The area around Old Fort is situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains at approximately 1,450 feet elevation, forming a natural gateway to higher peaks including Mount Mitchell. RV parks near Old Fort, North Carolina typically remain open during spring, summer, and fall months, with several facilities closing from December through March due to seasonal weather patterns. Water conservation is standard practice at campgrounds in this region during dry summer months.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Mountain Stream RV Park provides direct access to Buck Creek with catch-and-release trout fishing steps from your campsite. "My husband did yoga every morning while I hung in my hammock and watched. We hiked mount Mitchell- cooked on our fire pit and relaxed with the fresh mountain air and starry nights," noted one Mountain Stream RV Park visitor.
RC airplane flying: Buck Creek campground maintains a designated model airplane field in the central open area. According to a recent visitor, "The central field area is mowed and set up as an RC flying field. A few campers flew their model airplanes. It was fun to watch. I even jumped into the RC hobby, buying a trainer plane at a local Hobby Shop, and began flying."
Lake activities: For water recreation beyond creeks, Barefoot Landing Camping Resort offers options on Lake James. "Very quiet, very peaceful and friendly," states one camper who spent five nights with their fifth wheel at Barefoot Landing Camping Resort.
What campers like
Creek-side relaxation: The sound of flowing water is frequently mentioned in reviews of creek-side locations. "The sound of the stream was so peaceful and relaxing. I couldn't imagine a better place to start our new venture of camping," remarked one camper at Mountain Stream RV Park.
Swimming holes: Buck Creek features natural swimming areas that provide summer relief. "There were two swimming holes along the creek, which were a ton of fun. I swam in both. The water is very clear and refreshing," reports a Buck Creek camper who stayed at three different sites.
Community gatherings: Weekly social events create opportunities to meet other campers. "Each Saturday evening, Kevin serves up his special home cooked bar-b-que under the shelter at no additional cost, and many campers bring sides to share. It's like having a back yard picnic with friends and family!" described a Mountain Stream RV Park visitor.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds and even between sites within the same facility. "There's no playground for kids, so some may see it as little more of an adult campground, but it's still kid friendly with the grassy area and stream to play in. Cell service is almost non-existent, but you can use the wifi for calls if necessary," explains a Mountain Stream RV Park reviewer.
Site spacing considerations: Many RV parks feature sites in close proximity with limited privacy. "The only reason I did not give this a Five Star Rating was that the site we stayed at was a little small#7. Even with a 25-foot camper, I could not let me awning out fully and we felt almost on top of camper when we sat outside near the fire pit," notes one Mountain Stream RV Park visitor.
Road conditions: Mountain terrain creates challenging access roads to some campgrounds. "The roads are uphill and a little narrow, but nothing too difficult if you go slow," observed one camper about navigating to Buck Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds provide dedicated pet facilities beyond simply allowing dogs. "There's a playground for the kids and a fenced in dog park, too (it even has a nice dog wash station!). Beautifully landscaped with lots of flowers, bird feeders and little white lights at night," reports a visitor to Mountain Stream RV Park.
Playground access: Not all campgrounds offer play equipment, so research before booking with children. "A small campground with an updated basic playground set for the kids. Nice lawn courtyard for games. Beautiful level sites backed right up to Buck Creek where we enjoyed catching trout straight from our campsite," states a Three Peaks RV Resort camper.
Recreation planning: Proximity to natural attractions provides family adventures beyond the campground. "When I drove up the Three Peaks driveway for the first time a couple weeks ago, I got a huge smile on my face. The big trees surrounding the campground, mountain views, and birdsong put me right at ease," notes one visitor to Three Peaks RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Concrete pads are available at select campgrounds, though most feature gravel surfaces requiring leveling. "Wilson's spots don't offer a ton of shade, but being by the river is a huge plus. The French Broad River Greenway, a shared bike path, runs right through the campground and is great for taking you to nearby places by bike," notes a visitor to Wilson's Riverfront RV Park.
Advance reservations: Booking well ahead is essential, particularly for creek-side sites. "We started our RV camping adventures at Mountain Stream, and have been hooked ever since. As the name implies, it's right beside a rocky mountain stream that all the sites back up to," explains one regular visitor.
Utilities management: Some campgrounds implement seasonal water usage restrictions. "For reference, we paid $68 for one night and had just completed a 4 night stay at another park for $74 total. While the lake was pretty, the sites are very narrow and there is zero privacy. There's also a fair bit of road noise as well," reported a camper at Rutledge Lake RV Resort.
