15 Spectacular Campgrounds in North Carolina’s Mountains

Looking for campgrounds in North Carolina’s mountains?

Look no further! I live in North Carolina and without a doubt my favorite part of living here is getting to explore the mountains.

As soon as I moved here I began researching all of the new places where I would have outdoor adventures.

I quickly learned that it’s time-consuming to find campgrounds in the mountains because “the mountains” covers a large area! Campgrounds are spread across multiple national forests, state parks, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I put together this list of campgrounds in North Carolina’s mountains so you can spend less time scouring the internet and more time exploring.

Ready to pick your campground? Here are 15 spectacular campgrounds in North Carolina’s mountains.

1. Balsam Mountain Campground

The ultimate place to camp in North Carolina’s mountains is Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Balsam Mountain Campground is one of 5 campgrounds on the North Carolina side of this national park. It’s located on the eastern side of the park.

While I recommend Smokemont Campground for park visitors seeking easy access to the park’s highlights, Balsam Mountain Campground is a fantastic choice for people who care more about camping in the mountains than maximizing time sightseeing in the park.

This scenic campground is up in the mountains at an elevation over 5,000 feet above sea level, making it the highest elevation campground in the park by far. This makes it a nice place to escape the heat on hot summer trips to the park.

There are a few ways to enjoy the mountains when you camp at Balsam Mountain campground. A network of trails begins near the campground, making it an ideal place to stay if you want to do lots of hiking. If you’d rather spend more time viewing the mountains from your car, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is only 20 minutes away.

Balsam Mountain Campground is a mid-size campground with 42 campsites. These campsites can accommodate tents and RVs up to 30 feet long.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Balsam Mountain Campground.

2. Cataloochee Campground

Cataloochee Campground is another campground on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This campground is in the southeast area of the park.

Cataloochee Campground is one of the smaller campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with only 27 campsites. This includes 3 group sites and 7 campsites for campers with horses.

While RVs up to 30 feet are technically allowed here, note that RVs are discouraged since the road leading to Cataloochee Campground is a winding gravel road with no guard rails.

Although Cataloochee Campground is over an hour away from the nearest visitor center and the main roads that cross through the park, there is plenty to do near this campground.

The area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park that surrounds Cataloochee Campground is full of historic buildings and wildlife (particularly elk).

For campers who plan to fill their days with hiking, the Caldwell Fork Trail begins near the campground and connects to a network of trails.

And if you’d rather just relax at the campground, the Cataloochee Creek runs along the campground and is a nice spot for fishing.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Cataloochee Campground.

3. Big Creek Campground

Big Creek Campground is at the eastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the border between North Carolina and Tennessee.

Despite being in the country’s most popular national park, Big Creek Campground is an ideal campground for a quiet escape to North Carolina’s mountains. It’s in an idyllic setting as it’s tucked away in the woods with its namesake creek running nearby.

It’s a very small campground, adding to the peaceful and serene experience. This is the smallest campground in the national park with only 12 campsites.

But Big Creek Campground is not for everyone – you have to be willing to walk in to your campsite with all of your gear. All of the campsites are walk-in sites, so it’s only suitable for tent camping.

The campground is conveniently located for anyone interested in hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail, or other trails in the network that begin near the campground. For campers interested in a shorter hike, consider taking the Big Creek Trail to Mouse Creek Falls.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Big Creek Campground.

4. Black Mountain Campground

Black Mountain Campground offers a classic camping experience in North Carolina’s mountains.

It’s located in Pisgah National Forest just 15 minutes off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Burnsville, NC.

This forested campground is up in the mountains around 3,000 feet in elevation and bordered by the South Toe River.

Black Mountain Campground has about 40 spacious, primitive campsites for both tents and RVs. The campsites on the outside of the campground loop are more wooded than those in the grassy interior.

The campground has a few luxuries on site including showers and a small camp store with items like firewood and souvenirs (no food).

Campers can enjoy lazy days fishing and tubing on the South Toe River.

To explore the surrounding mountains, there is a network of trails near Black Mountain Campground. These trails range from a half-mile nature trail to the 11-mile roundtrip hike up Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet. A popular short trail is the one mile roundtrip trail to Setrock Creek Falls.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, though some campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to reserve a campsite at Black Mountain Campground.

5. Linville Falls Campground

Linville Falls Campground is in between the mountain towns of Boone, NC and Asheville, NC.

More specifically, it’s near milepost 316.4 of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This location puts Linville Falls Campground in a great location for outdoor recreation.

There are lots of hiking trails in this area. Right near the campground, the Erwins View Trail guides hikers to four overlooks to see the upper and lower Linville Falls in just 1.6 miles (round trip). Head a bit deeper into the Linville Gorge Wilderness to find some of the most sought out trails in North Carolina.

Back at camp, the Linville River – which flows right by the campground – is stocked for fishing.

The Linville Falls Campground has 65 sites which can accommodate both tents and RVs. None of the campsites have hookups, which is common for campgrounds managed by the National Park Service.

The campsites vary in how much shade they provide, though the sunnier campsites are near the tree-lined river for some pretty scenery.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, though some campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to reserve a campsite at Linville Falls Campground.

6. Crabtree Falls Campground

Crabtree Falls Campground is another National Park Service campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This wooded campground is halfway along North Carolina’s stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 339.5.

There are 80 campsites at Crabtree Falls Campground. The campsites are suitable for both tents and RVs, but note that hookups are not available for RVs.

Several area attractions draw campers to this destination.

The namesake Crabtree Falls can be reached from the campground via a 3-mile loop hike. Crabtree Falls is a beautiful 70 foot waterfall that is one of the most photographed attractions in the area. (I can attest it’s the most photographed and shared in local Facebook groups that I’m a part of.)

Mount Mitchell State Park is only 30 minutes away from the campground.

And of course, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway with its many overlooks is right next to the campground.

About half of the campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance while the other half are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to reserve a campsite at Crabtree Falls Campground.

7. Davidson River Campground

Davidson River Campground is in Pisgah National Forest just 10 minutes away from Brevard, NC and under an hour away from Asheville.

This campground is an excellent home base to explore all of the popular attractions nearby. There is so much to do in this area of the North Carolina mountains!

If you’re looking to cool off, the Davidson River provides opportunities for swimming, tubing, and fishing right at the campground. The campground is also near Sliding Rock, a natural waterslide in the mountain that ends in a pool of water.

There are a variety of hiking trails in the area, too. The popular Looking Glass Rock Trail and the 4-mile loop North Slope Trails make for great day hikes near the campground. If you’ve ever wanted to hike the 30-mile (one way) Art Loeb Trail, the southern end of that trail is right across the river from Davidson River Campground.

Davidson River Campground has 144 campsites for tents and RVs, including 30 sites with electric hookups. These campsites are mostly shaded and some are near the river.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Davidson River Campground.

A wide open view of North Carolina mountains — Photo by Tom Sid on Unsplash

8. Mount Pisgah Campground

Mount Pisgah Campground is near the southernmost end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s in between the towns of Brevard, NC and Asheville.

This campground is an ideal place to experience North Carolina’s mountains.

It’s up in the woods at nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. Enjoy the mountains right at your campsite or head out to explore even more of the area.

Check out nearby overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway to soak in scenic vistas of western North Carolina’s mountain ranges.

There are plenty of hiking trails if you prefer to explore the mountains on foot.

Short hikes nearby include the trail to a fire tower on Frying Pan Mountain and the trail to the top of Mount Pisgah.

For longer hikes, North Carolina’s statewide mountains-to-sea trail runs through the area and connects to additional trails in Pisgah National Forest.

Lastly, Shining Rock Wilderness and Middle Prong Wilderness are just south of the campground. These wilderness areas offer even more opportunities for hiking.

Mount Pisgah Campground has 125 campsites which can accommodate both tents and RVs. There are no hookups for RVs, however.

About half of the campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance while the other half are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to reserve a campsite at Mount Pisgah Campground.

9. Julian Price Campground

Julian Price Campground is at milepost 297.0 along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

It’s just 20 minutes southwest of the town of Boone, NC.

Campers will have plenty of outdoor adventures in store for them at this beautiful campground.

Julian Price Campground sits next to Price Lake amid surrounding rolling hills.

The lake provides recreation opportunities in this fantastic setting.

Canoes are available to rent at the lake. Additionally, a fishing pier makes it easy to fish from the shore.

There are several hiking trails in the area, too. Check out the Price Lake, Green Knob, or Boone Fork trails for short to mid-length day hikes. The 26-mile roundtrip Tanawha Trail is also nearby for a longer hiking adventure.

Julian Price Campground also serves as a great home base to explore Grandfather Mountain State Park. This popular park is only 15 minutes away and does not provide designated campgrounds, so Julian Price Campground is the next best place for car campers to stay.

Julian Price Campground is one of the largest campgrounds in North Carolina’s mountains with 190 campsites. Tents and RVs are both welcome here, but note there are no RV hookups available.

About half of the campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance while the other half are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to reserve a campsite at Julian Price Campground.

10. Mount Mitchell State Park Campground

Mount Mitchell State Park Campground is an hour northeast of Asheville near Burnsville, NC.

The small campground in North Carolina’s oldest state park makes for a quiet and secluded getaway in the mountains.

But as beautiful and peaceful as it is, this campground isn’t for everyone.

All 9 of the campsites are walk-in only, so campers must carry all of their camping equipment up a flight of stairs from the parking area.

If you’re willing and able to carry in all of your gear, though, you’re in for a cool summer escape in the mountains.

Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet. At this elevation, the weather is often foggy, rainy, or snowy, so come prepared to camp in all types of weather.

If you manage to visit on a sunny day, enjoy the views from the observation tower at the top of Mount Mitchell.

There are a few options for hiking in the state park ranging from short day hikes to longer, technically challenging trails.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Mount Mitchell State Park.

11. Rocky Bluff Campground

Rocky Bluff Campground is in Pisgah National Forest.

It’s located near Hot Springs, NC and the border with Tennessee.

This small, forested campground is yet another great place for a peaceful escape to North Carolina’s mountains.

There are 17 campsites at Rocky Bluff Campground. These campsites are suitable for tent camping.

For water-based fun near the campground, check out opportunities for kayaking, white water rafting, and tubing in the French Broad River. Campers can also go fishing for trout in Spring Creek.

Hikers can take the Spring Creek Trail and Van Cliff Loop Trail right from the campground. The trail to Lovers Leap and the Appalachian Trail can also be accessed nearby.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Rocky Bluff Campground.

12. Lake Powhatan Campground

Lake Powhatan is an ideal campground for a trip to the mountains of North Carolina.

It’s easy to access as it’s only 10 minutes southeast of Asheville.

Yet despite being close to this tourist town, it offers a tranquil setting as it’s in a heavily wooded area of Pisgah National Forest. The woods here provide both privacy and beauty for campers’ mountain adventures.

What’s more, the campground is within walking distance of Lake Powhatan. The lake provides a swimming area and a fishing pier for fun on the water. (Boating is not allowed, so check out more lakeside campgrounds in North Carolina to find a lake where boating is permitted.)

The 75 campsites at Lake Powhatan Campground can be used by tents and RVs. About 15 of the campsites offer full hookups.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Lake Powhatan Campground.

13. North Mills River Campground

North Mills River Campground is the perfect place to just relax in a quiet forest.

Compared to other campgrounds in North Carolina’s mountains, North Mills River Campground is a bit further away from trails and other highlights in Pisgah National Forest.

Yet this campground is only 30 minutes southeast of Asheville, so there are certainly things to do in the area if you’re up for a bit of a drive.

North Mills River Campground offers 24 shaded campsites in a beautiful section of the forest. The sites can be used for tents and RVs, but no hookups are provided.

Campers can spend their days swimming, tubing, and fishing in the namesake North Mills River. Afterwards, the secluded campsites are a cozy place to spend evenings roasting marshmallows and playing nighttime games.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at North Mills River Campground.

14. Standing Indian Campground

Standing Indian Campground is a paradise for campers and hikers in Nantahala National Forest.

It’s way down in southwest North Carolina near the border with Georgia.

The campground has 80 no-hookup campsites for tents and RVs. Campsites in Loops 1 and 5 are particularly secluded since these are the most wooded areas of the campground.

There are lots of opportunities to hike near Standing Indian Campground.

This includes a short hike to Big Laurel Falls and a long day hike to the namesake Standing Indian Mountain. Standing Indian Mountain is reached via the Lower Ridge Trail.

Other trails connect hikers to the Appalachian Trail and other longer (10-20+ miles) trails.

About half of the campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance while the other half are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to reserve a campsite at Standing Indian Campground.

15. Van Hook Glade Campground

Van Hook Glade Campground is a small gem in Nantahala National Forest.

Like Standing Indian Campground, Van Hook Glade Campground is near the border with Georgia in southwest North Carolina.

This forested campground offers 18 campsites to tent and RV campers. There are no hookups at any campsites.

The only downside of this campground is that you can hear noise from cars since it’s right next to highway 64. However, this doesn’t typically bother me since I’m usually out and about on adventures during the day when most traffic passes by.

There are plenty of outdoor activities to partake in near Van Hook Glade Campground.

A short trail leads from the campground to the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area. Here, campers can enjoy swimming and trout fishing (boating is not allowed).

There are also a handful of trails that begin near the lake.

If you want to go chasing waterfalls, the campground is just a short drive away from Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Cullasaja Falls.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Van Hook Glade Campground.

MORE ADVENTURES IN THE CAROLINAS

As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.