Camping near Marion, North Carolina provides a strategic base for exploring both the foothills and higher elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sites range from 1,200 feet elevation in Marion proper to over 6,000 feet at nearby Mount Mitchell, creating temperature variations of up to 20 degrees between camping locations. Winter camping options are limited, with most facilities closing between November and April due to unpredictable mountain weather and difficult road conditions.
What to do
Fishing at Buck Creek: The creek running through Buck Creek provides excellent trout fishing opportunities directly from campsites. "There are two swimming holes along the creek, which were a ton of fun. I swam in both. The water is very clear and refreshing," notes one camper who stayed at multiple sites along the creek.
RC flying: Open field areas at some campgrounds serve as designated model aircraft zones. "The central field area is mowed and set up as an RC flying field. A few campers flew their model airplanes. It was fun to watch. I even jumped into the RC hobby, buying a trainer plane at a local Hobby Shop, and began flying," shares a visitor.
Hiking Mount Mitchell: The trail system beginning at Black Mountain Campground offers challenging climbs with significant elevation gains. "From here you can climb 4000ft to the summit of Mt Mitchell. It's a great, challenging hike with many rewards along the way," explains one hiker who used the campground as a trailhead.
What campers like
Creek-side relaxation: Many sites at Mountain Stream RV Park feature private decks overlooking running water. "The sound of the stream was so peaceful and relaxing. My husband did yoga every morning while I hung in my hammock and watched," describes one visitor who appreciated the natural soundscape.
Free water activities: Some properties offer complimentary watercraft. "My kids loved the fishing lake - they caught (and released) a bunch of fish and there were kayaks and peddle boats that could be used for free," explains a family who stayed at Spacious Skies Hidden Creek.
Weekend community gatherings: Organized social events create opportunities to meet fellow campers. "Each Saturday evening, Kevin serves up his special home cooked bar-b-que under the shelter at no additional cost, and many campers bring sides to share. It's like having a back yard picnic with friends and family!" shares a repeat visitor at Mountain Stream RV Park.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping along Old NC 105 requires careful driving. "The road got worse while I was there from the rain biggest con for me is I use a pump filter to fill up water no camp sight that I could find had access to the river that runs along this road so make sure to bring plenty of bottled water," warns a camper who stayed during wet conditions.
Limited bathhouse facilities: Some campgrounds have minimal bathroom options. "There are only 2 bathhouses for dozens and dozens of sites. The shower was awful as it was very moldy and creepy," notes a reviewer from Riverbreeze Campground, highlighting the importance of checking facility conditions.
Traffic at free sites: Popular dispersed camping areas experience frequent vehicle movement. "The car traffic is horrible, even in the middle of the night. Even until 4am we could hear and see car driving up and down this terribly bumpy gravel road," reports a tent camper who found the roadside activity disruptive.
Tips for camping with families
Waterslide access: Spacious Skies Hidden Creek offers water recreation options with additional costs. "The slide was a major attraction for my kids, but there was zero supervision. Kids would come down in groups of five and six and no one was paying attention to whether the bottom was cleared," cautions a parent concerned about safety.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30pm. May be different in the Summer. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site," explains a fall visitor.
Walking distances: Campground layouts may require longer treks to amenities. "A bit steep (it was cut into a hill) and pretty far from the 'amenities.' There was a mix of cabins, tents and campers. We had to walk through a kind of marshy trail that definitely needed some work to go past the arcade to get to the main area of the campground," notes a family who found access challenging.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Curtis Creek Campground, specific sites offer better experiences. "We shared site 11, and that was really the only site we would consider at this campground as the sites were close together and have no privacy between sites. We parked our jeep on the tent pad, and the pop-up between the jeep and site 10. That way, we had privacy as we were at the end of the loop where one side was wooded."
Alternative route advice: Some access roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Hint here if pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain," advises a long-time visitor to Bear Den Campground.
Check for recent maintenance: Campground conditions may vary between visits. "The amenities had not changed, but the cleanliness of the pit toilets had. They were not filthy, but were not being maintained as well as previously. There was a foul odor that would frequently come from the vents for the pit toilet, making it unpleasant to be at our campsite," notes a return visitor who experienced different standards.
