Camping cabins near Tryon, North Carolina range from basic rustic structures to fully equipped accommodations with modern amenities. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at an elevation around 1,100 feet, Tryon experiences relatively mild winters compared to higher elevation mountain areas. The area's mature hardwood forests provide natural shade for many cabin sites during summer months when temperatures typically reach the mid-80s.
What to do
Hiking mountain trails: Table Rock State Park Campground offers several strenuous trails with significant elevation gains. "Table Rock trail is a must if you are nearby! It is pretty strenuous especially if you have health issues but is well worth the trek to the top. Just make sure that if you hike during the winter to give yourself plenty of time to finish the trail," notes one visitor.
Water activities: Nearby lakes and rivers provide swimming, fishing and boating options. "This campground is wonderful! We found it out of an emergency stop and stayed for 5 nights. It is beautiful and has so much for the kids to do. To just let the kids be kids and have fun!" explains a guest at Orchard Lake Campground.
Mountain biking: The region offers excellent terrain for cyclists of all levels. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures. If you're looking to see the sights of the forest and take a drive the scenic parkway then you've come to the right campground. On the other hand if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground."
What campers like
River frontage: Spots along flowing water are particularly popular. "Sites were very tight and on top of each other. Electric at all of them, nice that they were on the river, but lights across the river were bright at night, only a few trees if you're going to hang a hammock," reports a visitor at Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground.
Diverse accommodation options: Emberglow Outdoor Resort offers unique lodging beyond traditional cabins. "The camping options are very unique and diverse. They have your typical RV sites (all full hookups) and tent sites, all of which have green space around them. Around the corner from the tents are several vintage RVs, many from the 50s, that have been completely renovated with beautiful interiors and modern updates."
Dog-friendly facilities: Special amenities for pets stand out at certain locations. "From the moment we arrived at the campground the manager 'Larry' (a workamper) signed us in, show us our site on Wagging Tail Dr. As for the 'Dog Retreat' part - 18 acres of wonder open areas fenced in to keep your furry friends from running away, there is agility park, puppy park, the main dog park, a private park, a Lure run, a Ball Park, and a Pond for those watery dogs."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Some facilities close during winter months. "Lake Powhatan campground is well maintained and peaceful. Bathrooms are clean and there's hot showers. Firewood and ice are available for purchase by the gate. There's a good amount of trails to hike at and the lake is good for fishing," notes a camper at Lake Powhatan.
Site leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain affects campsite layout. "Some sites are pretty close together. The sites closer to the lake have more privacy-without direct lake views. Lake is underwhelming-but still nice. Bathroom and showers are cleaned well everyday-and are heated. Book ahead-the guy said they'd been completely full since June."
Internet connectivity: Connection quality varies significantly between properties. "The wifi is off the charts for a campground. Total coverage everywhere you go. I was getting 30/30 speeds at my site. I work remote so it was very important to have good internet, and Emberglow did not disappoint here! They obviously invested heavily in a quality network infrastructure."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for properties with dedicated activities for children. "They have swimming, a little zip line. My then 7 year old played on it all day they even have a game room. We stayed 2 nights. We went kayaking and swimming daily. There is a slide in the middle of the pond that my son loved. When it rained the game room had a movie on and lots to do inside."
Check for playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer more extensive play areas. "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! We planned to explore the area but ended up staying the entire time in the campground."
Consider proximity to attractions: Davidson River Campground offers access to multiple recreation options. "This is a good campground if you are trying to enjoy the Pisgah National Forest. This area has become over run with tourists and the 'free' campsites have mostly been comandeered by squatters who rotate from site to site every 14 days. The campground has a great river to swim in and is close to Brevard and Asheville."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Pay attention to terrain when reserving spaces. "We were at site 29, ADA. It was horrendous. We overlooked the women's restrooms, which was very poor taste! More importantly, this ADA site was extremely dangerous! The site was so unsafe. I fell twice getting out of our RV, because the site was more mountainous than the mountains!"
Access issues for larger units: Be aware of road and entrance limitations. "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! We have a 31' Class A and we managed fine, but I did hear some people with larger trailers having a harder time."
Electrical connections: Check power needs in advance. "This campground is nested on this beautiful river/creek. Little tight but nice. We had a great time we stayed 3 days and the atmosphere was excellent! It's all 50 amp now!! You will need a converter for 30 amp if you don't have one."
