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Pisgah National Forest Carolina Hemlocks Campground

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Pisgah National Forest Carolina Hemlocks Campground is located near Burnsville, NC, surrounded by forested terrain. Temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Nearby attractions include Mount Mitchell State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering hiking and scenic views.

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Location

Pisgah National Forest Carolina Hemlocks Campground is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Burnsville take U.S. 19E for 5 miles, turn right on NC 80S for 9 miles

Coordinates

35.33563963 N
83.82707297 W

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Connectivity

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    Some Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

22 min away

Snowbird Camping

Snowbird Camping

27 min away

Drive Time

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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1 Review

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2021

A Gem in Need of Repolishing

Carolina Hemlock Campground is a short distance off The Blue Ridge Parkway on 80 towards Micaville. The backcountry mountain roads wind and twist but are purely enjoyable.

Traveling from Linville Falls, we ventured off the parkway and reentered Pisgah National Forest through Micaville. Stopped and picked up a bundle of firewood on 80…what a deal!…$5 for clean, dry firewood.

Though relatively small in size Carolina Hemlock Campground is a highly desirable campground with the lower loop section(1-20) situated directly on the Toe River., and an upper loop(21-37) directly across Rt 80. The Toe River is trout stocked, so it’s a fisherman’s haven. Tubing is also a huge draw. If you desire to camp here, reserve 11 months out or you best arrive early for“first come, first serve”(FCFS) sites middle of the week during the shoulder season. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants and it was fairly empty on a Tuesday morning, mid October after three days of hurricane induced storms. We were in a quandary between site 4 on the River(FCFS) or the upper loop reservable site 30 across Rt 80. We were only staying one night, so we were able to secure site 30 before the reservation arrives on Wednesday.

Ed and John we’re campground hosts. Ed, the lower loop and John the upper loop. Great hosts, no nonsense and expect everyone to abide by the rules so everyone enjoys a good time. The way it should be.

The hosts run the campground office and phone reservations. They do offer a limited selection of camping essentials. They offered the best T-shirt I’ve seen this year, unfortunately pick-ins were slim at year end and they were just for kids.

The lower loop has the modern facility restroom/shower house(two men’s individual restrooms, two men’s individual showers and two women’s individual restrooms and two women’s individual showers) but the upper loop only has two women’s and two men’s individual bathrooms. The lower loop also has a day use picnic area, swimming area and fishing. Day use fees apply. I was advised this campground is sold out between June and end of August…and every weekend from opening mid April to October 30 when they close.

The trail along the river through the campground is flat and peaceful(in mid October), taking you by spectacular scenery, great fishing holes and a particularly nice swimming area. Even mid-October I was tempted to jump in. I can see why this campground is so popular.

PROS:•Beautiful River setting

•Small and comfortable

•Great tubing, fishing and swimming

•Modern facilities

•Cell Service(two bars for T-Mobile)

•Close to Mt Mitchell, BRP, and multiple gorgeous waterfalls

CONS:

•Cell service

•Appears NFS dollars don’t make it here

•Rt 80 traffic noise

I’m not being negative, but it appears Carolina Hemlock Campground is the proverbial “red-headed stepchild” when it comes to funding. This campground has so much potential! You can tell this was a gem in its day and needs a simple overhaul to bring it back to its former beauty. It’s not for lack of popularity or natural beauty.

Site30
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Pisgah National Forest Carolina Hemlocks Campground by Dave V., July 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Pisgah National Forest Carolina Hemlocks Campground by Dave V., July 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Pisgah National Forest Carolina Hemlocks Campground by Dave V., July 1, 2021
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Frequently Asked Questions

What recreational activities can visitors enjoy at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?

Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area offers excellent outdoor recreation opportunities centered around its location on the South Toe River. Popular activities include fishing in the river, hiking on nearby trails, and enjoying the natural mountain setting. The area's proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway also makes it an ideal base for scenic drives and exploring the greater Pisgah National Forest region. The winding mountain roads surrounding the campground are perfect for motorcycle and driving enthusiasts looking to experience the beauty of Western North Carolina.

What amenities and facilities are available at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?

Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area offers several amenities for campers. The campground provides standard camping facilities including designated campsites, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. Located along the South Toe River, the recreation area is designed to accommodate various camping styles. For complete and current details on specific amenities like showers, electricity hookups, or dump stations, it's recommended to contact the campground directly or check with the U.S. Forest Service which manages the facility.

Are reservations required for camping at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?

While specific reservation policies can change seasonally, Carolina Hemlocks typically operates on a reservation system, especially during peak camping seasons. It's strongly recommended to secure reservations in advance to ensure availability, particularly during summer months and weekends. For the most current reservation information and to book a site, contact the campground directly or visit the U.S. Forest Service website where you can make reservations for many National Forest campgrounds.

Is Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area part of Pisgah National Forest?

Yes, Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is part of Pisgah National Forest. It's located a short distance off the Blue Ridge Parkway on Highway 80 near Micaville. The campground sits within the boundaries of Pisgah National Forest, which encompasses over 500,000 acres in the southern Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. This location gives campers access to the diverse recreational opportunities and natural beauty that Pisgah National Forest is known for.