10 Best RV Campgrounds In NC Mountains | RV Lifestyle (2024)

Ready to hit the road to escape the hustle and bustle? Here's a list of the best RV campgrounds in NC mountains…

Known for its Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, North Carolina is a popular destination for nature lovers. It has beautiful hiking trails and offers an array of outdoor adventures, including fishing, rafting, cycling, skiing, and more.

The fun city of Asheville is snuggled nearby and makes the perfect urban stop for art, dining, and craft breweries. Oh, and don't forget about the impressive Biltmore Estate.

As you can see, there is no shortage of things to do. All you need to do is find a place to stay! So, here are the best RV campgrounds in the North Carolina mountains.

PLUS! I've added 3 bonus campgrounds nestled in the nearby Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Best RV Campgrounds in NC Mountains

With endless beauty, the North Carolina mountains offer many great places to stay. But here are the best of the best!

1. Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park is one of the best RV campgrounds in the NC mountains! Why? It has cool geological features and an abundance of outdoor recreation.

Approximately 30 miles north of Winston-Salem, Hanging Rock State Park is in the Sauratown Mountain Range. The mountain range is named after the early Saura people that once inhabited the area. It towers over the nearby county and has peaks just under 2,600 feet in elevation.

Hanging Rock State Park gets its name from a large quartzite cliff that “hangs” above the valley below. It was established in 1936, covering only 3,100 acres, but has grown to over 7,900 since 2015.

The 73-site campground located in Hanging Rock State Park can accommodate RVs, but there are no hook-ups. Although you would be dry camping, there are picnic tables and grills available. Drinking water and showers are available in the campground.

The park is located near Stokes County, offering an outdoor wonderland for hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and rock climbers. Paddlers and anglers won’t be bored either!

There are more than 20 miles of multi-use trails in Hanging Rock State Park. They can be used for hiking, riding or biking. There are also 8.4 miles of mountain biking trails available for your enjoyment.

Trails vary in intensity and length, so you might want to stop by the visitor center to grab a map. There is one 0.1 path leading to the Rock Garden for anyone with mobility impairments.

For fishermen, enjoy the park’s small lake by casting for sunfish, bass, or catfish. Canoes and rowboats are available to rent for paddling on the lake. Or, bring your own gear to enjoy everything Dan River has to offer!

If rock climbing is more your thing, it is permitted on the 400-foot-high Cook’s Wall and Moore’s Wall.

Or hang back and enjoy a picnic at one of the picnic areas. You can also enjoy the concession stand and exhibit hall.

2. Davidson River Campground

Davidson River Campground is open year-round. It is located about four miles west of the town Brevard, which is less than a one-hour drive from Asheville. It offers camping and outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy.

Davidson River Campground is located in the Pisgah National Forest, which boasts an elevation of 2,150 feet.

The surrounding landscape offers mile-high peaks, thick forests with hardwood and conifer trees, and beautiful waterfalls. The access to the beautiful natural landscape makes this one of the best RV campgrounds in NC Mountains.

You can also check out the ever-popular Looking Glass Falls, scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and Sliding Rock. Or pop into the nearby town of Asheville for lunch, shopping, or visit an art gallery.

The campground provides several shaded loops with well-shaded campsites. It also has easy access to fishing spots, waterfalls, hiking trails, and other nearby attractions in the Pisgah National Forest.

The site itself is organized into eight loops, some adjacent to water. They come equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring with grill, and lantern posts. Hot showers and flush toilets are available.

Campers can also purchase firewood or ice onsite or rent bikes nearby if needed.

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3. Lake Powhatan Recreation Area and Campground

Located about 10 minutes from Asheville, this campground is convenient for those who enjoy both natural and cultural attractions. Hike in the morning, and enjoy dinner out in the evening! Having the best of both worlds makes this one of the best RV campgrounds in NC mountains!

The campground is located in a heavily wooded area, along the banks of Lake Powhatan in the Appalachian Mountains. At an elevation of 2,200 feet, there are nearby mile-high peaks, thick forests, and gorgeous waterfalls.

Lake Powhatan has something for everyone! Families can enjoy a nearby lake featuring a sandy beach. Anglers will love fishing for trout on the lake or in the nearby French Broad River!

Lake Powhatan provides visitors with boat rentals during the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day). However, personal watercraft is prohibited.

The forest boasts many hiking and mountain biking trails near the campground. The summer offers visitors interpretive programs if you are interested.

The campground itself is set up with four loops. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring with a grill, and lantern post. Some sites do offer RV hook-ups.

Campers can purchase firewood, ice and other small items from the small on-site store.

4. Pilot Mountain State Park

Pilot Mountain State Park is situated in two counties, Surrey and Yadkin. It is about a 20-mile drive north-west of Winston-Salem.

The central feature at Pilot Mountain State Park is the iconic geologic knob in its center. Big Pinnacle once served as a navigational landmark for the Saura tribe.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the trails in the park. Hikers can hike around the mountain base, then up Little Pinnacle, which is located along the Yadkin River.

Rock climbing and rappelling is available to those that love that type of adventure.

Two major North Carolina trails, the Yadkin River paddle trail and the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, traverse the park.

5. Julian Price

Situated along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, Julian Price Campground is a favorite destination for hikers, anglers, and boaters. Many consider it one of the best RV campgrounds in NC Mountains.

It sits adjacent to Price Lake, a picturesque body of water that stands out against the backdrop of the hills behind it.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile byway that follows the elevated crests of the central and southern peaks of the Appalachian mountains. You can drive this scenic byway from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This campground has something for all members of the family. Canoe rentals are available at Price Lake. You can also enter the lake in other non-motorized boats.

6. Smokemont Campground

Smokemont Campground is a favorite in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It sits on a ridge that straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee.

This campground does have RV campsites for dry camping. There are no electric, water, or sewer hook-ups in the park. There are no showers, either, but there are restrooms with flush toilets.

Some accessible sites have a 5 amp electric hookup for medical equipment use.

There are lots of opportunities for fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, hiking, and auto touring. There are nearby attractions, including the Museum of Cherokee Indian and Oconaluftee Indian Village.

7. Linville Falls Campground

Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls RV Park is nestled in a forest of oaks. It's a privately owned campground with full hook-up sites and water/electric sites.

It has a nice playground with play structure shaped like a boat and a dog park, too. Its website has a wonderful interactive gallery where you can scroll across pictures of the park.

8. Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground

Deep Creek is a family vacation paradise near Bryson City, North Carolina. As the name states, you can go tubing down Deep Creek on tubes you can rent from the campground.

You can also pan for gems at the Deep Creek Tube Center Mining Company.

The campground has creekside sites, power and full hook-ups, big rig sites, and pull-through sites. It also has a large, clean bathhouse with showers.

9. Cheoah Point Campground

Located in the beautiful Nantahala National Forest, this campground has multiple open and wooded camp sites. Six RV sites provide 15/30/50 amp electrical hookups.

The grounds also have flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water. There's lake access and a boat ramp to Lake Santeetlah.

The lake is great for boating, canoeing, jet skiing, fishing, and swimming. Of course, there are also great hiking trails, including the Wauchecha Bald Trail that leads to the famed Appalachian Trail.

10. Grandfather Campground

This RV and cabin park is located close to Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk. They're open year-round, including the ski season.

RV sites have 30 and 50 amp full hookups. Additional amenities include a campground store, laundromat, playground, deluxe bathhouses, and a stocked trout pond!

There are plenty of hiking, fishing, and scenic views in the area.

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BONUS: 3 Virginia Blue Ridge Mountain Campgrounds

The gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains extend up to Virginia, and there are some great RV campgrounds up there as well.

They are some of our favorites in the area, so I wanted to include them on this list as a bonus.

1. Explore Park

The RV sites at Explore Park are a bit small, but you likely won't spend much time there anyway. You'll be too busy exploring!

The RV sites are 12-foot by 35-foot with 50 amp electricity. None of the sites have water or sewer hookups. However, there is a nearby water spigot you can get water from for cooking or brushing your teeth.

This site is popular, so hopefully, you don't mind being around people. But it's crowded for good reason.

The park sits on the edge of a 1,100-acre park. It has prime hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and NPS ranger-led tours.

There's also fishing and canoeing on the Roanoke River. Plus, some other sporting fun, including an 18-hole disc golf course, Treetop Quest obstacle course, and ziplining.

Sites are available year-round. Though December through March is considered the offseason.

2. Floyd Family Campground (Previously Chantilly Farm)

This is another wonderful campground nestled in Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a much quieter atmosphere than Explore Park and has views to die for.

Camping here is more about relaxation and letting nature lead the way. There are various hookup options, such as water, electric, and septic. Or, you can select a more secluded site with partial hookups.

If you like to boondock like Jennifer and me, I highly recommend the Hilltop Dry. It has majestic views and is perfect for stargazing. So, be sure to have your stargazing kit ready!

While not quite as many things to do as Explore park, there's still plenty to do. It has a 9-hole disc golf course and lots of biking, hiking, and running trails. It's popular among birdwatchers, too.

That concludes my list of the best RV campgrounds in NC mountains. Comment below if you've stayed at any of these great locations!

3. Rocky Knob & Mabry Mill

This is another favorite of ours. It's the most secluded RV campgrounds in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains.

It does not have electric RV hookups, but you get to camp near Meadowlands, green pastures, and stunning seasonal flowers.

The Rock Castle Gorge is a must-see, along with the nearby Mabry Mill, a former gristmill and sawmill.

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