83% (144) • 19 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Banner Elk
the Sandbox
1. the Sandbox
74%
(48)
50mi from Banner Elk · 6 sites · Tents
A local tradition that is being remodeled due to November 2020 flood.
Learn more about this land:
Near the emerald hollow gem mine 2 miles by crow 5 miles by car
Berry picking (in season)
37 acres on the South Yadkin river
picnic table and fire ring provided
Rock Hunting in creek and river.
Also many indian artifacts have been found.
Pool Closed for season
explore what nature can do Porta potty on site Build sand castles
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from
$30
/ night
Rose Creek Retreat
2. Rose Creek Retreat
96%
(127)
22mi from Banner Elk · 3 sites · RVs
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!
Pets
Full hookups
from
$38
/ night
Grandfather Mountain State Park
3. Grandfather Mountain State Park
100%
(7)
1 site · Seven Devils, North Carolina
This park has sweeping views, challenging trails, and a mile-high swinging bridge.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Pisgah National Forest
4. Pisgah National Forest
97%
(156)
251 sites · Burnsville, North Carolina
One of Pisgah's gems is Richland Balsam, the highest peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,410 feet.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Cherokee National Forest
5. Cherokee National Forest
96%
(49)
625 sites · Mountain City, Tennessee
Follow us to Tennessee and dive into the grandeur of the Cherokee National Forest! It’s filled to the brim with scenic forested trails, rushing rivers, and rainbow trout. During the day you can go rafting, and at night you can bask yourself in moonshine (of various sorts) and brush up on your constellations. If you are in pursuit of some Appalachian Mountain bliss, this is the right place to start. Don’t forget your camera, you're going to want to show these vistas off!
Mount Mitchell State Park
6. Mount Mitchell State Park
95%
(11)
9 sites · Montreat, North Carolina
Sweeping views and challenging hikes define North Carolina’s first state park.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
83% (144) • 19 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Banner Elk
the Sandbox
1. the Sandbox
74%
(48)
50mi from Banner Elk · 6 sites · Tents
A local tradition that is being remodeled due to November 2020 flood.
Learn more about this land:
Near the emerald hollow gem mine 2 miles by crow 5 miles by car
Berry picking (in season)
37 acres on the South Yadkin river
picnic table and fire ring provided
Rock Hunting in creek and river.
Also many indian artifacts have been found.
Pool Closed for season
explore what nature can do Porta potty on site Build sand castles
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from
$30
/ night
Rose Creek Retreat
2. Rose Creek Retreat
96%
(127)
22mi from Banner Elk · 3 sites · RVs
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!
Pets
Full hookups
from
$38
/ night
Grandfather Mountain State Park
3. Grandfather Mountain State Park
100%
(7)
1 site · Seven Devils, North Carolina
This park has sweeping views, challenging trails, and a mile-high swinging bridge.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Pisgah National Forest
4. Pisgah National Forest
97%
(156)
251 sites · Burnsville, North Carolina
One of Pisgah's gems is Richland Balsam, the highest peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,410 feet.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Cherokee National Forest
5. Cherokee National Forest
96%
(49)
625 sites · Mountain City, Tennessee
Follow us to Tennessee and dive into the grandeur of the Cherokee National Forest! It’s filled to the brim with scenic forested trails, rushing rivers, and rainbow trout. During the day you can go rafting, and at night you can bask yourself in moonshine (of various sorts) and brush up on your constellations. If you are in pursuit of some Appalachian Mountain bliss, this is the right place to start. Don’t forget your camera, you're going to want to show these vistas off!
Mount Mitchell State Park
6. Mount Mitchell State Park
95%
(11)
9 sites · Montreat, North Carolina
Sweeping views and challenging hikes define North Carolina’s first state park.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
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Stephanie
November 2025
32 ft travel trailer
With pets
Rose Creek was a great spot on the creek, which included the perfect balance of seclusion and civilization. It was a great spot for my toddler and two dogs to explore. Thomas was a great host and had little odds and ends to make the trip easier, including a heated hose as temps dipped into the teens at night. Would definitely recommend and plan to come back!
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K
Kristine
November 2025
24 ft Class B
With pets
Felt very secluded and private. Gorgeous wooded area surrounding the campsite. Everything I needed and close proximity to a lot of amazing hikes!
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Dee
October 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With pets
What a wonderful place to unplug and relax! We had just enough internet to stay in touch and be online when we needed to but it also helped us read and relax more. Plenty of space to let our dog off leash. We’ve never done that before. Thankful though she was inside the camper the morning I saw a beautiful fox come trotting down the road. Be aware there are pickups etc. traveling this road in the daytime but it was very quiet and silent at night. Thomas was an exceptional host and has thought of everything. So nice to have firewood (good wood too) at the ready. We’re already talking about when to return.
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Approved
October 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With pets
This was an absolute paradise for our anniversary. Remote, quiet and peaceful. The water and sewer hookups were a huge plus! Our 2 dogs thought they had discovered heaven, and the trickle of the water sang us to sleep each night. Just hoping we didn’t get spoiled on one of our first adventures. Never seen anything like this place. We will definitely be back! A special thanks to Thomas, who kept us excited about the trip and set our expectations completely.
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Michelle
September 2025
25 ft travel trailer
With pets
Very nice, spacious spot. Thomas was responsive and helpful. People in the community were very friendly. We enjoyed our trip and would definitely return.
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Joann
September 2025
28 ft travel trailer
With pets
The view of chimney rock was spectacular not too mention the deer that I saw. I would definitely recommend this place.
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Brian
September 2025
27 ft fifth wheel
With pets
We loved camping at Rose Creek Retreat. It was my wife and I and our dog Bella. It is a very peaceful spot with the sounds of the creek in the background. Bella loved playing in the creek. The camping area is shaded which was nice since it was warm when we were there. The spot is level and all of the hookups are easily accessible. The site is about 30 minutes from Linville Gorge which has some great hiking and views. We will definitely be back in the future.
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C
Cyndi
September 2025
17 ft travel trailer
We had a great time camping at Rose Creek Retreat. Quiet spot with full hookups next to a babbling creek with plenty of room to spread out. We had fun exploring and relaxing in the creek. Our dog enjoyed being off leash and chasing her ball. The wifi worked great - were able to watch college football all weekend. We enjoyed cooking our meals over the fire and making s’mores. Thomas was a great host and responded promptly when I had a question. We loved this camping spot and would definitely come back again.
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Joann
August 2025
31 ft travel trailer
With pets
The view was beautiful. While I was there saw 2 deer. Could see chimney rock which was beautiful
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Tanner
August 2025
34 ft travel trailer
With kids
This spot was the perfect retreat for my family. The location was secluded, allowing my kids and dogs to run around freely, and neither one hesitated in jumping in the creek. I did not have any issue getting my 34 ft travel trailer into or out of the spot in a 2wd truck. There are plenty of activities to do in the area with kids ( 5,3,1). However, if looking up the Hawksbill trail. Despite the Google review, toddlers can do just include a few meltdowns along the way. Overall, it's a great site and I would highly recommend this location over a large campground.
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Travis
August 2025
21 ft travel trailer
Group trip
Our second time back, all utilities worked perfectly. Quiet, lots of privacy, great for our dog to run around with no restrictions. Great section of creek to relax in, close to all things fun in the Gorge/Morganton/Linville Falls. WIll be back, thanks Thomas
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Tressa G.
July 2025
18 ft toy hauler
With pets
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
We have been looking for our”go to” place for a while and this is it! Single site, nice creek, perfect shade, full hookups, plenty of space for dogs/kids to play, great fire pit with tools for cooking and not too far from Morganton if you want to go out for dinner. Thomas was a great host as well.
WIFI was a little bit weak at times, but we never reached out to Thomas about it so not sure if that could have been resolved. Everything else was so wonderful that it didn’t really matter.
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Theresa
July 2025
40 ft travel trailer
With pets
This was our 3rd time staying at Rose Creek Retreat...Great host and the peacefulness of the creek and wildlife in the early morning is like no other. Totally recommend.
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Kristina
July 2025
40 ft fifth wheel
With kids
The camp spot tucks just off the road and borders a nice grass area with a steam just on the other side. The setup allowed us to position the campers in a way that it feels very private. Extremely quite at night with minimal traffic during the day. We spent afternoon in the steam after we got back from the days activities. As far as local activities, lake James is only about 18 minutes away with swimming and mountain biking, we also located a blueberry farm that the kids and wives picked blueberries from that was about 18 minutes in the opposite direction from the lake. We will definitely go back to this spot!
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Sarah
July 2025
40 ft fifth wheel
With kids
We had such a wonderful stay at this beautiful campsite! The land is well-maintained and the creek was a favorite for both the kids and our dogs after full days of exploring the surrounding area. It felt like the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
The host was welcoming, and you can really tell they’ve put love into creating a special space for campers.
Highly recommend—can’t wait to return!
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Chloee
July 2025
8 nights at Rose Creek Retreat
Absolutely loved staying here! The hosts were so kind during our stay. I also loved how quiet our stay was. We spent most of our time playing in the creek and on our last day we decided to hike Linville Falls and drive the Viaduct. We will definitely be back!
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Kim
June 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With pets
Very quiet and peaceful weekend getaway. Plenty of shade trees for the hot summer days and nice clean creek to stay cool in. Would recommend.
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K
Karlee
June 2025
18 ft pop-up camper
With kids
Highly recommend! We had an amazing weekend at rose creek! The hosts were so kind and helpful. We were able to spend some time with the them and they have a wonderful family!
We enjoyed listening to and playing in the creek. 3 boys under 10 and a dog give it 5 stars! The adults loved it to. The creeks was beautiful and so peaceful. Such a calm surrounding. Close to parks and lovely waterfalls. Don’t hesitate to go!
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jody
May 2025
30 ft travel trailer
On of the nicest places we have been, very secluded and private. Love the sound of the stream. It was nice letting our dogs be able to run around with us off the leash. Definitely recommend it and we will definitely be back.
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Ryan
May 2025
30 ft Class B
Love waking up by the creek on crisp cool mornings. So close to Pisgah forest for hiking and waterfalls. Perfect for the family to enjoy.
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