Best Campgrounds near Asheville, NC

Asheville camping in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains includes several good options for visitors. Davidson River has a store with camping supplies in Pisgah National Forest, close to hiking trails and fishing areas. Smokemont Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains has room for both tents and RVs. Table Rock from Mountain Laurel Campground gives you good views of the mountains around it. Greenbrier Campground sits along a river with peaceful camping spots. You'll need permits if you plan to camp in backcountry areas. During dry times, there might be rules about campfires, so check before you go. Spring and fall have the nicest weather for camping here. Summers get hot and humid, and winter brings snow to higher areas. It's smart to book ahead, especially when it's busy. Remember to follow Leave No Trace practices to keep the area natural.

Best Camping Sites Near Asheville, North Carolina (473)

    1. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    61 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    5 miles
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $37 - $135 / night

    "Small lake on site. Several hiking trails nearby. You can hike a trail into the NC Arboretum. Very near Asheville and Biltmore Estates. Tent sites, RV sites and Glamping sites."

    "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."

    2. Asheville East KOA

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

    $50 / night

    "We parked our camper right next to the Swannanoa River in the KOA Asheville East and had a stellar Memorial day weekend."

    "Nicely maintained campground, friendly and helpful staff, with lots of activities (fishing, canoeing, paddle boat) as well as many attractions close by in Black Mountain & Asheville."

    3. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $37 - $84 / night

    "We wanted a last minute, quick drive from Asheville and got lucky with a spot! It was a double which we didn’t need but could see really enjoying with some friends and family."

    "Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."

    4. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 648-2644

    $30 / night

    "This campground is conveniently located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The drive from Asheville is stunning, taking you through several tunnels."

    "We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the “cooler” campgrounds in western North Carolina for a weekend. Mt Pisgah Campground is at an elevation of roughly 5300’."

    5. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground

    28 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-4258

    $75 - $200 / night

    "Campsite close to Asheville and a good find. The bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities were most impressive. Best I’ve seen in our travels."

    "We stayed in the upper campground which required a drive up a steep road from the lower to upper sites - but it was absolutely worth the trip."

    6. North Mills River

    26 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $31 - $62 / night

    "Good location. Close to asheville and hiking"

    "I love the location for proximity to both Brevard and Asheville. The sites vary in their ability to accommodate larger rigs, so be mindful of that."

    7. Asheville West KOA

    24 Reviews
    Candler, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 665-7015

    "The playground was a little too small for my kids, but they’ve got a bunch of little trails throughout the site with fairy doors at the base of some trees and a Groot!!!"

    "The only reason for the four star rating is due to the highway noise from I-40, which is located adjacent to the campground."

    8. Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    18 Reviews
    Fletcher, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 654-7873

    "Great location. Very easy to get to all things Asheville. 

    Clean, nice pool.

    Quiet Little Park. Emphasis on little."

    "we stayed here 2 nights to experience Asheville.  we toy a vehcilce so driving the 15 minutes into town wasn't a big deal for us.  its affordable and they are helpful getting you into your spots. "

    9. Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Asheville, NC
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 254-4676

    "After spending two nights here, I love this place and will definitely stay here again if we come back to Asheville."

    "This is a basic campground on the French broad river in Asheville nc. The tent site is nice."

    10. Campfire Lodgings

    13 Reviews
    Weaverville, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 658-8012

    "The staff keep the location very tidy. My campsite was sufficiently distant from the more active RV area to feel removed. Situated in the woods on top of a mountain."

    "We had a premium site overlooking the French Broad River and the surrounding valley. Breathtaking. It is a clean campground with very nice hosts. The shower house was dated but clean."

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Recent Reviews near Asheville, NC

2207 Reviews of 473 Asheville Campgrounds



Guide to Asheville

Camping near Asheville, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. 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 trails around the campgrounds. For instance, at Davidson River Campground, you can hike the North Slope trail, which is about four miles long. One camper mentioned, "We hiked the North Slope nearly 4 miles and wore out the dogs perfectly!"
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Smokemont Campground, are near rivers where you can fish. A visitor shared, "There was a lot of people fishing the nearby Bradley Fork and lots of reports of trout caught."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Campgrounds like Cosby Campground are great for spotting wildlife. One camper noted, "I love all the elk and other wildlife."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Greenbrier Campground, one reviewer said, "The bathrooms were amazing and very clean."
  • Scenic Views: Many campgrounds offer stunning views. A visitor at Elkmont Campground remarked, "The campground is beautiful, and the park rangers were awesome."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA have activities for kids. One family said, "We loved the lazy river in the pool and the friendly staff."

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Smokemont Campground mentioned, "The sites were cramped with little privacy."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or electric hookups. For example, Cosby Campground has no drinking water or electric hookups, which some campers found challenging.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially bears. One camper at Greenbrier Campground noted, "Due to the amount of black bears in the area, they’re very vigilant about keeping trash in trash cans."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. At Asheville East KOA, a parent said, "There is a pool, playground, gaga ball pit, and themed activities on weekends."
  • Space for Tents: Choose campgrounds with spacious sites. A family at Bear Den Family Campground mentioned, "The sites are wooded and with some level of privacy."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring your own food and cooking supplies, as some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. One camper at Lake Powhatan noted, "There is no camp store for extra supplies."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the campground can accommodate your RV size. A visitor at Asheville East KOA said, "Section A was extremely tight for navigating, especially with our 43' big rig."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near roads or train tracks. A camper at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA mentioned, "The water went out several times over the 5 days we spent here."
  • Use Online Resources: Download offline maps before you go, as cell service can be spotty in the mountains. A visitor at Davidson River Campground advised, "I would recommend downloading offline maps, as there is little cell service between the campground and downtown."

Camping near Asheville, North Carolina, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of options for families, RVers, and nature lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Asheville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Asheville, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 473 campgrounds and RV parks near Asheville, NC and 34 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Asheville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Asheville, NC is Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina with a 4.7-star rating from 61 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Asheville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 free dispersed camping spots near Asheville, NC.

What parks are near Asheville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Asheville, NC that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.