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Best Campgrounds near Asheville, NC

2,251 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Asheville, North Carolina (483)

    1. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    62 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. Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    19 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. "

    8. 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."

    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

    15 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 Camping Photos near Asheville, NC

1121 Photos of 483 Asheville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Asheville, NC

2251 Reviews of 483 Asheville Campgrounds

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Gorges State Park Campground

    CAUTION: steep grades and curvy road

    This campground would’ve gotten five stars except for the road getting there was pretty exciting. The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down. Other than that, this campground was super nice. Has the nicest showers I have ever seen in a campground. All the sites for RVs are on concrete pads with electric, water, and sewer. This was a great staging point for our trip up to the great Smoky Mountains. The visitor center was very informative.

  • 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.

  • Alden B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping

    Very Nice camping near Dupont National Forest

    If you want close access to Dupont and Pisga NF you're within minutes! The owners Mark & Esther are wonderful. We call him SouthSide Mark ( hails from South Africa). Some sites are a little tight, but fine. If you have a big rig call ahead. The cabin was wonderful. The bathhouse is older but very clean. You can tell the owners love their campers and property. The site is tree covered and hilly. We will come again, guaranteed! Watch your step. Wood Spirits are Everywhere!

  • 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!

  • Robert B.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    FR472 & Black Mountain Campground Closed

    FR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you are caught walking beyond the gate.  Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.  The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out.  The water system is also destroyed as well as the road network in the campground.  There have been no announcements by the Forest Service about plans to repair the facility and, after a year, my guess is that there never will be.

  • A
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Triple Creek Campground

    Would recommend!

    It got only for stars because I can hear traffic from my campsite.
    I was next to a brook, under a paw paw tree. It was safe, very friendly. The bath and shower house were clean and very nice for tent camping! Laundry room, firewood delivery.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great place to stay just be aware of your surroundings

    Was a pretty nice camp site compared to a lot you just have to be aware of the people around you. Across from our campground there was another camper who seemed out of it who came up to us at 11:00pm and asked for tape for his tent. Also garbage bag and garbage on the ground at front of campsite. PEOPLE MAY NOT BE THE BEST AROUND YOU BUT THE SITES ARE GREAT!

  • Cassondra P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    Mixed Feelings

    This campground was decent

    Fishing pond has a lot of ducks and seaweed

    Laundry room was nice and large - easy and quick to get 3 loads done

    Waterfront site was fairly level and loved being able to walk down stairs to lake area

    Pool was clean

    Bathrooms had a gross smell to them

    During our walk there was definitely a strong chemical smell around park - it was strange

    There is a lot of airplane noise as it is close to airport

    Overall it was clean and friendly staff

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

Where are the best campgrounds near Asheville, NC?

Asheville offers exceptional camping options for all preferences. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina stands out with its well-organized sites, small lake, and hiking trails that connect to the NC Arboretum, all just minutes from downtown. For a more secluded experience, Davidson River Campground provides peaceful waterside camping with quick access to scenic drives and hiking trails. Other top options include Montreat Family Campground for forest immersion, Paradise Ridge Permaculture for a unique stay with friendly animals just 20 minutes from the city, and Indian Creek Campground for relaxing creekside camping with exceptional amenities and privacy.

What types of camping are available around Asheville?

Asheville's diverse camping landscape accommodates every camping style. For RV enthusiasts, Asheville West KOA offers leveled sites with full hookups, though it's more compact than typical KOAs. Tent campers will enjoy Montreat Family Campground, where secluded sites surrounded by lush forest create the feeling of having the woods to yourself. The region also features glamping options at Lake Powhatan, primitive horse camping at Pisgah National Forest Wash Creek, and unique stays at Paradise Ridge Permaculture. Many campgrounds offer a mix of accommodations, from basic tent sites to cabins and RV hookups, ensuring options for solo travelers, families, and groups of all sizes.

Are there any high elevation camping options near Asheville?

Mount Pisgah Campground offers premium high-elevation camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway, situated at approximately 5,000 feet. The cooler temperatures and stunning mountain views make it a popular destination during summer months. Pisgah National Forest Wash Creek Horse Camp also provides elevated camping experiences deeper in the forest, requiring a scenic drive through wooded terrain to reach the secluded sites. For those seeking high-altitude camping with amenities, Campfire Lodgings features terraced sites with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Most high elevation campgrounds in the area are seasonal, typically operating from spring through fall, with limited or no winter availability due to weather conditions.

What amenities can I expect at Asheville area campgrounds?

Amenities at Asheville area campgrounds range from basic to comprehensive. Indian Creek Campground stands out with exceptionally clean bathhouses and a well-stocked camp store for forgotten necessities. Paradise Ridge Permaculture offers unique amenities including outdoor showers and communal fire pits in a permaculture setting. Most public campgrounds like Lake Powhatan and Davidson River provide clean restrooms, potable water, and picnic tables. Private campgrounds typically offer more extensive facilities, with KOAs and RV resorts featuring full hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and sometimes pools or recreational areas. Proximity to nature is a common amenity, with many sites featuring creekside locations, hiking trail access, and scenic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

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