A complete guide to camping in Asheville

Asheville sits at 2,023 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest and within an hour's drive of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The city has built a reputation around craft brewing, art, and mountain culture, and the camping scene reflects that mix of outdoor access and urban proximity.
Campfire Lodgings operates within Asheville proper with cabins and tent sites in a wooded hillside setting. Asheville Bear Creek RV Park and Wilson's Riverfront RV Park provide full-hookup RV sites along the French Broad River corridor south of downtown. For tent camping in a more natural setting, Lake Powhatan Recreation Area in the Pisgah National Forest sits 20 minutes from downtown in the Bent Creek area with sites among hardwood forest surrounding a small lake.
Beyond the immediate Asheville area, Davidson River Campground in nearby Pisgah Forest is one of the most popular Forest Service campgrounds in the Southeast, set along the Davidson River with trout fishing access. Mount Pisgah Campgrounds on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 5,000 feet provide high-elevation camping with cooler temperatures and parkway access. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground in Swannanoa and Rutledge Lake RV Park in Fletcher round out the established options within a 20-minute drive.
Best months: April through June and September through November
Spring wildflowers peak in April along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Summer is warm but moderated by the 2,000-foot elevation, with highs in the low 80s and cool mountain nights. Fall color peaks in mid to late October and draws the heaviest camping traffic. Winter averages 35 degrees in January with occasional snow at higher elevations. The Parkway sections may close temporarily for ice.
| Season | Months |
|---|
| Avg High |
|---|
| Avg Low |
|---|
| Conditions |
|---|
| Spring | Mar-May | 60°F | 48°F | Spring wildflowers peak in April along the Blue Ridge Parkway. |
| Summer | Jun-Aug | 77°F | 65°F | Summer is warm but moderated by the 2,000-foot elevation, with highs in the low 80s and cool mountain nights. |
| Fall | Sep-Nov | 60°F | 48°F | Fall color peaks in mid to late October and draws the heaviest camping traffic. |
| Winter | Dec-Feb | 43°F | 31°F | Winter averages 35 degrees in January with occasional snow at higher elevations. |
Source: NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals

Campfire Lodgings sits within Asheville city limits on a wooded hillside. Asheville Bear Creek RV Park and Wilson's Riverfront RV Park are along the French Broad River south of downtown, within a 15-minute drive. Lake Powhatan in Pisgah National Forest is 20 minutes from the city center.
Higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway (above 4,000 feet) begin turning in late September. The Asheville area at 2,000 feet peaks in mid to late October. The Parkway between Asheville and Mount Pisgah offers the most concentrated fall color driving. Book campgrounds months ahead for October.
Pisgah National Forest surrounding Asheville permits dispersed camping on most forest land. No fee or permit required. Popular areas along Forest Service roads in the Bent Creek and Mills River areas have established pulloffs. Camp at least 200 feet from water and trails.
Davidson River Campground in nearby Pisgah Forest sits directly on the Davidson River, one of the best trout streams in western North Carolina. The delayed-harvest section runs through the campground area. Lake Powhatan also has stocked fishing in the lake adjacent to the campground.
Asheville Bear Creek RV Park and Wilson's Riverfront RV Park both offer full-hookup sites along the French Broad River. Rutledge Lake RV Park in Fletcher provides another option south of town. Asheville West KOA Holiday in Candler has pull-through sites for larger rigs with resort amenities.