RV sites near Mills River, North Carolina provide convenient access to both Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Situated at elevations between 2,000 and 3,500 feet, the region experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 10-15°F cooler than surrounding lowlands. Winter camping remains viable at many locations with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°F overnight, though several campgrounds operate seasonally.
What to do
Riverside activities: At Wilderness Cove Campground, tubing opportunities abound on the adjacent river. "Tubing is great, but the campsites and cabins are very limited," notes one visitor, highlighting the popularity of water activities despite space constraints.
Mountain biking access: The area serves as a gateway to renowned trail systems. "We enjoyed visiting some of the amazing mt bike trails and parks in the area," reported a camper at Rutledge Lake RV Resort who appreciated the proximity to regional outdoor recreation.
Urban exploration: Mills River's location between Asheville and Hendersonville enables cultural excursions. A camper staying at Wilson's Riverfront RV Park noted, "The French Broad River Greenway, a shared bike path, runs right through the campground and is great for taking you to nearby places by bike, like Carrier Park or ClimbMax Climbing Gym."
What campers like
Dog amenities: Pet owners appreciate designated areas at Red Gates RV Park. "They even have an off lead dog area with water available and poop bags. Their was a lake on the property to walk around and adds to the beauty of a walk," according to one satisfied guest.
Waterfront sites: Premium lakeside spots offer direct water access. At Rutledge Lake RV Resort, "Waterfront site was fairly level and loved being able to walk down stairs to lake area," mentioned one reviewer who enjoyed the convenience of lakeside camping.
Bath facilities: Clean restrooms rank high in camper satisfaction. "Pristine bath house! Pristine campground! We truly enjoyed our time here!" exclaimed one guest at Red Gates RV Park, while another visitor to Rutledge Lake noted, "The bathrooms are very nice, second only to Disney."
What you should know
Site variations: Not all campground spaces are created equal. At Bear Creek RV Park, a visitor observed, "Pull through spots...This is good campground if you are staying for the night passing through, or if you came to see Asheville and you will not be spending a lot of time at your camper. There is not a lot of space to hangout around your camper outside."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some locations. "You can hear noise from the interstate, but after a while, you get used to it," acknowledged a camper at Bear Creek RV Park, while another at Wilson's Riverfront mentioned it's "along highway (but noise really wasn't too bad)."
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access varies significantly. One camper at Rutledge Lake observed, "Overall WiFi was problematic. It took numerous attempts on my computer to connect to the numerous router networks that they have to finally get a connection, but once connected was able to get up to 1.2 MB/s, but often dropped to next to zero."
Tips for camping with families
Air conditioning amenities: For tent campers seeking comfort, Wilderness Cove Campground offers upgraded facilities. "The tent camping is not quite 'roughing it': there's pretty reliable WiFi and the bath house is air conditioned and kept very clean," noted a parent who camped with their 12-year-old.
Swimming options: Pools provide entertainment for children when available. "Pool was clean," reported a Rutledge Lake visitor, though seasonal operation limits availability at some parks.
Layout awareness: Some campgrounds have features requiring parental supervision. At Wilson's Riverfront, a visitor cautioned about "ditches dug on sites which could have been dangerous for kids."
Tips from RVers
Arrival protocols: Some Mills River area RV sites near Asheville have specific check-in procedures. At Land of Waterfalls RV Park, "Reservations and check-in was very easy and all online. When we arrived, we pulled right into our spot, and we were greeted by the camp host. She brought an info paper and treats for our dogs (and us humans)!"
Site accessibility: Access roads can present challenges for larger rigs. At Wilson's Riverfront, a camper warned, "When you come off the interstate you have to make a extremely hard right to get into park, not possible with a big rig...had to go up to the office/shop and turn around."
Park amenities: Community facilities enhance longer stays. Land of Waterfalls offers extras noted by visitors: "There is a little community shack with a Keurig, maps of the area, comfy chairs, and some small desk for a change of work scenery. There is also a nice big community yard with Adirondack chairs and fire pits."
