375 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Zirconia, North Carolina range from family-friendly resorts to basic tent sites in the surrounding mountains. Orchard Lake Campground and Davidson River Campground accommodate tent camping, RV parking, and cabin rentals, with most sites offering electricity and water. The area's campgrounds typically provide access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and scenic mountain views. Several facilities in the region feature lakefront sites, offering opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing on small lakes or along nearby rivers.
The camping season in this region generally runs from March through November, with some campgrounds closing during winter months. Mount Pisgah Campground operates from May to October, while Davidson River remains open from mid-March to early November. Weather patterns in the mountains can change rapidly, with summer thunderstorms common in the afternoons. Most developed campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak summer months and fall foliage season. Terrain varies significantly with campgrounds at higher elevations offering cooler temperatures even in summer months. A visitor noted, "The sites are clean. Bathrooms seem maintained. Plenty of stuff for the kids to do."
Family-friendly amenities distinguish many campgrounds near Zirconia. Orchard Lake Campground features activities like swimming, kayaking, fishing, and a small zip line particularly appealing to families with children. According to one camper, "This campground has amenities for all types of camping styles. We will definitely be back!" Several campground reviews mention clean facilities and well-maintained bathhouses as positive attributes. For RV campers, full hookups are available at locations like Lakewood RV Resort and Rutledge Lake RV Resort, though some reviewers caution about site sizes for larger rigs. Seasonal camping opportunities exist at several locations, with some campgrounds offering monthly or annual site rentals. The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically maintain separate areas for tent camping versus RV parking, providing appropriate amenities for each camping style.
"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."
from $37 - $84 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $37 - $135 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $38 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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 . "
"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!"
"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."
from $31 - $62 / night
Check Availability"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."
"When we arrived at our site we called the desk and asked if we could actually move to the one right next to it and they said sure no problem."
"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"
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
GuideGreat spot! I didn’t stay at the pull off but further down the road there’s actual campgrounds with tent platforms and fire rings for dispersed camping. I found the last empty one. It was quiet but there was a bit of cycling traffic up and down the road. They had signs posted about bear activity and I even saw a bear come out 10 feet from my car! Didn’t bother me after walking back down the road. Nice quiet site :)
Scoutgot lucky and found a great spot right across the road from beautiful viewpoint. road was busier during the day but calmed down at night. enjoyed our visit
ScoutFull hookups. Campground has several sites with million dollar views and a viewing point for the non view campsites to use. We would recommend it for Asheville area rv camping.
GuideEasy access and nice pool as well as little camp store.
ScoutI’m thrilled to give this campground my highest recommendation! The owners and staff couldn’t have been more accommodating, helpful and kind! We called that morning because the campground we were booked at turned out to be awful. They fit us in and then we ended up extending our stay. We had to keep moving sites because they had other campers coming in, but it was worth it! Our favorite sites was 54 and 27. Some sites are close, but all are on the creek so you don’t notice it at all! Nothing better than waking up to the sound of water! The campground location is perfect, 20-30 minutes from things to do like hiking and wineries.
GuideTypical National Park Campground.Sites are small but spread apart.Not many that we could fit 28 foot Airstream .Clean restrooms and free showers. The rangers are very friendly. Very professional and helpful. The restaurant is great but you need to make a reservation.
GuideA very nice and clean campsite. The toilets are clean, and they have a dish washing station. No showers or hot water. If using the toilet after dark, take a flash light, there's no electricity here.
The best part is because of the high elevation, it's about 20 degrees cooler up here than the surrounding areas. Also, it's very quiet too.
However, because of the small winding roads, you won't get a RV or Travel Trailer up here over 20 ft in length. Mainly tent and teardrop campers. Only one 18ft long travel trailer here during my visit.
ScoutWe absolutely loved our experience at Black Forest. The owners genuinely care about your stay. They were only about half full when we went so they suggested a couple different sites for us to be spaced out from other people for privacy. When we arrived at our site we called the desk and asked if we could actually move to the one right next to it and they said sure no problem. Even if you were right next to others there are trees for at least a visual barrier at most sites. And you are fully in the woods so it isn’t that RV park feel. The bathhouses are clean and well maintained. The store at the check-in has everything you may have forgotten and the prices are actually reasonable. This place is very close to the restaurants on cedar mountain, less than 10 minute drive to everything. This was our first trip with our new 29ft camper trailer and I was nervous about backing into the site, but the way they have them set up you have plenty of room so it’s easy. The internet was a little spotty so we weren’t able to work remotely as planned but for us it wasn’t a big deal and we had enough cell service to send texts here and there. I read that the pool is heated but it was pretty cold!! But the weather was very hot when we were here so we didn’t mind that at all, we loved the pool.
TravelerIf I was reviewing for just the location and how beautiful it was I’d give a 4 stars for a dispersed campsite however your neighbors do impact your experience.
The site itself I really loved. I was about 200 -300 feet from where you park your car right off the road (the roads by the way are definitely passable by most vehicles but keep in mind I was there in May). While there was alot of traffic going by (cars and bicyclists) the way it was set up it gave more privacy than most especially if you put your tent in the right place.
It was nice to have some distance between the car and the campsite with the large black bear population. Highly recommend keeping all food far from your site and washing any dishes as far from where you sleep as much as you can. Also keep all soaps, perfumes, or toiletries out if your tent. That also attracts.
Wash creek was close by. So accessing water for filtering for use was very easy. I used a 0.01 Micron, 6-Stage, portable BKLES (BKLES Camping Water Filter –... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGLHX2JK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) for the two weeks and had no health issues or otherwise. The water tasted great.
There was a hiking trail that was between the site and the path to the creek. I never saw anyone while I was there (2 weeks) but it’s something to consider if your a solo camper as other campers could easily travel it to access your site without you being aware. I had Portable Outdoor Perimeter Alarm... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXGJRD2K?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) to keep me safe and alert at night which I can’t recommend enough. It ended up saving my life. Towards the end of my stay for the first time all four alarm sensors put in several different places yards apart were going off. It continued off and on for over an hour. I did not risk opening my tent to see what it was.
I decided to go to an air bnb the next night. when I returned my tent was riped in several places and my dewalt tool box I was using for storage had what looked like puncture marks and was opened (full disclosure - I forgot I had some dried chick peas in it). Pretty safe to assume I was visited by a bear. I went back to the air bnb waiting for things to dry up before packing.
Upon returning items were stolen. A few things were taken with a note from a nearby camper with his cell (no name ?) letting me know he was keeping them safe for me. When I was at the site inspecting things he showed up. Was nice enough and did return some of my items but my portable firepit and large propane tank were gone.
Granted I had left the site unattended for a few days after the seeing my tent ripped up and was waiting for things to dry (as it had been raining for several days) before packing. Having said this the stolen items could have been because the more permanent folks living in the area thought I had just abandoned my things. I’ll leave it up to you to decide.
So while the spot itself was profoundly beautiful the neighbors add an element that should be considered in your decision to come.
On a positive note, I did see blue ghost fireflies several nights during my stay. I Eastern Tiger Swallowtails two days in a row my site had maybe 50-100 right next to my tent. Then the Spicebush Swallowtail, and Azures decided to join. One day a cardinal sat right on the rock in the middle of the campsite 10 feet from me. If you love rocks like I do be prepared for some really truly beautiful gems (pun intended) if you go wading in the creek. I forgot to mention I accidentally caught a fish when trying to fill my bucket up in the evening (how did it taste? Well, unfortunately I don’t have the skills to prep fish like that so I quickly released it but tells you a bit about the water nearby 🌞)
Camping near Zirconia, North Carolina provides access to diverse mountain terrain at elevations ranging from 2,200 to 5,000 feet, creating distinct temperature zones even during summer months. The area sits at the junction of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountain ranges, with most campgrounds featuring ridge or water views. Many facilities close between November and March, though a few remain open year-round with reduced services during winter.
Hiking extensive trail networks: At Davidson River Campground, trails begin right across the river from camp. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures. If you're looking to see the sights of the forest and take a drive the scenic parkway then youve come to the right campground," notes Travis S. The Art Loeb trail starts at the entrance, with miles of connected hiking paths.
Mountain biking technical trails: Mountain bike trails near Davidson River are renowned for their technical challenges. A camper explains: "If you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground." Many visitors primarily come for the biking opportunities, with rental shops located within a mile of camp.
Fishing seasonal waterways: Jones Gap State Park Campground offers riverside camping with excellent fishing access. "The sites are large and have varying degrees of privacy. I didn't realize the main park trail was right across the river, might have been a little shyer if I had!" notes Sara M. The Middle Saluda River runs through the park, providing catch-and-release trout fishing opportunities.
Waterfall exploration: Within a 20-minute drive of most Zirconia campgrounds, numerous waterfalls are accessible via moderate hiking trails. John B. from Table Rock State Park notes, "There are many waterfalls in the area and many places to hike. There are a couple of small towns not far away and Greenville isn't a long drive."
Cooler temperatures: Mount Pisgah Campground sits at over 5,000 feet elevation, providing relief from summer heat. "Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer," reports Ulrich M. This elevation advantage means temperatures typically run 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valley campgrounds.
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the spacing and natural barriers between campsites. "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations," notes Heather C. about Lake Powhatan. Similarly, at Mount Pisgah, a reviewer describes "Spacious sites arranged for privacy. Trees all around for privacy."
Clean facilities: Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Bathroom and showers are cleaned well everyday-and are heated," Nancy reports. Another camper adds, "The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."
Proximity to towns: Most camping areas near Zirconia are within 15-20 minutes of small towns with supplies. Phil L. notes, "Downtown Asheville is only 15 mins away" from Lake Powhatan, while other campgrounds provide quick access to Brevard and Hendersonville for groceries and supplies.
Limited cell service: Many forest campgrounds have minimal or no cellular coverage. Adam V. reports about Black Forest Family Camping Resort: "Decent 3 bar verizon coverage," though Wi-Fi can be "spotty when everyone gets on at night." Several campgrounds only offer Wi-Fi near office buildings or main facilities.
Uneven terrain at some sites: Prepare for potentially unlevel campsites, especially at mountain locations. At Paris Mountain State Park, Cindy R. cautions, "Nice large sites but very unlevel due to mountain side. Would not stay again because we were so unlevel our refrigerator wouldn't work."
Seasonal closures: Many facilities operate limited schedules. Anna R. advises about Davidson River: "This place is packed most all of the summer now so you don't want to show up without a spot." North Mills River operates from "March 29 to December 28," while Mount Pisgah's season runs "May 5 to October 29."
Weather variability: Mountain weather can change quickly, requiring preparation for temperature swings. "It was foggy and cold when we arrived mid September. When the fog cleared there were amazing views," reports Caleb C. about Mount Pisgah, highlighting how conditions can shift dramatically within hours.
Water activities for kids: Orchard Lake Campground offers multiple water-based options. "This is a great campground to camp with ur family. They have swimming, a little zip line. My then 7 year old played on it all day they even have a game room," shares Renee R. The small lake includes boats and swimming areas specifically designed for younger visitors.
Rainy day options: Look for campgrounds with indoor facilities for inevitable mountain rain showers. "When it rained the game room had a movie on and lots to do inside," notes Amanda M. about Orchard Lake Campground, an important consideration for family trips.
Short hike options: Family-friendly trails are available even for young hikers. "Short walk to the Inn and restaurant down the street and to trails," Caleb C. mentions about Mount Pisgah, where trails of varying difficulties start directly from the campground.
Beginner-friendly fishing spots: Several small lakes offer easy fishing access for children. "The lake is good for fishing," notes Roselyn T. about Lake Powhatan, where fishing pressure is high but catch-and-release opportunities remain, especially for younger anglers.
Site sizing concerns: Rutledge Lake RV Resort receives mixed reviews about site dimensions. "Some of which are tight but it was private and clean," notes Christopher G. Another camper mentions "Only back in spots but still nice," important for planning larger rig placement.
Leveling challenges: Mountain campgrounds often require additional leveling equipment. Ray & Terri F. advise, "Some of the internal resort roads are in need of resurfacing, as there are quite a few potholes," highlighting the importance of bringing adequate leveling blocks for mountain camping.
Water pressure variations: Several RVers note water pressure inconsistencies. "The water pressure was not satisfactory and we couldn't take showers in our camper," reports Howell G. about Black Forest Family Camping Resort, suggesting campers bring pressure regulators and additional water if needed.
Off-season discounts: North Mills River Campground offers significant savings during shoulder seasons. Jonathan N. shares: "Usually starting at $22 per night, after November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11," though facilities may be more limited during these periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Zirconia, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Zirconia, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 375 campgrounds and RV parks near Zirconia, NC and 29 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Zirconia, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Zirconia, NC is Davidson River Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 82 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Zirconia, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Zirconia, NC.
What parks are near Zirconia, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Zirconia, NC that allow camping, notably National Forests in North Carolina and Pisgah National Forest.
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