Discover the best campgrounds near Marion, North Carolina with swimming

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.

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.