Camping near Lake Lure with wildlife watching

Forest bathe by the shore’s edge when camping near Lake Lure in North Carolina.

98% (9973 reviews)
98% (9973 reviews)

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Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campgrounds near Lake Lure with wildlife watching

98%
(2304)

Starlight Hills

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Bostic, NC
Our Spa and Geodesic Dome Planetarium is now available for booking! Our Pond is now OPEN! 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.
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$33.60
 / night
99%
(486)

TangleWood Creekside Campsites

28 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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$31.50
 / night
97%
(451)

Riverside Camping on the Farm

11 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Mills River, NC
*Do not use map photo to enter property - you will receive a message with the correct address to use. Please do not enter neighbor's driveway* Sleep under the stars while listening to the river run while staying on a working farm! During the summer months watch our vegetables grow and the pickers pick! The winter months you'll enjoy a sea of green as our cover crop takes over the field. You can cool off in the river or check out the surrounding Pisgah National Forest. Dogs on leashes are welcome and owner is responsible for cleaning up after pet. The farm provides a portable toilet but no other amenities. Campfires may be restricted, so check local regulations. This is a working farm, so please be respectful of the crops and workers and keep dogs on leashes. Fishing is NOT allowed on the river unless you have booked a trip with one of our guides. Please note, if it’s rainy the roads will be muddy and 4-wheel-drive vehicles are the best option. Head 4 miles east to the town of Mills River for restaurants, stores, and services. You can find hiking, biking, and horseback-riding trails within a short bike or car ride in Pisgah National Forest. Chimney Rock State Park is 25 miles east and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountain scenery. Or perhaps go for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our guests love staying here: "This was our first time using Hipcamp and we couldn’t have been happier! Candace was great at communicating and quick to respond to our questions. Site 1 was perfect. We had so much room for just the two of us and the water access was great for our dogs to swim. Plus it was so quiet, we’ll probably never go back at state park camping! Thanks for everything and look forward to visiting again!"
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$43
 / night
Booked 1 time

Edge of forest eden camp

2 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Woodfin, NC
Welcome to Our Little Sanctuary at the End of the Forest Road — Just Outside Asheville city limits. Our homestead sits tucked away at the very end of a quiet, forested road, just a short drive from Asheville. It’s a peaceful and rustic space that we’ve been bringing back to life over the last couple of years — a place where nature is vibrant, the stars are bright, and things move at a slower pace. Your site includes: • A spacious 24’ x 24’ low deck (originally home to a yurt) — perfect for tent camping, parking your small travel trailer or van next to, yoga, stargazing, or just relaxing on the hammock. • A private outhouse with a composting toilet and hot-water sink. • An enclosed outdoor hot shower for a refreshing rinse under the trees. • A covered counter area for food prep or gear storage. •. Bonfire pit • Access to our shared pool, designed for aquatic bodywork (Watsu), sessions that can be booked prior to your stay. While shared, the pool is often available for your private use — just check with us! We’re honored to share this land with guests who appreciate the beauty of wild, regenerating spaces. Over time, we’ve planted fruit trees, built gardens, and worked to restore what was once neglected. Nature has responded with grace and abundance. You might see deer, wild turkeys, foxes, owls, and a chorus of birds moving through the trees — a daily reminder of the land’s resilience. The property backs up to 350+ acres of forest, and you’re welcome to explore it. Ask us for a trail map to The Bald, a hidden local spot where you’ll find stunning views of Asheville. This is a place we love deeply. It’s quiet, raw, and a little wild around the edges — just how we like it. We hope you’ll feel that too during your stay, and find a little rest, inspiration, or reconnection in the forest.
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$54
 / night
99%
(1380)

Smoky Mtn Mangalitsa River Ranch

17 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. We are in our winter season offering only one campsite until March 2025 “Site 2 Knoll”~ come enjoy the river ranch all to yourselves! 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. Contact Catherine directly so you can be checked in safely and accommodate your schedule. LIMITED 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
 / night
99%
(275)

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.
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$58.50
 / night
98%
(287)

Above the Fray Glamping, Black Mtn.

6 sites · Lodging11 acres · Black Mountain, NC
The views are hypnotic, looking down and out over the continental divide. Good morning, and sunsets can be seen from 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 are two-thirds, and some are one-third, depending on what one wants for tent size or sun exposure. (See pictures of each site/deck) Each deck features sun and rain curtains to help keep you comfortable in normal weather conditions. Dogs enjoy a two-gate system, allowing guests and dogs 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 on a weekly basis. Lights and electrical outlets are 110V (3 prongs) for YOUR coffee pots, electric grills, mattress inflators, crockpots, electric blankets, fans, et 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, a fickle solar shower, and a pop-up changing room, along with an assortment of camping supplies from dog bowls to antimicrobial. 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 an excellent app for finding trails suited for your interests. Be respectful to the place and please be friendly to the people yo 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.
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$68
 / night
98%
(173)

Campgrounds at Little Switzerland

15 sites · 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! . The 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 of our more secluded sites in the woods are far from bathrooms etc. PLEASE Do your research!!! Sites near the winery/bathrooms are not secluded and you can see/hear ‘people’. The ‘wildlife’ sites require parking in guest parking lot and a 5 minute walk. As of Jan 2025 we change to an age 13+ campground. No one under the age of thirteen years old is permitted to camp overnight. Younger children will still be permitted to visit the winery next door to the campground during open hours but must have an adult (18 years plus) with them at ALL times! Due to an incident that could have ended in tragedy we have a zero tolerance policy of unsupervised children. You will be asked to leave if your young child is unattended by an adult. During the summer months we often have free range chicken eggs and organic produce and herbs available for our campers. We are next to our own winery/cidery that features home brew wines and beer. We also offer coffee and sodas. Firewood is for sale. You may bring your own firewood as long as it’s not from out of state. We 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. Many weekends we have live music from local musicians. 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 and club house 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. Anything sold by us may be legally consumed at your campsite and is covered under our winery ABC permit. The 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. Adult horseback trail rides are available at nearby Springmaid Mountain Retreat. Maps provided to Springmaid Mountain. All minors must have ADULT supervision at all times at the winery next door (older siblings do not qualify as adult supervision). With farm animals and 140 acres of woods nearby and three deep ponds in those woods it can be a dangerous situation for young, unsupervised children. If we are babysitting your children to keep them out of danger or from damaging our property you’ll be asked to leave. We want everyone to be safe. 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. 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! HipCamp now offers rainy day insurance. Watch for our special events like ghost story campfire tales/walk with local guest authors, mountain yoga, herbal remedies classes, trail treasure hunts with prizes, mushroom identification classes etc. 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 any extra cars. We have a hot/cold shower and modern style flush toilets available in large cargo container. We also now have free Starlink WiFi in the Cantina/clubhouse area and some of the closer tent sites. Our clubhouse stays open for campers 24/7 with a microwave available, games, television and comfortable seating areas. Note: The 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 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. No fighting! This includes couples fighting. Settle it 'off property'. We are pretty mellow, yet take bad behavior and disrespect for others very seriously. Unsupervised children has been a huge problem lately and we simply won’t tolerate very young children wandering the woods, running across other folks campsites, deliberately damaging our property etc. It is up to the parents to fully supervise their children and keep them safe! Caught without a last minute hotel room and rather not park your family in Walmart lot? We offer car camping in our parking lot for $15.00 a night. You’ll have access to bathrooms and a hot shower! We also have tents, sleeping bags and camping mats for rent. Summer of 2025 will be our third year open and there have been many wonderful improvements! ❤️ We made it through Hurricane Helene with minimal damage and with the help of some kind volunteers we have some great updates!
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$10
 / night
97%
(120)

Appalachian Pond Campground

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Waynesville, NC
Get back to nature at this incredible private campground nestled in the Great Smokey Mountains of Western North Carolina! This tranquil campground offers a peaceful place to unwind while listening to the wonderful sights and sounds of nature at its best! There are 11 unique and cozy campsites to choose from as well as a shower and portable potties. This campground has a pond for fishing and swimming, a creek running along the campsites and is surrounded by the most magnificent and beautiful foliage and wildlife! Prepare to have the most peaceful sleep under the glorious celestial stars of Western North Carolina! *We also have a sink for dishes alongside the shower house as well as a drinkable well water spicket in the back of the campground! *We are also located close to stores for your convenience as well as many nearby attractions! * Please contact us regarding pets before booking… *We recommend checking in before 10 pm…. The property gets really dark and hard to navigate at night without being shown where to go! If for any reason you will be getting here later please inform us upon booking so we can plan for your arrival! *During the months from November to April we cannot guarantee our shower will be operational due to freezing temperatures. However, during warm periods during those months we do have our shower available. If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of life and return to the simplicity of nature this is your spot! We hope to see you soon!!
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$27
 / night

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Camping near Lake Lure with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Looking to experience the great outdoors near Lake Lure, North Carolina? Hipcamp has over 4,200 campsites with wildlife watching options to choose from. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or just want to escape the hustle and bustle, you'll find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. With options starting as low as $10 per night, camping has never been more affordable. Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like potable water, showers, and toilets. If you're looking for top-rated campsites, check out Starlight Hills (627 reviews), Smoky Mountain Mangalitsa Farm (388 reviews), and Pisgah Forest Mountain Meadows (266 reviews). Get ready to explore historic sites, go climbing, or try off-roading (OHV) during your camping adventure. Start planning your wildlife watching getaway today!