Best Campgrounds near Penrose, NC

Penrose, North Carolina serves as a gateway to multiple camping destinations in the Pisgah National Forest region, with Davidson River Campground and Lake Powhatan offering established camping facilities within a short drive. The area features a mix of developed campgrounds supporting tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in this mountainous region provide access to hiking trails, waterways, and scenic forest settings. Davidson River Campground, located in Pisgah Forest, offers electric hookups and tent sites along the river, while Lake Powhatan near Asheville provides more extensive amenities including sewer hookups for RVs and yurt options.

Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the Penrose area, with most campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Davidson River Campground typically operates from March 15 to November 1, while Mount Pisgah Campground runs from May through October. "The elevation in the area makes this a great place to go during the heat of summer," noted one visitor about nearby Van Hook Glade. Weather patterns in the mountains can change rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak season weekends and holidays. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage at campgrounds closer to towns like Brevard and Asheville.

Campers consistently mention the water features as highlights of the region's camping experience. Davidson River receives praise for its riverside sites that provide natural sound barriers between campsites. "The rhythmic sounds of the river offered sound sleep all night," according to one review. The campgrounds in this area are generally well-maintained with clean facilities, though some visitors note that sites can be close together in certain loops. Wildlife sightings, including bears, are reported in several campgrounds, necessitating proper food storage. The mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region balance accessibility with natural settings, offering varying levels of privacy depending on the specific site. Most developed campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water, with many featuring shower facilities during the operating season.

Best Camping Sites Near Penrose, North Carolina (467)

    1. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $37 - $84 / night

    "Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."

    "We had a quick nights stay in Davidson River Campground after picking up our new SylvanSport GO tent trailer in nearby Brevard, North Carolina."

    2. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    62 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    14 miles
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $37 - $135 / night

    "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"

    3. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 648-2644

    $30 / night

    "We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the “cooler” campgrounds in western North Carolina for a weekend. Mt Pisgah Campground is at an elevation of roughly 5300’."

    "Pisgah National Forest on the outskirts of Asheville, NC is a must stop for all ages."

    4. North Mills River

    26 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $31 - $62 / night

    "Small campground, but there are free off road sites not too far down the road. Cell service disappears but I love that kind of disconnect."

    "State stocked river is close by for trout fishing, and the bathrooms are always clean being for what they are."

    5. Table Rock State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Sunset, SC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 878-9813

    "The alternatives #5 and #6 were close to the entrance and therefore exposed to the road, and #49 was next to the restrooms, but similar to #60, so stayed with #60."

    "One drawback is that from the campground there is no easy access to the lake- you can either drive and park (and hope to find parking) or walk on a busy road . "

    6. Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    18 Reviews
    Cedar Mountain, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 884-2267

    "The cabins have electricity, but the water pump is outside and the bathrooms and showers are communal (but clean). There is a full size bed and two bunk beds in each one."

    "Very clean,natural, beautiful trees , and a nice location. It is run by a very nice family. We were close to amazing waterfalls and hikes in DuPont forest."

    7. Jones Gap State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Cedar Mountain, NC
    11 miles
    Website

    "This campground has 19 trail side sites that are all great and not far from the Middle Saluda River which runs through the middle of the park."

    "I used site 7 because an oncoming storm made me bug out of my trailside plans. Gorgeous site, a bit chilly by the river but beautiful and close enough to still use the park bathrooms!"

    8. Pisgah National Forest Davidson River Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 577-4558

    $32 - $71 / night

    "**
    The location is incredible!"

    "A little close to neighbors but not too bad. Some sites in Riverbend offer more privacy. Can’t beat location, mountain bike trails easily rideable from campground."

    9. Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    19 Reviews
    Fletcher, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 654-7873

    "Easy off the highway but far enough to be quiet. Lots of dining options close by"

    "campground was decent Fishing pond has a lot of ducks and seaweed

    Laundry room was nice and large - easy and quick to get 3 loads done

    Waterfront site was fairly level and loved being able to walk"

    10. The Bike Farm

    6 Reviews
    Penrose, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 577-3673

    $24 - $110 / night

    "If what you are looking for is a great place to get out in nature and get away from the crowds you’re in the right spot."

    "The trail system is awesome. It’s super nice being able to bike straight from your camp and go ride. The out door showers are bad ass as well! Such a cool environment."

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Recent Reviews near Penrose, NC

2157 Reviews of 467 Penrose Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

    September stay

    Grass on lots high, nice concrete spots, full hookup in good shape.

  • s
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

    Worst experience ever

    Absolutely the worst advertised campground I’ve ever been to in my life. They stated it was“riverside” ummmm nooooo!!! It’s basically a big open field with absolutely no privacy or shade. Picture Woodstock. The“barely there stream of water” was covered by trees at the campsite and there was basically just a huge mound of dirt where they told us to set up. We asked for a different spot and they said they were full. We paid SIXTY SIX dollars for this tent camping experience on the river!! We asked for a refund and they refused(otherwise, I wouldn’t have left a review at all. They should have made it right.) We luckily found a beautiful spot at Deep Creek Campground otherwise we would have had to drive two hours home!!! Do.not.be.scammed.

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    Great campground!

    As a solo traveler that doesn’t like excessive noise or want to be near kids, I just wanted peace and quiet to relax and listen to the sounds of nature. The owner, Jeanie(hopefully I’m spelling that right) understood completely and was sure to put me in a site where she knew the surrounding sites would be empty for the entirety of my stay and she was sure not to book anyone near me. Yes, the sites are fairly close together, but I stayed during the week and was able to enjoy most of the place to myself ….or at least the area of the campground that I was in. When I extended my stay an extra night, she was sure to warn me that there was a family with kids coming that night and that they’d be in my vicinity. I couldn’t have asked for a better campground host! She had all the info on waterfalls in the area which minimized my planning time/time staring at my phone. And the fact that the place is all pea gravel really makes a difference! It rained the first couple days I was there and my tent wasn’t a muddy mess which is always a plus!

    The bathrooms and showers were clean and the camp store had just about everything you could possibly need in a pinch. Firewood and ice were priced fairly, making it very convenient if you forgot to grab either one while you were out for the day. Will definitely be back! Actually, I can’t wait to go back!

  • Isabelle C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Excellent Campground

    Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC is a hidden gem. Nice hosts, clean facilities in the woods. We have a 25 ft pull behind camper and sites are big enough for slide-outs. Picknick table and campfire ring was on site. We had a 30 amp full hook-up site. Campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, clean bathhouse and is dog friendly.

  • Casey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    Great spot!

    The only reason I dinged it from five stars is because of the road noise. Other than that this place is beautiful! Great hike to a beautiful lake! Simple amenities. Great drive up tent spots surrounded by trees. Nobody else was here during the week so I had the place to myself! The rangers were incredibly helpful and friendly! I will be back!

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Mountain Rest Mountain Top

    Great campsite, you guys are pansies though

    great spot, can see the stars super clearly and its pretty much just open woodland once youre there.

    you dont need 4 wheel drive or a truck like some of these people are saying, i did it fine in my honda civic, just dont have anything with worse clearance than that, and be ready to get some branch scratches which is kinda expected for wood roads

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Gorges State Park Campground

    CAUTION: steep grades and curvy road

    This campground would’ve gotten five stars except for the road getting there was pretty exciting. The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down. Other than that, this campground was super nice. Has the nicest showers I have ever seen in a campground. All the sites for RVs are on concrete pads with electric, water, and sewer. This was a great staging point for our trip up to the great Smoky Mountains. The visitor center was very informative.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Campfire Lodgings

    Tent camping

    Tent camping sites are walk in, down hill, obviously thar means hauling your stuff out uphill when you leave. RVers have a great view from the ridge top. But a difficult day camping is far better than any day at work.

  • Alden B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping

    Very Nice camping near Dupont National Forest

    If you want close access to Dupont and Pisga NF you're within minutes! The owners Mark & Esther are wonderful. We call him SouthSide Mark ( hails from South Africa). Some sites are a little tight, but fine. If you have a big rig call ahead. The cabin was wonderful. The bathhouse is older but very clean. You can tell the owners love their campers and property. The site is tree covered and hilly. We will come again, guaranteed! Watch your step. Wood Spirits are Everywhere!


Guide to Penrose

Camping sites near Penrose, North Carolina provide access to the southern Appalachian Mountain ecosystem at elevations between 2,100-5,000 feet. These mountains receive significant rainfall of approximately 80 inches annually, creating lush forests and numerous water features for campers to enjoy. Weather patterns shift quickly in this region, with temperature differences of 10-15 degrees between valley floors and mountain peaks even within short distances.

What to do

Fly fishing opportunities: Mills River Campground offers excellent access to trout fishing areas. "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish! The campsite was great, not very crowded," notes a visitor to North Mills River.

Mountain biking trails: Access numerous trail systems directly from your campsite. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures...if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground," according to a review from Davidson River Campground.

Waterfall exploration: Several campgrounds serve as baselines for waterfall hikes. "There are miles and miles of hiking/running and mountain biking trails in the surrounding area, as well as numerous waterfalls. The campground is less than a mile from The Hub bike shop/Pisgah Tavern," reports a camper at Davidson River Campground.

What campers like

Riverside sites: Many campers appreciate waterfront camping options. One visitor to North Mills River shares, "We were the only campers there. It was very quiet. The stream ran right by the campsite so listening to the stream as we went to bed was wonderful."

Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation campgrounds provide relief from summer heat. "Spacious sites arranged for privacy. Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer. Trees all around for privacy," explains a review for Mount Pisgah Campground.

Proximity to towns: Campers value the balance between seclusion and access to amenities. A visitor to Lake Powhatan notes, "Even though it's only 10 minutes or so away from the edge of Asheville, it has the feel of being much further away - including no Verizon service."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill up during peak seasons. A camper at Davidson River advises, "This area has become over run with tourists and the 'free' campsites have mostly been comandeered by squatters who rotate from site to site every 14 days. The campground has a great river to swim in and is close to Brevard and Asheville but reservations are recommended."

Bear activity: Multiple campgrounds report bear sightings, requiring proper food storage. "Bears occasionally enter campground but I have never had trouble with them. Keep all food secure in bear box provided at each site," shares a camper at Mount Pisgah Campground.

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "No Cell Reception at the campground but they have WiFi. The WiFi can only be accessed from a few places," notes a visitor to Black Forest Family Camping Resort.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with safe water access. "We spent some time in the lake, on hiking trails, and in town," mentions a Lake Powhatan visitor, while another notes it "has a great beach and lots of hiking and mountain bike trails."

Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific activities for children. A camper at Black Forest Camping Resort shares, "They do lots of things for kids like ice cream socials. They have a little shop in case you forget some necessities."

Short hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature trails manageable for younger hikers. A visitor to Jones Gap State Park recommends, "This is a good campsite for 1st time backpackers. The site is approximately 1 mile from the state park office. The trail is moderately difficult with lots of rocks."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Choose campgrounds with appropriate hookups for your needs. "There are no hookups on this site. So be sure you have a generator! One bonus on the location of this site is the water access just feet away," advises an RVer at Pisgah National Forest Davidson River Campground.

Leveling challenges: Many mountain campsites require leveling equipment. "Sites are all gravel. We have hammocked camped here, and this last trip, I camped in my Motorcycle trailer. You will likely need to level anything you bring," notes a camper at Black Forest Family Camping Resort.

Dump station access: Verify facilities before arrival as options vary. "I rated a 4 star because the dump site is very tight, and lacking. That was the only thing on this campground I feel needed some work," shares an RVer at Pisgah National Forest Davidson River Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Penrose, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Penrose, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 467 campgrounds and RV parks near Penrose, NC and 40 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Penrose, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Penrose, NC is Davidson River Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 83 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 40 free dispersed camping spots near Penrose, NC.

What parks are near Penrose, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Penrose, NC that allow camping, notably National Forests in North Carolina and Pisgah National Forest.