Lake Powhatan Campground sits at approximately 2,200 feet elevation in the Pisgah National Forest, offering a wooded mountain setting about 15 minutes from Asheville. The campground borders a small lake with a swimming area open during summer months. Temperatures in this area typically range from 30-50°F in winter to 60-85°F during summer months.
What to do
Fishing and water activities: North Mills River Campground provides excellent access to trout fishing opportunities. "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish! The campsite was great, not very crowded," reports one visitor to North Mills River.
Mountain biking: The area around The Bike Farm offers trail access directly from campsites. "The trail system is awesome. It's super nice being able to bike straight from your camp and go ride. The out door showers are bad ass as well!" shared a camper at The Bike Farm.
Hiking with waterfall views: Table Rock State Park features strenuous but rewarding trails. "There are two strenuous hikes in the park from 4-8 miles long and steep climbs that offer breathtaking views. You will see some excellent views of the mountain ranges. We saw deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and many salamanders," notes a visitor to Table Rock State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy and spacing: Davidson River Campground offers well-designed sites. "I'd give it 4.75 stars if I could. It gets 5 stars for large sites with decent enough privacy, access to hiking and mountain biking, strict rule enforcement (you definitely won't hear generators all night here!)," mentions a camper at Davidson River Campground.
Creekside camping: Many campgrounds feature stream-adjacent sites that provide natural white noise. "What can I say it's a great place for a weekend getaway. The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations," comments a Lake Powhatan visitor.
Varied yurt camping: Yurt camping near Tuxedo, North Carolina offers different experiences across campgrounds. "I stayed in site 20 and my take on this campsite is that it just needs a little love and care. My site was next to the creek which was nice," shared a visitor at Creekside Mountain Camping.
What you should know
Winter conditions: Lake Powhatan operates with reduced services in winter. "We used this as an overnight stay on our way from SC to MI. Not all loops are open this time of year, but there was no issue getting a site - even at 10PM. The bathrooms are clean and the showers are hot (no adjustment possible on temperature)," advises a winter visitor.
Cell service limitations: Don't count on reliable connectivity. "Even though it's only 10 minutes or so away from the edge of Asheville, it has the feel of being much further away - including no Verizon service," reports a Lake Powhatan camper.
Wildlife awareness: Bears frequent the area, requiring proper food storage. "Small Black Bear wandered up and stole some burgers we left in the cooler and came back later to say hey and check up on us so be aware and keep your food under lock and key," warns a visitor to Creekside Mountain Camping.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly features. "We 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," shares a family that visited Emberglow Outdoor Resort.
Water play options: Creeks provide natural entertainment for children. "My son spent hours hopping along the rocks in the creek," noted a parent who stayed at Creekside Mountain Camping.
Yurt options for families: Yurt camping in Tuxedo provides an alternative to tent camping. "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," recommends a visitor to Table Rock State Park.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Not all campgrounds offer full connections. "No Water/Sewer Hookups on Any Site, Electric Hookup Sites Limited, WiFi/Cell Signal Limited [Booster Recommended]," cautions a Davidson River visitor.
Site selection tips: Travelers Rest-North Greenville KOA offers premium waterfront sites. "Most are creekside back ins. Full hook up including cable. Smoking wifi. Level gravel sites with concrete patios. Some with yard swings," recommends a camper at Travelers Rest-North Greenville KOA.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway noise. "The only reason for the four star rating is due to the highway noise from I-40, which is located adjacent to the campground. Otherwise, the campground is very well-kept with friendly staff and our site (deluxe pull-through with patio) was large and mostly level," advises an Asheville West KOA visitor.
