Campgrounds near Morganton, North Carolina offer diverse options in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet. The area experiences all four seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows often dropping below freezing. Fall camping is particularly popular between mid-September and late October when hardwood forests transform with seasonal color.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access Linville Falls via the campground at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 316.3. "Absolutely stunning. Well marked trail's. Never a dull moment. The falls were breath taking," notes one visitor to Linville Falls Campground.
Fishing in stocked waters: Cast a line directly from your site at Mountain Stream RV Park. "Beautiful level sites backed right up to Buck Creek where we enjoyed catching trout straight from our campsite," shares one camper about their experience at Mountain Stream RV Park.
Biking local trails: Explore the Lake James trail system, accessible within a 25-minute drive from Riverbreeze Campground. "We rode our mountain bikes on the Lake James state park trail system. It was a 23 min drive," mentions a visitor staying at Riverbreeze.
Summit Mount Mitchell: Take on the challenge of hiking Eastern America's highest peak. "From here you can climb 4000ft to the summit of Mt Mitchell. It's a great, challenging hike with many rewards along the way," explains a visitor about Black Mountain Campground.
What campers like
Private deck access: Many sites at Mountain Stream RV Park feature custom decks overlooking the creek. "The sound of the stream was so peaceful and relaxing. My husband did yoga every morning while I hung in my hammock and watched," shares a repeat visitor.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathhouses. "These are the cleanest bathrooms we've ever seen. The on-site store is a life saver and the hosts are very helpful," remarks a September visitor about Linville Falls Campground.
Swimming holes: Natural water features provide refreshing spots during summer months. "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," notes a visitor to Black Mountain Campground.
Yurt camping options: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Golden Valley offers modern yurt accommodations near Morganton, North Carolina. "Awesome place! Been here a few times now. Has tons of activities for the kids. Fantastic pool with a pool side bar. Great cabins for rent with great views," shares a frequent visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "Julian Price Campground was a relaxing highlight during our travels, one which I look forward to returning to," mentions a visitor to Julian Price Park Campground, which typically closes by late October.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "There is no cell service on T-Mobile or Verizon inside the camp (small victory for nature). BUT, let's say you have a Verizon phone, and you really really need to talk to someone - well, here's the hint of the day. Walk down the main access road toward the junction with your phone on. Pass up all three of the private residences on the right, and you'll finally come to a stand of three trees growing together ta-dah...I don't know how, but you get two bars of Verizon in this exact spot," details a Black Mountain Campground visitor.
Weather preparedness: Foothills camping requires planning for temperature swings. "Brings warm clothes as we encountered frosty evenings and rainy days- you are in the foothills!" advises a camper about their Halloween stay at Spacious Skies Hidden Creek.
Additional fees: Some campgrounds charge for premium features. "Sooo...went to book online. Selected my site and started the payment process. I was greeted by a pop-up stating that if I want to lock in my site, I'd have to pay an additional $20 fee," reports a visitor about Steele Creek Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas. "The kids really enjoyed" notes a brief review about Steele Creek Park & Campground, which features creek access and water play areas.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play spaces. "The campgrounds clean and the owners are super nice and helpful. We have a dog and love the dog park! The bathrooms are very clean and nice!" mentions a visitor about Linville Falls Campground.
Campsite selection for families: Choose sites strategically based on facilities. "We camped 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 and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site," advises a visitor about Spacious Skies Bear Den.
Site privacy considerations: Look for information about site spacing and layout. "There are A LOT of spots in a small area. That would be my only complaint if you want to call it that," notes a tent camper about their Linville Falls Campground experience.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Most campgrounds in the area feature mixed terrain. "Sites were fair and the bath house near us was shut down. Next bathroom was to far to walk to but we made do," mentions a camper about Thousand Trails Green Mountain's site conditions.
Camping in yurts near Morganton: For those without equipment, consider the yurt camping options. "They've also recently built three yurts, and bought two large campers parked on the non-stream side that can be rented for those who don't have their own camper," explains a repeat visitor to Mountain Stream RV Park.
Dump station availability: Confirm waste management options before arrival. "Our site backed up to the creek which was amazing! When we first arrived, they escorted us to our site. When we got to our site, the previous tenants dumped their raw sewage on the ground. The guy who escorted us immediately had someone come and clean it up and they even snaked the sewage pipe just in case," reports a visitor about their experience at Steele Creek Park.
Mountain road navigation: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. "Getting to know the owners and all the people who ran the campground BUT now that is is apart of a large corporation or hedge fund and people looking to satisfy shareholders it's not as fun. Sure we love the location (hint here if pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain.)," advises an experienced camper about Spacious Skies Bear Den.
