A-frame cabins near Asheville

If mountains are your backdrop of choice, you’ve come to the right place. Amid the forested slopes of western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a veritable paradise for outdoor adventurers on a camping trip. Road-trippers can follow the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while hikers use the city as a basecamp for trekking the Appalachian Trail (a 95-mile section runs through North Carolina). Or take your pick from the two national forests and seven state parks right on the city’s doorstep. If you need another excuse to swing by, Asheville is also renowned for its arts district and craft beer scene.

East of Asheville, the wooded peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains ripple out onto the horizon, affording endless opportunities for hiking and camping. Make a pitstop to sample the craft beer in Black Mountain, hit the trail in the Swannanoa Valley, or admire the mountaintop views at Mount Mitchell State Park. For a break from the mountains, Lake James State Park has lakeside camping, where you can swim, fish, or rent a kayak.

The best weather for hiking and camping around Asheville is April through October, but this mountain city has outdoor activities to suit all seasons. Leaf-peepers flock to the surrounding hills in fall, with fall foliage—and its accompanying crowds—peaking in October. Wildflowers set the countryside ablaze with color through spring and summer, while winter campers can rent a cozy mountain cabin and hit the ski slopes.

• Asheville has plenty of supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations, and you’ll find several shops selling camping and outdoor supplies.  
• There are no admission fees for North Carolina state parks, but camping reservation fees apply. 
• Tick season runs from late spring through early fall in the Asheville region, so cover up when hiking and check for ticks after outdoor activities.
• Backcountry camping is allowed on national forest land as long as you are more than 500 feet from a road.