North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest surrounds Mars Hill with dense woodlands at elevations between 2,000 and 6,684 feet. The region experiences moderate temperatures in spring and fall with average daytime temperatures of 60-75°F, while summer days reach 85-90°F and winter nights often drop below freezing. Yurt camping near Mars Hill offers travelers weather-resistant accommodation options during periods of heavy rainfall that commonly occur during afternoon thunderstorms in summer months.
What to do
Hike Mount Mitchell Trail: Start at Black Mountain Campground for an 11.2-mile round-trip hike to the highest peak east of the Mississippi. "From here you can climb 4,000ft to the summit of Mt Mitchell. It's a great, challenging hike with many rewards along the way," notes David M.
Visit natural hot springs: Located 25 minutes from Mars Hill, the town of Hot Springs offers mineral baths after hiking. A camper at Hot Springs Campground shares, "We have spent many great times at Hot Springs camp grounds! Can play on the French broad river and then take a soak in the hot mineral tubs!"
Explore the French Broad River: The river offers swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities within 15 minutes of Mars Hill. "Right on the river. Walk into town for restaurants and brews! Walk to spa for soak in hot tub!!" mentions Roxanne R. about riverside camping.
Blue Ridge Parkway drives: Access parkway entrance points within 20 minutes of Mars Hill for scenic drives. "Being right on the Parkway was awesome and provided some great driving and hiking close by," says Charles S. who camped at Bear Den.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Lake Powhatan Campground receives praise for maintenance. "The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside. The staff was very helpful and friendly," reports Heather C.
Swimming holes: Many campsites feature access to natural swimming areas. At Carolina Hemlocks, "There is a swimming hole and a fishing hole, both well-maintained... Right by the river, which makes for wonderful sleeping at night," according to Alexis.
Mountain solitude: Higher elevation campgrounds offer escape from summer heat and crowds. A visitor notes, "The tent site was sufficiently distant from the more active RV area to feel removed. Situated in the woods on top of a mountain. There's a great lookout location with seating."
Riverside camping: Sites along water are most sought-after. "The tents sites along the river were great, once all of the travel trailers loaded up Sunday morning and pulled out it revealed beautiful grounds," says one camper about riverside locations.
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears are present throughout the region. At Campfire Lodgings, "This campground DOES have bears who visit the campground for food. There are no bear boxes provided... Anything square apparently, so store everything in your car," warns Julia K.
Seasonal weather patterns: Mountain weather changes rapidly. At Mount Mitchell, a camper reported, "The wind tossed our tent back and forth. It wasn't going anywhere but it kept her awake. Drove up and down the mountain in super fog. I could see about 5' in front of the car."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor connectivity. "There is no cell service on T-Mobile or Verizon inside the camp (small victory for nature)," shares a Black Mountain visitor.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer and fall. "This is a very small campground (only 9 sites) so be sure you plan accordingly," advises Sarah C. about Mount Mitchell State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Spacious Skies Bear Den offers family amenities. "Campground has all the amenities you could want. It has a small lake on property to fish or swim... Playground on site for the kids," notes Chris Y.
Look for yurt options: Yurt camping near Mars Hill provides stable shelter for family camping. "My two teenage boys and I stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture. There is a countertop next to the front door and plenty of room for all of our gear," shares Timothy H.
Consider noise levels: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "We stayed at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30pm. May be different in the Summer. My daughter had a blast," reports Charles S.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Mountain elevations mean cooler nights even in summer. "We left home and the temperate was well into the high 90's, however the temperate on top of the mountain never came above 62!" explains Erin D.
Tips from RVers
Check road access: Some campgrounds have steep approach roads. About Asheville West KOA, a visitor notes, "Considering the actual square footage of this KOA, there was a lot of unused space. The sites in a straight line are close, the ones in the curve have more room."
Look for premium sites: At some campgrounds, premium sites offer significantly better views or amenities. "We had a premium site overlooking the French Broad River and the surrounding valley. Breathtaking. It is a clean campground with very nice hosts," shares Jeff G.
Consider hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "Only 3 fifty amp full hook up sites. Lots of 30 amp and tent camping. Right on the river," mentions Sonya A. when describing Hot Springs Campground.
Research campground terrain: Some sites have challenging layouts or slopes. One camper advises, "Parking spot was also quite slanted up on the hill, which was fine for my truck but may not be ideal if you are sleeping in your vehicle!"
