Mountain campgrounds near Pisgah Forest, North Carolina provide access to one of the oldest national forests in the eastern United States, with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 feet. The area receives approximately 70-90 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and the numerous waterfalls that give the region its distinctive character. Sites often feature gravel pads with variable leveling, requiring blocks for many RV setups.
What to do
Tubing adventures: At Wilderness Cove Campground, visitors can enjoy river tubing directly from the property. "Camped at Wilderness Cove in August 2020 for 2 nights. Very clean, small, quiet campground. Tents only, they do have some cabins for rent," notes reviewer Tammie S.
Hiking nearby parks: The Gatlin Ridge RV Park offers convenient access to regional trails. "Had a great weekend at this small peaceful RV park. Clean, beautiful landscaping. Full hookups, shady spot on site 4. A short drive to local waterfalls, rafting and tubing," says Jake R.
Waterfront activities: The French Broad River provides recreation opportunities for guests at several parks. "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, like Carrier Park or ClimbMax Climbing Gym," explains Kelsey G.
What campers like
Riverside relaxation: Red Gates RV Park features a lake for walking and fishing. "We weren't sure what exactly to expect as it had no reviews. BUT we loved it. Small campground with level sites. Plenty of space and areas to walk our dog. They even have an off lead dog area with water available and poop bags," describes Brenda L.
Community atmosphere: Some parks organize social gatherings for guests. "New owners and they are changing the name to Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort. Beautiful park, lots of mature landscaping and large private, level sites. Gatherings by the pavilion every night at 5. Great community feel," reports Melissa D.
Pet amenities: Several rv sites near Pisgah Forest, North Carolina accommodate furry travelers. "We had a great stay! We had spot #10 water front. It had plenty of space for the 5 of us and 2 dogs. Nice gravel level sites," shares Donna H. from Rutledge Lake RV Resort.
What you should know
Mountain driving challenges: Access to some RV parks requires careful navigation of steep, winding roads. "The drive down the mountain is a little nerve-wracking for a city boy, and my car's low clearance had me scraping my underside on some rocky bumps inside the property, but that's just a heads-up, not a complaint," warns Dave at Wilderness Cove Campground.
Site variations: Campgrounds in the Pisgah Forest region vary significantly in site spacing. "Some of the internal resort roads are in need of resurfacing, as there are quite a few potholes. There are a few sites along the creek on the back left that are a little wooded and have some separation, we were in site 86 which was one of them, but most sites are very close together," notes Ray & Terri F.
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet connection varies widely at Pisgah Forest camping areas. "Overall WiFi was problematic. It took numerous attempts on my computer to connect to the numerous router networks that they have to finally get a connection, but once connected was able to get up to 1.2 MB/s, but often dropped to next to zero," reports a camper at Rutledge Lake RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly accommodations: Asheville's Bear Creek RV Park & Campground offers clean facilities for families. "The staff was friendly and the campground was clean. The sites were a little close together, but that didn't bother us. We had great cell and wifi service and the laundry/bath house was nice," explains Bounding Around.
Water recreation: Parks with water features provide entertainment for children. "My kid(12) and I had a great experience here: 2 nights in tents and 2 in a River Cottage. The tent camping is not quite 'roughing it': there's pretty reliable WiFi and the bath house is air conditioned and kept very clean," shares Dave about his stay.
Base camp convenience: Some RV parks serve as ideal headquarters for family exploration. "This campground is in an awesome location: 25 minutes to downtown Hendersonville, 12 minutes to downtown Brevard, and 10-15 minutes from all the trails at DuPont and Pisgah!" reports William C.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RVers near Pisgah Forest, request specific site types. "This is good campground if you are staying for the night passing through, or if you came to see Asheville and you will not be spending a lot of time at your camper. There is not a lot of space to hangout around your camper outside, in the pull through spots," advises Sarah from Bear Creek.
Multi-day discounts: Some Pisgah Forest area campgrounds offer reduced rates for extended stays. "I am extending my stay as we speak! The entrance is key card only, the park staff are welcoming & helpful. They have a heated pool & lake activities. All of the facilities are nice. The park is up-kept very well," mentions J M. at Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort.
Utility considerations: RV sites near Pisgah Forest vary in electrical service. "We spent 3 nights here while exploring the Asheville area. Perfect for this. Close to Asheville and other local sites. Quiet, peaceful. Sites are quite close together. No great views, but very functional," notes Roberta P. about her experience.
