Best Campgrounds near Tryon, NC

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Tryon, North Carolina (292)

    1. Orchard Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Saluda, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 749-3901

    $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."

    2. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $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."

    3. Paris Mountain State Park Campground

    38 Reviews
    Taylors, SC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 244-5565

    $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."

    4. Emberglow Outdoor Resort

    13 Reviews
    Lake Lure, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 625-2205

    $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."

    5. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    62 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    29 miles
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $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"

    6. Silver Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Mill Spring, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 894-2331

    $30 - $55 / night

    7. Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground

    11 Reviews
    Lake Lure, NC
    16 miles
    Website

    $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"

    8. Four Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat

    10 Reviews
    Rutherfordton, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 287-7324

    "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."

    9. Asheville East KOA

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

    $50 / night

    "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."

    "My only gripe (and I know it’s not a huge deal) is the trailer park situated right by the fence that separates from the KOA."

    10. Lakewood RV Resort - 55+

    6 Reviews
    Dana, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 697-9523

    $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."

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Recent Reviews near Tryon, NC

1418 Reviews of 292 Tryon Campgrounds


  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Gorges State Park Campground

    CAUTION: steep grades and curvy roadm

    This campground would’ve gotten five stars except for the road getting there was pretty exciting. The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down. Other than that, this campground was super nice. Has the nicest showers I have ever seen in a campground. All the sites for RVs are on concrete pads with electric, water, and sewer. This was a great staging point for our trip up to the great Smoky Mountains. The visitor center was very informative.

  • 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

    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.

  • madison F.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Golden Grove Farm and Brew

    HIPPIES AND HOORAHS

    arrived around 2 - had live music at 7 so went to get drinks & dinner. had the MOST incredible time. EVERY single person - staff & locals - were the friendliest, most welcoming and inviting people we have ever met. it was such a fun night. food & drinks are also amazing. if you’re looking for a fun night out but also need a place to stay - COME HERE!!! will definitely be coming back if we’re in SC

    such a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere

  • madison F.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Iron City Campground, Inc.

    great stop & stay

    nice campground. bathrooms and pool are CLEAN!!!! private bathrooms with showers. also has laundry ($) but has change for quarters in shop!! super big plus . also got a buddy site for the price of a normal one!

    not super crowded but still a nice community to be around :) 10 min drive into town as well. all sites have full hookups which was also super handy. not a bad price for what you get. only stayed two nights but would definitely stay again

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great place to stay just be aware of your surroundings

    Was a pretty nice camp site compared to a lot you just have to be aware of the people around you. Across from our campground there was another camper who seemed out of it who came up to us at 11:00pm and asked for tape for his tent. Also garbage bag and garbage on the ground at front of campsite. PEOPLE MAY NOT BE THE BEST AROUND YOU BUT THE SITES ARE GREAT!

  • Cassondra P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    Mixed Feelings

    This campground was decent

    Fishing pond has a lot of ducks and seaweed

    Laundry room was nice and large - easy and quick to get 3 loads done

    Waterfront site was fairly level and loved being able to walk down stairs to lake area

    Pool was clean

    Bathrooms had a gross smell to them

    During our walk there was definitely a strong chemical smell around park - it was strange

    There is a lot of airplane noise as it is close to airport

    Overall it was clean and friendly staff


Guide to Tryon

Camping near Tryon, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet retreat, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Davidson River Campground. One camper mentioned, "Hiked the North Slope nearly 4 miles wore out the dogs perfectly!"
  • Fishing: At Lake Powhatan, you can enjoy fishing in the lake. A reviewer said, "There are plenty of small mouth bass to be claimed as well!"
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at Devils Fork State Park. One visitor noted, "The lake was beautiful! So many fun things to explore with it being so big and all by boat."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Lake Powhatan. A reviewer stated, "The bathrooms were some of the cleanest we've seen."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness at Mount Pisgah Campground. One camper shared, "The campground is VERY quiet and many of the spaces were rather private."
  • Friendly Staff: Visitors often mention the helpful staff at Kings Mountain State Park. A reviewer said, "The park rangers are all nice, respectful and keep the place clean."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Oconee State Park, have poor cell reception. One camper noted, "We could sporadically send texts, but not get on the internet."
  • Tight Campsites: Some sites can be close together, especially at Paris Mountain State Park. A visitor mentioned, "The sites are on top of each other."
  • Bear Country: Campers should be aware that some areas, like Mount Pisgah Campground, are bear territory. One camper shared, "I did have a bear walk through my camp my last night there."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly activities, like Asheville East KOA, which has a pool and playground. A parent said, "There is a pool, playground, gaga ball pit, and fishing."
  • Plan for Clean Bathrooms: Clean facilities are a must for families. Campers at Lake Powhatan noted, "Bathrooms were close and clean which was great for the kids."
  • Reserve Early: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A camper at Table Rock State Park advised, "I would definitely recommend reserving a spot far in advance."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers should check the size of the sites before booking. A reviewer at Kings Mountain State Park mentioned, "The electric and water are in odd spots on each site."
  • Be Prepared for Narrow Roads: Some campgrounds, like Mount Pisgah Campground, have narrow roads. One camper noted, "The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy."
  • Bring Leveling Equipment: Many sites are uneven, so it's good to have leveling blocks. A camper at Oconee State Park mentioned, "The sites are notoriously NOT level."

Camping near Tryon, North Carolina, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the outdoors, there's something for every camper.

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.