Sapphire sits at approximately 3,500 feet elevation in western North Carolina, surrounded by Nantahala National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The region receives significant rainfall year-round, creating ideal conditions for the area's numerous waterfalls. Mountain elevations create varied microclimates that support diverse plant life, including native rhododendron and mountain laurel that bloom throughout late spring.
What to do
Waterfall hunting near Rainbow Falls: The Gorges State Park Campground area offers multiple waterfall hiking options. "This is one of North Carolina's best waterfall parks. Rainbow Falls, Turtel Back Falls and Bust your Ass Falls," notes reviewer Mitchell G. The park covers over 7,000 acres with numerous trails leading to these natural features.
Lake activities on Glenville Lake: Ralph J. Andrews Campground provides direct access to what locals call the highest elevation lake east of the Rocky Mountains. "The campground itself is alongside Lake Glenville and provides easy access for putting in boats, fishing, or swimming. It is also not far from the wonderful beach on the lake where everyone goes to picnic," writes Asher K. The lake spans approximately 4 miles in length.
Mountain biking trails: The area surrounding Sapphire offers extensive mountain biking opportunities within a 20-minute drive. "Being regular tent campers, we understand that sometimes you are at the mercy of your neighbors," explains Jay B. from Oconee State Park. "There are tons of hiking opportunities in the area with tons of waterfalls. We did get to hike to a few, but wish we had more time to spend there."
What campers like
Private tent sites: At Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort, campers appreciate the secluded feel. "Plenty of space between sites so it felt private, and all campers were respectful. Every day, at 5pm, the happy hour bell rings and it's a great chance to meet people and learn tips on the area," reports Sarah A. The resort features mature landscaping that creates natural separation between campsites.
Clean bathroom facilities: Table Rock State Park earns high marks for its facilities. "Our sites were clean and perfect for tents! The bathrooms seemed overwhelmed with use but the rangers did a good job of keeping up with them," notes Ellen E. "Camp store had wood and supplies and welcome center has great wifi!!!"
Community gatherings: Social opportunities appeal to many visitors in the area. "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," says Melissa D. These regular meetups give campers a chance to exchange information about local attractions.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: When booking at Cherry Hill Campground, pay attention to site layout. "Fairly nice campsite set up with nice concrete table and tent pad. Some sites more spacious and laid out better then others. (We had three families camping in sites 17 & 18... would have been better in 16 & 17 or for the price book all 3, 16-18)," advises Sammi Jo F. Reservation-only policies apply at many campgrounds.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require careful driving. "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," warns Lisa M. about Gorges State Park.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking seclusion, multiple backcountry options exist. "There are 3 trailside primitive campsites that are on a peninsula overlooking Lake Keowee. Although only one of them is considered on the shore, they are all within walking distance (down a little hill) from the shore," explains Maggie J. Many primitive sites cost under $15 per night.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible hiking trails: Oconee State Park Campground offers family-friendly outdoor experiences. "There is a small lake, which had a short trail going around it. We saw people fishing and I believe you can rent canoes as well in the park," shares Jessica S. The park features multiple cabins scattered around the lake that maintain good distance from each other.
Swimming areas: Water access points provide natural swimming spots for children. "If you want to go swimming there are only a couple of locations that you can hang out for the day and swim. If you want one of these make sure to get there early," advises Brandon D. Water levels can fluctuate throughout the season, affecting beach areas.
Security considerations: Ralph J. Andrews Campground implements measures to enhance family safety. "The gates are locked from 10pm until 8am which reduces any drive-through traffic and increases safety. The staff are helpful and friendly and the campground is well maintained," explains Nancy D. This campground hosts only 38 total campsites, creating a more intimate setting.
Tips from RVers
Levelness issues: At Adventure Village and Lodgings, be prepared for some uneven sites. "Site was not fully level, so we had to pull out the wheel levelers and go up about 4" on one side," reports Adam V. Most RV sites in the area are back-in only, with few pull-through options available.
Cellular connectivity: Working remotely proves challenging at some locations. "There was no Verizon service," notes Sherry P. about Adventure Village. Some campgrounds advertise WiFi but experience intermittent service. "We never knew when it would start, or stop and became very difficult to work," explains Adam V.
Electrical reliability: When choosing a campground for extended stays, investigate power stability. "Twice in one week this campground experienced a complete and total power outage each of which lasted for hours," reports Daniel G. about Keowee-Toxaway State Park. Most glamping near Sapphire, North Carolina offers electrical hookups, but reliability varies by location.
