C
Charles K.
Scout
ScoutWilson's Riverfront RV Park
Lovely spot on the river. Freeway was loud but not too bad.
Camping near Montreat, NC
450 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping options near Montreat, North Carolina range from rustic tent sites to full-service campgrounds within the surrounding mountain landscape. The Montreat Family Campground offers private, wooded sites alongside Flat Creek with both tent and limited RV accommodations. Nearby Catawba Falls Campground provides creekside camping with cabin rentals, while Pisgah National Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking a more primitive experience. Black Mountain and Swannanoa host established campgrounds like Mama Gertie's Hideaway and Asheville East KOA with full hookup sites for RVs and cabin rentals, all within a 15-20 minute drive from Montreat.
Seasonal conditions significantly impact camping availability in the region, with most developed campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Montreat Family Campground typically opens May through October, while some higher elevation sites like Mount Mitchell State Park Campground operate May through December. Access roads to more remote camping areas can be narrow and challenging for larger vehicles. Several sites near creeks and water features may experience limited availability during peak summer months when demand is highest. Cell service varies throughout the mountain terrain, with coverage generally better at developed campgrounds than dispersed sites. As one camper noted, "The site is gravel and very level. It's a huge site, but because the entry is a narrow, twisty mountain road, I wouldn't recommend a larger rig. 20 ft and less should be good."
Creekside camping represents a highly sought-after feature among visitors to the Montreat area. Campers consistently mention the peaceful sound of rushing water as enhancing their experience, with sites along Flat Creek at Montreat Family Campground receiving particularly positive feedback. Privacy between sites varies considerably across campgrounds, with Montreat offering more secluded options compared to more densely arranged facilities. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathhouses with showers. According to visitor reviews, the higher elevation campgrounds offer cooler temperatures even during summer months, making them popular retreats from heat. Some campers have noted that certain sites require short walks from parking areas, which may be challenging when transporting extensive gear but adds to the feeling of seclusion and privacy once established at the site.
Best Campgrounds near Montreat (450)
1. Asheville East KOA
"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."
from $50 / night
Check Availability2. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground
"For tent campers, your sites are in a separate area next to the cabins."
"It was level had tons of shade and even though you are close to your neighbors the sites are situated so that it doesn’t feel like you’re on top of each other."
from $75 - $200 / night
Check Availability3. Curtis Creek Campground
"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."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability4. Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
"They'll deliver firewood ($5) to your site by golf cart, they even will collect your site fees as they drive around."
"This is a wonderful spot to be to explore the surrounding areas:
- The famous Mount Mitchell trail, starts a short walking distance from the campground."
from $28 - $56 / night
Check Availability5. Mount Mitchell State Park Campground
"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."
from $27 / night
Check Availability6. Montreat Family Campground
"We abandoned plans to stay at place in Old Fort (see listing for Catawba Falls) and ended up here as a last chance before having to hit a hotel to turn back around to CLT. "
"This is a campground that is part of the retreat and conference facilities adjacent to Montreat College."
from $25 / night
Check Availability7. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina
"The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."
"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"
from $37 - $135 / night
Check Availability8. Pisgah National Forest Dispersed
"I am from the area, but I love to go up the hill and get away from everything. If you get there early in the week, you should have the place to yourself."
"Trails out the wazoo! Our doggies love the trails & there are quite a few family friendly paths."
9. Catawba Falls Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED 2025
"While it is close to a highway it is far enough away not to hear it but convenient to many places to visit including Asheville, The Blue Ridge Parkway and many national Forests and Parks."
"Old Fort, NC and Falls nearby. Nice bathhouse, pump-out nearby. Diverse tent camping also available. Don’t let full time rv’s scare you. New RV site down from the entrance."
10. Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area
"We stayed for two nights, a little away from the main camp area but was kinda glad for it. Had a great spot tucked into the woods near the water. Great path to skip rocks and just enjoy."
"It is tucked in next to the South Toe River with an excellent swimming hole, rapids for tubing, great trout fishing, and a good launching off point for hikes into the Black Mountains and Mt Mitchell."
from $28 - $70 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 22 min from Asheville, NC
- 1 hr 21 min from Johnson City, TN
- 1 hr 26 min from Spartanburg, SC
Recent Camping Photos near Montreat, NC
920 Photos of 450 Montreat Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Montreat Family Campground
Catawba Falls Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED 2025
Asheville East KOA
Curtis Creek Campground
Pondside Singlek
Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground
Mount Mitchell State Park Campground
Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Black Mountain Creek SideM
Pisgah National Forest Dispersed
Maple Camp Bald
Mountain Stream RV Park
Recent Reviews near Montreat, NC
1990 Reviews of 450 Montreat Campgrounds
Bonnie H.ScoutDoe River Landing
Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate
My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
- SSherri B.
GuideSpacious Skies Bear Den
Seems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.
Kyle T.ScoutDoe River Landing
Unprofessional hosts that ruins a place with good potential
We brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back
- AAndrew W.Scout
Doe River Landing
Beautiful place ruined by unprofessional ownership
Our group of about 20 rented nearly every cabin at Doe River Landing for my friend's wedding weekend, with the reception held on site. The cabins were nice and well-equipped, and the only other guests were in a cabin half a mile away through the woods. Unfortunately, the hosts ruined the stay. One night, some of us were playing hide and seek in an area that wasn't blocked off or against any rule. The host's husband came speeding in at roughly 30 mph(the posted limit is 5), jumped out of his truck screaming that he"will not have child hooligans running around the campground," told us to"go back to the motel we crawled out of," and demanded to see our parents— despite all of us being adults in our twenties. He then peeled out so aggressively he sprayed gravel at us and our cars. It wasn't even quiet hours, and we weren't disturbing anyone. Afterward, the host called us again, passive-aggressive, and questioned our ages— even though you have to be 21 just to rent a cabin there. The property is lovely, but the hosts' behavior put a real damper on what should have been a joyful wedding celebration. It's a shame they treat people paying good money this way. We won't be back.
K W.ScoutWash Creek Dispersed Pull-Off
Pull off along well used access road
Great spot to pull in last minute. There are multiple spots along this stretch of road. Would not recommend if you want to post up somewhere private, decent amount of traffic pulling through for a mountain road.
- CCindy
TravelerBlue Ridge Falls RV Resort
Great base camp for adventures
Stayed 1 week in site 12. Great small campground, clean and quiet. Jojo was a great host and 5pm happy hour gathering was fun. Will DEFINITELY return. Its a great spot for launching adventures.
Lisa & Patrick R.TravelerBuck Creek
Buck Creek Campground review
Nice spot right on the river..Camp store & staff seem friendly & helpful-especially Sonny & Joshua.
Selina G.ScoutBroad River Campground
Beware!
If you ever plan on visiting Shelby / Broad River KOA Holiday Campground and have women or kids in your party, and y'all rent a unit from them, I'd rethink it or keep the door locked at all times. Our visit was wonderful up until the point a maintenance worker walks straight up in here on us.
Guide to Montreat
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains at 2,500 feet elevation, Montreat experiences moderate summers and cool nights even in July and August, with temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby Asheville. Winter camping near Montreat offers solitude but requires preparation for overnight lows that can drop below freezing from December through February, with occasional snow accumulation on campground access roads.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: The area surrounding Montreat features multiple waterfall hikes accessible from campsites. From Curtis Creek Campground, campers can reach several cascades. "There is a nice trail to SetRock Falls, right on the campground property...and several other foot trails to keep you busy and hiking," notes one visitor.
Mountain summit adventures: For those seeking elevation, camping near Mount Mitchell provides access to the highest peak east of the Mississippi. A camper at Mount Mitchell State Park Campground shared: "This is the highest elevation east of the Mississippi. Very great views with lots to do. Hiking, camping and more. Great place to watch the sunset and sunrise."
Fishing opportunities: Creeks throughout the area offer trout fishing opportunities. At Curtis Creek, visitors report "dozens of deep pools to cast into up and down the river" and recommend bringing a fly rod for the best experience.
What campers like
Creek sounds for sleeping: The sound of moving water ranks high among campers' favorite features. At Montreat Family Campground, "The campsite was nestled within the forest and was right next to the cool water of Flat Creek. The campsite was spacious and there were plenty of trees available for hammocks," according to one visitor.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean bathrooms, which campers consistently appreciate. A reviewer at Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground commented: "Mama Gertie's is the most well kept campground I've ever been in. The bathhouses look like something inside of an upscale hotel room."
Cooler temperatures: The elevation provides natural air conditioning during summer months. As one camper at Mount Mitchell State Park Campground noted: "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!"
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the area, often depending on carrier. At Curtis Creek, "There is no cell signal for 15 or so minutes, either direction, so know your routes before leaving Old Fort." Verizon typically provides better coverage than other carriers.
Narrow access roads: Many campgrounds require navigating steep, winding roads. A review from Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground mentions: "The roads are uphill and a little narrow, but nothing too difficult if you go slow."
Booking window awareness: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. Black Mountain Campground often fills completely, with one visitor noting: "During season, the summer month weekends and holidays...book your reservations online, because they don't do it by phone when calling the campground."
Weather variability: Mountain weather can change rapidly. A Mount Mitchell camper shared: "Check weather reports. These mountains make their own weather."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campsites offer playground facilities for children. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, families appreciate that it "has a small lake on property to fish or swim... Playground on site for the kids."
Water play opportunities: Creeks and swimming holes provide natural entertainment for children. One parent shared about Black Mountain Campground: "There is a swimming hole on the South Toe River in the campground just beyond the end of the riverside sites. It has a small sandy 'beach' area and a neck deep refreshing hole."
Wildlife education opportunities: Several campgrounds post information about local wildlife. A visitor to Curtis Creek campground reminded: "Remember this is bear country. Follow all the bear rules and be cautious."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Many campgrounds have limitations on RV length. At Montreat Family Campground, an RV camper advised: "The site is gravel and very level. It's a huge site, but because the entry is a narrow, twisty mountain road, I wouldn't recommend a larger rig. 20 ft and less should be good."
Leveling requirements: Mountain terrain means varying degrees of campsite leveling. At Asheville East KOA, a reviewer noted: "Our site was level so easy to pull up and set up smoothly."
Premium view sites: Some RV parks offer premium sites with exceptional views for a higher fee. At Mama Gertie's Hideaway, "There are a number of pull through sites that also get their own porch and porch swing right on the edge of the mountain" that many RVers recommend booking in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Montreat, NC?
What camping is available near Montreat, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Montreat, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 450 campgrounds and RV parks near Montreat, NC and 40 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Montreat, NC?
Which is the most popular campground near Montreat, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Montreat, NC is Asheville East KOA with a 4-star rating from 52 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Montreat, NC?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Montreat, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 40 free dispersed camping spots near Montreat, NC.
What parks are near Montreat, NC?
What parks are near Montreat, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Montreat, NC that allow camping, notably Pisgah National Forest and National Forests in North Carolina.
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