Cape Lookout National Seashore
For a truly unique North Carolina camping experience, visit Cape Lookout National Seashore. This 56-mile stretch of land is managed by the national park service to keep the area as natural and undeveloped as possible. The true draw of this section of NCs outer banks is a 3-mile boat ride offshore, to three barrier islands. Visitors can spend their whole trip enjoying and exploring the pristine beaches, there are miles upon miles of undeveloped shoreline.
Cape Lookout National Seashore is perfect for fishermen, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. As well as birdwatching, you might be able to view wild horses too! There are several historic villages to explore, and a 163-foot lighthouse constructed more than 100 years ago. As this area is entirely non-commercial, only primitive campsites are on offer. There are plenty of choices if you want a secluded, private, and entirely natural place to pitch your tent. With endless seaside campsites to choose from, Cape Lookout is one of the best places to go camping in North Carolina.
Many people visit Cape Lookout National Seashore to see the iconic lighthouse.
Weatherproof Canvas Wall Platform Tentstay Dry Without The Hassle
Ashevilles own Diamond Brand Outdoors manufactured 12 custom-designed canvas tents exclusively for Lake Powhatans glamping sites. Each 12×16-foot space accommodates up to four guestsits fully enclosed with large screened windows providing natural light and protection from the elements. A weatherproof fly adds extra shelter from the rain. Indoor/outdoor chairs are available for relaxing on the raised front porch under the big sky. Glamping in Asheville, NC could not be any easier!
A Popular Nc State Park
But as the rugged, remote and mountainous state park that sits in Avery, Caldwell and Watauga counties, grew in popularity, with some 52,000 visitors last year, so did the clamoring for one of the backcountry, primitive, hike-in-only campsites.
Murray said 2,753 campers pitched a tent in the park last year, but there were countless others who were turned away after traveling sometimes from other states, only to find the campsites were all taken.
I think a lot of people are going to be glad they can now make a reservation, Murray said. We have a lot of visitors who travel a long distance and sometimes its pretty disheartening when you cant reserve ahead of time. I think $15 accommodates most budgets, and I think most people are going to be happy they will have a reservation.
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Asheville West Koa Holiday
Address: 309 Wiggins Rd, Candler, NC 28715
About: The Asheville West KOA Holiday has large full hook-up lots with the KOA trademark patio, Wi-Fi, and cable. It also has a dog park and activities such as ice cream Saturdays and nature trails. In addition, the campground has a pool that is open from the end of May to the beginning of September.
Pro Tip:Learn why we think the cost of a KOA membership is totally worth the money.
Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite
Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, weve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phones GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.
Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.
This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, well all have more places to go camping.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
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Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park sits on the Sauratown Mountain Range, a separated eastern range often called the mountains away from the mountains because of their divide from the Blue Ridge Mountains nearby. This 9000-acre state park has peaks of more than 2500 feet, with the highest point being Moores Knob at 786 meters above sea level. You can hike to this point or one of many other interesting attractions using more than 20 miles of trails in this state park.
Hikers, bikers, and equestrians are all welcome in Hanging Rock State Park. In the summer season, boating and swimming are popular activities, while fishing is a big attraction all year round. On Dan River, you can go tubing if angling doesnt have the thrill youre after. This stone mountain state park also offers some fantastic rock climbing opportunities. Hanging Rock has some of the best camping in North Carolina for adventurers, with plenty of waterfalls to check out. We also recommend seeing the view over the Piedmont plateau, which stretches out all the way to Virginia.
This North Carolina State Park offers a well equipped but simple campground, with two loops of tent and trailer sites. Drinking water, bathrooms, and hot showers are provided, but only pit toilets are open in winter. If youre going in a group, Hanging Rock is one of the best places to camp in North Carolina. The primitive group sites offer a fantastic wilderness experience in this scenic state park.
Lake James State Park
If youre looking for one of the best places for camping near Asheville and want a lake setting, look no further than Lake James State Park.
At an hour away from the city, Lake James has 6,812 acres of clear waters and beautiful scenery. You have multiple options for camping including Catawba River Area boasting 20 walk-in campsites, Paddys Creek area with 33 drive-in sites, or the Long Arm Peninsula for remote camping only accessible by boat.
Lake James truly offers you a choose-your-own-adventure experience for families and wanderers alike.
Once youre settled into your chosen campsite, you have many options to play the day away. Lace up your hiking boots or strap on your mountain biking helmet to set foot or wheel on one of the 25 miles of trails. Or, rent a canoe, paddleboard, or kayak to explore the pristine waters that fill Lake James.
Whatever your adventure may be, Lake James is best enjoyed from May to September when the weather is warm and the days are long.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The border between North Carolina and Tennessee is home to one of the more beautiful sections of the Appalachian Mountain Chain the Great Smoky Mountains. This mountain range is home to a selection of North Americas highest peaks, including Clingmans Dome which is the second-highest point in North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail passes directly through the center of this national park, so its a perfect place to check out a section of this infamous through-hike.
More than 10 million visitors come to Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year, more than Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon all combined! Hiking is the most popular activity by far, as on foot you can see many of the park highlights. Check out mountain rivers, countless waterfalls, look out for elk and other wildlife. Great Smoky Mountains is quite clearly some of the best camping in North Carolina.
Smokemont Campground is our recommendation for a night amongst the peaks, located on a quiet forested bridge near the state border. Tent and RV sites are available with flush toilets and potable water provided. This family-friendly campground has plenty of space for picnics or sports games, all against the gorgeous setting of the Smoky Mountain peaks. The scenery in this National Park is part of what attracts millions of nature lovers, you could spend a lifetime just taking in the view.
Bear Creek Rv Park And Campground
One of the most attractive RV Park in Asheville, NC, is Bear Creek RV Park. The park is a family-owned campground and can be found to the west of the city. It is a huge RV park and located between Interstate 40 and 240. This means if you are considering travel throughout the state, this park is an ideal option for you where you should stay.
The best thing I liked the most about Bear Creek is if you are a group of travelers, they will let you use the clubhouse without charging any additional cost. The park is also located on the Hominy Creek Shores, while the Moose Café is located within walking distance from the RV park.
Besides the ideal location of Bear Creek campground Asheville, NC, the park also indulges in impressive amenities to make sure you feel at home throughout your stay at the park. The park strictly implements the cleanliness rules, and that is the reason you will see the park cleaner than you could think.
The sites are clean, spacious, and have full hookups. They are perfectly level and also have concrete patios.
Bear Creek RV Park Amenities
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Ashevilles Bear Creek Rv Park And Campground
This RV camp is fantastic since it is not only one of the best RV parks to stay at, but it also offers a range of lots for various types of RVs. Not to mention the fantastic amenities, which include a heated pool!
Youll definitely want to have a look at their website! ashevillebearcreek.com
Amenities
This RV park is also open all year, making it a terrific choice no matter when you travel.
Available Activities
If you want to save money on Biltmore Estate tickets, Asheville Bear Creek sells two days for the price of one. Bridal Veil Falls, The Blue Ridge Parkway, and the historic downtown area of Asheville are all great places to visit if you enjoy outdoor activities.
Rates for RVs
The tariffs on the website include their discount, which amounts to $45 per night for a normal 30/50 amp site. It costs $60 each night for a premium spot. There is also a $3 cost for additional individuals.
Mama Gerties Hideaway Campground
Set into the side of a mountain, Mama Gerties is as distinct as its name! RV campers and tent campers alike can agree that this campground has views like no other, especially when it comes to the Fall Foliage in North Carolina.
As one of the best campgrounds near Asheville open year-round, Mama Gerties offers full hookups, water and electric only sites, cabin rentals, and tent sites. Four sites even include private decks with a swing, cafe table, and fire pit for a unique camping near Asheville experience.
Bathroom facilities are located within the campground, along with picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Mama Gerties, a pet-friendly location, also boasts modern amenities such as a fitness and rec room, library, dog park, camp store, cable tv, wifi, laundromat, dump station, and pavilion.
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Although spring and fall are the ideal times to explore Ashevilleâs breathtaking scenery, the city and its surroundings are a year-round attraction for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounded by lush woodland where flora and fauna abound, Asheville is a destination that should be added to the bucket list for sure. While the city boasts an exciting blend of hip coffee shops, breweries, and notable restaurants, itâs the outdoor activities that make it so unique. With activities like hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and kayaking, thereâs always something fun and exciting to do around the city. Of course, to make the most of your vacation, itâs best to stay close to nature, so make sure you check out the best campgrounds in Asheville, North Carolina.
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Merchants Millpond State Park
Yet another state park campgroundin North Carolina, the campsites at Merchants Millpond State Park are sereneand inviting.
The area surrounding Merchants Millpondis one of the most unique in the state. It centers around the titular mill pondas well as a large swampy area. Hardwood trees and hanging Spanish moss givethe swamp a spooky, yet beautiful, atmosphere. Opportunities for hiking,bicycling, fishing, paddling, and horseback riding are numerous.
The campground has roughly 20campsites open to tents and RVs. Like most North Carolina state park camping,no RV hookups are available. The area is also notable for its 5 designatedbackpacking campsites and its 3 designated paddle-in canoe campsites.
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The Great Outdoors Rv Resort
Image Source:http://gorvresort2.com/portfo…
The Great Outdoors RV Resort is in the midst of the Smoky Mountains. This RV park has garnered a 10/10/10 rating from Good Sam, and it features beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Since the campground is family-owned, you can expect friendly service.
Daytime Adventure Nighttime Bliss
Only 10 minutes from downtown your deluxe glamping site awaits at one of the best campgrounds near Asheville, NC. Lake Powhatans glamping tents allow you to experience nature and outdoor recreation without sacrificing the comforts and luxuries of home. Choose one of 12 custom designed, fully furnished canvas platform tents in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest for your next mountain adventure. Pisgah Glamping sets the stage alongside the 6,000-acre Bent Creek Experimental Forest and trail system, Ashevilles top destination for hiking and biking. Bring your friends, family or true loveits right down the road and a world away.
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North Section Of Pisgah National Forest Free Camping
In the Big Ivy area Coleman Boundary, there is free primitive camping off of FS 74. This narrow dirt road is not suited for pull campers or bigger. There are several roadside camp spots.
Neals Creek rd FS 2074 has great riverside primitive camping. This road is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, making it easy and beautiful to get to.
Curtis Creek North dispersed camping is on Curtis Creek rd FS 482. This road is between Old Fort and Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a paved part of the way but gravel the rest. There are dispersed camping sites all along the road, but you can also find a small, very cheap campground located on this road. Some of the dispersed spots are close to the campground so that you can use the bathrooms at the campground.
Please remember
Always pack out what you pack in. Leave the site better than how you found it. Please bury bathroom waste and also toilet paper. We all enjoy these locations for their natural beauty and hate to get to a trashy site. Rangers have in the past closed roadside camping for all due to people trashing the area.
Insiders Guide to all things Asheville.
Riverfront Camping In The Heart Of The Blue Ridge Mountains Minutes From Downtown Asheville
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Mountains where you can hike, fish, and explore Asheville!
Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by nature and just a short drive to the thriving city of Asheville, escape to Asheville East KOA Holiday. Located along the Swannanoa River and surrounded by lakes, Asheville East KOA is the ideal location for a weekend getaway or family camping vacation. Take a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains. Head downtown to Asheville for live music, locally produced food and beer, and a vibrant arts scene. Take in history at the Biltmore Estate or take part in hiking, tubing, or other outdoor adventure activities.
With more than five ways to stay, Asheville East KOA Holiday offers a camping experience for everyone. RV Sites:Pull Thru and Back-In, Full Hookup options, including Patio sites, to accommodate rigs of all sizes. Lakeside sites offer amazing views of nature or enjoy fishing just steps from your front door in a back-in river site.
Cabins: Deluxe Cabins offer a unique glamping experience complete with full bathrooms, partial kitchens, cable TV, and temperature control. For those looking for a more rustic camping experience, Camping Cabins offer some of the comforts of home with a true feel of the outdoors. Coverage from the elements, a mini fridge and TV help make your stay fun for the whole family without the hassle.
Basic WiFiOutdoor Pool Fully Stocked Camp StoreFull Hook Up Sites
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What People Are Saying About The Great Outdoors Rv Resort
If you are coming to the Franklin area you cant find a better place for your RV. They also have a few cabins that are really nice. They have a pool, showers, laundry room, work out room, dog bath, and dog park. The owners are on-site and do everything they can to make your time here as nice as possible. Edney, Google Review
Location
- Wi-Fi: Yes