Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Sapphire, NC is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Sapphire, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Sapphire, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Table Rock State Park is known for being a perfect glimpse into the scenic bliss that South Carolina's Highway 11 is known for. Most prominent to the park is the towering mountain Table Rock, where the park earns its name. This also serves as a backdrop for the 3,000 acre park, and its numerous camping facilities. Below this section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visitors can enjoy Table Rock State Park's cabins and campground, as well as lakes and various hiking trails located within. The Table Rock State Park hiking trails weave through mountain streams, babbling brooks, and rushing waterfalls to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains. The views here showcase the entirety of the region, and shouldn’t be skipped if you’re planning on visiting. That said, while the park is well known for its natural features, Table Rock also has its place in history. For example, the park’s hiking trails host the access point for the 80-mile Foothills Trail, one of the most famous in the Midwest. Hikers often use this trail to travel through the extensive network of SC state parks. These trails date all the way back to the Pioneers who would use them as trade routes and for homesteading. In fact, many of the Table Rock State Park cabins and other structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps remain standing and are on the National Register of Historic Places. This park is unique in that it is one of only 16 South Carolina state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Moreover, there is even a historic CCC-built Lodge available for weddings, receptions, meetings and other special occasions. Additionally, the park features 2 park lakes: the 36-acre Pinnacle Lake and the 67-acre Lake Oolenoy. 94 standard campsites for tent or RV camping, plus 14 renovated cabins provide ample accommodation to visitors. Aside from the larger lakes, there is also an old-fashioned swimming hole complete with a high-dive that is open during the summer season. Take your family out and use one of the 4 picnic shelters available to rent for group gatherings, for a day of fun, music, and recreation. And for those wanting an event to check out, the Music on the Mountain bluegrass jam takes place each month at the Table Rock Lodge–perfect for anyone wanting to escape the outdoors for a minute.
After hours of scrolling through nature photos and majestic mountains, the urge to get out and explore is hard to ignore. We applaud the explorers and adventurers of the world who brave the treacherous elements, as well as the sweet photos that come as a result. However, for many the ideal of a fun weekend away consists less of roughing it, and more relaxing on a beach or in a warm cabin. If you’re in the latter of these groups, you’re going to love Oconee State Park. Oconee is the idealistic place for families and friends looking for a nostalgic getaway complete with rustic charm and character. Dotted throughout the park are rustic, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Cabins available for nightly and weekly rental. Meanwhile, a small, glassy lake lazily invites campers to disrupt its reflection with the canoes and kayaks located on shore. The Greenville region is known for 25+ waterfalls found throughout. Closer in, the 1,100+ acre state park hosts a number of wooded nature trails snake throughout. It also serves as the trailhead for South Carolina’s 77 miles Foothills Trail. Friends and families visiting can enjoy the local wildlife, as well as the regional flora and fauna which proudly thrive in abundance. In the summer Lake Oconee comes alive, creating the backdrop for unforgettable family vacations. Festivities begin in June, including Square Dancing, mini golf, pedal boating competitions, and so much more. However the Winter Months are just as enjoyable if you don’t mind getting cozy in a warm cabin, sipping some coco, and reading a good book. The rangers here are known for their hospitality, and are knowledgeable on the area. Stop in their lodge for a small convenience store, firewood, and great conversations. Oconee offers all the benefits of a mountain resort without the upscale pricing. There are 140+ sites available for rent, starting at just $21/night. Cabins and lodging is available but pricing is dependent on group sizes and room choice, so be sure plan out your trip in advance before coming.
Tallulah Gorge State Park is designated one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia and is a great place for camping near Atlanta. Tallulah Gorge is a 2-mile-long, 1000-foot-deep canyon of metamorphic rock, where the Tallulah River tumbles over six dramatic waterfalls. This unique ecosystem is also the home to several endangered plant species, including the persistent trillium. These natural features have drawn visitors to the gorge since the early 1800s, and with the construction of the Tallulah Falls Railway in 1882, it became Georgia’s first official tourist attraction. Now the gorge is a hotspot for outdoor activity, ranging from hiking, fishing and swimming, to more adventurous pursuits, such as rock climbing and whitewater paddling. The best way to explore Tallulah Gorge is to camp at Tallulah Gorge State Park. Located 100 miles northeast of Atlanta, this 2700-acre park provides 50 tent and RV sites (two are ADA-accessible) on the rim of the raging river gorge. The park also has one group site, and three hike-in backcountry sites. Campsites in the park are fairly compact and close together, so don’t expect a lot of seclusion. Campground amenities include flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station. There are also two playgrounds for the kids, picnic areas, an interpretive center, and access to a sandy beach on Tallulah Falls Lake. The main draw to Tallulah Gorge is hiking down to Sliding Rock at the bottom of the gorge. The park only issues 100 permits per day for this hike in order to minimize impact and maintain the canyon’s natural character. These permits are given on a first-come, first-serve basis, and cannot be reserved in advance—so get yours early! Without a permit, there are many more trails to hike along the rim of the gorge, with each offering stunning viewpoints. Don’t miss the suspension bridge on the Hurricane Falls Trail, which provides a spectacular river view from 80 feet directly above the churning waterfall. FUN FACT: Tallulah Gorge was used as a filming location for Marvel’s Infinity War. Eagle-eyed fans may recognize Hurricane Falls in the final battle in Wakanda.
__Glamping sites are now available at Lake Powhatan! Experience nature and outdoor recreation without sacrificing the comforts and luxuries of home. Choose one of 12 custom designed, fully furnished canvas platform tents in the heart of the national forest for your next mountain adventure, only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC. Learn more about glamping near Asheville . To book your glamping site, click here.__ Located just minutes from the popular city of Asheville, North Carolina, Lake Powhatan has something for everyone. The campground is convenient to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including art and music venues, shopping and dining in Asheville, scenic driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, numerous hiking trails and lakeside recreation.
Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, is also nearby. Note that use of personal watercraft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the lake due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem. The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are located near the campground.__
Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, is also nearby. Note that use of personal watercraft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the lake due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem. The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are located near the campground.__
The campground is situated in a heavily wooded area on the banks of Lake Powhatan in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. The elevation is 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers.
For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-7278.
Among the more popular nearby destinations are Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, The NC Arboretum and the Biltmore Estate.
Any cancellations must be taken care of directly with recreation.gov. Note that this facility does not provide refunds for No Shows or incliment weather.
$43 / night
Whether you’re looking for a campsite to set up your tent underneath the stars or would prefer a more comfortable stay in a cabin or villa, South Carolina’s state parks have you covered. With more than 3,000 campsites and 220 cabins and lodging facilities from the mountains to the sea, you’ll be comfortable wherever you decide to venture.
$7 - $26 / night
North Mills River Campground is a rustic mountain getaway in Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Located just outside the popular city of Asheville, the campground provides access to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including an arboretum, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and numerous hiking, fishing and mountain biking opportunities.
The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are near the campground. Mills River offers excellent trout fishing, as well as tubing and swimming, which are kid-friendly favorite activities. Visitors wishing to learn more about the area can attend educational programs during the summer.
The campground is situated in the Appalachian Mountains at an elevation of 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes densely forested with hardwoods. The group camping area is adjacent to the beautiful, shallow waters of the Mills River.
Several natural and cultural attractions are within close proximity to the campground. Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway are among the most popular sites. The small town of Brevard offers various amenities and services, and visitors can take a trip to Asheville to visit art galleries, music venues, shops and restaurants.
For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-4167.
$40 - $44 / night
Cool, secluded, traditional camping is the style here. The peace and quiet of the outdoors is enhanced by the tranquil sounds of the stream behind your campsite, deck, or weather shelter. We offer a variety of campsites and rental cabins to accommodate all types of campers, from the rustic adventurers to the relaxing escapists. Our campground offers a great deal of amenities such as immaculate restrooms, a country store, cable TV, and Limited WIFI, to make your stay more comfortable. Enjoy activities such as relaxing in the cool and crisp climate, seasonal wildflower & bird watching, lawn games, cookouts, sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows, and stream fishing. As well as hiking trails and waterfalls. We are an excellent base camp to see all the local attractions the "Smokies" have to offer. Nearby find river rafting, tubing, gem mining, golf, trout fishing, and antique and craft shopping. We are an easy drive to Asheville, Cherokee, Franklin, or Maggie Valley and are only 2 1/2 miles to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway!
Greenbrier Campground TN is surrounded by the Little Pigeon River and offer RV sites, tent camping, RV rentals, cabins, and bell tents. Located only 6 miles from downtown Gatlinburg and 8 miles from the entrance to the GSMNP, we are convenient to all area attractions.
$35 - $258 / night
$26 - $37 / night
Guide
Very good spot near the lake. Awesome views and good signal at least for Verizon. Water pressure was a bit inconsistent so watch out for any issues that may cause
Scout
Spent Labor Day weekend there. Awesome trip! Super clean campground and showers. Lots for the kids to do. Trolley that goes into Gatlinburg. Friendly, Christian atmosphere. Great Sunday service. .
Scout
This "campground" is two camp sites max being sold as like 6 "LARGE" sites. My brother and I were genuinely confused because it's essentially two group sites with individual sites being grouped together sharing a fireplace. The individual "sites" themselves are not level and barely big enough for a tent. My brother and I took one set of sites and the other person that showed up with small children took the other set of sites thankfully. I'm not trying to be crammed in with other people's small children while I'm camping. Was not expecting that to be a possibility. Any other people had shown up to the campground my brother and I would have just left. The porta potty is an absolute nightmare of spiders and insects. Don't bother opening it. No water supply
Scout
I stayed October 2022. My first time at this site. At that time, it wasn't under new ownership yet. The staff was very accommodating and friendly. There was some renovations being done. But, all in all, I found it to be clean and stocked. Looking forward to my next visit.
Legend
We live in NC and have camped all over the eastern US. By far Georgia is a state with some of the very best infrastructure. Roads are great. State Parks are some of the best and we’ve camped at many. Tugaloo State Park is a nice park. Right on the lake. Lots of lake related activities. This area of the campground (sites 73-105) has a unique layout in that a large number of sites are pull through and arranged sideways along the access roads. This makes the sites long and narrow and results in close neighbors. The elongated sites mean the picnic table and fire pit are at far end and feel disconnected from the site. Roads are well maintained and sites all seemed pretty level. We were in site 97 with W/E. The bathhouse was very close, but we did not use it. We were a few rows back from the lake but had a view of the lake through the tall pines that provided some shade. We’ve camped here a couple of other times and would come back again.
Traveler
This was a perfect spot to explore the Cashiers and Sapphire area. Owners are super attentive and facilities are clean and well kept.
Guide
We frequently visit this campground for weekend trips as it is close to us. It is easily accessible and does have areas for your garbage but there are no bathrooms which puts a small damper on a family visit. The water is pretty clear and has an abundance of trout so it is great for fishing and swimming.
Guide
Pretty nice campground, although the sites are a little closer to each other than what I'm used to. Campground facilities are clean and very well kept (they rake the sites and shovel out the fire pits). Bath houses are kept clean and stocked also. We camped in site 31 with our 32 ft TT. It was tight backing in, I would say that out of the "standard" sites 28, 30, 32 and 34 are the best sites available. Nice trails with beautiful scenery, the hike to the base of the Gorge is strenuous with LOTS of stair steps back up but if you can do it certainly worth it. Overall a really wonderful park.
Scout
Very clean and well maintained. The staff is very nice and helpful. Location is perfect if you want to enjoy all Gatlinburg has to offer yet have a quiet, peaceful place to rest and relax. We have always had the pull through sites and they are very easy to pull into. The tree houses, tent sites and retro campers they have set up are adorable and perfect if you have family or friends visiting. We are coming back next month with family!
Guide
Very nice place to camp. The bath houses are kept very clean. The owner is very friendly. The fishing is great and so is the environment. Already looking to book again.
GuideMy two girls 18 and 20 had rented a van from Atlanta and this was our first stop , we had rented space 28 ,with hookup for water and electric.
Great spot ,stone bench and table ,fire pit , and grill ,the grill was a big hole in so a bit difficult to BBQ on it .
We got there around 3 pm , and went for a walk to check out the area first that day .
Nice area and trail. Toilet and shower is opposite in bathhouse,my oldest daughter tought it was dirty and old. It was her first trip in a van and camplife. We slept very well the first night.
Next morning we got up and run walked to get a permit to walk the stairs down to Tallulah gorge and to walk over, we got the permit and walked back to get breakfast ,and after that we walked all the stairs down. I had had a incindent with my foot two weeks before leaving and coming down to the falls , I got scared looking at the others walking over the rocky stones in the water and fall in . And I decied that for me that was probably not the good way to start the camping life and only driver to walk over there. Told the girls to go without me, they went out in the middel of there ,but think they felt sorry for their mum not be able to join so they came back and we went up again.
Its heavy to go up the stairs again,but its very beautiful . When we got up we felt we had seen what s to see there and since we had next day was rafting in Nanthala river early morning ,we decied maybe it was a good idea to leave the campground and find another spot nearer to that . That turned out to be a good idea, the traffic to get there took longer and would have been hopless the next day.
So dump statition is on way out ,first time for the girls and me to deal with this alone,we managed.
Ranger
We had a lot of fun at our glamping campsite. The gorgeous tent was on a platform and included a large bed and decorated interior. The site had a campfire ring and was close to the bathroom. The platform had some chairs and the campfire wood was there for us.
I did have a bear encounter on my way to the bathroom during the night, but we both just backed away slowly. This was actually the experience that made me pro-camper with a bathroom lol.
The camp host arrived shortly after we did to check in on us and to give us the lay of the land. He fortunately also came around the next morning when our car battery was dead and gave us a jump.
The best thing about Lake Powhatan is the the nice hike around the lake and the fun little lake beach. It’s the perfect size for kids. Plenty of people also seem to enjoy the biking, but it’s a bit uphill for me and there can be a fair amount of cars.
Lake Powhatan is a great little getaway!
Scout
We had a great experience. Space was easy to get the camper backed into and spaces were far enough apart for small kids to have room to play without bothering other campers. Only concern was the spot we chose was on an exposed point on the lake and was very windy. Would probably be great on a 90 degree summer day but was very cold when the temps dropped into the 40s on our last day.
TravelerGreat management. Clean grounds; level concrete pads; quiet area and very close to downtown Gatlinburg.
Guide
This is a great campground if you like to disconnect. To road in is a narrow gravel road so be prepared if you're not used to that. If you are used to that you'll love the ride. If you come in from the north around Big Creek and down the old Chattahoochee highway you're in for a real treat. Once you get to the campground turn off your phone it won't work there!!! That's great when you're camping!!!
ScoutMy adventure was quiet and full of stars at night. I liked the clean restroom and bike friendly space
Guide
I stayed here many times as a student at Clemson. Only a 45 minute drive. The cabins are amazing. Very clean as well.
Scout
Stayed a few days and everything was what you expect from a KOA. I've stayed in much nicer KOAs but this is still not bad. The interstate was particularly loud, a bridge on the interstate made for some very loud 'ka-booms' when trucks went over.
Traveler
Me and a friend came camping here this second weekend in January. The campground itself was well maintained and the hook ups, dump station and bathhouses were easy to find and use. We had only 2 complaints, the gate to get in closes at 10pm, unfortunately I85 was shut down on our way up so our 3 hr drive became 6hrs. We did not make it before the gate closed and had to stay at Walmart. No code no exceptions. Secondly, there are no trashcans anywhere, on the grounds or in the bathhouses. The trash dump is in a completely different part of the park. It was inconvenient with picking up after my dog. Besides those two things, beautiful lake camping with affordable campsite prices!
Scout
I tried to make a camping reservation at Unicoi, but not paying$75 a night for campsite. This place has gone downhill since the private company took it over! The last time we were there, it was run down and not kept up. Don't bother!
RangerThe sites are a little close together, but everything was clean and taken care of. Beautiful views of the river and there are TeePees to rent in the back of the campground as well.
Scout
My new favospot. The bathrooms and showers are very clean and at night it’s really quite. Make sure to bring your own firewood and there isn’t much laying around to pick up but overall a fantastic place.
Guide
My wife and I visited Indian Creek from Alabama. The campground was very quiet and clean. There is a creek going through the campground and it so relaxing and pretty. The hospitality received from staff was outstanding. Our site (19 I believe) was very tight but you have to book way in advance to get a nicer spot. Great place overall!
Guide
I tent camped here on a solo trip for two nights in the Fall. Met plenty of great folks and got lots of awesome recommendations about things to do in the area from others staying here.
The staff are super friendly, the bathhouse is clean (well, the women’s, can’t speak for the men’s) and there’s a laundry room on site if you need it.
Inside the lodge there’s WiFi, plenty of places to charge a phone or GoPro if needed, a game room with pool tables and TVs, and giant maps with ride routes of the area. They also offer breakfast and dinner for limited hours.
At night they light up a fire and everyone hangs out.
As someone who typically chooses a USFS or NPS campground, I would highly recommend staying here if you’re on a motorcycle.
Traveler
A great campground which seems to get more popular with each passing year. Three loops, loops A and B are best for families with children and older campers, loop C has a few sites with steps and tripping roots.
The lake is beautiful and the water surprisingly warm, even in late spring - early summer. There's good mountain biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, kayak, and SUP to pass your time, or simply relax in a hammock in the shade.
Facilities are adequate and cleaned daily, dump station on site.
Scout
This is a great State Park campground. New, clean, lots of hikes and waterfalls. It doesn’t get any better than this !!
GuideSo upscale!
Camping near Sapphire, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Sapphire, North Carolina, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Sapphire, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Sapphire, NC is Table Rock State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 54 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Sapphire, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 86 glamping camping locations near Sapphire, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
