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The best camping near Lake James State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake James adventure.

88% (6 reviews)
88% (6 reviews)

Swim in crystal-clear waters and soak up mountain views at this NC state park.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Lake James State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake James State Park

97%
(283)

Linville Adventure Pasture (LAP)

9 sites ¡ RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ Nebo, NC
Family Owned location with great views . Located adjacent to the Linville River and across the street from Lake James . This location gives the camper a center location for many activities. The State Fonta Flora trail system sits within feet of this property and offers the mountain biker miles of beautiful trails . Within a short distance is the trail head to Shortoff mountain and Linville George with exceptional views and hiking. Boat landing is a close for those who want to recreate on the lake and kayak. Close by is the renowned Fonta Flora brewery and Mica Town Breweries located only a few miles away.This is a secluded space that is private and on the Linville River before it enters Lake James. Lake James State Park offers a full menu of activities. Along with boating, swimming and fishing in the beautiful, clear waters of the 6,812-acre lake, there are 25 miles of trails, 15 of which are open to mountain biking. Trails vary from the short, educational Holly Discovery Trail with child-friendly activities, to the more adventurous, historic section of the Overmountain Victory Trail. Welcome!
from 
$45
 / night
99%
(215)

TangleWood Creekside Campsites

19 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents170 acres ¡ Marion, NC
A rocky creek winds through the woods at the base of several hikable peaks hidden just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to explore, on foot or mountain-bike, anywhere within our 170 acres (or the adjoining 250 acres owned by the US Forestry Service off our Western border) and are likely to catch glimpses of turkey, beaver, deer, fox, eastern box turtle and the many species of songbird and raptor. The location is convenient to tons of local attractions for sightseeing and outdoor activities as well as shopping, dining, even wine tasting. We would be happy to supply a comprehensive list of the various local attractions upon request but the following are a few of our favorite things to do within a short drive: visit Linville Falls, Caverns, Gorge and/or Winery; drive the Blue Ridge parkway; tube/kayak down the Catawba river; hike beautiful Crabtree Falls; cross Grandfather Mountains mile high bridge and explore the nearby towns of Spruce Pines or Little Switzerland. The scenic drives to Asheville, Blowing Rock or Banner Elk make them each wonderful day-trip destinations.
from 
$40
 / night
99%
(1944)

Starlight Hills

16 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres ¡ Bostic, NC
Our Spa is now available for booking! We are a constantly evolving location. Our goal is to provide a genuine secluded camping experience immersed in nature in a mountainous forest with privacy and well spaced out, secluded camp sites. We also have minimal light pollution, so our skies are beautiful for viewing the stars. We offer trails through natural wooded habitat with hidden gems of nature. Wildlife viewing throughout. There are feed locations to increase viewing opportunities. A creek on the property is lovely for walking. Centered between Charlotte and Asheville we are within your reach! We offer primitive tent camping, Glamping Tents and a Cabin. Glamping and cabin have a private Mountain View, fire pit area, Queen bed, Night Stand (built in phone charger), Desk area, interior and exterior lighting, heater and fan (powered by solar system). As a part of Starlight Hills Campground you have access to filtered drinking water, common overlook (w/ BBQ pits & picnic tables), trails, bathroom and showers. Welcome to bring all your furry family members ❤️. Please Note: 2 Wheel Dr. vehicles can access all of our sites. Gravel/ Dirt road up hill.
from 
$36
 / night
99%
(39)

Catawba River Camp

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents83 acres ¡ Marion, NC
I have 83 acres of prime camping with close to a mile of boatable river frontage that runs into Lake James and borders Shiflet Airfield and I can offer flyin camping. This is a working nursery with plenty of room for campers and views of Mnt. Mitchell, the highest elevation in Eastern North America.
from 
$55
 / night
99%
(85)

Tellurian Family Campground

7 sites ¡ RVs, Tents93 acres ¡ Casar, NC
For more information, visit our website at www.telluriancampground.com Tellurian Family Campground offers conveniently located spacious travel trailer, camper, RV and tent camp sites with incredible views and access to a pristine mountain river. The property consists of 93 acres and 2780 feet (1⁄2 mile) of river frontage on the First Broad River. The First Broad River offers canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. Smallmouth and freshwater sunfishing is incredible on this stretch of the river and there are also opportunities for mountain river catfish. Tellurian’s scenic location offers stunning vista views of the surrounding countryside, sprawling views of the South Mountain and Cherry Mountain ranges, as well as long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sunsets are amazing and the star lit skies are uninhibited by city lights. One of the few lights that can be seen at night lights up a steeple silhouetted against the mountain ridges. It’s truly a peaceful site. Tellurian is centrally located between Charlotte NC, Asheville NC, and Spartanburg SC in the small town of Casar, NC. We are located in a rural setting in the foothills on the edge of the South Mountains Range, a branch of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thank you for checking out our place! We are Jud and Amanda Wortman. We have three children – Emma Grace and Baxter (twins) and Elena Jo. As a family, we enjoy canoeing, kayaking and camping. We live 9 miles from Tellurian on a family farm. We have always enjoyed quiet secluded campsites, river floats and sitting by the river. After years of looking all over the mountains for a river property we could call our own, our favorite spot on the river came up for sale. It just so happened it was nearly halfway between where we both grew up. After many sleepless nights worrying if we could succeed or not (it was much larger than properties we had been looking for), we bought it! Our favorite spot on the river was virtually inaccessible by any way other than floating. But after hundreds of hours of hard work, we think we have developed a place where others too can enjoy the things we do about the property. We dream big and Tellurian remains a work in progress, but we feel we have created a place where folks can enjoy the peacefulness of nature, the river and incredible views. Naming our campground proved to be one of the most challenging tasks throughout the process of developing it. After many ideas and brainstorming sessions as a family, we decided to go with Tellurian. We know it’s a bit different; that’s what we like about it. We think our place stands out and, after visiting Tellurian, we think you’ll agree it does too. Tellurian Family Campground tel·lu·ri·an [təˈlo͝orēən] ADJECTIVE: of or inhabiting the earth. NOUN: an inhabitant of the earth.
from 
$55
 / night
97%
(82)

Campgrounds at Little Switzerland

13 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents7 acres ¡ Spruce Pine, NC
Welcome to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina! At approximately 3,455 feet elevation we enjoy mountain breezes all summer long, especially in the evening! We have a total of 11 tent sites available with a fire pit at each site. Raised bed style flat tent sites divert water during rain storms so there is no water or mud flowing into your tents. PLEASE DO NOT ‘photo book’! We ask guests to please read through the details BEFORE booking a site and do not book by photos alone. For example: not all tent sites are park at sites, some are far from bathrooms etc. Do your research!!! During the summer months we often have free range chicken eggs and organic produce and herbs available for our campers. We also have a few primitive sites in our woods for those who love more seclusion and places to hang hammocks. Again, PLEASE read through all the descriptions of each particular site to make certain you choose the right fit for your camping needs. Do not book by ‘photos’ alone! We cannot stress this enough and it has been problematic to many hipcamp hosts. We offer Hiking/jogging trails at the campground with more trails on the nearby blue ridge parkway. We are just around the corner from the famous Emerald Village Mines and only a 5 minute drive to downtown Little Switzerland. We are also only a 5 minutes drive to the famous Diamondback scenic mountain road. Approximately 20 minutes drive to Crabtree Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our cantina next door at 539 blue ridge gem mine road is now open for the season and serving home brew beers and small batch ciders for ages 21 and older. Photo ID required. Sodas available for purchase as well. We now have a well lit covered porch area with free WiFi and available 24 hours to our campers. Note: absolutely no outside alcohol or underage alcohol consumption permitted on premises. Anyone not in compliance with North Carolina state laws and federal laws will be evicted from campgrounds without refunds. If the campgrounds happen to be under a burn ban please understand that we can’t and will not break the law for you! All campers must obey the burn ban if in effect or face possible penalties under state law! This is for your own safety as well. This is a family friendly campground and we do have neighbors, so no late check ins please. Latest check in permitted is 11:30 pm at night out of courtesy to our neighbors and other campers. Camp host can’t go to bed until all campers are checked in so no late night arrivals please! Thank you for your understanding. There are free 15 minute Lead line pony rides available for guests at our campground for children age 2 - 12 years old. Adult horseback trail rides are available at nearby Springmaid Mountain Resort. Maps provided to Springmaid Mountain Resort. Up to 2 dogs are allowed per campsite. Dogs Must remain on leash at all times and have proof of up to date rabies vaccination. A rabies tag or photo of certificate is fine. We have chickens and horses on our mini farm. So please keep dogs under control at all times. Also, please do not feed our chickens, horses or any of the wildlife on our property. As a working farm we have fresh eggs and seasonal organic raised produce all summer available to our campers. Campfires are permitted at the fire pits unless there is a burn ban. Some Firewood is provided. Better wood is available for sale. It is the responsibility of our campers to check the weather conditions, noting any burn bans for the area or rain etc, looking at all the rules and property details, before booking is the campers responsibility. Please do not blame the host! We have a very forgiving cancellation policy of 24 hours. Watch for our special events like ghost story campfire tales/walk with local guest authors, yoga, herbal remedies classes, trail treasure hunts with prizes, mushroom identification classes etc. Our next campfire ghost stories event is September 15th and 16th 2024. Additional parking is available for added cars in the guest parking lot area if campers have no more room at their campsite for visitors or extra cars. We have a hot/cold shower and modern style flush toilets available in large cargo container. We also now have WiFi in the Cantina area and some of the closer tent sites. Hot tub is for RV and RV space rentals only. If the RV spaces are not reserved we often invite tent campers to use the hot tub. Note: One quarter mile of gravel drive is steep but I drive my two wheel drive car up and down it every day. However, if you have a vehicle that chugs and struggles up hills (older RV etc) you may find it a challenge. We are working on getting that section paved to help out the older RVs and buses. Note: The gray building and pond area is NOT our property. Please be respectful of our neighbors and the family that lives there. Do not wander around our neighbors pond /barn area. Thank you! All campers are expected to read and follow the HipCamp guidelines. This is not just a ‘business’, it is also a family home that we are graciously sharing with you for a small fee so we expect campers to respectful of our land, our neighbors and your fellow campers. Anyone who can’t show some integrity, maturity and be responsible and respectful of this will be asked to leave and/or permanently banned from both the winery and our campgrounds. We are pretty mellow, yet take bad behavior and disrespect for others very seriously.
from 
$15
 / night
99%
(169)

Above the Fray Glamping, Black Mtn.

6 sites ¡ Lodging11 acres ¡ Black Mountain, NC
The views are hypnotic and look down and out over the continental divide. Good morning sun and sunsets can be seen in the same spot. Your car is parked within feet of your deck so Car Campers and experienced campers can enjoy. Designed with campers and dogs in mind. The deck is large (384 square feet) with a tin roof. Some roofs are full size, some 2/3rds and some 1/3rd, depending on what one wants for tent size or sun exposure. (See pictures of each site/deck) Each deck has sun and rain curtains for helping keep comfortable in normal weather. Dogs enjoy a two gate system so quests and dogs can be leash free and away from the road. All dog owners know to pick up after their pets. The human Private Porta John is cleaned weekly. Lights and electrical is 110V (3 prongs) for YOUR coffee pots, electric grills, mattress inflators, crockpots, electric blankets fans, etc. I do not provide any electrical appliances, other than counter area lighting and low level string lights so one can see the night sky. Many of my campers will "Pay it Forward" and leave coffee pots, hot plates, fans and such, so count yourself lucky to find a deck with them. I provide chairs, 5 gallons of fresh water in containers, fickle solar shower and pop up changing room along with an assortment of camping supplies from dog bowls to antimicrobial wipes. I provide various size garbage bags to manage your garbage. Your parking area is next to the deck. Black Mountain’s tasty restaurants are 4 miles away and All Trails is a great app for finding trails suited for your interest. Be respectful to the place and please be friendly to the people you meet. Learn more about this land: Private Glamping Decks with a view that pictures do not do justice. Private decks on a dead-end gravel road mean hopefully the sounds will only be of nature. The conveniences of electricity, porta john, water, chairs, table, roof, cleaning supplies, rain curtains, and astounding views have my Glampers coming back often. Designed with Dogs in mind with a two-gate system and no need for a leash when on the deck. Obnoxious, barking dogs are not welcome, so bring only controlled and well socialized dogs. Help me keep it dog friendly. Never block the road with a park car.
from 
$75
 / night
99%
(1241)

Dark Ridge Hide Out (Adults Only)

16 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ Elk Park, NC
"Adults only" doesn't mean anything other than just "no children", so as to preserve the natural peace and quiet, and assurance that there won't be loud and unruly children on the property. Inquiries and booking requests received after 9: pm may not be answered until the next morning. Dark Ridge Hide Out, is a 20 acre parcel in the Blue Ridge Mountain's on the back side of the Beech Mt Ski Resort in a secluded quiet and safe community with less than a dozen homes in a one mile radius. Away from light and sound pollution. Except for an occasional passing vehicle "and often none at all from 10pm to 6am" all you will hear is the sound of the creek which runs through the lower section by the RV sites, cricket's and frogs at the nearby fish pond and only the light from the moon and star's in the clear mountain sky and fire flies. It is my home place with a tobacco barn and a big combination cattle/tobacco barn built almost entirely just by my Mom and Dad in early 1940"s. My parents and grand parents lived off of the land here and raised cash crops like cabbage, corn and tobacco, we also raised sugar cane and made molasses, we had free range chickens, as many as 50 honey bee hives and over 50 head of cattle, two or three hog's and of course a horse. There was four main fields; two for cow pasture, one meadow to grow hay "now Christmas trees" and the main one on my part where all crops were grown is where the camp sites are. I grew up helping with the crops and other farm chores, one was to go to the pasture and bring the milk cows in and do the milking every day before and after school, feed the hogs and chickens, gather the egg's, let the chickens out in the morning and close the chicken house in the evening to protect them from critters like opossums, raccoons and wildcats. This is where I grew up, my dad grew up and, near where my mother and both of my grandparents grew up. My house was built in 1905 the same year my dad was born. The campsites are on my 20 acre section section of the original 82 acres with the house and barns, the remainder went to my brother but now is out of the family. The section of Elk River with the Compression Falls "45 ft high" and Twisting Falls which is part of Pisgah National Forest is less than two miles from here, and an old logging road going around the mountain above the river for about three miles to another Falls "Elk River Falls, 65 ft high" is a great place to hike or mountain bike. You will be free to explore and hike any part of my property except the house and out building's. The pond's are full of Trout and Blue Gill fish that are like pet's they love little pieces of bread. You can feed the fish but no fishing.
from 
$25
 / night
100%
(126)

Bolin Knob Meadows

1 site ¡ RV, Tent70 acres ¡ Morganton, NC
Come experience private mountain meadows, on 70 acres, at the crest of the South Mountains. Camp at one of three sites, or hop around during your stay on the meadows below Bolin Knob. This entire listing is one booking, you’ll have the mountain to yourself. Views to the west of Mount Mitchell and the Blue Ridge Mountians; views to the north of Table Rock and Grandfather Mountain and to the east direct views of Silver Creek Knob. Stargaze the Milky Way at night with very little light pollution, relax by the fire, or explore the property and Bolin Knob. Hike adjacent to the property on 1,000s of acres of public land on South Mtn Game Lands. Nearby recreation: South Mtn State Park and Lake James State Park; fish/float the Catawba River in Morganton or Marion; bike the Fonta Flora trail at Lake James.
from 
$35
 / night
97%
(74)

Rose Creek Retreat

1 site ¡ RV2 acres ¡ Morganton, NC
In 2018 we purchased this property to enjoy a little freedom, privacy and relaxation. We have slowly been updating the property over the years and in the end of 2019 we decided to create the site and share it with everyone. After beginning to camp ourselves, a year later. we realized that so many campgrounds resembled the HOA like atmosphere our guests want to escape. We then decided to start our own and we hope you enjoy it!
from 
$46
 / night
99%
(84)

Blue Bear Mountain Camp

46 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents150 acres ¡ Boone, NC
Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers year-round camping experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Car-accessible tent and RV sites in a natural setting. Hike-in sites for those looking for a little more adventure and privacy. Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals for guests wanting a rustic, mountain getaway while staying in comfort. Located just 8 miles north of Boone, NC on over 150 acres of pristine mountain land, miles of hiking trails, a trout pond, and spacious low-density sites allow the guest to get away from it all in a rustic, remote setting. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At 4,000 feet elevation, come enjoy cool mountain breezes and mild temperatures. Blue Bear Mountain is a scenic location for large events such as weddings, corporate events, and family reunions. Come Get away from it all at Blue Bear Mountain! Blue Bear Mountain offers spacious, Low-Density RV camping, spacious, private, rustic car-accessible tent camping, and spacious, private remote tent camping. Blue Bear Mountain also offers luxury Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals to provide you with more choices of how to experience your mountain getaway. In a beautiful mountain setting with incredible views, the Stargazer Domes are a great way to enjoy the camping experience without really roughing it. Great for a romantic getaway or bringing the family. Furnished with a queen size bed, complete with high-quality linens, a bistro table, and chairs, you will stay in complete comfort. Conveniently located near the bathhouse with private bathrooms, a Laundry room, and a dishwashing station. You can drive right up to the handcrafted stargazer dome. Relax and take in the views while sitting around your stone fire ring. A park grill, picnic table, and free bundle of firewood are also provided to complete your glamping getaway.
from 
$30
 / night
100%
(127)

Barnhill Mountain in Fletcher, NC

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ Hoopers Creek, NC
My wife and I moved to the area, from Boone, in the spring of 2014. Our dream was to own a house, preferably a cabin, on top of a mountain with long range views and a gradual winding road to the top. Living in Boone, this dream was definitely out of reach. When we began our search for a new home in the Asheville area, we discovered that the more affordable homes were in fact on the mountains. Perfect! In general I always have a pretty positive outlook on what’s possible, however, I was skeptical that we would ever find our dream home. As Jeannie began her Zillow browsing adventures, one particular cabin with acreage, that was outside of our budget continued to pop up. Jeannie would delete it and then it would come back. At some point the price began to drop, and drop, and drop. On our way back into town one weekend after attending a wedding, I convinced Jeannie to drive by the cabin just because we had the time. Immediately we fell in love and reached out to our realtor buddy. It was more of a shot in the dark but it couldn’t hurt, right? We held our breath for the next month totally expecting someone to get it under contract before us or the sellers not accepting our offer. It had already been reduced significantly so we knew our chances of a lowball offer were slim. We offered the most that we could get a loan for. They accepted! I still get anxious thinking back to that month, October 2014. Many years and two children later, here we are, just as excited everyday to make the long trek up our mountain as we were that August of 2014, and now we are happy to offer a similar experience to you, without having to buy the place. Never stop dreaming! Hope to see you soon, cheers! Learn more about this land:   Pitch your tent in the grass on the tip top of the mountain or park your camper in the flat gravel spot with a fire pit just below the top with beautiful views overlooking Cane Creek.  In the fall and winter enjoy 360 degree views and in the summer enjoy the shade and cool breeze while relaxing & snacking on wild wine berries and black raspberries.   What you will not find is light pollution, traffic, and a desire to leave the mountain.  Fall asleep to the calls of the hoot owl and wake up to the knocking of the wood pecker.       If & when you decide to explore the area, be sure to checkout Hickory Nut Gap farm just 7.9 miles away & Whistle Hop Brewery 7.7 miles away.  Turgua brewery just down on Cane Creek road is only 6.2 miles from camp.  Cane Creek Valley Farm as well as the Cane Creek Community swimming pool is also at the base of camp just in case the kids need a dip of ice cream or a dip in the pool.  Justus Apple Orchard is only 10 miles down the mountain towards Hendersonville.  We love taking our kids there.      We are only 15 miles from downtown Asheville & Hendersonville, and 22 miles from Lake Lure. The site backs up to over 100 acres of forest for a truly wilderness feel just outside of town. *Please message me proof of Military Service to receive your 25% discount code.  We support our troops and their families.
from 
$35
 / night

The best camping near Lake James State Park guide

Overview

About

Surrounded by the steep, forested Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake James State Park is a prime destination for outdoor adventurers. As well as swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing in the 6,812-acre lake for which it’s named, the park also offers a 25-mile trail system, 15 of which are multi-use and welcoming of cyclists of all levels. Trails range from the flat and easy Holly Discovery Trail to the more adventurous section of the Overmountain Victory Trail. The landscape houses an abundance of wildlife, including deer, flying squirrel, red and gray fox, muskrat, and mink.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for views: The Catawba River Area has 20 walk-in campsites, many of which offer lake views. 
  • Best for families: The Paddy’s Creek Area has 33 drive-in, family-friendly campsites. 
  • Best for adventurous campers: The remote Long Arm boat-in campground offers a true outdoor adventure accessible only by boat, kayak or canoe.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Booking in advance is recommended and can be easily done online or by phone up to 11 months in advance.
  2. Reservations for the Long Arm boat-in campground must be made in advance.
  3. If you cannot arrive by park closing hours on the scheduled arrival date, you must contact the park by 3pm the next day to reschedule your arrival.

When to go

Lake James State Park is open year-round, but closed on Christmas Day. Summer is the best time to visit to take advantage of the outdoor activities on offer. The beach at Paddy’s Creek is open for swimming from May through September while April through October is the best period for fishing for largemouth bass. If visiting in summer, it’s a good idea to make reservations in advance, especially on weekends.

Know before you go

  • Paddy’s Creek Area is the only part of the lake you can swim in, and an admission fee is required. 
  • Canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at the Paddy’s Creek Area concession stand from May through September.
  • Pets are allowed except in park buildings and swim areas, but must be on a leash no longer than six feet and cannot be left unattended. Pets are not allowed on the beach.

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