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Best Campgrounds near Murphy, NC

2,275 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Murphy, North Carolina (694)

    1. Vogel State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-2628

    $30 - $260 / night

    "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."

    2. Murphy/Peace Valley KOA

    8 Reviews
    Murphy, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 837-6223

    "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!!"

    3. Peachtree Cove RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Marble, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 557-2722

    $59 - $69 / night

    "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."

    4. Trackrock Campground & Cabins

    22 Reviews
    Blairsville, GA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-2420

    "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."

    5. Jackrabbit Mountain

    14 Reviews
    Hayesville, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 837-5152

    $20 - $40 / night

    "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."

    6. Indian Boundary

    28 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 253-8400

    $20 / night

    "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."

    7. Persimmon Creek RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Culberson, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 644-5800

    $55 - $900 / night

    "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. "

    8. Gibson Cove Campground

    8 Reviews
    Hayesville, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 557-6788

    $30 - $35 / night

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

    "The only lakeside site available was #20. That was probably because it was small (~25' max). But the view was great. Sites are well maintained."

    9. Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    14 Reviews
    Robbinsville, NC
    18 miles

    "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)."

    "There are nine lakeside campsites along a smooth gravel road off of NC-143.  Each of the campsites have fire rings and some had picnic tables."

    10. Morganton Point Campground

    17 Reviews
    Morganton, GA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 374-1645

    $26 - $50 / night

    "Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by."

    "We were right next to the camp host, which was pretty nice – we didn’t have to go far to ask for wood or ice!  Plus, there were trails leading right to the lake. "

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Recent Camping Photos near Murphy, NC

1037 Photos of 694 Murphy Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Murphy, NC

2275 Reviews of 694 Murphy Campgrounds

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cades Cove Campground

    Quite, beautiful, weekend traffic

    This is one of the quietest campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Sites are nestled in the woods in a cove in the Smokies. No cell service. No internet. No cable tv. Just peace and quiet! This is a national park campgrounds, so no water, electric or hookups. There is a dump station and modern bathrooms. Cold water showers. There is a camp store with basics. There is a lot of traffic especially on weekends with visitors driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop Road.

  • Suzanne-Will C.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Woodring Branch Primitive Campground — Carters Lake

    Great Tent Camping

    I love that this was a tent only camping site (no RVs). The sites were a bit smaller than I would have liked but as it was just the 10 sites on the road, the kids could safely play in the road. The water was by the toilets at the entrance but easily walkable from the sites.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Little River Campground & RV Resort

    Labor Day weekend

    Overall a positive experience. We stayed in the tent camping area. Absolutely beautiful site with a wonderful river view, but be aware that the direct river bank is considered common area including day use so it had a lot of traffic while we were there. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Being a holiday weekend it was very crowded and very noisy, including a few neighbors without regards to quiet hours. Overall the facilities including bath house are were very nice though I believe the large crowds caused issues with the crew being able to keep up with keeping them clean. The location is very convenient to Townsend and we rode bikes out to explore and get food in the evening. We would definitely go back just probably not on a holiday weekend.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Corbin Creek Tray Mountain

    Best off grid camping

    This is by far my favorite place we’ve been off grid camping. It’s more Jeep friendly than full size vehicles, to get a spot down by the creek. But it is possible to get a full size 4*4 truck down the switch back.

  • Doug S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Persimmon Creek RV Park

    Beautiful Little Camp Ground

    Persimmon Creek is a beautiful and peaceful place. The owner is very friendly and helpful. It is centrally located to some great attractions.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mountaineer Campground

    Pleasant Stay

    Lovely campground on the river and close to amenities. Biking, hiking, tubing, swimming. My favorite experience here has been the pavilion prayer and fellowship on Sunday mornings hosted by Charm ministry volunteers. Very casual with lots of singing and great conversation in a very positive and welcoming atmosphere. The bathrooms and showers were kept very clean as well as the laundry and pool area. The camp hosts were very helpful and work hard to keep the above clean. The campground offers a 50% discount on a 28-day stay which I took advantage of. They allowed me to stay an extra 28 days due to my dog passing away so I could wait for his remains. They were very understanding, thoughtful and gracious during this sad time for me and I am very grateful to the management and hosts for the time, space and respect they extended to me July & August.

  • A
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Chilhowee

    Clean areas

    Bathrooms always clean. It’s pretty family friendly with adult supervision. Great views and scenery. Swimming lake.

  • J
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA)

    Beautiful and Quiet

    My girls group and I wanted to do a quick weekend glamping trip. One long rocky road and an active bear warning later we were rocking it by the creek. Bring a bathing suit and some good hiking shoes. There’s a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek. There’s no cell service or security so make sure you’re making safe decisions :)

Guide to Murphy

Camping near Murphy, North Carolina, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One camper mentioned, "We did one of our hikes from our site— the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Smokemont Campground shared, "I love all the elk and other wildlife."
  • Fishing: Try your luck at fishing in nearby streams. A camper noted, "There were lots of reports of trout caught in the nearby Bradley Fork."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Vogel State Park Campground said, "The kids had loads of fun playing by the little rivers."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and campgrounds. A visitor at Greenbrier Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms were amazing."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds often have activities for kids. A family at Greenbrier Campground enjoyed the "bounce houses, multiple playgrounds, and a lazy river."

What you should know:

  • Site Privacy: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Elkmont Campground noted, "All of the campsites are extremely close together, and there is no brush to divide them."
  • No Showers: Many campgrounds in the area do not offer shower facilities. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms were adequate—sinks and toilets and cleaned daily (no showers)."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Be cautious of wildlife, especially bears. A reviewer at Fort Mountain State Park Campground warned, "Bears were active in the area."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A parent at Greenbrier Campground said, "The campground was peaceful and quiet, surrounded by the river and trees."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A camper at Cades Cove Campground enjoyed the "superb nearby attractions."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outdoor activities. A visitor at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground is very clean and well maintained."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground advised, "Research the roads if you have a large camper."
  • Use Dump Stations: Familiarize yourself with dump station locations. A camper at Smokemont Campground appreciated the "clean dump station."
  • Stay Connected: Be prepared for limited cell service. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground noted, "No cell or TV service here."

Camping near Murphy, North Carolina, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it's a perfect spot for families and nature lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Murphy, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Murphy, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 694 campgrounds and RV parks near Murphy, NC and 63 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 67 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 63 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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