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Camping near Pisgah National Forest

1,662 Reviews

Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina has many good camping options throughout the area. Black Mountain Campground sits among shady trees with plenty of room between sites. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground keeps their grounds in good shape and looks out over the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can access the Appalachian Trail nearby if you want to go for a hike. Linville Falls Campground puts you close to Linville Gorge, which is worth seeing while you're there. Mount Pisgah Campground gives you good views and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Make sure to check on current fire rules and follow Leave No Trace while camping. Some areas need permits, so look up the rules before heading out. It's smart to book ahead during busy times if you want to get a spot. The Great Smoky Mountains aren't too far away if you want to take a day trip. Weather changes with the seasons - fall and spring are cooler, summer is warm and good for being outside, and winter camping works but you'll need to bring extra warm gear.

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Best Camping Sites Near Pisgah National Forest (387)

    1. Asheville East KOA

    52 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-3121

    $50 / night

    "Beautiful sites on a lake with mountains in view. Very close to lots of sites like downtown Asheville and short drive to Pisgah National Forest and Cherokee reservation."

    "As typical of a KOA, they shove you in there so you are very close to your neighbors. The stars of the park are the riverfront sites."

    2. Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    26 Reviews
    Montreat, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5616

    $28 - $56 / night

    ".**

    Campground:

    Black Mountain Campground in the Pisgah National Forest, is nestled in Burnsville, NC but you must work at it to get there. https://cfaia.org/black-mountain-briar-bottom-campgrounds-in-north-carolina"

    "This is a wonderful spot to be to explore the surrounding areas:

    • The famous Mount Mitchell trail, starts a short walking distance from the campground."

    3. Curtis Creek Campground

    24 Reviews
    Old Fort, NC
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (828) 652-2144

    $10 / night

    "I would not recommend this for someone unfamiliar with driving a rig but once we got there it was amazing."

    "Was able to get two sites right next to each other outside the main campsite area which was great."

    4. Spacious Skies Bear Den

    65 Reviews
    Spruce Pine, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 765-2888

    $24 - $999 / night

    "I loved being able to camp in our little Casita in Pisgah National Forest right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. "

    "Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families."

    5. Mount Mitchell State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Pisgah National Forest, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-4611

    $27 / night

    "The campground is open from May 1 to Oct 31...but if you walk-in to the sites, as in via the trails, you can rent a site amost all year.

    Tent sites are small, but nice."

    "There are plenty of tent camping sites along the Mountain to Sea trail and throughout the park. I camped by Commissary Ridge next to a small Creek and an excellent view of sunrise."

    6. Montreat Family Campground

    15 Reviews
    Montreat, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 572-2257

    $25 / night

    "You’ll feel like you have the forest to yourself, with tons of pretty plants all around you.

    It’s down a short path (a bit tricky to navigate) and tucked away between the creek and small stream."

    "We abandoned plans to stay at place in Old Fort (see listing for Catawba Falls) and ended up here as a last chance before having to hit a hotel to turn back around to CLT.  "

    7. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground

    28 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-4258

    $75 - $200 / night

    "It was level had tons of shade and even though you are close to your neighbors the sites are situated so that it doesn’t feel like you’re on top of each other."

    "The only thing we would say is to be very careful if you’re up on one of the premiere Mountain View sites when you’re pulling your trailer down exiting the CG - it can be seriously steep and a tight turn"

    8. Mountain Stream RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Pisgah National Forest, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 724-9013

    $48 - $65 / night

    "There is alot to see somewhat close by too. We did Chimney Rock & Linville Falls, both absolutely beautiful!"

    "Located near many great hikes and river access. My Mitchell is about 60 minutes away on a beautiful drive. If you like peaceful and quiet campgrounds this is the place for you!"

    9. Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

    12 Reviews
    Little Switzerland, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5509

    $28 - $70 / night

    "We stayed for two nights, a little away from the main camp area but was kinda glad for it. Had a great spot tucked into the woods near the water. Great path to skip rocks and just enjoy."

    "It is tucked in next to the South Toe River with an excellent swimming hole, rapids for tubing, great trout fishing, and a good launching off point for hikes into the Black Mountains and Mt Mitchell."

    10. Crabtree Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    12 Reviews
    Little Switzerland, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5444

    $10 - $20 / night

    "On the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled in the trees and mountains of North Carolina, this campground is an older style NPS campground, but has been well maintained."

    "This review (just as future reviews to this page should be) is about the Crab Tree Falls Campground that is in North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Parkway and is managed by the National Park Service."

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Recent Camping Photos near Pisgah National Forest

823 Photos of 387 Pisgah National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Pisgah National Forest

1662 Reviews of 387 Pisgah National Forest Campgrounds

  • Theresa S.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the location, Left because of the owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • Shane N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Camp Stonefly

    Great small peacefully time

    Me and wife passing through. Stayed over weekend loved it

  • Gary S.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the Location, Left because of the Owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Old NC 105 Dispersed

    Amazing views and Free camping

    This place is amazing, Free and clean campsites.

  • 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!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NC

    Good spot!

    Spent two nights here at a site right next to the creek, which was awesome listening to the running water as you fall asleep. Easy to get to, just a forest service road. A 4x4 makes it easy but there were minivans and junkyard beaters driving by. There are multiple sites along the service road and not too close to each other.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    This is a great spot along a mountain ridge. The dirt road goes for about 13 miles. Would recommend a 4x4, but I’ve seen all kinds of vehicles travel the entire road from minivans to Honda accords. There are plenty of spots to choose from. Some have great views of the valley and table top mountain and others are just nooks in the woods. The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am). Some sites are right off of the road which could get annoying from all the traffic of people going to the hiking trails nearby. And there are spots tucked away a bit off of the road where you really don’t notice trucks and cars driving by. Awesome place for a weekend getaway! Definitely going to visit again.

    P.S. only 4 stars because there are only about 3-5 sites with a great view!

  • Robert B.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    FR472 & Black Mountain Campground Closed

    FR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you are caught walking beyond the gate.  Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.  The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out.  The water system is also destroyed as well as the road network in the campground.  There have been no announcements by the Forest Service about plans to repair the facility and, after a year, my guess is that there never will be.

Guide to Pisgah National Forest

Camping near Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, bike, or just relax by a lake, there’s something for everyone in this stunning area.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails around the campgrounds. For example, at Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina, visitors enjoy a lovely hike around the lake. One reviewer mentioned, "The best thing about Lake Powhatan is the nice hike around the lake and the fun little lake beach."
  • Biking: Many campgrounds, like Asheville East KOA, offer bike-friendly trails. A camper noted, "There are so many trails to choose from," making it a great spot for biking enthusiasts.
  • Fishing and Swimming: At North Mills River, the clear waters are perfect for fishing and swimming. One visitor shared, "The water is pretty clear and has an abundance of trout."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A review for Bear Den Family Campground and Cabins highlighted, "The bathrooms are clean and there is a laundry."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful hosts. At Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground, a camper mentioned, "The staff are super friendly and helpful."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Mount Pisgah Campground said, "This campground is conveniently located along the Blue Ridge Parkway."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or trains. For instance, at Asheville West KOA, one camper noted, "The interstate noise was insane."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. At Linville Falls Campground, a visitor pointed out, "There is water and some buggy bathrooms (if that bothers you) but no showers."
  • Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can feel packed, especially during peak seasons. A review for Asheville East KOA mentioned, "The main issue with this campground is how close the sites are."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for children. At Asheville East KOA, families can enjoy a pool, playground, and themed weekend activities. One parent said, "There is a pool, playground, gaga ball pit, and fishing."
  • Safety Precautions: Be aware of wildlife. A camper at Lake Powhatan shared, "I did have a bear encounter on my way to the bathroom during the night."
  • Space for Activities: Choose campgrounds with enough space for kids to play. A review for Bear Den Family Campground mentioned, "Big private sites, lots of activities for teens."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify site dimensions before booking. A review for Asheville East KOA warned, "Section A was extremely tight for navigating, parking, and camping."
  • Noise Considerations: Be prepared for potential noise from nearby highways or trains. A camper at Asheville West KOA noted, "I woke up constantly to semi trucks using their engine brakes."
  • Amenities for RVs: Look for campgrounds with good facilities for RVs. At Mount Pisgah Campground, one visitor appreciated the "clean and modern restrooms."

Camping near Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but knowing what to expect can make your trip even better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Pisgah National Forest?

Davidson River Campground is consistently rated as one of the best in Pisgah, offering electric hookups, warm showers, and picnic tables. Located at the forest entrance near Brevard, it provides easy access to numerous waterfalls and hiking trails. Another excellent option is North Mills River, which features beautiful riverside sites with accommodating hosts who deliver ice and firewood upon request. North Mills River's location makes it ideal for accessing hiking, swimming, and tubing opportunities, though it can get crowded due to its popularity and central location within the forest. Both campgrounds offer a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites, so advance planning is recommended, especially during peak seasons.

Is dispersed tent camping allowed in Pisgah National Forest?

Yes, dispersed tent camping is allowed in Pisgah National Forest outside of developed recreation areas. Round Mountain offers very primitive camping options for those seeking a more rugged experience while exploring the forest. When dispersed camping, you must set up at least 1,000 feet away from developed areas and 100 feet from any water source. There are no facilities in dispersed areas, so pack out all trash and follow Leave No Trace principles. Always check current regulations at ranger stations before setting up camp, as some areas may have seasonal restrictions or fire bans. Dispersed camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in one location within a 30-day period.

What water activities are available when camping in Pisgah National Forest?

Pisgah National Forest offers numerous water activities for campers. The North Mills River area is excellent for swimming, fishing, and tubing, with the beautiful river running adjacent to camping areas. Wilson's Riverfront RV Park provides access to the French Broad River where you can enjoy tubing (with discounted rentals for campers). Throughout the forest, you'll find countless waterfalls for swimming in natural pools, trout streams for fishing (NC fishing license required), and calm sections of river perfect for kayaking and canoeing. Water activities are most accessible from spring through early fall, with summer offering the warmest water temperatures. Always check water conditions before entering, as heavy rainfall can create dangerous currents.

Are there any private campgrounds with additional amenities near Pisgah National Forest?

Cherryfield Creek Luxury Campsite sits right on the border of Pisgah National Forest, offering clean bathrooms, fire pits at each site, and accommodation for large groups, all while being just 10 minutes from local restaurants. For RV campers, Land of Waterfalls RV Park provides a well-maintained, peaceful setting just 15 minutes from Brevard and Pisgah National Forest with friendly hosts. Other options include Rutledge Lake RV Resort with fishing opportunities and Asheville East KOA, which features lakeside sites with mountain views, a convenient location for exploring both downtown Asheville and the forest. These private campgrounds offer amenities like full hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and sometimes swimming pools.

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