Best Campgrounds near Roan Mountain, TN

Camping areas near Roan Mountain span across Tennessee and North Carolina, with a range of established campgrounds and primitive sites throughout the region. Roan Mountain State Park Campground serves as a central option with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins available year-round. The surrounding area includes both developed facilities like Spacious Skies Bear Den and Grandfather Campground offering glamping options, as well as backcountry experiences such as Grassy Ridge Bald for dispersed camping along the Appalachian Trail. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities including picnic tables, drinking water, and fire pits, while the RV sites typically feature electric and water hookups.

Weather conditions vary significantly with elevation changes throughout the Roan Mountain region. The higher elevation areas maintain cooler temperatures even during summer months, making them popular destinations during hot weather. Many campgrounds like Julian Price Park and Linville Falls operate seasonally from April through October due to winter conditions at elevation. Reservations are strongly recommended for established campgrounds, particularly during peak rhododendron blooming season in June and fall foliage periods when visitation increases substantially. Cell service remains limited or non-existent at most camping areas, especially in more remote locations. "The campground has a creek between some of the sites. It is not easily accessible, but sounds great from inside your tent," notes one camper describing the natural ambiance at Roan Mountain State Park.

The camping experience in this region centers around access to remarkable mountain scenery and hiking trails. Carver's Gap provides a gateway to spectacular balds along the Appalachian Trail, frequently mentioned in camper reviews as offering "fantastic views" with "amazing 360 views" without requiring extensive hiking. Campgrounds near water features receive particularly positive feedback, with streams and creeks enhancing the camping atmosphere. Most established campgrounds maintain clean facilities with hot showers, though some sites may present leveling challenges due to the mountainous terrain. Several reviews mention the peaceful nature of the area, with respectful quiet hours and natural sounds dominating the experience. Mixed-use campground options typically include both secluded tent sites with more separation between neighbors and more closely arranged RV sections with better access to amenities.

Best Camping Sites Near Roan Mountain, Tennessee (309)

    1. Roan Mountain State Park Campground

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

    $14 - $54 / night

    "Roan Mountain is a beautiful campground with wooded sites, some with water views and access! Next time we’d definitely try for a water site."

    "First time to stay at Roan Mountain. Trout fishing and good hiking and mountain drives. Campground is modern with water, 50 amp for rv’s and very clean showers."

    2. Spacious Skies Bear Den

    65 Reviews
    Spruce Pine, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 765-2888

    $24 - $999 / night

    "Bear den was a perfect location for the Blue ridge parkway. We stayed at a two cabin lot that had a hot tub. Bear den has everything from RV camp sites to a game room."

    "The campsite was flat, shaded and distanced well enough from our neighbors for privacy but still an easy walk to the bathhouse or camp store for extra firewood or ice."

    3. Cardens Bluff Campground

    18 Reviews
    Hampton, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $12 / night

    "Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."

    "Booked site 13 online for the last weekend before the season ended in October 2021, but the hosts caught us at check-in and moved us to site 32, which was right next to the water."

    4. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    47 Reviews
    Blowing Rock, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 963-5911

    $30 / night

    "This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding."

    "The campground is in an excellent location, just 5-10 minutes away from downtown Blowing Rock and of course it’s right on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway!"

    5. Linville Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    28 Reviews
    Linville Falls, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 765-7818

    $30 - $45 / night

    "Another lovely campground along the BRP, close to Linville Falls and gorge, picnic area and visitor center."

    "There are cabins, RV spots and tent sites all with access to newly renovated restrooms and coin operated laundry."

    6. Grandfather Campground

    23 Reviews
    Seven Devils, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 788-2582

    $35 - $42 / night

    "The positives: Location: very close to Grandfather Mountain entrance and BRP. There are plenty of stores, restaurants, antiques nearby too."

    "We were next to the stream near the entrance. 

    The facilities were very nice and you can hike right around the campground. 

    The campground is very close to Grandfather Mountain entrance."

    7. Dennis Cove Campground

    6 Reviews
    Hampton, TN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Water fill up spots are well positioned and each site has a fire ring. We stayed in spot #2 which is very close to the road, but it felt secluded and traffic is light."

    "Really nice, small campground situated near several trails."

    8. Mountain River Family Campground

    11 Reviews
    Linville Falls, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 765-4810

    "Love this family owned campground tucked away by the Toe River near Spruce Pine NC and the BRP. Linville Falls. Eat at Famous Louise’s."

    "This is the kind of campground we would feel good about our kids biking around in the evening as they chase fire flies and meet new friends!  "

    9. Grandfather Mountain State Park Campsites

    10 Reviews
    Seven Devils, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 963-9522

    $17 - $37 / night

    "Check your tour cd to verify it works before driving away from the gate. It is helpful as you drive through and not all function correctly."

    "This is the most beautiful hiking trails in the world! A lot of climbing rock slopes and ladders with scenic views from 6000 ft plus elevation."

    10. Grassy Ridge Bald - Dispersed BackCountry

    3 Reviews
    Roan Mountain, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 689-9694

    "After a glorious hike up Roan Mountain and back down I crossed the road and hiked out along the three balds and found a few lonely trees to hang a hammock between."

    "Beautiful 6000’ bald off the AT and along the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee, plenty of places to pitch a tent. Firewood is scarce so bring a lantern and cook stove."

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Recent Reviews near Roan Mountain, TN

1459 Reviews of 309 Roan Mountain Campgrounds


  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Starlight Hills Campground

    Mudpit

    If it’s going to rain while you’re here, I suggest finding another campground. I don’t mind dealing dirt while I camp but at this point, it’s a mud pit and all of my gear is covered in mud. My gear cleanup is going to take 10x longer than it usually does! And be sure to treat your tent with permethrin or be prepared to have daddy long legs take over. I’ve been camping all my life and I’ve dealt with a few of them in between the roof of my tent and the rain fly….no big deal. But on my first night, there was at least 50 in there! I couldn’t leave my tent without having them crawl all over me and trying to get into the tent. It was like fighting a losing battle because there were so many and they just swarm you. Couldn’t even sit my feet still by the fire without having them crawl over my feet or up my chair. I know we’re just in the woods but it’s definitely not worth the money per night. All of the other campgrounds that I’ve payed this much for are on pea gravel with nice drainage or on grass….with nice amenities…or at least actual bathrooms, not porta potties. The camp host never came by my site like the messages that I received stated. Granted, he said to call if I needed anything and that they’re on property, but I never met anyone and when I would call, I got “hello” that’s it. Not “hello, this is ___” or “starlight hills campground, how can I help you”. Very impersonal. Will not be back.

  • Yuriy-Sarah G.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Growing Faith Farms & Retreat

    Best camping weekend!

    Our kids say,"leave them 10k stars on the review!" The best camping trip we've had in a long while. Location is private and secluded, yet within reasonable driving distance to stores and other attractions like hiking/biking/kayaking. The farm is beautiful, well-maintained, and the hosts super friendly and helpful. Love the water at the site(and electric is going to be even better soon!) and the convenience of the bathhouse. Plenty of great things to do locally, from hiking and waterfalls to apple picking. We had a wonderful weekend, and will certainly be back! Thanks!

  • 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.


Guide to Roan Mountain

Camping near Roan Mountain, Tennessee, offers a mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and family-friendly environments. 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 beautiful trails around Roan Mountain. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer noting, "The hiking is awesome. We hiked a trail that weaves through NC and TN" at Roan Mountain State Park Campground.
  • Fishing and tubing: The nearby rivers provide great spots for fishing and tubing. One camper mentioned, "The French Broad River is good for tubing, kayaking, or floating/wading" at Hot Springs Campground.
  • Wildlife watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Hickory Ridge Campground shared, "The kids LOVED the wild horses and the steer walking around."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Crowded on weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy during weekends. A visitor at Hot Springs Campground mentioned, "It was comfortable during the weekdays, but started to get crowded during the weekend."
  • Limited cell service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A camper at Stone Mountain State Park Campground noted, "We had very little cell service (Verizon)."
  • No camp store: Some campgrounds lack a camp store for supplies. A visitor at Lake Powhatan mentioned, "There is no camp store for extra supplies, but they do sell ice and plenty of firewood at the gate."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One reviewer at Asheville East KOA said, "There is a pool, playground, gaga ball pit, golf cart rentals, fishing and splashing in the Swannanoa River."
  • Choose spacious sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Bear Den Family Campground shared, "Kids loved the playground and there were a lot of other kids to make friends with."
  • Plan for bathroom breaks: Make sure to choose campgrounds with clean and accessible restrooms. A visitor at Hungry Mother State Park mentioned, "The restrooms were very clean and well-kept."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure to verify site sizes for larger RVs. A camper at Asheville East KOA noted, "Section A was extremely tight for navigating, parking, and camping, especially with our 43' big rig."
  • Be ready for train noise: Some campgrounds are near train tracks. A visitor at Asheville East KOA mentioned, "Trains come through near the park at all hours of the day and night."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with amenities like laundry facilities. A camper at Roan Mountain State Park Campground said, "The campground has laundry facilities, playgrounds, a small store with wood for sale on site."

Camping around Roan Mountain, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it's a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Roan Mountain, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Roan Mountain, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 309 campgrounds and RV parks near Roan Mountain, TN and 24 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Roan Mountain, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Roan Mountain, TN is Roan Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 48 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Roan Mountain, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 free dispersed camping spots near Roan Mountain, TN.

What parks are near Roan Mountain, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Roan Mountain, TN that allow camping, notably Pisgah National Forest and Cherokee National Forest.