Camping options near Swannanoa, North Carolina sit at elevations between 2,000-3,000 feet in western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with better connectivity at lower elevations closer to town centers. Many sites in this region offer creek-side or pond-adjacent camping with concrete pads for level setup.
What to do
Hiking access: Buck Creek serves as an excellent base camp for exploring nearby trails and waterfalls. "About 45 minutes from downtown Asheville NC. Lots of great places to visit near by," notes one camper at Buck Creek.
Water activities: Many campgrounds feature on-site swimming and fishing in natural waterways. "There were two swimming holes along the creek, which were a ton of fun. I swam in both. The water is very clear and refreshing," reports a visitor at Buck Creek.
Mountain drives: The region offers exceptional motorcycle and scenic driving routes. "Just a few miles from the Bluegrass Parkway & Little Switzerland. Great motorcycle roads & home of The Diamond back ride," mentions a reviewer from Buck Creek.
What campers like
Stream sounds: Creekside sites provide natural white noise for better sleep. "The sound of the stream was so peaceful and relaxing. My husband did yoga every morning while I hung in my hammock and watched," shares a guest at Mountain Stream RV Park.
Community events: Several parks organize social gatherings for guests. "Each Saturday evening, Kevin serves up his special home cooked bar-b-que under the shelter at no additional cost, and many campers bring sides to share. It's like having a back yard picnic with friends and family!" explains a Mountain Stream RV Park visitor.
Pet amenities: Designated dog areas with washing stations provide convenience for pet owners. "They even have an off lead dog area with water available and poop bags. Their was a lake on the property to walk around and adds to the beauty of a walk," notes a camper at Red Gates RV Park.
What you should know
Limited office hours: Some RV campgrounds Swannanoa area restrict amenity access after business hours. "The only thing I would recommend is keeping office open later then 5. When office closes you can not take boats, or kayaks out. So when you spend day out site seeing and return office is closed," advises a visitor at Rutledge Lake RV Resort.
Wildlife considerations: Local waterfowl can create noise disturbances at waterfront sites. "The campground is well maintained and the staff are great however I can do without the geese recking havoc at all hours of the night. Those darn birds wouldn't be quite," mentions another Rutledge Lake RV Resort guest.
Internet connectivity: WiFi quality varies significantly between sites even within the same campground. "WiFi at site 19 was considerably worse, but the sky was clear, and I could fully use my Starlink service," reports a Buck Creek camper.
Tips for camping with families
RC flying field: Some campgrounds provide dedicated areas for model airplane flying. "The central field area is mowed and set up as an RC flying field. A few campers flew their model airplanes. It was fun to watch. I even jumped into the RC hobby, buying a trainer plane at a local Hobby Shop, and began flying," shares a guest at Buck Creek.
Playground facilities: Newer resorts often include play structures for children. "A small campground with an updated basic playground set for the kids. Nice lawn courtyard for games," notes a visitor at Mountain Stream RV Park.
Swimming holes: Natural creek features provide safer water play for various ages. "Beautiful level sites backed right up to Buck Creek where we enjoyed catching trout straight from our campsite," explains another Mountain Stream RV Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Concrete pads eliminate many setup challenges in mountain terrain. "We had spot #10 water front. It had plenty of space for the 5 of us and 2 dogs. Nice gravel level sites," reports a visitor at Rutledge Lake RV Resort.
Gate clearance: Some automated entrance systems require careful navigation. "I think it's also worth mentioning that in trying to use the key card the automatic gate dropped on the front of our vehicle, and then in order to park close enough to the hookups my husband hit a post when opening the driver's door," cautions a camper at Rutledge Lake RV Resort.
Spacing considerations: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are close together, but very level, clean, and with a nice picnic table. Many of the sites now have their own wooden decks overlooking the stream, which is a nice addition," explains a guest at Three Peaks RV Resort.
