North Carolina

It’s the time of year when lots of us start planning our camping trips. In our state, North Carolina, the camping season runs from April-October. This year is different, as we all know, with the coronavirus rearing its ugly head, everything is up in the air! We don’t know when this thing will end, we don’t know when life will get back to normal, what is normal anymore? Despite all that, we are choosing to move forward and plan some camping trips for the summer and fall. I’ve put together a list of new and existing campgrounds that would provide a great camping experience. I am choosing to stay within our home state of North Carolina for the time being. I have a few reasons for staying close to home;

• Limited vacation money
• Save on gas money
• Our State has some awesome places to see
• Mountains
• The Ocean
• First time camping in over a year(camper breakdown)
• My elderly Mom lives with us(in case we have to get back home quickly)

Top 6 Camping Destinations

1. River Valley Campground, Cherokee NC
2. Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground, Swannanoa NC
3. Creekwood Farm RV Park, Waynesville NC
4. Linville Falls Campground, Linville Falls NC
5. Wilmington KOA, Wilmington NC
6. Outer Banks West KOA, Currituck Sound, Coinjock NC

The mountains of western North Carolina are a great place to camp. There are many campgrounds around the cities of Boone, Hickory, Black Mountain, Asheville, and Cherokee. In and around the Blue Ridge and the Smoky Mountains. I really love this area of North Carolina, whether we are renting a mountain cabin or camping.

1. River Valley Campground

This campground is new to us. We discovered it while driving through the Smoky Mountains around Cherokee, North Carolina. We took a few photos and decided that we would camp there this summer. The campground is right next to a raging mountain stream.

River Valley Campground is located at 2978 Big Cove Road, Cherokee, NC,

• The campground is open from April 1 – November 1
• Check-in time 3:00 pm, check-out time 11:00 am
• 103 sites
• Pets are allowed
• Amenities: Firewood, Restroom, Showers, WiFi
• What to do: Fishing, Hiking, Swimming, visit the town of Cherokee or Great Smoky Mountain National Park
• Good Sam Campground(discount with Good Sam Club card)

2. Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground

This Campground is located at 15 Uphill Rd, Swannanoa, North Carolina, which is a town on the Swannanoa River between Black Mountain and Asheville. Black Mountain and Swannanoa are 2 towns worth exploring near Black Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mama Gertie’s Hideaway campground is on our list due to its location in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Premium Mountaintop RV sites are the best anywhere in the mountains! These sites come with a deck so you can get a great view of the mountains. Mama Gertie’s Hideaway

• This campground is open year-round, in-season rates are from Apr. 1 – Oct. 31(Mountainview sites only available in-season)
• Check-in is 1 pm, and check-out is at 11 am
• They offer cabin rentals, tent camping, and RV camping
• Pets are allowed
• Amenities: Pavilion, Showers, Restrooms, Laundromat, Rec/fitness rooms, dog run, Cable TV & WiFi
• What to do: Visit Asheville and the Biltmore House, Blue Ridge Parkway, and All kinds of outdoor activities!
• Good Sam Park, rated 9/10(discount with Good Sam Club Card)

3. Creekwood Farm RV Park

This campground is located at 4696 Jonathan Creek Rd, Waynesville, North Carolina. Waynesville is about 30 miles west of Asheville, 9 miles from Maggie Valley, and just 4 miles from Lake Junaluska. I have always been intrigued by Lake Junaluska, which was named after nearby Mount Junaluska, which in turn was named after Chief Junaluska, a Cherokee leader. It looks like such a peaceful lake! Creekwood Farm RV Park is ranked in the Top 10 RV parks in North Carolina! It is built next to Jonathan Creek, with a 100+-year-old barn and Silo, they even have chickens! Creekwood Farm RV Park

• The Campground is open April 1 – September 30(Summer) and November 1 – March 31(Winter)
• Check-in is 1 pm and check-out is 12 pm
• They offer cabin rentals, tent camping, and RV camping
• Pets are not allowed in cabins
• Amenities; rec hall, bathrooms with showers, covered pavilion, cable TV & WiFi, dog park, and a camp store
• What to do; fishing, horseshoes, croquet, town of Maggie Valley, Wheels through Time Museum, Lake Junaluska Center, the town of Waynesville, and see the wild Elk.
• Good Sam Park, rated 9.5/10(discount with Good Sam Club Card)

4. Linville Falls Campground

Linville Falls Campground is located at 717 Gurney Franklin Rd, Linville Falls, North Carolina. It’s located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, just minutes from Linville Falls and Gorge, Grandfather Mountain, and the Linville Caverns. We went to Linville Falls many years ago when we were first dating, it’s a nice hike to the falls. This photo is just the stream along the way. Grandfather Mountain reminds me of my Dad, when I took him there, he didn’t like the winding road up to the top. There is also a little zoo midway up the mountain. Linville Falls Campground

• The Campground is open May 1 – November 15
• Check-in is 2 pm, and check-out is at 11 am
• They offer cabin rental and tent camping. and RV camping
• Pets are allowed
• Amenities: restrooms with showers, a camp store, laundry facilities, pavilion, dog park, and a playground
• What to do: Linville Falls, Linville Cavern, Gem Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, the city of Blowing Rock
• Good Sam Park(discount with Good Sam Club Card)

5. Wilmington KOA

The Wilmington KOA is located at 7415 Market St., Wilmington, North Carolina. We have stayed at many KOA campgrounds that are very nice! I have a KOA value Kard that gives us 10% per night and we earn reward points. The city of Wilmington is one that we have wanted to explore for quite some time. It is located along the Cape Fear River. You can explore a Battleship or stroll along the Riverwalk and eat at a restaurant overlooking the river. The Campground is not located on the river but it is just minutes away. Wilmington KOA

• The campground is open year-round
• Check-in time is 12 pm, and check-out is at 11 am
• They offer cabin rentals, tent camping, and RV camping
• Pets are allowed
• Amenities: Pool, firewood, dog park, restrooms with showers, pavilion, cable TV & WiFi
• What to do: Explore the city of Wilmington, Trolley Tours, Beaches, Riverwalk, Riverboat tours, Battleship USS North Carolina

6. Outer Banks West/Currituck Sound KOA

This is a brand new Campground and I’m excited to be one of the first camping there! It’s located at 1631 Waterlily Rd., Coinjock, North Carolina. The campground is waterfront and is on the Currituck sound(on the mainland) but just 30 minutes from the Outer Banks. It looks like an amazing location. For those who read my post on lighthouses, you know that the outer banks lighthouses are on my list of “must-see”! I can’t wait to camp there and be one of the first to write a review. Outer Banks West KOA

• First opening May 15-November 30
• Check-in at 3 pm, check-out at 11 am
• They offer cabin rentals, tent camping, and RV camping
• Pets are allowed
• Amenities: Restroom with showers, Laundry, Playground, boat ramp & Pier, dog park, camp store, firewood cable TV, WiFi
• What to do: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, visit the Outer Banks Lighthouses

There are many, many more campgrounds in North Carolina that are worth checking out! I will be taking you along on our camping adventures, so check back often! Remember, if camping is not for you, you can always rent one of the great cabins available at most campgrounds. I would love to hear from you, what do you think of my choices? have you camped somewhere cool that you want to share? Please comment below, pin the photos, and share them on your social media pages.

*Please check the campground website for rates

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You may also enjoy: Lynchburg KOA

Outer Banks Lighthouses

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