The best cave camping near Marion

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Resting at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Marion blends small-town comfort with big-time nature. Close proximity to Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest make the town a popular basecamp year-round. Take a day trip less than thirty minutes from Marion to Lake James State Park. It has over 150 miles of shoreline with beaches, boat ramps, Blue Ridge Mountain views, and lakefront tent and paddle-in campsites. Or stay in town and camp in a cabin rental at Pisgah National Forest, which provides half a million acres of scenic outlooks, tree-covered trails, and iconic waterfalls. East of Marion, South Mountains State Park has RV campsites that can fit trailers and accommodate horses, diverse trails, and multiple creeks—all of which make it a perfect place for paddling, biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

96% (491) 30 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Marion

Rose Creek Retreat

1. Rose Creek Retreat

96%
(127)
16mi from Marion · 3 sites · Tents, 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
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
$24
 / night
Raven Ridge

2. Raven Ridge

99%
(269)
37mi from Marion · 2 sites
Raven ridge is a 5.0 acre property with plenty of botanical appeal, Appalachian charm and mountain views. James landed on the property in 2009, built a small dairy barn and milked 3 cows for a couple years before building the two cabins. In 2015 he was joined by Sofi, originally from Sweden and together they have three daughters. 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. 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 love hosting and nearly everyone enjoys their stay.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$81
 / night
Stoney Creek Oasis Campground

3. Stoney Creek Oasis Campground

91%
(358)
44mi from Marion · 21 sites · Tents, RVs
Learn more about this land: We have 20 beautiful campsites, including tent,and rv sites, along Stoney Fork Creek .We are located in Candler, NC, 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. 5 minutes to the Blue Ridge Parkway and within 2 miles to national forests. 10 minutes from Mt. Pisgah and 9 waterfalls within 10 miles. We offer off grid primitive campsites with a few touches of modernism, with and Wi-Fi. The sites are located adjacent from the greenhouses in a large grassy field, next to the creek, and behind the barn.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Pisgah National Forest

4. Pisgah National Forest

97%
(156)
National forest 20mi from Marion · 251 sites
One of Pisgah's gems is Richland Balsam, the highest peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,410 feet.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Mount Mitchell State Park

5. Mount Mitchell State Park

95%
(11)
State park 16mi from Marion · 9 sites
Sweeping views and challenging hikes define North Carolina’s first state park.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
Triple J Farm and Campground

6. Triple J Farm and Campground

100%
(9)
35mi from Marion · 20 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Camp down by the creek at our private campground. Pan for gold or rock hound for gems in over 1/2 mile of pristine North Carolina creek. Outdoor shower and bathroom facility available. Bring all your camping gear, tents and headlamps for a fun adventure in the woods.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$21
 / night
Grandfather Mountain State Park

7. Grandfather Mountain State Park

100%
(7)
State park 33mi from Marion · 1 site
This park has sweeping views, challenging trails, and a mile-high swinging bridge.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Cherokee National Forest

8. Cherokee National Forest

96%
(49)
National forest 52mi from Marion · 625 sites
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!

Resting at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Marion blends small-town comfort with big-time nature. Close proximity to Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest make the town a popular basecamp year-round. Take a day trip less than thirty minutes from Marion to Lake James State Park. It has over 150 miles of shoreline with beaches, boat ramps, Blue Ridge Mountain views, and lakefront tent and paddle-in campsites. Or stay in town and camp in a cabin rental at Pisgah National Forest, which provides half a million acres of scenic outlooks, tree-covered trails, and iconic waterfalls. East of Marion, South Mountains State Park has RV campsites that can fit trailers and accommodate horses, diverse trails, and multiple creeks—all of which make it a perfect place for paddling, biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

96% (491) 30 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Marion

Rose Creek Retreat

1. Rose Creek Retreat

96%
(127)
16mi from Marion · 3 sites · Tents, 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
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
$24
 / night
Raven Ridge

2. Raven Ridge

99%
(269)
37mi from Marion · 2 sites
Raven ridge is a 5.0 acre property with plenty of botanical appeal, Appalachian charm and mountain views. James landed on the property in 2009, built a small dairy barn and milked 3 cows for a couple years before building the two cabins. In 2015 he was joined by Sofi, originally from Sweden and together they have three daughters. 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. 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 love hosting and nearly everyone enjoys their stay.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$81
 / night
Stoney Creek Oasis Campground

3. Stoney Creek Oasis Campground

91%
(358)
44mi from Marion · 21 sites · Tents, RVs
Learn more about this land: We have 20 beautiful campsites, including tent,and rv sites, along Stoney Fork Creek .We are located in Candler, NC, 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. 5 minutes to the Blue Ridge Parkway and within 2 miles to national forests. 10 minutes from Mt. Pisgah and 9 waterfalls within 10 miles. We offer off grid primitive campsites with a few touches of modernism, with and Wi-Fi. The sites are located adjacent from the greenhouses in a large grassy field, next to the creek, and behind the barn.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Pisgah National Forest

4. Pisgah National Forest

97%
(156)
National forest 20mi from Marion · 251 sites
One of Pisgah's gems is Richland Balsam, the highest peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,410 feet.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Mount Mitchell State Park

5. Mount Mitchell State Park

95%
(11)
State park 16mi from Marion · 9 sites
Sweeping views and challenging hikes define North Carolina’s first state park.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
Triple J Farm and Campground

6. Triple J Farm and Campground

100%
(9)
35mi from Marion · 20 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Camp down by the creek at our private campground. Pan for gold or rock hound for gems in over 1/2 mile of pristine North Carolina creek. Outdoor shower and bathroom facility available. Bring all your camping gear, tents and headlamps for a fun adventure in the woods.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$21
 / night
Grandfather Mountain State Park

7. Grandfather Mountain State Park

100%
(7)
State park 33mi from Marion · 1 site
This park has sweeping views, challenging trails, and a mile-high swinging bridge.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Cherokee National Forest

8. Cherokee National Forest

96%
(49)
National forest 52mi from Marion · 625 sites
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!

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best cave camping near Marion guide

Where to go

Lake James State Park

Northeast of Marion on the border of Pisgah National Forest, Lake James State Park features sandy beaches, rugged forestry, and two on-site campgrounds. Lake James’ campgrounds offer tent-only accommodations with backpacking areas and paddle-in campsites. All frontcountry campsites include a firepit, picnic table, and 12x12 tent pad with access to potable water faucets, toilets, and hot showers. After a night in nature, check out the park’s boat rentals for a day out on the water or hike along Mill's Creek Trail for Blue Ridge Mountain views.

Pisgah National Forest

Less than an hour from Marion, forested peaks, rivers, and waterfalls await in Pisgah National Forest. The forest maintains multiple campgrounds, cabin rentals, dispersed districts, and horse-friendly campsites, many of which include full hookups, drinking water, dump stations, and showers. Pisgah is also home to over 200 waterfalls, Blue Ridge Mountains, and gem and mining caves in Emerald Village, where visitors can take a unique black-light tour of the cavernous depths. Campers can also consider the rugged terrain and valleys of Linville Gorge Wilderness area for more challenging trails and mountain climbing.

South Mountains State Park

South Mountains State Park has two access points for campers: Clever Creek and Jacob Fork. As the largest state park in North Carolina, South Mountains is renowned for its 18-mile mountain-bike loop, an 80-ft waterfall, and 40 miles of hiking trails reaching elevations up to 3,000 feet. On-site camping facilities for tents, RVs, trailers, and horses are available at the Jacob Fork access. All campsites come with firepits, picnic tables, and access to showers—a few provide electric hookups, as well.

When to go

Marion’s warm summers and mild winters attract campers year-round. With sun-filled summer skies and temperatures reaching the mid 80s to low 90s, campers can spend warm days by the beach and out on the water from late June to early September. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing overnight, making cold-weather camping gear essential for winter camping.