Tent and RV campgrounds near Tryon, North Carolina offer access to western North Carolina's varied terrain, ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 feet in elevation. The area experiences distinct seasons with comfortable summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during camping season. Cell service can vary significantly between campgrounds, with stronger signals available at locations closer to towns rather than those nestled in mountain valleys.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rutledge Lake RV Resort in Fletcher maintains a stocked pond for campers. "Nice low key resort. Only back in spots but still nice," notes a visitor. The property includes "a lake that was enjoyable to walk around" according to another camper.
River tubing adventures: Wilderness Cove Campground provides direct access to Green River tubing. A camper reports, "We have a great stay, very clean, small, quiet campground. Tents only, they do have some cabins for rent." The campground offers "WiFi near the tubing office" for those needing connectivity.
Mountain biking access: Trails near Rutledge Lake RV Resort connect to popular riding areas. A visitor noted, "We enjoyed visiting some of the amazing mountain bike trails and parks in the area!" Another camper specifically mentioned the convenience to "DuPont and Pisgah National Forest being close by."
What campers like
Dog-friendly accommodations: Red Gates RV Park in Hendersonville provides dedicated pet areas. A camper mentioned, "They even have an off lead dog area with water available and poop bags." Similarly, Maple Ridge RV Park offers "several sites with a dog pen. My dogs really enjoyed the extra off leash time."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistent praise for cleanliness standards. A Red Gates visitor highlighted "Pristine bath house! Pristine campground!" while another noted the "bath house was older but very clean." Maple Ridge received similar feedback: "Clean bathhouse and restrooms."
Fire pit options: Despite varying fire policies, most campgrounds accommodate evening fires. A Maple Ridge camper appreciated "fire pits and grill at the site. Community fire pits," while Hitching Post Campground provides individual fire rings at tent sites.
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: Many RV parks position sites relatively close together. At Hitching Post Campground, "there are a lot of older rigs here, but everyone is very welcoming and nice." Some visitors noted the campground "has a lot of old junk scattered about and at times felt sketchy."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, particularly during peak seasons. Rutledge Lake uses "a third party booking site that only submits a request to book so we didn't have a confirmed booking until mid-morning the day of our arrival."
Office hours limitations: Some campgrounds maintain restricted office hours. At Rutledge Lake, "the only thing I would recommend is keeping office open later than 5. When office closes you can not take boats, or kayaks out."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Several campgrounds offer water recreation suitable for children. Wilson's Riverfront RV Park provides river access where "we went tubing straight from our campsite on Saturday!" The park neighbors "French Broad Outfitters, a company that rents kayaks, canoes, and tubes to take down the river."
Playground facilities: Maple Ridge RV Park includes "nice children and adult play area, cornhole, horseshoes, swing set, and fire pits" according to a recent visitor, making it suitable for families with varying age ranges.
Cabin alternatives: For families wanting a camping experience without tents, Wilderness Cove offers cabin rentals with unexpected comforts. "Moving to the cottage was meant to be easier on my kid, but I didn't expect all the amenities: refrigerator, screened in porch, and very comfy beds," reported one parent.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require careful setup due to uneven terrain. At Hitching Post Campground, visitors reported being "in site D, which was not very level," while at Rutledge Lake "the sites are very narrow and there is zero privacy."
Connectivity considerations: WiFi quality varies significantly between parks. Land of Waterfalls RV Park offers "a little community shack with a Keurig, maps of the area, comfy chairs, and some small desk for a change of work scenery" for those needing internet access.
Road navigation awareness: The mountainous terrain creates access challenges for larger RVs. At Wilderness Cove, "the drive down the mountain is a little nerve-wracking for a city boy, and my car's low clearance had me scraping my underside on some rocky bumps inside the property."
