The best camping near Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park adventure.
Retreat into the peaceful mountains of Tennessee at Rocky Fork.
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Top-rated campgrounds near Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
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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.
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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.
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Smoky Mtn Mangalitsa River Ranch
15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents95 acres · Waynesville, NC
Voted 2nd in NC!! We are a Mangalitsa farm in The Smoky Mountains of western NC. The entire property is oriented toward private farmland views, a half mile of river and surrounding mountains. It's really quite remarkable to be so accessible yet feel so remote! Come swim, fish, cook and play! Check out www.smokymtnriverranch.com for more information.
PLEASE NOTE, our rate is based on the number of vehicles in your group. The first vehicle is included in the nightly rate and admits 4 campers. WE CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL CARS. The charge will be added to your booking once you select the number of vehicles at checkout.
Please note that each additional car admits four campers. For EXAMPLE, 2 cars = 8 campers total. If you only have two cars but more than eight people, YOU MUST select the "Extra Person" Extra for each night they are camping. Please select these extras at checkout. If you have questions about this PLEASE message me prior to booking.
Our 95-acre farm was once owned by the Davis family who predominantly raised dairy cattle. We now raise the wooly Mangalitsa pig and sell to the best chefs and restaurants. We sell our pork at the farm too!
All of our campsites are next to running water except the two hilltop sites.
Two porta-potties are on the farm and private porta-potties are available for rent. Groups of eight or more are required to rent a porta potty should you not bring your own toilet system with you. We do not allow the use of our small wooded areas as toilets.
Please review the Extras options as we offer river lifts, firewood and dog stays; thank you!
Quiet hours are from 10pm to 9am.
Checking in before 5 pm is requested. Later times may be available with prior arrangements. Our farm is very dark and navigating at night is difficult. Please contact Catherine directly so you can be checked in safely and accommodate your schedule. NO CHECK-INS AFTER DARK.
We are 1 mile off of I 40, 17 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, 15 min. to Maggie Valley, 10 min to the Elk at Cataloochee, 25 min to Cataloochee ski area, 10 min to Lake Junaluska and 15 min to downtown Waynesville. Asheville is 20 miles to our East.
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$51
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Creek side
4 sites · Lodging, Tents18 acres · Hot Springs, NC
Picturesque meadow on what once was a tobacco farm. All campsites are waterfront along the year round babbling creek. Stocked with trout three times a year. Property located very close to Max Patch for hiking or just to watch the amazing sunset. Each site comes with a fireplace, picnic table and charcoal bbq. Porto potty and outdoor shower on property.
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$25
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Jake's Farm
4 sites · Lodging, Tents11 acres · Candler, NC
Jake's Farm is an 11 acre organic farm producing vegetables, small fruits, medicinal herbs and tea ingredients. We began our venture in 1997 and added campsites and treehouses in 1995. The farm is conveniently located 8 miles from West Asheville, 11 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and 15 miles from Asheville Regional Airport.
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$23
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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.
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$40
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The Baying Hound Campground
2 sites · Tents2 acres · Asheville, NC
THE CAMPGROUND
The Baying Hound Campground is where rural Appalachia meets “keep Asheville weird.” You’ll see sleeping pods decorated by professional artists, structures made from upcycled building materials and permaculture experiments in the making. We’ve been described as “if a European hostel and an Appalachian campground had a baby.” Not quite glamping and definitely not KOA, we're happy to offer you a more social alternative to cookie-cutter lodging without breaking the bank.
*Van-lifers, truck-top-tenters and other vehicle dwellers* Y'all are welcome to book this spot! Note that the parking area is SEPARATE from the site pictured and you can NOT drive down to the site. You'll be sleeping in the parking area and still have access to all our facilities.
SHARED CAMPGROUND AMENITIES:
- Indoor bathroom and sinks with hot and cold running water
- Indoor hangout area with couch, books and outlets
- Charging station for your phones and tablets behind our graffiti’d garage
- A re-imagined, yet decidedly old-school pit latrine
- Outdoor sink with cold running water (seasonal = April-October)
- Outdoor shower with solar-heated water* Mother Nature can be a little stingy with the sun, so unfortunately we can not guarantee that this will provide warm water. If nothing else, it'll be refreshingly brisk. :) (seasonal = April-October, CLOSED Nov-March)
- Community fire pit with wood for sale for $5 a packet
- Community charcoal grill (be sure to bring your own charcoal) + picnic table
- Omoplata Overlook hangout area with deck furniture, table, hammock and solar lights
- Multiple picnic tables where you can hang out & eat
- Wi-Fi zone with varying quality of internet (but you’re camping, so you should enjoy the outdoors and company of your friends :))
- Nearby Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym! Ask us more if you’re interested.
- Curiosity Trail :)
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The campground is located in the "Emma" area of Asheville. Also known as "Wild Wild West Asheville" (to distinguish it from regular West Asheville which is about 5 minutes' drive away), this is the last bastion of non-gentrified Asheville. Emma is completely un-zoned, so you get an interesting mixture of mostly residential and agricultural properties that scatter the area. The campground itself is tucked away in a 2-acre wooded valley.
We're about 10-15 minutes' drive away from
downtown Asheville and a $12-$15 Uber ride. Unfortunately, public transportation is not very accessible from the campground.
WHAT'S NEARBY?
- There are approximately a bajillion breweries in Asheville, many of which are within 5-15 minutes away.
- Downtown Asheville (~10-15 minutes), West Asheville (~5-10 minutes) and the River Arts District (~5 minutes) are full of city life fun - amazing restaurants, live music, shopping, art galleries and did we mention breweries?
-So much hiking! Choose your own adventure - waterfalls, mountain-top views, fog-drenched valleys, rambling rivers. There are some trails about 20 minutes away, but to get to the good stuff, you'll drive 40-90+ minutes.
- White water rafting ~60-90 minutes away
- Tubing down the French Broad River is the ultimate way to chill out in the sun. French Broad Outfitters, Zen Tubing and Lazy Otter are some companies that can take care of all the details for you. These are all 10-20 minutes away.
OUR HISTORY
We discovered this property in 2017, and quite by chance! We had finished working a seasonal job in Colorado and were on our way out to the coast to look into starting our own business. We happened to come through Asheville and casually stumbled across this property. Long-story-short, we put in a bid on the property. It was accepted, and now we have a real fixer-upper on our hands!
Here's some history on the property as reported by the previous owners:
The road you park on was the old county road, a long, long time ago. The couple who sold us the property is elderly, and the blue house you pass on the left on the way to park was where the wife grew up. In fact, that enormous pine tree on your right as you come up the road was the old lady's Christmas tree as a child.
The jiu-jitsu gym used to be an auction house. Then it was used as a dance hall. Then it became a cabinet-making space and finally a timber frame-making space. Over the past year we've converted it into a jiu-jitsu gym, although you can still see plenty of "upcycled" remnants of previous uses, all around the gym.
The campground area itself was slated to be turned into a trailer park. You can tell that the area was partially graded at one point or another. Thanks to that initiative, we have some convenient paths all around!
They decided not to follow through on setting up trailer pads since it was more money than they had bargained for. After that, the space was used as a black-market dump! Luckily the city shut it down, and after two spring seasons of cleaning up back there, we're left with what you see!
We're going to continue to pour our hearts, souls, creativity and probably more than just a little money into making "The Baying Hound Campground" a fun place to crash for a couple days while taking in all that is Asheville. Thanks for reading!
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Farm Away From Home- Asheville area
5 sites · RVs4 acres · Weaverville, NC
We offer five pet-friendly, full hook-up RV sites and WiFi located just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. Our sites are situated adjacent to a hobby farm featuring a unique herd that includes a Scotland Highland cow, sheep, goats, chickens, and ALPACAS! This is more than just camping, it's an unforgettable experience!
Wake up each morning and have a hands-on experience interacting with our furry friends! Help yourself to eggs laid fresh each day, and forage from our organic garden (available seasonally).
Dip your toes in the creek running behind each site, which is furnished with a fire ring and picnic table for your enjoyment.
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$59
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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.
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Haw Ridge
5 sites · Tents1 acre · Mars Hill, NC
****READ THROUGH ENTIRE LISTING BEFORE BOOKING****
Haw Ridge is a mountain top camp site with a total of only two campsites. At a 4,550 foot elevation and with nearly 360 degree views, there is a perfect sunrise and sunset experience. With no light pollution the stargazing is amazing.
On foggy mornings, the mist rolls right over the ridge top. There are 2
sites on one acre so plenty of space for social distancing!
Rocky Fork State Park Tn. is just a short drive away for some great additional hiking ,swimming and fishing.
Enjoy the view and your stay!!
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Pause || Eco-Retreat at Aramesh
10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Clyde, NC
This no ordinary campground. Your experience will be as if you are exploring your own private mountain nature reserve. Aramesh is 120 acres of Blue Ridge heaven with something for every wilderness adventure seeker: unmatched mountain views, lush old growth forests, babbling brooks, and miles of trails for all skill levels. The property starts at 3700 ft altitude, with summit at 4500 ft on the Glades mountain ridge. We have only a few campsites on the vast property, so the wind in the trees and birds will be all you hear. Come and stay with us and be renewed!
Campsites: They are 3/4-1/4 mile from the entrance. Some are accessible by 4WD. There may be some vigorous hiking involved, but the views are worth it. The pads are various sizes. Let us know what the needs of your party are and we can help you choose from the available spots. We also have several more remote “off-menu” sites for those seeking a backpacking adventure - ask for more information if your are interested.
Hiking: There are several miles of trails on the property. They range from an easy slope to very strenuous. The entire property is fenced so you won't easily get lost. Your climbing efforts will be amply rewarded by stunning views, especially at sunset. Trail maps are available upon request.
On-Site Amenities: we provide a clean porta-potty and running water that is spring fed. We ask that you follow "Leave-No-Trace" procedures during your stay.
Off-Site Amenities: If you choose to explore the area : we are a 10 minute drive from I-40 Exit 24. Asheville is 45 minutes away; Waynesville is 25 minutes away. Presnell's Grocery (highly recommended, family-owned store that sells locally farmed products) is 10 minutes away from the property entrance. The Ingles supermarket in Canton is a 15 minute drive. You will find every kind of fast food in that area. There are also several excellent local dining options in Canton, Clyde, and Waynesville which we are happy to recommend to you by request.
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Raven Ridge
2 sites · Lodging3 acres · Marshall, NC
James landed on the property in 2009, built a small barn and milked 3 cows for 3 years. Then, started planting trees,gardening the hillsides. He married in 2015 and has three Daughters with Sofi, originally from Sweden.
Together they manage a botanically interesting hobby hill farm and are happy to host travelers and seekers in their cabins. Hilltop was a joint project that James built in 2012 with a talented woodworker and friend in 6 months of saturday for less than $5k. We have maintained the original vibe of the place, rustic simplicity and elegance a notch or two above glamping, well-described by the zen koan, "chop wood, carry water" Orchard House was built entirely by James from the block up to the roof, averaging 1 hour/day for 3 years or 1,000 hours.
Some of the Hilltop photos are a bit dated, we have a more private outhouse behind the cabin, and have made a few improvements here and there. Reach out anytime for any reason ! We really like hosting and nearly everyone enjoys their stay.
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Troublesome Gap Camping
2 sites · RVs, Tents120 acres · Hot Springs, NC
My parents bought the 120 acre property in the 1960s. I started clearing and building the campsite in 2019.
Watch the sun rise on one side of Troublesome Gap and watch it set on the other side. There is a circle drive for 2 teardrop / squaredrop or pop up campers and plenty of spots to pitch tents. There are also great spots to hang your hammock.
Camp where my family camps. My parents bought the property in the 1960s and we have camped up here, hiked, hunted, and cut firewood many weekends. We decided to share the property so you can enjoy camping up here too!
The property is in a remote location where you can enjoy the wildlife and the cooler temps in the summer. You'll have 3 acres all to yourself. You wont have to share the spot with anyone else unless you bring them. The closest grocery store is an hour away but the Trust General Store with a restaurant and gas approximately is 7 miles away. There is also a burger joint (Dave's 209) on the way to the Trust General Store.
This camping site is in a remote area and the nearest neighbor about 1/2 mile away. Max Patch is about 25 minutes away and features beautiful hiking.
The quaint town of Marshall is about 30 minutes away. Asheville is about an hour away.
The campsite is easily accessible from Baltimore Branch Road. However Baltimore Brand Road (public road) is steep in places and we don't recommend an RV bigger than a popup camper. If you are pulling a trailer you'll really want to consider having 4wd. If you aren't used to driving on steep dirt mountain roads, you may want to bring your 4wd vehicle.
If you have a 2wd vehicle, then you'll want to come to the site via Big Pine Road. This route will take you through Walnut, NC
We also provide a porta-a-john for your convenience.
Once the reservation is made, I'll send out an info sheet with important info like the gate combination. Please let me know if you haven't received the info sheet within a week of making the reservation.
The inclusion policy below is from HipCamp corporate. Our policy is much simpler. Be respectful to others and the property and have a good time. This is a campsite where have the whole 3.5 acre property to yourself. You are surrounded by properties that vary from 40 acres to over a hundred acres. You are with the people in your campsite and pretty much no one else. We just want you to have a great time and bring home great stories. It seems like every visitor to Troublesome Gap has a great story. Come camp with us and build your own story.
Important Note: Water is only available on the site from May through September. If you camp on the site Oct through April, you'll need to bring your own water.
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The best camping near Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park guide
Overview
About
Located near the Cherokee National Forest and the Appalachian Trail, Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park is an excellent destination for nature lovers. Visitors can go hiking along old beds or explore them on a mountain bike, while anglers can enjoy fishing for both white and black crappie in Rocky Fork and South Indian creeks. At the same time, rock climbers can conquer the impressive quartzite cliffs towering over 200 feet. Backpackers are also in luck—Rocky Fork camping means hiking out to one of the three primitive backcountry campsites, each of which is limited to for people. If you’re looking for a mountainous getaway along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, look no further than Rocky Fork State Park.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for veggie lovers: Mountain Cove Farm is happy to share their garden produce with guests.
- Best for glamping: Bee Our Guest offers a covered dome with a cozy bed and other amenities.
- Best for history buffs: Stay in the Root Cellar Tiny House on a historic tobacco farm that dates back to the 1890s.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- You can reserve the park's three backcountry, primitive campsites in advance via the Tennessee State Parks website. Reservations are available all year round.
- Campsite reservations open 12 months in advance.
- Because there are only three sites, reservations can be challenging to get. So book well in advance, especially during peak seasons, holidays, and weekends.
When to go
Experience Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park's weather at its best from March until May and from September to early November. At that time, temperatures range from the upper 50s to mid-70s and are perfect for outdoor exploration. Spring brings vibrant blooms and green trees, while fall dazzles with colorful foliage. Summer allows for easy camping and hiking, but be prepared for occasional hot and humid days. Winters in this mountainous location can be cold with the possibility of snow.
Know before you go
- Rocky Fork State Park sits about 30 minutes from Johnson City, TN, and Asheville, NC.
- The park features a visitor center, picnic shelters, and a playground.
- Carpooling to Rocky Fork is recommended since the parking area is small with limited spaces.
Top cities near Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
- Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
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