Best Camping in and near Devils Fork State Park

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Mountain gorges and lakeside waterfalls provide stellar views at Lake Jocassee.

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Stay at a public campground in Devils Fork State Park

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Devils Fork Campground

115 sites · RVs, Tents In Devils Fork State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Devils Fork State Park

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The Baying Hound Campground

7 sites · Tents3 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 :) *FAQ: Is this a good spot to bring my kiddos? Our campground is not equipped to handle the magical, whirlwind force that children release unto the world. There's a lot of breakable stuff, tempting treehouses (that might be occupied by other guests!), sites that are within earshot of each other, and hazards that aren't a good fit for kids. 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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NEW!!!! Blue Ridge Basecamp

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Topton, NC

Forested 15 acre lot with a beautiful grassy meadow, and a meandering stream with shallow spots to cool off in on a hot day. We have a meadow by the creek with first come first served tent spots. Pitch your tent anywhere you like and relax the day away. We also offer 5 fully stocked campers and 5 RV sites for rent. Please see each site for all the details! ALL RV/camper sites have FULL hookups with 20/30/50 amp, water and septic. There is fresh drinking water, on site garbage, picnic tables, firepits, firewood for purchase and a well maintained porta-john. Porta John is only available April 1 - November 1. We are just minutes away from Nantahala Lake, Nantahala River, and the Appalachian Trail. Enjoy nearby white water rafting, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, kayaking, ziplines and more. If you're not up for cooking there is a local restaurant on the lake 5 minutes away, as well as the Nantahala Outdoor Center a quick 20 minute drive.

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Riverside Camping on the Farm

11 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Mills River, NC

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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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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Smoky Mountain Meadows

165 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents57 acres · Bryson City, NC

(Please Note: Hipcamp does not have an easy way to add in Pet and Child fees. You will need to go to EXTRAS and add in number of pets ($5/pet/per night) for cabins and/or number of children ($5/child/night) on all sites SEPERATE from adults when making your reservation. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS, YOU WILL BE CHARGED $10/NIGHT FOR EACH CHILD INSTEAD OF $5. We will no longer be issuing refunds or store credits for the overcharge.) When you enter Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground, you can leave all the “rush-rush” of your daily life behind. You will find yourself in a beautiful valley with quiet green meadows and a bubbling brook encompassing your surroundings. We are almost half-way between Bryson City and the Nantahala Gorge. We have been host to the Carolina Canoe Club's annual Week of Rivers Event for over 25 years! Thanks everyone! 2023 Season: March 31 – Oct 31 Rules for the Campground 1. 100 % Refund less credit card processing fee if you cancel before 14 days of your arrival date. 50% Refund if you cancel between 14 and 7 days of your arrival date. No Refund if you cancel within 6 days of your arrival date. 2. CHECK OUT: Noon; CHECK IN:Cabins, Campers and Glamping Tents: 2pm All Other Sites: Noon 3. QUIET TIME. Weekdays 10pm – 8am Weekends 11pm – 8am 4. CHECK OUT PROCEDURES. Camp must be broken down by noon on departure day. If you stay past noon you could be charged for an additional day. Extension possible with pre-approval. You must inform the office when you are leaving. 5. All Overnight Guests Must Pay 6. Trash must be taken to the Green Bins located at the lower corner of the upper field 7. No washing vehicles 8. PETS.Must always be kept on a leash. Must be picked up after by the owner. Must never be left unattended (exceptions apply).

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At the Ridge Camp-Riverside Escapes

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents36 acres · Balsam Grove, NC

Our property was once owned by Transylvania County Sheriff Carter McCall. 36 acres in the middle of Pisgah National Forest. “Simple Mountain Camping” is our motto. Located approximately seven miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, At the Ridge Campground is surrounded by North Carolina’s beautiful Pisgah National Forest and the North Fork River. Here you can experience what you came to the Blue Ridge Mountains for: crisp evenings, sitting around the campfire, excellent views, relaxing in nature, hiking to waterfalls and fishing, Don’t forget our favorite, just watching the water go by! All at an affordable price.

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Conleys Creek Campground

7 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Bryson City, NC

We purchased our nine-acre property a little over three years ago. It was a run down, small, manufactured home park with a farmhouse on it. It has been an ongoing labor of love to transform it into a small, unique RV and tent camping park along beautiful Conleys Creek. We only offer 4 tent spots (first come, first served), as well as 4 RV spots. We rent out our 38' RV separately. We have torn down and repurposed some of the manufactured homes on the property. We continue to create numerous gardens with veggies and herbs. We have also planted numerous fruit and flowering trees, bushes and flowers for bold color throughout the year. Our property is completely pesticide free. We currently have 11 free range chickens, known as The Dixie Chicks! Guests enjoy feeding, petting and collecting their eggs, which are delicious! We offer both RV and tent camping on both sides of Conleys Creek. Each site has a grill and fire pit. Fish or cool off in our creek, which is regularly stocked with trout. As a convenience to our guests, we sell eggs, firewood and ice. Enjoy the game room playing billiards or shooting darts. Enjoy the nice weather and play one of our numerous outdoor yard games. We have a very clean, private guest bath house, excellent WI-FI and a dump station. Hike up our mountain range to locate our second creek. Our guests love how convenient our location is to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We are nestled between Bryson City and Cherokee. Close to other charming towns, such as Dillsboro and Sylva, and many outdoor attractions. Enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, tubing, kayaking and whitewater rapids, all nearby our property. This is our home, business and new lifestyle. Come and enjoy it with us!

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Jake's Farm

5 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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Appalachian Pond Campground

16 sites · 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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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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Sky High Ridge RV Campground

10 sites · RVs14 acres · Scaly Mountain, NC

Escape the noise and heat of the valley. Chill in the cool mountain air high atop the Highlands Plateau with breath taking views and sunsets. Unhitch and relax in one of our secluded treed sites with water, up to 100 amp electric, and waste hookup. Base camp to adventure in hiking, waterfalls, kayaking, winter and summer tubing, ice skating, and the largest Zipline in NC, in National Forests and Parks. Bartram Trail, that peaks Rabun Bald, and the Appalachian Trail are a within a stones throw. Our campground is for the hardy even getting here is an adventure!Sky high Ridge Campground is in the western mountains of North Carolina at a cool altitude of about 3700 feet.Welcome!

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Indian Creek Rental's Mountain Camp

3 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Rosman, NC

Learn more about this land: Enjoy a quiet stay in the mountains of WNC by staying at one of our secluded forest campsites. Thank you for checking out our property! Our names are Clayton and Tiffany, we own Indian Creek Rentals, llc. We have a couple vacation homes also on property as well as a mini farm. We do have approx. 2 miles of hiking trails that you can enjoy straight from Camp. We now have two campsites available to guests. - Site 1 has a hot tub as well as a covered shed to stay dry. - Site 2 is a completely primitive site in the woods equipped with a picnic table and firepit. - Site 3 is a full hookup site nearby Site 1. The two sites together are perfect for group camping if interested. - We currently do not have any bathroom facility or bath house on property. We do plan to build on in the near future. Until then guest are required to bring their own camp toilets. (Bathhouse coming soon) Both sites are pack in/pack out. Happy Camping!

The best camping near Devils Fork State Park guide

Overview

About

Fringed by the lush mountains of the Jocassee Gorges, Devils Fork State Park is the scenic gateway (and the only public access point) to the 7,500-acre Lake Jocassee. The lake is the focal point of activities, whether you bring your own boat or rent a canoe to explore the lakeside waterfalls, seek out secluded coves to fish for trophy trout and smallmouth bass, or go snorkeling or scuba diving in the crystalline waters. Campers have a choice of RV sites, walk-in tent sites, and villas, all by the lakeside, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can cruise out to a boat-in campsite.

Notable campgrounds

Best for RV campers: Devils Fork State Campground has 59 paved sites with electric and water hookups by the lakeside.
Best for adventurous cruisers: Double Springs Campground has 25 boat-in backcountry campsites, allowing boaters to pitch a tent on the north shore of Lake Jocassee.
Best for glampers: Devils Fork State Lodging provides 20 fully equipped lakeside villas with a choice of two or three bedrooms.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve any of the campsites or villas via the South Carolina State Parks website. Campsite reservations require a minimum 2-night stay.
Online reservations open 13 months in advance; same-day reservations must be made directly through the park.
Campsites can book up fast, especially for lakefront sites, and over summer or holiday weekends. Book a minimum of three months in advance.

When to go

Getting on the lake is possible year-round at Lake Jocassee, whether swimming in the summer months or fishing and canoeing through winter. Peak season runs from May through October, and reduced camping rates are possible in low season. Nature enthusiasts should time their visit for mid-March to early April when the rare Oconee Bell wildflower blooms along the Oconee Bell Nature Trail.

Know before you go

Devils Fork State Park is 40 miles northwest of Greenville, about a 1-hour drive.
There is an admission fee for all South Carolina state parks; camping fees also apply and change seasonally.
Facilities at Devils Fork State Park include a visitor center and camp store, four boat ramps, picnic areas, playgrounds, a dump station, and restrooms. Complimentary wifi is available at the visitor center and villas.
You can bring your own boat and watercraft to Lake Jocassee; a South Carolina fishing license is required for fishing. Swimming is permitted at your own risk—there is no lifeguard patrol. Pontoons, canoes, kayaks, and SUPs are available to rent in peak season.
There are accessible campsites, restrooms, and villas at Devils Fork.