The Tryon area in western North Carolina provides access to diverse camping experiences throughout the Blue Ridge foothills and nearby mountains. Established campgrounds like Emberglow Outdoor Resort in Mill Spring offer tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations with ratings above 4.8 stars. Silver Creek Campground, also in Mill Spring, features 58 sites with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and drinking water. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with many closing between November and April, though some like Paris Mountain State Park Campground in nearby Greenville, South Carolina remain open year-round.
Camping facilities around Tryon vary widely in terrain and accessibility. The region's campgrounds sit at various elevations, from valley locations near Tryon to higher mountain settings along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Most developed sites provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms, while more remote areas may require self-sufficiency. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the mountains, particularly at higher elevations where temperatures remain cooler even during summer months. A review of Lake Powhatan noted: "We stayed for six days in March. We loved everything about this campground. The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations."
Several visitors highlight the natural water features as standout elements of camping in this region. Campgrounds situated along rivers and lakes receive particularly positive feedback, with many campers appreciating the soothing background noise and recreational opportunities. Davidson River Campground near Brevard provides access to popular swimming areas and tubing opportunities, while also serving as a gateway to numerous hiking trails and waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest. A camper described their experience: "The rhythmic sounds of the river offered sound sleep all night." Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds having limited or no coverage, particularly those in more remote mountain settings. Most campgrounds within 30 minutes of Tryon provide good access to supplies in nearby towns.
$38 - $48 / night
"A swimming lake with slide. Boats, zip line, fishing, a game room, move room. Only bad thing is the bad house are probably the worst I have ever used."
$100 / night
"I stayed at Trailside Camp Site #2, which is one of their remote, primitive sites at the North Lake and all I can say is wow."
"Nice wooded coverage, walking and hiking trails, plus a few lakes to fish. Bath houses are probably the cleanest I’ve seen in all the campgrounds I’ve been too."
$37 - $84 / night
"Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."
"We had a quick nights stay in Davidson River Campground after picking up our new SylvanSport GO tent trailer in nearby Brevard, North Carolina."
$40 - $350 / night
"The tent sites are clustered together next to a stream in the woods, providing tons of shade on hot days. "
"The close proximity to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is an added bonus. The owners and staff were very friendly and helpful, but unobtrusive. I highly recommend Emberglow Campground."
$37 - $135 / night
"The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."
"PROS Discounted camp fee with senior pass
Reserved 169 days prior to arriving
Friendly and helpful gate attendant
Nearly 100% shade at each site
Excellent dark sky viewing
Private sites with"
$26 - $62 / night
"I loved camping at the edge of the river but know that it is loud and is a constant sound! The sites are right along the river and are a bit tight."
"Nice place to visit and close to Chimney Rock"
"Over all, if you want the peace and quiet in the North Carolina foot hills with your furry friend and have a good time. This is the place to be."
"The gravel at our site was painful for our dog’s feet and they had a hard time walking on it. The dog parks made up for this! There are multiple large dog parks located at the campground."
$55 - $66 / night
"This campground is located close to the interstate and downtown Hendersonville with lots of restaurants. Also close by is the Dupont State Forest, places to hike, Lake Lure etc."
"If you’re looking for a little more space, best to book on the far side of the park near the dog run. A little more space with a tree or two between if you can get the right spot."
"The alternatives #5 and #6 were close to the entrance and therefore exposed to the road, and #49 was next to the restrooms, but similar to #60, so stayed with #60."
"One drawback is that from the campground there is no easy access to the lake- you can either drive and park (and hope to find parking) or walk on a busy road . "
ScoutWe stayed for 1 night in campsite #1. The campground is small, quiet, and had a nice bathroom/shower set-up. I would recommend bringing your own firewood. They have wood to purchase but a few pieces in every bundle were punky and didn’t burn well.
ScoutThis place has an amazing view there's one more campsite earlier up on the road it has an even better view but this is still an 8 out of 10, it's perfect for a hammock setup it might be a little bit harder if you're trying to put a tent up in here. Clean site.
ScoutWe stayed for 5 nights and loved it! Someone was watching over us because the fire ban had been lifted the day we go there. Enjoyed the site by the creek and as promised, it was very peaceful and quiet. Showers and restrooms were very clean! Highly recommend this place!
ScoutEasy walk in from parking lot to meadow with free dispersed camping spots along the Sam Knob Trail
ScoutWe stayed on Thursday and Friday night. There is noticeably more traffic on Friday night, but nothing that ran late. We had to pick up trash on our arrival from previous campers so a good reminder to bring gloves a shovel and dig a hole for your poop or pack your poop out! It was a private site with the shade and some sunshine. There are a lot of sites with shade, some small some large. There are some sunny sites. A lot of the sites are very close to the road. Some of them are back further into the woods for more privacy.
We drove a Traverse which doesn’t have super high clearance and it was a steep grade gravel road. There are sites that will require a high clearance vehicle but also plenty of level spots to get in. No disturbances; no animal sightings. No safety concerns. Near trailheads for convenient hiking.
GuideThe river nearby this campsite was absolutely unreal! Definitely made staying here worthwhile. Upon arrival, our site (02) has a tag with my name and our reserved days we are staying, and there was no need for us to check in. We reserved our site via recreation.gov, where it was $33, which is different than previous reviews but still very much worth it nonetheless. The campsites are snuggled in, but only in one line (only neighbors to your sides, not in front and behind you). Many small RVs and some tent campers too. Seemed to be a place well loved by families with its large picnic tables and shaded grassy areas. There were some educational signs around the area, including one about how the area can be prone to flash floods.
The river by the campground can be heard, but not seen from camp, but is a short walk down to the swimming area. The river was stunning and many folks were there enjoying it for the day & weekend. You can hear the river all night, with only accompanying vehicle noise from the main road next to the campground.
We were surprised to find the restroom facilities were not operational, and fallen into kinda rough shape but there was a portalet (portable toilet) available for the public visiting the swimming area and the campers staying overnight. Not the end of the world but something to keep in mind. Also, we had no signal in this area (which was a plus for us haha!), but there seemed to be a satellite nearby if needed. Overall, this little remote roadside & riverside site was well worth the adventure.
GuideFrom the lake, to the kind folks who ran the campground, Lake Powhatan was a delight. Closer to the city than we usually go for (~20 min from Asheville, NC), but still felt like true wilderness. All the campsites come equipped with a bear box for campers to use free of cost and the sites ask that you back in vehicles & rigs. We are in a small truck cap camper, so we had lots of room at this site. You can still see your neighbors, but are not on top of one another which is nice. There are also clean & convenient showers and restrooms at the sites (with hot water! Made us feel fancy! Haha). Speaking of convenient, they also have ice and firewood for sale on site when you arrive in case you forgot or needed something. Ice was $5 a small bag and firewood was $10 a bundle.
There is also nice hiking trails on site that we enjoyed, including a small dam and a small manmade waterfall on the other side. Trails wrap around to the lake’s little beach for visitors to swim (there isn’t always a lifeguard on duty, and wasn’t anyone swimming this trip due to it still being a little cool out). Listened to many birds throughout the trip and there wasn’t many bugs out this time of year. Great place for families to bring their kiddos, or for anyone looking to get away for a little bit. Definitely recommend checking it out.
ScoutGreat location. Right across the street from Pisgah Coffee Roasters, 10 minutes to downtown shops and restaurants, and minutes from the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and hiking trails. Sites are big enough for our 40 ft rig and suburban. Lots of space alongside the creek to spread out. Beautiful park. Will be back.
RangerThere are two campsites here seven and eight and there’s one across the road six I believe. They are very nice sites, but not a lot of room for parking. You could set up a number of small tents or a large tent on either site. There is a campfire ring and a creek that runs right alongside.
Camping spots near Tryon, North Carolina range from mountain settings above 2,500 feet to valley locations at around 1,000 feet elevation. The region sits in the Blue Ridge foothills where summer temperatures average 85°F in valleys but remain 10-15 degrees cooler at higher elevations. Winter camping options are limited, with only Paris Mountain State Park and Lakewood RV Resort maintaining year-round operations while most other campgrounds close between November and April.
Explore mountain biking trails: Davidson River Campground serves as an ideal base for mountain biking enthusiasts. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures... if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground," notes Travis S., highlighting the convenient access to popular trail systems.
Visit Lake Lure and Chimney Rock: Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground provides direct access to these attractions. "This campground is close to Lake Lure public beach and Chimney Rock. Great location but most spots are taken by permanent residents," explains Dan, who recommends the campground for smaller RVs and tents.
Try river tubing: Silver Creek Campground offers tubing on the Green River. "I've been going here for years for the tubing experience. They have both primitive and rv camping. A store and many other amenities," says Joe F., highlighting one of the more popular warm-weather activities in the region.
Swimming lakes with activities: Orchard Lake Campground features water activities that receive consistent praise. "We went kayaking and swimming daily. There is a slide in the middle of the pond that my son loved," says Amanda M., describing the family-friendly water features at this campground located just outside Saluda.
Private dog parks: Many visitors to Four Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat appreciate the specialized amenities for pets. "18 acres of wonder open areas fenced in to keep you furry friends from running away, there is agility park, puppy park, the main dog park, a private park (single or you can invite), a Lure run, a Ball Park, and a Pond for those watery dogs," explains Chris &, detailing the unique offerings at this adults-only, dog-focused campground.
Clean facilities: Lake Powhatan campground consistently receives positive feedback for its maintenance. "The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside. The staff was very helpful and friendly," writes Heather C., noting the campground's proximity to Asheville while still providing a nature experience.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites due to the mountainous terrain. At Paris Mountain State Park, "Some site are very uneven," warns Rick B., while another reviewer notes that some sites "needed a little rehab and weren't very flat."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the Tryon area operate seasonally, typically from April through October. Davidson River Campground operates from March 15 to November 1, while Orchard Lake Campground runs from April 1 to November 1.
Narrow access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. At Paris Mountain State Park Campground, one camper observed, "The road through the park back to the campground is pretty narrow at some points - we don't know how we would have managed if we had met another RV!"
Look for dedicated activity areas: Emberglow Outdoor Resort offers numerous family amenities. "Just spent the weekend here and loved it! Great place for kids with jump pad, swingset, slides, climbing dome, pool, a creek to explore, hiking trails, and more," notes Stacey, highlighting the family-focused activities.
Consider camping cabins: For families without camping equipment, Orchard Lake Campground offers alternatives. "This campground has amenities for all types of camping styles. We will definitely be back!" says Jeff B., referencing the variety of accommodation options available.
Check for campground programming: Several campgrounds offer organized activities. "They have a bible lesson and activity for the children including hay ride on Saturday morning. They do a church service on sundays," explains Randy P. about Orchard Lake Campground's scheduled family programs.
Reserve lakefront sites early: At Asheville East KOA, premium sites book quickly. "Our site was very spacious... Very convenient starting point for trail adventures in the area! Campground was quiet in the off season, but definitely not empty," notes Carly E. about the popularity of the campground year-round.
Check site sizes before booking: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. At Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground, "Access in and out of campsites is very difficult due to big rocks everywhere. The bridge across the river for entering the campground is very narrow and you can get onto it only by coming from the opposite lane," cautions Dan, who doesn't recommend the campground for trailers longer than 21 feet.
Consider age-restricted options: For travelers over 55, Lakewood RV Resort offers a quieter alternative. "We took advantage of my hubby's 55+ status and parked here for a night. Everyone was super nice and welcoming. It was quiet and nice," says Sarah A., describing this adults-only option near Flat Rock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Tryon, NC?
The Tryon area offers excellent camping options in western North Carolina's beautiful mountains. Green Willow Farm Camping provides a unique farm-based camping experience with a welcoming atmosphere. Just a short drive away, Gorges State Park Campground offers spectacular waterfall views including Rainbow Falls and Turtle Back Falls. For those willing to venture slightly further, Emberglow Outdoor Resort near Mill Spring and Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground near Chimney Rock are also excellent choices with beautiful natural settings.
Are there RV-friendly campsites available near Tryon, NC?
Davidson River Campground offers spacious, level sites suitable for RVs with clean facilities and beautiful surroundings. For those seeking more amenities, Lakewood RV Resort - 55+ near Flat Rock caters specifically to RV travelers with full hookups and is designed for big rigs. Other options include Orchard Lake Campground near Saluda and Asheville East KOA, both offering big-rig-friendly sites with water and toilet facilities. Most RV campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak seasons.
What amenities do campgrounds near Tryon, NC offer?
Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina offers spacious sites with excellent privacy, clean showers and bathrooms, numerous hiking trails, and senior discounts. The campground provides nearly 100% shade coverage and dark skies for stargazing. Spacious Skies Bear Den focuses on family-friendly amenities with clean facilities, friendly staff, and various activities suitable for all ages. Many campgrounds in the region feature water access, toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Higher-end resorts often include full hookups, WiFi, shower facilities, and recreational activities, while more remote sites offer peace and natural beauty instead of modern conveniences.
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