Map showing campground location near Glenville, North Carolina

Camper submitted image from Ralph J. Andrews Campground

Ralph J. Andrews Campground

Sitting alongside Lake Glenville, Ralph J. Andrews Campground gives campers direct access to one of the higher elevation lakes in the eastern United States, a TVA reservoir built in 1941 that stretches four miles across the North Carolina mountains. The campground runs roughly 38 sites divided between full hookup RV pads, electric and water sites, and primitive tent spots. Gates lock at 10pm and reopen at 8am, which limits drive-through traffic noticeably. Verizon cell service is reported as solid at the main campground, though it drops off on the primitive side.

Water access varies by site. Site 6 is the only tent spot with direct lake swimming, but reviewers note it lacks a level parking area and is unavailable to others once reserved. Site 5 sits closest to the water without a designated swim zone. A boat launch is on-site, and a lake beach popular for picnicking is a short distance away. High Falls, a waterfall accessible via a rock-stepped mountain trail, draws many campers away from the site for a half-day outing.

"Bathrooms are clean and recently remodeled," notes Molly A., and multiple reviews confirm the grounds are well maintained. Alcohol and tobacco are not permitted, which is worth knowing before arrival. The campground is open mid-April through late October and accepts reservations. Campers planning a longer stay in the region can browse camping near Glenville for additional options, or consider Trout Creek Campground to the north for a different setup.

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

Atlantic Coast Highway Road Trip

Atlantic Coast Road Trip Segment: Wilmington, NC to Savannah

Wilmington to Savannah: 3 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsRalph J. Andrews Campground is located in North Carolina near Glenville

Public Campground

Coordinates

35.19228908 N
83.15323027 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 3/27/26

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 3/27/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 12 min from Asheville, NC
1 hr 36 min from Greenville, SC
2 hrs 31 min from Knoxville, TN

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Ralph J. Andrews Campground

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Many campers appreciated this small 38-site lakefront campground on Glenville Lake for its clean facilities and well-maintained grounds. A few reviews mentioned issues with site leveling and close spacing, though the location near High Falls waterfall was commonly noted as a highlight.

Asher K.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2022

Updated nearby photos

Adding photos of the nearby waterfall hike that you should definitely check out while staying here.

(10) View All

Molly A.

Guide

Reviewed May. 17, 2022

The view!

Came through this campground because the cell service was good (Verizon) and I needed a day to plan between Robbinsville and Asheville. Verizon cell service is POOR on the primitive camping side. I’ve been trying for waterfront campgrounds and this ticked the box. The water is only accessible for swimming from tent site 6, but that site does not have a level place to park. I went with 5 which is closest to the water but not a swimming area. if someone has reserved 6, you cannot use that access point Park is well kept. Bathrooms are clean and recently remodeled. The biggest downside for me was that alcohol & tobacco are not allowed.

Month of VisitMay

Nicole L.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 9, 2021

Nice sites and prices

A regular campsite is $20 a night for a tent. Their group campsite was open for $26 a night so I got that instead! 😄

Site12

Month of VisitJuly

Asher K.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Lakeside Campground

This is a great little RV and tent campground located near High Falls. The campground itself is alongside Lake Glenville and provides easy access for putting in boats, fishing, or swimming. It is also not far from the wonderful beach on the lake where everyone goes to picnic. The campground itself has a dozen or so sites and a nice clean bathroom facility in the center. The sites are all fairly close together but take a look at my video to get an idea of where each one is located. If you stay here I would also highly recommend making the trek to High Falls because it really is an incredible waterfall.

(13) View All

Mitchell G.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 29, 2021

High Falls

A very beautiful mountain waterfall trail to High Falls. The rock steps where amazing.

Sitegravel parking lot at trail head

Month of VisitMay

(10) View All

Nancy D.

Traveler

Reviewed Dec. 7, 2018

Family friendly lakeside camping

I have camped across the US in tents, camper, or just the back of my truck. I have been a campground host at Ralph Andrews Park for several years. This is one of the best campgrounds that I have ever stayed in. It is small, only 38 campsites. It has a few full RV hookups, 10 or so el/water sites&12 or so primitive. Campground is located on Glenville Lake (aka Thorpe Reservior) which is the highest elevation lake east of the Rocky Mts. The Lake is a TVA lake built in 1941 and is 4 miles long The gates are locked from 10pm until 8am which reduces any drive-through traffic and increases safety. The staff are helpful and friendly and the campground is well maintained. Reservation for coming season (2019) now open

SiteSite 18

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Ralph J Andrews campground on Lake Glenville?

Ralph J Andrews Campground offers a mix of camping options with several full RV hookups and approximately 10 electric/water sites among its 38 total campsites. The campground is situated alongside Lake Glenville, providing easy access for boating, fishing, and swimming. Campers have access to the lake for recreation, and there's a nearby beach area popular for picnicking. The campground is also located near High Falls, with access to hiking trails. Verizon cell service is available in parts of the campground, though service may be poor in the primitive camping areas.

Are there photos of Ralph J Andrews Recreation Park to view before visiting?

Yes, photos of Ralph J Andrews Recreation Park are available online showing the campground's scenic lakeside setting and surrounding natural features. Particularly noteworthy are images of the nearby High Falls waterfall and hiking trail, which is a popular attraction for visitors to the campground. The photos showcase the beautiful mountain landscape, rock formations along the waterfall trail, and views of Lake Glenville. These visual resources can help you get a good sense of the campground's setting and nearby attractions before your visit.

What do visitors say about Ralph J Andrews Recreation Park in their reviews?

Visitors to Ralph J Andrews Recreation Park consistently praise it as one of the best campgrounds, highlighting its small, intimate size with just 38 campsites. Campers appreciate the beautiful lakeside location on Lake Glenville with opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The nearby High Falls waterfall trail is frequently mentioned as a must-see attraction with impressive rock steps and natural beauty. The campground's proximity to a popular beach area for picnicking is also noted as a plus. While some mention that waterfront access for swimming is limited at certain campsites, the overall experience is rated highly for both RV and tent campers.

How much does it cost to camp at Ralph J Andrews Recreation Park?

A regular tent campsite at Ralph J Andrews Recreation Park costs $20 per night. The group campsite, when available, costs $26 per night. Prices may vary for RV sites with hookups. Always check with the park directly for current rates and availability, as prices may change seasonally or annually.

Keep Exploring