The Mills River area provides camping access to over 15 miles of trout-filled streams and elevations from 2,100 to 3,400 feet throughout western North Carolina. Located between Asheville and Brevard, the Mills River corridor serves as a gateway to both Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Winter temperatures drop to the 20s, requiring campers to prepare for elevation-related temperature fluctuations when selecting camping sites near Mills River, North Carolina.
What to do
Mountain biking from camp: Davidson River provides exceptional trail access for cyclists. "I've stayed here numerous times. Great place and great MtB trails super close," according to Sherri T. The trails start "literally across the davidson river from the campground," making it easy to ride directly from your site without driving to trailheads.
Fishing multiple rivers: North Mills River Campground offers direct access to trout waters. "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish!" says Natalie M. Experienced anglers should try the trail that "heads back to the reservoir for some amazing fly fishing," according to Shannon K., who describes the area as her "backyard outdoor playground."
Waterfall exploration: Pisgah National Forest Davidson River Campground serves as a central base for visiting nearby cascades. "Several beautiful waterfalls can be accessed within a 5-15 min car ride," reports Angela. She recommends Moore Cove Falls as "a MUST and an easy trail that leads to the perfect waterfall for a good photo," plus Looking Glass Falls which has "steps going down [that] make this a breeze."
What campers like
River-adjacent sites: Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina offers spacious, wooded campsites with good separation between neighbors. "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations," notes Heather C. The campground design creates a sense of seclusion despite being "only 15 minutes or so away from the edge of Asheville," as Neil T. describes.
Higher elevation options: Mount Pisgah Campground sits at over 5,000 feet on the Blue Ridge Parkway. "Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer," explains Ulrich M., who has visited for over 30 years. The campground provides "amazing views a short hike away" according to Tia, who appreciated the secluded sites.
Campground cleanliness: North Mills River maintains excellent facilities. "The bathroom facilities may be limited in the off-season due to being unheated, but they were open during my stay," reports Jonathan N., who visited in November. Winter visitors report "the stream ran right by the campsite so listening to the stream as we went to bed was wonderful. Bathroom was clean. Site was clean."
What you should know
Seasonal closure schedule: Most Mills River area campgrounds operate on limited schedules, but North Mills River's season extends longer than most, typically "open from late March to December 28," providing an option for late autumn and early winter camping.
Bear safety requirements: Davidson River Campground equips sites with metal storage containers. "Each site comes with a bear box," notes one visitor, while another mentions hosts "spent the good part of one morning chasing a bear away due to someone leaving trash on their site."
Limited generator use: Wilson's Riverfront RV Park and others have noise restrictions. "Generator hours are very limited. If you are traveling during warmer months or must have AC, this is not the site for you," notes a summer visitor. Tree coverage at most campgrounds "provided us protection from the heat and did very well without AC in early August."
Off-season discounts: Jonathan N. found significant savings when camping in November: "Usually starting at $22 per night, after November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11 (hard to beat)!"
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Davidson River Campground provides safe river access. "The campground is right on the Davidson River with plenty of spots to get into the river for tubing, fishing and swimming either within or just outside of the camp grounds," reports Amy G., who visited with her family.
Playground availability: Lake Powhatan offers recreation facilities for younger children. The campground has "a great beach and lots of hiking and mountain bike trails," according to Phil L., making it suitable for families with varied interests and energy levels.
Cell service planning: Connection quality varies dramatically by campground location. One visitor to Lake Powhatan found "no Verizon service" despite being close to town. Travelers requiring connectivity should consider campgrounds closer to Asheville or bring signal boosters.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer additional learning experiences. "The hatchery is nearby and offers some wonderful opportunities to catch and release. Be sure to look in to a guided tour for a hands-on experience filled with lots of educational info on local fish," suggests a Davidson River Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Many Mills River area campgrounds have narrow approach roads. At Wilson's Riverfront RV Park, "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," warns Vickie S.
Hookup limitations: Pisgah National Forest campgrounds have limited services. "No Water/Sewer Hookups on Any Site, Electric Hookup Sites Limited," notes Angela in her Davidson River review. Travelers requiring full hookups should consider private campgrounds like Mama Gertie's or Rutledge Lake RV Resort instead.
Site leveling requirements: RVers report mixed experiences with site preparation. "Our site was level so easy to pull up and set up smoothly," reports one visitor, while others recommend bringing leveling blocks for the mountain terrain.
