Best Campgrounds near Flag Pond, TN

Flag Pond, Tennessee sits within a diverse camping landscape where the Appalachian Mountains create numerous outdoor opportunities. Nolichucky Gorge Campground and USA Raft Adventure Resort, both located along the Nolichucky River near Erwin, provide riverside camping with boat access. Within a 30-minute drive, campers find Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground offering year-round accommodations with full hookups for RVs and tent sites. The region includes both developed campgrounds with amenities and more primitive options in the surrounding national forest lands. Most campgrounds in this area accommodate both tent and RV camping, while some also offer cabins, yurts, or glamping options for those seeking additional comfort.

Mountain roads throughout the region can be challenging for larger vehicles, particularly in the more remote camping areas. As one camper noted about a nearby campground, "The road up is good but extremely tight and windy at points so beware a wide trailer if you aren't used to this type of mountain driving." Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many campgrounds, with several reviewers mentioning the need to drive to nearby towns for connectivity. Weather conditions vary significantly by elevation and season, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F during the day and cooling considerably at night. Fall brings vibrant foliage but also increased demand for campsites, making advance reservations essential during peak periods from September through October.

Riverside camping locations receive consistently positive feedback from visitors. One camper described their experience: "We stayed right by the river at two neighboring campsites, and it was amazing to wake up to the sights and sounds of the river." Proximity to the Appalachian Trail is another highlight for many campers in the Flag Pond area, with several campgrounds offering direct access or short drives to trailheads. Noise levels vary by location, with some campgrounds experiencing road noise from nearby highways while others offer more secluded settings. Bathroom and shower facilities at established campgrounds are generally well-maintained, though quality and availability differ significantly between state parks, private campgrounds, and more primitive sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Flag Pond, Tennessee (409)

    1. Hot Springs Campground

    29 Reviews
    Hot Springs, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 622-7676

    "With mountains in the distance and the constant rush of the French Broad River, the setting is awesome. Even the occasional train whistle gives me a feeling of nostalgia and of simple days."

    "The bathhouse (clean private showers and private bathrooms) was a 1/4 mile walk from our spot, but a Porta John was close by. Our particular spot had a lot of shade and easy access to the river."

    2. Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Chuckey, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 257-2167

    $14 - $32 / night

    "Large swimming pool, TONS of historical events around, hiking & river walks. Super clean and new bath houses as well. Honors Tennessee state discounts. If possible make reservations online."

    "The drive in follows the TN “Sunnyside Early Country Trail” through picturesque farmland with mountains in the near distance. Do your shopping before arrival, there’s nothing close to the park."

    3. Nolichucky Gorge Campground

    12 Reviews
    Erwin, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 743-8876

    "Nolichucky Gorge is right next to USA Raft, same road, same entrance to the left. Veteran owned and well maintained. The staff is friendly and professional. River view sites, other sites and cabins."

    "This is a great spot located right next to USA Raft. There are a handful of tent only riverside camping spots with RV sites set back from the river."

    4. Rock Creek Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Erwin, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 638-4109

    $20 - $50 / night

    "There isn’t too much of any one activity in/near the campground but lots more in the greater area. Cons: just plan to drive to another area if you’re staying for a few days (not really a con though)."

    "Convenient location in the Cherokee National Forest that is close to the Appalachian Trail and the Nolichucky River. Campground is popular with families and busy on weekends."

    5. Roan Mountain State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Roan Mountain, TN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 547-3906

    $14 - $54 / night

    "It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers."

    "Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."

    6. Horse Creek Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Afton, TN
    8 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "Having both RV and tent campgrounds, each with large fire pits and lantern stands, this peaceful creekside setting lies just beyond low mountain farms in the northern part of Greene County Tennessee."

    "Nice trails."

    7. Katy Branch

    4 Reviews
    Erwin, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 638-4109

    $75 / night

    "Very close to many trails. Clean showers and bathrooms. Loved it."

    "Came to stay at this campground because we wanted to do some hiking nearby that we haven't done in FOREVER!"

    8. USA Raft Adventure Resort

    3 Reviews
    Erwin, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 743-7111

    9. Bald Mountains

    1 Review
    Flag Pond, TN
    4 miles

    10. Asheville East KOA

    52 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-3121

    $50 / night

    "As typical of a KOA, they shove you in there so you are very close to your neighbors. The stars of the park are the riverfront sites."

    "My only gripe (and I know it’s not a huge deal) is the trailer park situated right by the fence that separates from the KOA."

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Recent Reviews near Flag Pond, TN

1861 Reviews of 409 Flag Pond Campgrounds


  • Bailey R.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cardens Bluff Campground

    Lake side camping

    This relaxing little camp site has such pretty spacious camp site. We went day of in September and found a spot on the lake no problem. Do bring cash as it’s cash only if you pay the day you show up. Camp host were super nice and the price was wonderful. There weren’t as many bathrooms as I would have liked due to most being worked on. There is really good cell service on the camp site.

  • Mary D.
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Roan Mountain State Park Campground

    New Favorite Campground

    This is my new favorite campground! There are trees everywhere and there really isn't a bad spot! Some sites were right on the creek (sites 40 and 41 were great). The tent camping area is beautiful and one of the best I've seen. We were at site 9, one of the only pull-through sites. We had water and electric and some sites have FHU. There are a lot of beautiful hikes in the area. No cell service, but there is (slow) wifi throughout the campground. There is a Verizon hotspot to make calls, but I couldn't connect with US Cellular. We will definitely be back!

  • Theresa S.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the location, Left because of the owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • Shane N.
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Camp Stonefly

    Great small peacefully time

    Me and wife passing through. Stayed over weekend loved it

  • Gary S.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the Location, Left because of the Owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Old NC 105 Dispersed

    Amazing views and Free camping

    This place is amazing, Free and clean campsites.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Campfire Lodgings

    Tent camping

    Tent camping sites are walk in, down hill, obviously thar means hauling your stuff out uphill when you leave. RVers have a great view from the ridge top. But a difficult day camping is far better than any day at work.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NC

    Good spot!

    Spent two nights here at a site right next to the creek, which was awesome listening to the running water as you fall asleep. Easy to get to, just a forest service road. A 4x4 makes it easy but there were minivans and junkyard beaters driving by. There are multiple sites along the service road and not too close to each other.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    This is a great spot along a mountain ridge. The dirt road goes for about 13 miles. Would recommend a 4x4, but I’ve seen all kinds of vehicles travel the entire road from minivans to Honda accords. There are plenty of spots to choose from. Some have great views of the valley and table top mountain and others are just nooks in the woods. The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am). Some sites are right off of the road which could get annoying from all the traffic of people going to the hiking trails nearby. And there are spots tucked away a bit off of the road where you really don’t notice trucks and cars driving by. Awesome place for a weekend getaway! Definitely going to visit again.

    P.S. only 4 stars because there are only about 3-5 sites with a great view!


Guide to Flag Pond

Camping near Flag Pond, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the many trails in the area. Campers at Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina rave about the "nice hike around the lake" that’s perfect for families.
  • Fishing: The nearby rivers and lakes provide great fishing spots. One visitor at Hot Springs Campground mentioned, "Lots of river rafting opportunities and tubing in the refreshing river."
  • Biking: Many campgrounds have trails for biking. A reviewer from Bear Den Family Campground and Cabins noted, "Great hiking right from the campground," which often includes biking paths.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One family at Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground said, "The showers and bathrooms are clean and nice enough."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A reviewer at Asheville East KOA mentioned, "The staff at the office and store are always nice."
  • Scenic Views: Campgrounds like Black Mountain Campground offer stunning natural beauty. One camper described it as "small, pretty, clean and close to Mount Mitchell."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy on weekends. A visitor at Hot Springs Campground noted, "It was comfortable during the weekdays, but started to get crowded during the weekend."
  • Limited Cell Service: Expect poor cell reception in some areas. A camper at Roan Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "Very little cell service (Verizon)."
  • No Camp Store: Some campgrounds, like Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground, do not have a camp store for extra supplies. It's good to bring what you need.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly activities. A parent at Asheville East KOA shared, "On weekends they have themes and activities that include crafts and movies."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Some campgrounds have tighter spots. A family at Asheville West KOA found that "the layout isn’t super attractive" due to close quarters.
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Bear Den Family Campground and Cabins mentioned, "Big private sites, lots of activities for teens."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Flag Pond, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Flag Pond, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Flag Pond, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 409 campgrounds and RV parks near Flag Pond, TN and 31 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Flag Pond, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Flag Pond, TN is Hot Springs Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Flag Pond, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 free dispersed camping spots near Flag Pond, TN.

What parks are near Flag Pond, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Flag Pond, TN that allow camping, notably Cherokee National Forest and Pisgah National Forest.