The Blue Ridge Mountains surround Roaring Gap, North Carolina, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to over 3,500 feet. This mountainous terrain creates significant temperature variations between campgrounds, with higher elevation sites often 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby valleys. Cell service remains inconsistent throughout the region, particularly in campgrounds located in deeper valleys or on the northern slopes.
What to do
Kayaking access points: River Country Campground & RV Park offers river access with 61 campsites along Kings Creek Road. "This campground has been transformed into a beautiful place to get away from it all! River front sites, pull thru sites and tent sites," notes a recent visitor.
Mountain biking trails: Fries New RiverTrail RV Park connects directly to the New River Trail. "You can ride bikes from your campsite to the trail. The trail is almost 57 miles in length and we rode 15 miles out and 15 back to campsite," explains one camper who appreciated the direct trail access.
Wine tasting: Several vineyards around Roaring Gap welcome campers for tastings. "You can wine taste while you are visiting. It's not a huge family campground with a ton of activities, but a great place to stay overnight on your way somewhere," mentions a visitor at Roaring River Vineyards RV Campground.
What campers like
Mountain views: Greystone RV Park offers unobstructed views of Pilot Mountain. "10 flat, paved spots on the top of hillside looking up at Pilot Mt. You're right next to your neighbors, but was a great spot for a stopover," reports one RVer who enjoyed the vistas.
Creek access: Many campgrounds feature creeks for summer cooling. At Peak Creek RV Campground, "The creek is like a river, cool getaway during the day," according to a camper who enjoyed the water access during warm weather months.
Seasonal activities: Lake Myers RV Resort offers organized recreation for guests. "A+ campground.. fun activities.. kid friendly.. love playing BINGO here!!" mentions one visitor. Another notes, "Many activities offered for family with 2 large pools etc."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Higher elevation campgrounds experience colder temperatures. Doughton Park Campground sits at higher elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway. "This campground is quiet, shaded, and right on the blue Ridge parkway. It's high in elevation so it's cooler than the surrounding areas," explains a camper.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigating mountain roads. "The roads were windy and a tad narrow but definitely do-able as long as you took your time," notes a visitor describing access to Fries New RiverTrail RV Park.
Reservation requirements: Riverwalk RV Park fills quickly during peak seasons. "We were looking for a campground near by over Martin Luther weekend and used the Dyrt app and found this nice campground," shares a visitor who managed to secure a spot during a holiday weekend.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Plan for age-appropriate activities at each campground. One family at Lake Myers RV Resort noted: "We took our three boys (all under 5) for the weekend. There was not much at all for them to do other than play in the pool... There is a play ground and game room for older kids but nothing for the smaller children to do."
Swimming options: Doughton Park Campground offers hiking alternatives for families. "There are trails you can hike from camp," mentions a visitor, providing options beyond swimming for family recreation.
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity occurs in several campgrounds. "This was the only place we saw bears but not in our campsite just wandering in another loop," explains a family who camped at Doughton Park Campground, suggesting proper food storage is essential.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Willville Motorcycle Camp welcomes RVs with specific amenities. "There are water spigots scattered throughout along with electrical stanchions...just not at every site," notes one camper explaining the importance of choosing sites strategically.
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds near Roaring Gap have limited operating seasons. "Sites are split between first come first serve and reservations," explains a camper at one park, highlighting the importance of understanding reservation systems.
Leveling considerations: Concrete pads at some parks eliminate leveling concerns. At Greystone RV Park, "Pull thru sites with concrete pads. No leveling needed. Couldn't be easier to pull in and set up," explains an RVer who appreciated the convenience.
