Best Campgrounds near Tuxedo, NC

Campgrounds near Tuxedo, North Carolina range from rustic backcountry sites to developed facilities with cabin options. Davidson River Campground in Pisgah National Forest provides tent, RV, and cabin camping opportunities while Lake Powhatan, located about 20 miles north near Asheville, offers similar accommodation types plus yurt options. The area's campgrounds typically operate seasonally, with many sites available from spring through fall. Several campgrounds in the region maintain electric hookups for RVs, while others focus exclusively on tent camping experiences.

Road conditions and weather patterns significantly impact camping experiences in western North Carolina. "Even though we live at 2500' in the Smoky Mountains, the temps this summer have been brutal. We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the cooler campgrounds in western North Carolina," noted one camper describing Mount Pisgah Campground's higher elevation camping. Elevation differences create notable temperature variations, with mountain sites offering relief from summer heat. Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with typical opening dates ranging from March through May and closures in October or November. Cell service can be limited or non-existent at more remote campgrounds, particularly those nestled in mountain valleys or dense forest areas. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer weekends and fall color season.

The region's campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their natural settings and proximity to outdoor activities. Water features rank highly among camper preferences, with several developed campgrounds situated along rivers or lakes. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, Davidson River Campground appeals to many for its riverside location: "The entire campground is meticulously maintained...situated on a small river which makes a wonderful backdrop noise to the experience and your sleep." Hiking access represents another valued amenity, with multiple campgrounds providing direct trail connections. Many established campgrounds in the area serve as convenient base camps for exploring nearby attractions including waterfalls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and mountain trails. Pisgah National Forest contains several mixed-use campgrounds accommodating various camping styles, while state parks in both North and South Carolina offer additional developed camping areas within driving distance of Tuxedo.

Best Camping Sites Near Tuxedo, North Carolina (356)

    1. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    17 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."

    2. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    62 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    21 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"

    3. Table Rock State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Sunset, SC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 878-9813

    "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 . "

    4. Orchard Lake Campground

    13 Reviews
    Saluda, NC
    5 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."

    5. Jones Gap State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Cedar Mountain, NC
    11 miles
    Website

    "This campground has 19 trail side sites that are all great and not far from the Middle Saluda River which runs through the middle of the park."

    "I used site 7 because an oncoming storm made me bug out of my trailside plans. Gorgeous site, a bit chilly by the river but beautiful and close enough to still use the park bathrooms!"

    6. Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    18 Reviews
    Cedar Mountain, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 884-2267

    "The cabins have electricity, but the water pump is outside and the bathrooms and showers are communal (but clean). There is a full size bed and two bunk beds in each one."

    "Very clean,natural, beautiful trees , and a nice location. It is run by a very nice family. We were close to amazing waterfalls and hikes in DuPont forest."

    7. North Mills River

    26 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $31 - $62 / night

    "Small campground, but there are free off road sites not too far down the road. Cell service disappears but I love that kind of disconnect."

    "State stocked river is close by for trout fishing, and the bathrooms are always clean being for what they are."

    8. 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."

    9. Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    19 Reviews
    Fletcher, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 654-7873

    "Easy off the highway but far enough to be quiet. Lots of dining options close by"

    "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"

    10. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 648-2644

    $30 / night

    "We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the “cooler” campgrounds in western North Carolina for a weekend. Mt Pisgah Campground is at an elevation of roughly 5300’."

    "Pisgah National Forest on the outskirts of Asheville, NC is a must stop for all ages."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 356 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Tuxedo, NC

1702 Reviews of 356 Tuxedo Campgrounds


  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Creekwood Farm RV Park

    Great RV Park

    This park is conveniently located between Maggie Valley and Waynesville with access to lots of western NC attractions. The staff is excellent and cares about the campers' experience here.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Pride RV Resort

    Excellent RV Park. The staff is great and hospitable.

    The staff here care about the campground and put their best effort towards being hospitable to the guests.

  • Tyler I.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Orchard Lake Campground

    Always Welcoming

    Owners are great and very helpful, sites are always clean and welcoming!

  • Megan W.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great place

    We enjoyed the night/day with our kids! Sites are kind of small but absolutely beautiful surroundings. Zero signal, but can drive to the top of the road and you should get a bar to make a call.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

    September stay

    Grass on lots high, nice concrete spots, full hookup in good shape.

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    Great campground!

    As a solo traveler that doesn’t like excessive noise or want to be near kids, I just wanted peace and quiet to relax and listen to the sounds of nature. The owner, Jeanie(hopefully I’m spelling that right) understood completely and was sure to put me in a site where she knew the surrounding sites would be empty for the entirety of my stay and she was sure not to book anyone near me. Yes, the sites are fairly close together, but I stayed during the week and was able to enjoy most of the place to myself ….or at least the area of the campground that I was in. When I extended my stay an extra night, she was sure to warn me that there was a family with kids coming that night and that they’d be in my vicinity. I couldn’t have asked for a better campground host! She had all the info on waterfalls in the area which minimized my planning time/time staring at my phone. And the fact that the place is all pea gravel really makes a difference! It rained the first couple days I was there and my tent wasn’t a muddy mess which is always a plus!

    The bathrooms and showers were clean and the camp store had just about everything you could possibly need in a pinch. Firewood and ice were priced fairly, making it very convenient if you forgot to grab either one while you were out for the day. Will definitely be back! Actually, I can’t wait to go back!

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Starlight Hills Campground

    Mudpit

    If it’s going to rain while you’re here, I suggest finding another campground. I don’t mind dealing dirt while I camp but at this point, it’s a mud pit and all of my gear is covered in mud. My gear cleanup is going to take 10x longer than it usually does! And be sure to treat your tent with permethrin or be prepared to have daddy long legs take over. I’ve been camping all my life and I’ve dealt with a few of them in between the roof of my tent and the rain fly….no big deal. But on my first night, there was at least 50 in there! I couldn’t leave my tent without having them crawl all over me and trying to get into the tent. It was like fighting a losing battle because there were so many and they just swarm you. Couldn’t even sit my feet still by the fire without having them crawl over my feet or up my chair. I know we’re just in the woods but it’s definitely not worth the money per night. All of the other campgrounds that I’ve payed this much for are on pea gravel with nice drainage or on grass….with nice amenities…or at least actual bathrooms, not porta potties. The camp host never came by my site like the messages that I received stated. Granted, he said to call if I needed anything and that they’re on property, but I never met anyone and when I would call, I got “hello” that’s it. Not “hello, this is ___” or “starlight hills campground, how can I help you”. Very impersonal. Will not be back.

  • Casey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    Great spot!

    The only reason I dinged it from five stars is because of the road noise. Other than that this place is beautiful! Great hike to a beautiful lake! Simple amenities. Great drive up tent spots surrounded by trees. Nobody else was here during the week so I had the place to myself! The rangers were incredibly helpful and friendly! I will be back!

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Mountain Rest Mountain Top

    Great campsite, you guys are pansies though

    great spot, can see the stars super clearly and its pretty much just open woodland once youre there.

    you dont need 4 wheel drive or a truck like some of these people are saying, i did it fine in my honda civic, just dont have anything with worse clearance than that, and be ready to get some branch scratches which is kinda expected for wood roads


Guide to Tuxedo

Camping areas near Tuxedo, North Carolina sit on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 2,000-5,000 feet. This terrain creates distinct camping microclimates with temperature differences of 10-15 degrees between valley and ridge sites. Mountain streams run through many campgrounds, often accessible for wading, fishing, or providing natural white noise for sleeping campers.

What to Do

Fly fishing opportunities: North Mills River Campground provides access to some of the region's best trout streams. "We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing. The local Trout Unlimited group has also spent many hours upgrading the walkways and fence lines to protect the river," notes one camper. Several trails from the campground lead to remote fishing spots along the river.

Waterfall exploration: Paris Mountain State Park offers multiple waterfall hikes within a 30-minute drive. "Lots of great hikes. Several waterfalls are in the area, plus fishing lakes and swimming beach. Lots of outdoorsy things to do, and beautiful views of Table Rock from the Mountain Laurel Campground," reports a reviewer.

Mountain biking: Davidson River Campground provides direct access to technical mountain bike trails. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures. If you're looking to ride the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground," explains one visitor. The area features trails for all skill levels, from beginner routes to advanced technical sections.

What Campers Like

Riverside campsites: Jones Gap State Park Campground offers tent sites beside mountain streams. "The sites are really spread out and most are near a stream. The site is right on the river and a great place to catch some sun on the rocks or rock hop," describes one camper. Sites provide natural privacy between camping spots.

Lake access: Lake Powhatan offers water-based recreation close to campsites. "Has a great beach and lots of hiking and mountain bike trails. Its part of the National Forest system so its super cheap. Downtown Asheville is only 15 mins away," notes a camper. The swimming beach operates from late May through early September.

Mountain temperatures: Mount Pisgah Campground sits at over 5,000 feet elevation, providing natural air conditioning in summer. "Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer. Trees all around for privacy. Drinking water located not far from any site," reports a regular visitor. Temperature differences between this campground and lower elevation sites can reach 15-20 degrees during summer months.

What You Should Know

Gate restrictions: Some campgrounds limit after-hours access. At Orchard Lake Campground, "They lock you in during 'quiet hours,' they close the back gate from 10pm to 8:30am," reports one camper. Always check entry procedures when booking.

Seasonal operation: Most camping areas operate from March through October. "We stayed 2 nights. We went kayaking and swimming daily. There is a slide in the middle of the pond that my son loved," notes a summer visitor to Orchard Lake Campground.

Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have variable site quality. At Table Rock State Park Campground, "Variety of campsites available to suit any camping style. Great for families, as there are drive up camp sites with fire pits and plenty of space, and spread out so it still feels like you have privacy," explains a visitor. Research specific site numbers before reserving.

Tips for Camping with Families

Swimming options: Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina features a dedicated swimming beach with lifeguards during summer weekends. "A great campground for a trip to Asheville! Spent some time in the lake, on hiking trails, and in town," writes one camper. The lake has roped-off swimming areas with gradually sloping entry points.

Game rooms: Several campgrounds maintain indoor recreation areas. At Orchard Lake Campground, "when it rained the game room had a movie on and lots to do inside. Pet friendly. We will be returning. Tent sites had electric and water on them," notes a family camper.

Short hiking trails: Many campgrounds feature kid-friendly paths. "There is a short walking trail within the campground, and the Art Loeb trail starts right at the beginning of the campground as well," reports a visitor to Davidson River Campground. Most sites offer flat, quarter-mile nature trails suitable for young hikers.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Mountain terrain creates uneven camping pads. At Paris Mountain State Park, "No amenities per day except bathroom/showers. Nice large sites but very unlevel due to mountain side. Would not stay again because we were so unlevel our refrigerator wouldn't work," cautions one RVer.

Seasonal utilities: Black Forest Family Camping Resort offers full hookup sites with reliable utilities. "The family invested money in infrastructure and they have quite a few full hook up sites. The host led us to our site, gave us a newsletter of events, and they have lots of amenities," notes an RVer. Many sites include 50-amp service and sewer connections.

Road access: Mountain roads leading to campgrounds can present challenges. "Even though the entrance is key card only, the park staff are welcoming & helpful," reports a visitor to Rutledge Lake RV Resort. Some parks offer staff assistance for backing into difficult sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Tuxedo, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Tuxedo, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 356 campgrounds and RV parks near Tuxedo, NC and 26 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Tuxedo, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tuxedo, NC is Davidson River Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 83 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tuxedo, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Tuxedo, NC.

What parks are near Tuxedo, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Tuxedo, NC that allow camping, notably National Forests in North Carolina and Pisgah National Forest.