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Camping near Murphy, NC

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    Murphy, North Carolina sits at the gateway to several camping areas in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Established sites include the Murphy/Peace Valley KOA with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals along Valley River. Peachtree Cove RV Park offers 26 well-maintained sites with full hookups, while more primitive options exist in the surrounding Nantahala National Forest. Camping opportunities range from developed campgrounds with amenities to dispersed sites on forest service land, accommodating both tent campers seeking solitude and RV travelers requiring electrical and water connections.

    The camping season in this region generally runs year-round at lower elevations, though some forest service campgrounds like Jackrabbit Mountain operate seasonally from May through September. Summer brings warm temperatures averaging 80-90°F, while winter nights often drop below freezing. Most developed campgrounds near Murphy provide water hookups, electric service, and sanitary dump stations, though amenities vary significantly between sites. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months and fall color season when visitation increases. Dispersed camping is available on nearby national forest land with proper permits. A visitor noted that "this is a beautiful area with friendly, helpful staff at campgrounds that are well maintained and easy to find."

    Water access represents a major draw for campers in the Murphy area, with many sites situated along rivers or lakes. Valley River winds through several campgrounds, providing opportunities for fishing, swimming, and tubing. As one camper described, "it was so serene just sitting there watching the water flow by." The region's proximity to the Nantahala National Forest offers additional recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. Campgrounds like Peace Valley KOA receive consistently positive reviews for their peaceful settings and proximity to outdoor activities, while still being close enough to Murphy for convenient access to supplies and services. Traffic noise can be an issue at some locations situated near highways, though most sites maintain a quiet, natural atmosphere.

    Best Campgrounds near Murphy (720)

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      1. Vogel State Park Campground

      4.7(68)23mi from Murphy143 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Vogel State Park was perfectly situated along Hwy 19 in the north Georgia mountains for an easy spot for the night."

      "This was a great stop close to the water. Between Blood Mountain and Neels Gap, we camped for two nights at different sites. Both were primitive, non-shelter sites."

      from $30 - $260 / night

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      2. Murphy/Peace Valley KOA

      5.0(8)3mi from MurphyRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "They have worked hard to upgrade the campground which is surrounded by a river. There is a large dog run area, playground, pool in season and close proximity to the town of Murphy. Beautiful area."

      "This is a great family site and it is fairly quiet, so if you are like me and you camp to GET AWAY from noise and drama, then this is the place!!"

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      3. Trackrock Campground & Cabins

      4.6(23)18mi from MurphyRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Good sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground."

      "CAMPGROUND REVIEW As I was walking around the campground the word roughstic came to mInd. The road in was rough, the campsite was nice enough but somewhat minimal and the decor rustic."

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      4. Jackrabbit Mountain

      4.3(15)15mi from Murphy92 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Located on Lake Chatuge in both North Carolina and Georgia, you can ride right to the biking trails or launch your paddleboard right from your lakeside site.  "

      "Parking is right above the steps that go down to the tent pad. This site has direct water access for swimming and fishing. This particular site has no shade between noon and 4."

      from $20 - $40 / night

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      5. Peachtree Cove RV Park

      5.0(5)4mi from MurphyRVs

      "Shopping is close yet still tucked away nicely in the NC mountains."

      "I informed the staff, Hana and she and her brother came to assess the situation."

      from $59 - $69 / night

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      6. Indian Boundary

      4.8(28)22mi from Murphy88 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "The lake is great for kayaking and swimming, with an easy trail around the perimeter. The gorgeous Cherohala Skyway is very close by (highly recommend!)."

      "The surrounding mountains and water were breathtaking. This camp ground is close to the water if you stay in loop A. Just a short walk the water and beach."

      from $20 / night

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      7. Panther Top Dispersed Site

      4.8(4)5mi from Murphy

      "It was nice and quiet, chilly at night, and not too far from murphy. We also hiked up to a nearby fire tower and it was a fun little hike. 10/10 will be returning."

      "Not ideal for van life, however pass the sites on your right and head up the to the peak, there is a “off the path” truck trail marked by a rusted metal post."

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      8. Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

      4.4(17)18mi from Murphy

      "Each has a picnic table, fire pit/grill, and level area for 1-2 tents (a few can accommodate more if you’re ambitious), and lake views (most have lake access if you want to put in a kayak or canoe)."

      "This campsite is a great little spot just across the road from the water—peaceful, scenic, and well-situated."

      9. Persimmon Creek RV Park

      5.0(6)11mi from MurphyRVs, Tents

      "This is a beautiful secluded site just off of Highway 64/74 not too far from the Tennessee border. The campground is very well kept and has wonderful amenities for both RV and tent campers."

      "I don't have a huge point of reference, but I can give you details on everything that was smooth

      • Location - Just off a 4 lane highway.  Convenient with easy access to your site. "

      from $55 - $900 / night

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      10. Gibson Cove Campground

      4.3(9)14mi from Murphy40 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Beautiful campground located on Lake Chatuge in North Carolina. Gibson Cove campground is a county park with paved roads and gravel campsites."

      "We were in spot 30 which was not a great spot as it was right next to the road and your awning/outdoor area faces the road."

      from $30 - $35 / night

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    Recent Camping Photos near Murphy, NC

    979 Photos of 720 Murphy Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Murphy, NC

    2412 Reviews of 720 Murphy Campgrounds

    • Mary D.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 6, 2026

      Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

      Site 18: Don’t let the “hardest site to back into” reviews scare you! There’s a trick.

      We stayed at Site 18, which has a reputation for being one of the hardest sites to back into. There’s definitely a trick to it! Pull your truck forward along the site, then pull out toward the site across from you, making an S-turn. From there, line it up and back in. It's tricky, but doable!

      We loved this area and packed a lot into our stay. We visited BJ’s Apple Orchard, stopped at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm (where I somehow ended up with a 150-pound pumpkin 😂), had dinner at Cascades Restaurant, and took the easy way to see the falls.

      The fenced-in sites were a huge plus, especially with our pups. It gave them more room to roam. The bathrooms and showers are individual rooms, which was nice, and the welcome center is one of the nicest we’ve come across.

      And then there’s THE HILL. I was born and raised in the Smokies, so I’m no stranger to mountain roads, but the incline is no joke! The reviews are absolutely not exaggerating when they say it’s steep. Come prepared!

      I have T-mobile and husband has Xfinity and we both have great service. Wifi in the campground gets the job done for Netflix at night.

      Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. Beautiful area, plenty to explore, dog-friendly sites, and a campground we’d visit again. 🏕️🥾

    • Thomas B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 1, 2026

      Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      Surroundings Make The Trip

      First thing--be sure you check your route here. Do not end up on Happy Valley Rd with a big rig. My RV life app took me that way with a 30ft TT and the park explicitly says to avoid it. The campground itself is somewhat unremarkable. It was nearly empty during my stay. My site was not remotely level, but no big deal to me. The views around the area made it all worthwhile to me.

    • Taylor H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 1, 2026

      Low Gap Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest

      Decent Campground

      We drove up to check out a fishing spot. We didn’t drive across the concrete creek crossing to the main part of camp. The campsites at the entrance looked clean and the creek was nice. Did see a copperhead on the way out.

    • Taylor H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 30, 2026

      Andrew's Cove Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest

      Peaceful Mountain Creek Camping

      ⛺️ We stayed at Site #10. It has two lantern poles, a fire ring with cooking grate, a wooden bench, and a long picnic table.

      🌲 The entire campground felt incredibly calm and peaceful. The creek can be heard even from the campsites farther uphill, where the road noise also fades away. We stayed closer to the road and didn’t find the traffic bothersome—but we’re car people and actually enjoyed seeing the bikes and other cars joyriding around the curves. 😂

      🏕️ This is a pack-in/pack-out campground, so plan to take all trash with you when you leave.

      💧 The creek was cold and refreshing! We loved walking through it, and our dog did too.

      🎣 We fished the creek and had just as much fun looking for creek critters—we found crawfish and salamanders.

      🪶 Oddly enough, we didn’t see or hear many birds during our stay, but the sound of the creek more than made up for it.

      🚽 There is one pit toilet restroom with a hook for hanging a lantern or bag and a hand sanitizer dispenser. There was enough natural light that we didn’t need a lantern during the day. I’d suggest packing extra toilet paper—it was stocked, but the roll was running low by the end of the weekend.

      🪵 We bought firewood from Southern Legacy Wood Products — 1605 Helen Hwy, Cleveland, GA — on the way in.

      ✨ After five campgrounds, Andrews Cove is officially our favorite so far. Quiet, shaded, beautiful mountain creek, and the kind of campground where simply hanging around camp was enough entertainment.

    • matt E.
      Aug. 29, 2026

      Conasauga River Camp

      Closed Right Now (Seems great but the site is closed for road work)

      Hopefully they open it up soon but we drove about an hour to get here just for it to be closed. The whole road seems to be closed for the time being for road work. I hope this helps someone!.

      The 5-8 miles up to this area do seem a little sketchy but we were hoping the actually site would be nice and hopefully it will be after the work they are doing right now.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 20, 2026

      Sarah's Creek Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest

      Very remote, with challenging access road.

      The campground is VERY remote with challenging access. We have a 4x4 pickup and still not sure how comfortable we would be attempting to take our 21' travel trailer to it.

      I'll estimate that the access road is a very rough 4-5 miles and while it starts out as paved the road becomes packed dirt (red clay) and quickly narrows and winds through the hills at a sometimes steep incline. The opportunities to pull over should someone approach from the other direction are few and would mean a lengthy backup for someone. Not sure I would recommend the road in a passenger vehicle.

      The campsites we visited were nice and well trimmed, many were creekfront and there were bear-proof trash receptacles and vault toilets. Each site also had a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole.

      During our visit it was peaceful and mostly empty.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 20, 2026

      Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground

      Beautiful park with plenty to do....but campground had a few shortcomings.

      We stayed on site #25 in early August but due to the elevation the weather was mild.

      There were plenty of activities to keep us busy at the park and the staff was friendly and helpful.

      One thing that surprised us and worth mentioning is that even though the park is massive, the campground appears to have been an afterthought as it, and the sites are generally very small. It would be nice to see them expand it and make the changes to increase the size of sites.

      Also, as we have seen at other parks kids on e-bikes is becoming a real problem and safety concern. Young children, many not wearing helmets, continually racing around the campground with no regard for speed limits or traffic signs. It is a recipe for an injury or an unfortunate fatality.

      Hopefully parks will begin addressing this issue.

    • Tylor C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 17, 2026

      Fort Mountain State Park Campground

      Love this place

      Beautiful views from the trails. I went during the summer in July so it was on the busier side. There is a lake with a beach with boat and paddle board rentals. Seemed like a great spot to fish. Prepare for possibilities of bears as they were around. One night I must have not fully secured my bear box and a bear found my cooler. I tent camped on a pad where I can find some service (T-Mobile) but most spots are spotty. Next time I come, I want to try the back country locations. Trails are awesome with a cool story about the place around the tower and fortification. Attendants at the camp store were really nice. If groceries are needed there is grocery stores in the nearest town of Chatsworth down the mountain

    • Taylor H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 17, 2026

      Deep Hole Recreation Area — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest

      Peaceful Creekside Camping

      Our campsite: #9

      ⛺️ First site on the left. It’s a shaded, pull-through site, and I believe it’s the most private site in the campground. Only about half the sites were occupied during our visit, and it was incredibly peaceful and quiet.

      ⛺️ Very level and stayed dry with no puddling during our visit.

      ⛺️ The creek can be seen from the picnic table, and listening to the water was so relaxing. We even spotted a pileated woodpecker and a couple of herons across the creek.

      ⛺️ Direct creek access—it’s steep, but doable!

      ⛺️ The fire ring had quite a bit of ash left in it, although we didn’t need to use it.

      ⛺️ Farthest site from the fishing area and kayak launch, but it’s still an easy, short walk!

      ⛺️ Close to the restrooms, but we didn’t notice any unpleasant smells from our site or elsewhere in the campground.

      ⛺️ Trash cans are located along the way to the fishing area.

      Kayak Ramp & Fishing Area:

      🛶 Concrete ramp makes creek access easy. It was muddy and slightly slippery during our visit, so watch your step!

      🥾 The creek was cold and refreshing in August. Wear water shoes for grip on the smooth stones—and protection from any lost fishing hooks hiding on the creek bottom. Ouch!

      🎣 The fishing area is next to the kayak ramp and has two wooden benches.

      🦦 We saw an otter playing along the creek while we were fishing!

      Restrooms:

      🚽 Bring a lantern or flashlight—even during the daytime, it’s DARK inside!

      🚽 There are hooks to hang your lantern or bag.

      🚽 No running water at the campground, so bring soap and water for washing your hands at your campsite.

      🛒 Cooper’s Creek Store is nearby and worth a stop! Firewood, ice, bait, snacks, souvenirs, Wi-Fi, food, and plenty of fishing/camping essentials you may have forgotten.

      🌲 If you’re looking for a quiet, shaded creekside site with privacy and water access, Site #9 is an excellent pick.

    Guide to Murphy

    Dispersed camping near Murphy, North Carolina offers tent and small RV options within Nantahala National Forest. The Forest Service allows camping on most lands with some restrictions at 1,200-5,000 feet elevation. Sites are typically primitive without facilities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient with water and waste disposal. Fire regulations vary by season, with potential bans during dry periods from late summer through fall.

    What to do

    Fishing access: The Valley River near Murphy/Peace Valley KOA offers good fishing opportunities. "The river is right by the campground," notes a camper, with another adding that the "Valley River winds through" providing "opportunities for fishing."

    Horseback riding: At Track Rock Campgrounds, horseback rides are available on site. As one visitor mentioned, "I got to enjoy a lovely horseback ride on Chubby Checker with Sonya... that was the highlight of the trip for me."

    Mountain biking: The area has multiple trail systems for biking. At Jackrabbit Mountain, "The 15 miles of mountain bike trails are absolutely amazing for all skill levels," and another visitor noted there's a "1.5 mile connector dirt trail to the Jackrabbit mountain trail system, so no need to ride on the road."

    What campers like

    Waterfront sites: Many campgrounds offer direct water access. At Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites, "Each has a picnic table, fire pit/grill, and level area for 1-2 tents (a few can accommodate more if you're ambitious), and lake views (most have lake access if you want to put in a kayak or canoe)."

    Clean facilities: Peachtree Cove RV Park maintains high standards. "This is a beautiful, well maintained park with a very friendly and helpful staff (family operated). The sights are level and well spaced, and the creek is charming," reports one camper.

    Wildlife viewing: The rural setting provides opportunities to see local animals. At Persimmon Creek Campground, one camper mentioned "Deb wants me to mention that she enjoyed watching the cows at the neighboring farm cool off in the river."

    What you should know

    Seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Jackrabbit Mountain is "open April 1 through October 1," while others like Vogel State Park Campground remain "open all year."

    Road conditions: Some forest service roads can be challenging. At Long Hungry Road, a visitor advises to "drive carefully (lots of big potholes and blind curves)!" Similarly, at Track Rock, "Very steep and unlevel roads; especially when leaving."

    Cell coverage: Signal can vary widely across the area. At Gibson Cove Campground, "AT&T speeds are slow in this area but Verizon works well," according to one camper's experience.

    Tips for camping with families

    Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas. At Indian Boundary, "There's a lake with a sandy area," and "it was so serene just sitting there watching the water flow by" at Peace Valley KOA.

    Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer additional recreation beyond camping. Indian Boundary has "a large dog run area, playground, pool in season," while Track Rock Campgrounds features "a beach/pond, swings, horseshoes."

    Site selection for children: Choose sites with easy water access but safe conditions. At Murphy/Peace Valley KOA, one camper was "a little concerned about my little one tumbling off the small drop off, but she was smart enough to realize it was not safe, and stayed on the camper pad."

    Tips from RVers

    Site sizes: Check length restrictions before booking. At Peachtree Cove, "Site 16 is long enough for a 43' 5th wheel and has suitable height clearance." Gibson Cove campsites are "staggered well to provide most with good view of lake."

    Hookup availability: Service levels vary significantly between campgrounds. Persimmon Creek has "electric & water hookups" with "sites that are very spacious." At Jackrabbit Mountain, "RVers will have to rough it with no hookups, but there is access to a dump station."

    Maneuvering challenges: Big rigs may face difficulties in some locations. Track Rock cautions "Fifth Wheel Owners BEWARE!," with one reviewer reporting "Our camper came in contact with the side of our bed and tailgate multiple times."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Murphy, NC?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Murphy, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 720 campgrounds and RV parks near Murphy, NC and 65 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Murphy, NC?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Murphy, NC is Vogel State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 68 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Murphy, NC?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 65 free dispersed camping spots near Murphy, NC.

    What parks are near Murphy, NC?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Murphy, NC that allow camping, notably Tusquitee National Forest and Nantahala National Forest.

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