through the campgrounds, as we had to walk a ways down the main paved road to access any trailheads.

  • Holly H.
    Aug. 10, 2021

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Large Wooded Campsites + Tons of Trails & Beautiful Lake!

    Had a great time at Julian Price Campground! ⛺️ 🌲 

    We had 2 groups and reserved sites B29 & B30 because they seemed more remote with water, restrooms, and trail access nearby. I could not have been happier about our sites!

    LOVELY trees, shade, and close to everything we needed. This is a BIG campground and some sections have sites all smooshed together – we had plenty of room to ourselves at the edge of the woods by the start of the Boone Fork Trail. This trail connects to several others and is an awesome spot for wanderers to go for a walk or pick up some fallen branches to process while you mess around at camp or cook dinner.

    We had a fantastic time and would love to go again! 

    Notes: 

    • We went August 2021, so it was really busy. People getting in a bit of camping before school starts… and maybe also looking to escape being cooped up during the pandemic. 

    • Weather was low 80's daytime, 60's nighttime. Rained a couple of hours one evening, but clear otherwise. 

    • Very peaceful & beautiful woods. Great trails! Lots of trees to hang a rain cover or hammocks. Plenty of down branches up the trail to use for extra wood. Stumps at the site for sitting or chopping up some kindling. Saw deer and rabbits about! 

    • Some of the tent sites looked small and hilly, but B29 & 30 were big & pretty level.

    • Sites had big fire rings with grills that come down over them. Ours was not exactly level, but got the job done. Stone picnic table with wood-top benches seat 4-6. Lots of space for extra chairs, etc around the campfire. 

    • These sites were really great, but got a bit of traffic because of the water access, restrooms, and trail that ran between the sites. People were walking and driving by often – which wasn't a problem, but it might be good to know beforehand. 

    • SOUND CARRIES here! It was a bit noisy some nights. 

    • Tent pad is dirt & rocks – we picked out any big ones before setting up and had yoga mats under our sleeping bags, but the ground was still hard. Definitely think about bringing a thicker pad or something inflatable if you prefer that. 

    • The lake is nearby and fun for canoes & kayaking! People fishing, too. The boathouse sells snacks, drinks, firewood, and bait. 

    • The campground is well maintained and the hosts were around often to clean the bathrooms, check on campers, etc. Very friendly! 

    • Hard to tell from the map, but the bathroom by B29 & B30 is NOT the one with showers. Showers are located at the larger facility in the middle of loop D, but there is a short path that runs from the back of this restroom to that area. The folks in our group that used them said they were wonderful. 

    • Loop B's bathroom does not have lights, so bring a lantern

    • EASY drive in & out, right on the blue ridge parkway. A short drive (20 min?) from Grandfather mountain which was AWESOME!! 

    • AT&T had really spotty connection – OK for intermittent texting & I got sporadic emails… but on-demand internet usage was basically nonexistent. The boathouse has wifi, though!

    • Check in@ 3pm, Check out@ 12pm.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Crabtree Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Campground in the Forest

    On the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled in the trees and mountains of North Carolina, this campground is an older style NPS campground, but has been well maintained. Sites are back-in and pull through on the side of site. Most sites will allow for 30’ rigs. All sites have picnic table and built-in fire pits. There are no hookups. There are no showers in the trailer (RV) loop, but does include a couple comfort station with flush toilets. Campground Ranger was helpful and very friendly. Sites are split between first come first serve and reservations. Payment made with Ranger by cash or credit card. At $30 per site per day, the price is a little steep.


Guide to Marion

Tent camping near Marion, North Carolina offers diverse options from lakeside sites to mountain retreats in Pisgah National Forest. The region sits at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,400 to 6,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 85°F during day but can drop to 55°F at night, particularly at higher elevations.

What to do

Waterfall hiking: Several trails lead to waterfalls within minutes of campsites. At Mortimer Campground, campers can access "a 1/2 mile round trip hike to a waterfall on the property!" as noted by Tanner G., who added it has "Beautiful, clean grounds."

Creek swimming: Wilson Creek area provides natural swimming spots perfect for summer cooling. One visitor to Steele Creek found "a walking trail at the end of the road about 100 feet from our site, that had the best swimming hole at the end of it, where you can jump in. It has a couple small waterfalls to add to the ambience."

Mountain biking: Trails throughout Pisgah National Forest accommodate various skill levels. As Jason O. mentions about Mortimer Campground, there are "plenty of outdoor activities in Wilson creek area. Biking, hiking, fishing, etc."

Fishing: Catawba River and nearby streams offer trout fishing opportunities. At Black Bear Campground, campers appreciate the "boat ramp very close by, a fishing dock, picnic area, trails in and around the campground," according to Robin B.

What campers like

Privacy levels: Walk-in tent sites often provide more seclusion. Diana C. notes about Mortimer Campground that "the sites were close enough together that we didn't have much privacy," but recommends it for "a family who likes lots of company."

Water proximity: Many campers prefer sites near creeks or lakes. Kylie B. says Steele Creek is "by far the quietest, nicest, cleanest site yet! There are plenty of sites to pick from all along the creek, all of which appear to be well maintained, each with a fire ring."

Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms are available at several campgrounds. One visitor to Paddy's Creek found "the cleanest bath/shower house I have ever experienced camping," and noted the campsite was "impeccably maintained."

Group accommodations: Some campgrounds specialize in hosting larger parties. Katy S. describes Briar Bottom Group Campground as having "6 group sites, each one spacious enough to host a hiking group, a group of friends or an extended family" with "a huge covered shelter with a number of picnic tables underneath, which is super nice in the rain."

What you should know

Road conditions: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. About Mortimer Campground, Clementine K. warns there are "9 miles, minimum, of dirt roads getting in, so pack accordingly. Quick trips don't happen."

Limited cell service: Most forest campgrounds have no connectivity. At Camp Attocoa, described as a "True outdoorsman's find," Jay H. notes the "Private owned, water and wood on site. The owner will have you park and will haul you and your gear in and out."

Wildlife precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage. Briar Bottom Group Campground visitors note "Make sure to lock up all your food the black bears will come take it if not."

Water sources: Some sites require bringing your own water. Justin Z. recommends for Maple Camp Bald "packing in enough water for your stay because there is not a water source at the site. Also no cell service."

Site availability: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly on weekends. Michael W. advises about Steele Creek: "Maybe I missed this in the reviews, but all but 1 site were best for tents. I drove in to camp in my car and there was only 1 spot, which is by the creek crossing, and it was already taken."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water play: Multiple campgrounds offer safe creek access. Kenny L. calls Steele Creek a "Great camping spot with access to the creek for swimming."

Trail difficulty ratings: Choose appropriate hikes for children. Karen B. notes Mortimer Campground is a "great family campground. There are bathrooms and showers. There are trails and even a waterfall within half a mile from camp."

Campground amenities: Some sites offer more comfort for young campers. According to Chad K., Mortimer Campground has "many of the campsites situated along Thorps Creek, so the sound of the creek can lull you to sleep." He adds there are "Two trailheads on the campground, one of which is a beautiful and easy hike to a small waterfall."

Site selection: Choose sites based on privacy needs. Clementine K. explains that at Mortimer Campground, "The 5 upfront are walk in, and more private. The about to be 12 in the back are pull in and much closer together."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most forest campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs only. Cody B. says about Mortimer Campground, "We stayed in a tent. Had some friends stay next to us in a class b. A small trailer would fit, nothing big."

Access challenges: Narrow forest roads require careful navigation. Tony E. cautions about Mortimer Campground, "This campground is down a pretty long gravel road, so it's best to have what you need when you arrive. No quick trips to Wally World for resupply here."

Weather considerations: Flooding can affect access. Tony notes, "Some of the sites can be a little muddy after wet weather. Many are closed off because they are prone to flooding."

Limited hookups: Most tent camping areas near Marion lack RV services. Raul G. from Black Bear Campground suggests asking about shade: "The site we stayed in did not although surrounded by trees by midafternoon in the middle of June we were cooking like grandma's chocolate cookies after Sunday service. During the fall or winter months those sites with less shade would really help."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Marion, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marion, NC is Black Bear Campground with a 5-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Marion, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 66 tent camping locations near Marion, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.