The Zirconia region sits at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Campers can expect significant temperature variations between seasons with warm summers reaching 85°F and winters dropping below freezing. Fall camping sees heavy demand due to colorful foliage displays, while spring brings wildflowers and moderate rainfall conditions throughout the area.
What to do
Tubing on the Green River: Wilderness Cove Campground offers direct river access for tubing adventures. "My kid(12) and I had a great experience here: 2 nights in tents and 2 in a River Cottage. The tent camping is not quite 'roughing it': there's pretty reliable WiFi and the bath house is air conditioned and kept very clean," notes Dave, highlighting the convenience of alternating between tent camping and cabin stays.
Walking trails and lake access: At Rutledge Lake RV Resort, guests enjoy walking paths around the property. "We had spot #10 water front. It had plenty of space for the 5 of us and 2 dogs. Nice gravel level sites," shares Donna H. The resort offers fishing opportunities in their stocked pond where "it's easy to catch a fish here!" as ROBBIE notes.
Mountain biking from camp: The area offers excellent mountain biking access. "I really like this place, clean, quite, and warm. Nice sites with and great stream and pond on property to fish. Great place to stay if you like mountain biking with DuPont and pisgah national forest being close by," explains one camper about the convenient location for trail access.
What campers like
Off-leash dog areas: Red Gates RV Park provides dedicated spaces for pets. "They even have an off lead dog area with water available and poop bags. Their was a lake on the property to walk around and adds to the beauty of a walk," writes Brenda L., highlighting amenities for four-legged campers.
Heated pools for extended seasons: Several rv campgrounds near Zirconia, North Carolina offer swimming options. "The pool was clean," notes one camper, while another mentions, "They have a heated pool & lake activities. All of the facilities are nice. The park is up-kept very well."
Location near multiple attractions: Bear Creek RV Park offers strategic positioning for exploring the region. "This is good campground if you are staying for the night passing through, or if you came to see Asheville and you will not be spending a lot of time at your camper," explains Sarah. Another camper adds, "We only stayed here one night because we wanted to be close to downtown Asheville for a date night out. The Uber ride was around $12 so it was perfect."
What you should know
Varying campground layouts and privacy: Campground layouts differ significantly throughout the Zirconia camping area. Some parks feature tightly arranged sites while others offer more seclusion. "Sites are close together. A lot of park models. Campsites have full hookups," reports Mark C. about one location. Meanwhile, at Gatlin Ridge RV Park, a visitor notes the "Clean, beautiful landscaping. Full hookups, shady spot on site 4."
Seasonal variations in campground operations: Weather conditions affect camping experiences throughout the year. "We stayed from November through April," reports one long-term camper about winter stays. Another mentions their campground being "Perfect for this. Close to Asheville and other local sites. Quiet, peaceful."
Navigation challenges: Mountain terrain creates driving difficulties at some locations. "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, but that's just a heads-up, not a complaint," cautions one camper about access roads.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning for children: Multi-day itineraries help keep younger campers engaged. "We fished, cooked over the fire, just hung out, and enjoyed each others time together. Very peaceful and guiet. We'll definitely go back," shares Robert B. about his father-son trip to Hitching Post Campground.
Campground amenities for kids: Look for facilities with dedicated recreational spaces. "They have a playground for kids," notes one reviewer about campground features. Another mentions that their location was "Super cute campground in a great location. It is close to all the things Asheville has to offer."
Accommodation options: Consider alternatives to tent camping during shoulder seasons. "My kid(12) and I had a great experience here: 2 nights in tents and 2 in a River Cottage...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," reports Dave about their flexible accommodation approach.
Tips from RVers
Site positioning challenges: Terrain at Zirconia area rv campgrounds creates unique setup requirements. "For campers that like lots of amenities, perhaps this is a great fit," notes one RVer about evaluating priorities when selecting campgrounds in the region.
Electrical considerations: Amperage variations exist between parks with Land of Waterfalls RV Park offering both 30 and 50-amp options. "The sites are all nice gravel; all full hookups. The pull-thrus were actually easier to back in to given the one-way road structure, but it was honestly 50/50 either way," explains William C. about navigating their site.
Length accommodations: Vehicle size restrictions vary by location. "We travel in 30 TT and we had tons of room," notes Beverly T. about their spacious site, while another camper cautions, "Be sure to specify your rig size upon making a reservation as all sites vary in length. Some sites are 30amp only and accommodate only 20-foot trailers or less."
