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With dozens of state and national parks surrounding the city, more than 500 miles of hiking trails, and some 160 campgrounds, Asheville is, at least according to one set of data, the best camping city in the country. That’s why we decided to try to find the best of the best. In this article, we list the 25 best campgrounds near Asheville.
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Campfire Lodgings: Asheville, NC
Campfire Lodgings is a 100-acre wooded area and a mere 15-minute drive from Asheville. It hosts a wide range of campsites and trails that run through the pristine mountain ridge
The campground prides itself on offering the feeling of remoteness in a “natural wooded setting” near a populated area. “There is no video game room, but there are lots of wildflowers and berry brambles,” the company says on its website.
Campfire Lodgings offers RV and tent camping sites as well as fully furnished yurts and cabins. Plus, all sites feature electrical hookups, water, bathrooms, and WiFi at the top campground. Campgrounds are open year-round by reservation only.
Details
Address: 116 Appalachian Village Road, Asheville, NC 28804
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area & Campground: Asheville, NC
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area & Campground is about 10 minutes southwest of Asheville. It borders the 6,000-acre Bent Creek Experimental Forest, so it offers camping and easy access to a wide range of activities hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and more. Plus, the campsite is just a few miles away from the NC Arboretum and Blue Ridge Parkway.
The campgrounds feature picnic tables, tent pads, fire rings, lantern poles, hot showers, flushable toilets, and a dump station. However, glamping sites are also available in another part of the recreation area called Pisgah Glamping at Lake Powhatan.
However, the campground offers seasonal accommodations. Between March 24 and Nov. 15, 75 campsites for both tents and RVs are available by reservation. And between Nov. 16 and March 23, 39 campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Additionally, the campgrounds warn that the site is located in bear country, so officials expect you to “keep all smellable items locked away inside a camper or vehicle.”
Located 15 miles south of Asheville, Asheville RV Park offers full-service campgrounds for RVs and cabin-goers. Each site is equipped with a full hook-up with 30/50 amp service and picnic areas with fire rings.
The grounds also feature free WiFi and cable TV, a heated pool, a playground, a recreation hall, a store, and laundry and bathhouse facilities. There’s also a fishing lake with paddle boats and canoes. It’s also pet friendly.
Details
Address: 125 Jillian Trail, Fletcher, NC 28732
Deluxe RV price: $49 to 53 per night / $305 per week
Pull Through & Lakefront RV price: $60 to $67 per night / $373 per week
Cabin price: $110 to $125 per night / $770 to $875 per week
Wrong Way describes itself as an “urban cabin campground” because it’s conveniently located in the heart of Asheville. From Wrong Way, you’ll have access to Asheville’s most popular attractions like the French Broad River Greenway, River Arts District, West Asheville’s Haywood Road, the Biltmore Estates, and downtown. But what makes it outdoorsy is that the cabins are surrounded by the woods on one side and the river on the other.
The property consists of 16 tiny A-frame cabins that feature private bathrooms, HVAC, and high-speed WiFi. Although there’s no TV, each cabin does have a record player with vintage records, a hammock, and a selection of books and games so you can unplug and reconnect. Plus, there’s the communal area by the river.
The Asheville East KOA Holiday, located in Swannanoa, is just about 20 minutes east of Asheville. It’s situated for adventure as it’s eight miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains and a short 35-mile drive from the Pisgah National Forest. The Asheville East KOA offers tent camping for those who want to glamp or rough it, RV sites, and cabins.
Campsites feature water and electric hookups as well as other accommodations like a pool, bike rentals, a game room, a KampK9 dog park, and walking trails. Plus, it’s minutes away from downtown Asheville.
Asheville West KOA Holiday is perfectly situated to access not just downtown Asheville, but it’s also just outside the Nantahala National Forest and even the Cherokee National Forest. The site is located in Chandler, just off of I-40, it’s surrounded by hiking trails and rents out tent camping, RV sites, and cabins.
According to KOA’s website, the tent sites are surrounded by woodlands, the RV areas are “big rig” friendly with 30- and 50-amp services, and the cabins are fully accommodating. The facility features a book exchange, a store, free WiFi, dog parks, a laundry facility, a playground, a lounge with board games, and cable TV.
Mama Gertie says it offers “a distinct camping experience” as it’s located about 12 miles outside of downtown Asheville as well as a variety of recreational areas in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campground rents out RV sites, cabins, and safari tents.
According to Mama Gertie’s website, most of the sites include full hookups and 30/50 amps. They also have water and electric-only sites designed for pop-up, tear-drop, and more petite campers. They’re all a short walk to the bathroom facilities.
The facility offers private shows, laundry rooms, propane filling stations, firewood delivery, a store, a dog park, a community fire pit, cable TV, a library, and free WiFi. Mama Gertie’s is open year-round and offers campsites through a reservation system.
Located about 11 miles south of Asheville, the Asheville River Cabins rents out high-end campsites along the French Broad River. Luxury glamping sites include cabins and airstreams with private barbecues, firepits, and hot tubs.
At Asheville River Cabins, you can rent a cabin or airstream with options like a riverfront view, hot tub, and various other amenities. They’re all equipped to accommodate guests ranging from a couple just wanting to get away to an entire family and their pet.
The Camp Driftwood Asheville is located just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville and about a third of a mile from the French Broad River. At the site, the campground rents out tent sites for glamping or more primitive options.
According to Camp Driftwood Asheville’s website, the facility assigns parking spots to campsites and each site is equipped with a picnic table, and a fire ring. The facility features portable toilets around the camping area as well as a bathhouse with a one-stall shower, toilet, and sink with “plenty of hot water.”
You’re allowed to bring up to two dogs, which must be leashed, but no children under 12 years old without written permission from the site’s management.
Details
Address: 2300 Old Marshall Hwy, Alexander, NC 28701
North Mills River Recreation Area: Mills River, NC
Located 30 minutes from downtown Asheville, North Mills River Recreation Area is a “secluded jewel for camping in North Carolina,” according to the facility’s website. Each campsite has access to the water, which is shallow enough for a range of activities such as swimming, tubing, and finishing. Plus, the area is surrounded by hiking and biking trails.
In the spring and summer, North Mills offers 26 standard sites with full hookups that are available by reservation. You’ll also have access to bathhouses equipped with hot showers and flushable toilets. In the fall and winter, there are 12 sites available, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and they’re equipped with a pit toilet. All sites are equipped with a picnic table, tent pad, and fire rings.
Details
Address: 5289 N Mills River Rd, Mills River, NC 28759
Price: $28 to $56 per night / $14 per night in the winter
Located about 45 minutes from Asheville, the Davidson River Campgrounds is nestled inside the Pisgah National Forest. The campgrounds run alongside the Davidson River, which allows guests to fish, tube, and swim. And on the other side of the campgrounds, you can hike the Art Loeb and North Slope trails.
According to the Davidson River Campground’s website, amenities vary by season. From March 24 to Nov. 15, there are 144 campsites available for tents and RVs. From Nov. 15 to March 24, there are 44 campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests have access to hot showers, flushable toilets, a potable water filling station, and a dump station.
Details
Address: 1 Davidson River Cir, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Located about 25 miles southwest of Asheville, the Mount Pisgah Campgrounds is surrounded by a dense hardwood forest at an elevation of 4,980 feet. It’s perched on the southernmost end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. In addition to a sense of remoteness, it’s surrounded by popular hiking trails of various difficulties.
According to the Recreation.gov page, Mount Pisgah Campgrounds features showers, an amphitheater, drinking water, a dump station, an emergency phone, fire rings, flushable toilets, grills, food storage lockers, lantern posts, paved parking, picnic tables, fire pits, and more. However, while the site will accommodate both tent camping and RV camping, it does not have electric hookups.
Although Creekside Mountain Camping is located about 19 miles southeast of Asheville, it’s situated near tons of destinations. Five miles from Chimney Rock Park, seven miles from Lake Lure, 15 miles from Blue Ridge Parkway, and so much more. Camping areas include tent sites, RV sites, and log cabins.
On its website, the campgrounds describe the surrounding area as a “true mountain setting” with “lots of cool, fresh mountain air” and trout fishing. But it also has an array of amenities. Features include restrooms with hot water, a large clubhouse with a full game room (pool tables, pinball, video games, and air hockey), a 40-foot swimming pool, a grocery store, a laundromat, propane, and more.
Details
Address: 2800 Gerton Hwy, Gerton, NC 28735
Tent price: $27 to $35 per day / $160 to $210 per week
Land of Waterfalls RV Campground: Pisgah Forest, NC
In between Hendersonville and Brevard, the Land of Waterfalls RV Campground is described as the “perfect jump point to Dupont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest.” The boutique campground consists of 12 sites that are equipped with full hookups, WiFi, and high-quality cell service.
In addition to the amenities, the campground is surrounded by state and national parks. The campground touts the availability of Pisgah hiking trails, which range from just over a mile to 73.2 miles, and bike tracks.
Located inside the Pisgah National Forest and near Brevard, the Wolf Ford Horse Camp is the only campground located in the Pisgah Ranger District, which contains more than 100 miles of equestrian-use trails. That’s because the campground was designed and intended for equestrian use.
In addition to horse camping, it’s also a popular location for backpacking, birding, fishing, stargazing, and more. According to the campground’s webpage, the Wolf Ford Horse Camp features hitching racks, lantern posts, picnic tables, vault toilets, and grills. It also allows pets. But there’s no running water or electricity.
Details
Address: S Mills River Rd, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
At less than an hour from Asheville, the Black Mountain Campground gives access to a variety of outdoor destinations, including the southern Appalachians and the 5.7-mile hike to the top of Mount Mitchel State Park, the highest peak in North Carolina.
According to Black Mountain’s website, the campground hosts 46 primitive campsites, two campsites with electricity, and river access for swimming tubing, and fly fishing. The sites are equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, and fire rings. Bathrooms and hot showers are also available as well as firewood and ice for purchase.
Details
Address: 50 Black Mountain Campground Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714
Compared to most, the North Mills River Campground is a relatively small facility. It’s organized into two loops on the opposite side of the river. According to the campground’s webpage, the site’s equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts, and campfire rings with grills. There are also restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Plus, firewood and fire starters are available on-site.
North Mills River Campground is situated in the Appalachian Mountains at an elevation of 2,200 feet. The surrounding landscape features are mile-high peaks, waterfalls, and heavily forested hardwoods. It’s described as a “rustic mountain getaway” field with natural attractions, hiking and biking trails, and fishing.
Details
Address: 5289 N. Mills River Road, Mills River, NC 28742
The Stony Fork Creek RV Park consists of 10 full hookup sites for any size RV with 50- or 30-amp service. Located about 15 miles outside of Asheville, the park is situated at the base of Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s also pet friendly and offers WiFi.
Located at the foot of Mount Pisgah in the Pisgah National Forest, the Stoney Creek Oasis has 21 campsites covering a five-acre stretch of land surrounded by woodlands and a babbling creek. Those sites consist of 10 tent camping sites as well as a selection of fully furnished yurts and two RV sites.
According to the campgrounds, that particular area is “a bucket list tour” for bikers. And because of that, Stoney Creek Oasis has a small fleet of motorcycles for rent. Other outdoor activities include swimming and hiking.
Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground: Chimney Rock, NC
Located just off Highway 64-74, the Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground in Chimney Rock consists of 70 RV sites, 13 tent sites, and two cabins. With the surrounding mountains and access to the Broad River, the Chimney Rock area offers boating, tubing, fishing, hiking, and more.
According to the Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground’s website, campers have access to WiFi, a recreation hall with an arcade and pool tables, a playground, bathhouses, a laundromat, a propane refill station, and fire pits at every site.
The Curtis Creek Campground is located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 2,000-foot high area is equipped with three loops of 25 campsites. One loop can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length, another is for dispersed tent-only camping, and the last one is for tent-only in a grassy area.
According to the campground’s webpage, all sites include a tent pad, picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring. There are also vault toilets, drinking water pumps, and bear-proof trash and recycling receptacles are provided. The campground is open year-round.
The Catawba Falls Campground is described as “a family style campground” that will offer an “inexpensive vacation” in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. At Catawba, they offer full hookup RV sites, tent camping on both primitive and full-service sites, and fully-equipped cabins.
Located 20 miles east of Asheville, Sky Island Retreat and Campground has a wide range of outdoor sites for a pet-friendly adult getaway. Sky Island rents out RV sites, tent sites, and cabins, which all have access to WiFi.
According to Sky Island’s website, there are six RV sites with 30/50 amp hookups, a water and dump station, and two pop-up camper sites. Tent camping is available in a variety of spots on the campground, including on top of the mountain. And at Sky Island, you can rent either a fully-equipped cabin with electricity and water or a primitive cabin that’s as bare bones as it gets.
Riverhouse RV Resort and Campground, formerly Riverhouse Acres, is located in the heart of the Bethel farming community about 25 miles west of Asheville. The grounds give both RVs and tent campers quick access to the many hiking and biking trails within the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as the pigeon river.
According to Riverhouse’s website, the campgrounds host simple accommodations, including bathhouses with showers and toilets as well as picnic tables and fire pits. Additionally, all 20 RV sites are equipped with 30/50 amp boxes, water, and sewage hookups. The grounds also allow pets and car and RV washing.
Located in the Pisgah National Forest, the Rock Bluff Campground is just three miles south of the small town of Hot Springs and the French Broad River. It’s equipped with 18 rustic campsites meant for car and tent camping.
According to the campground’s webpage, the area features picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts, campfire rings with grills, and there are potable water sites available. In 2023, the restroom building was closed, but porta johns are still available.
