Best Camping in and near Cherokee National Forest

96% (41 reviews)

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Top-rated campgrounds near Cherokee National Forest

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Blue Bear Mountain Camp

46 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents150 acres · Boone, NC

Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers year-round camping experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Car-accessible tent and RV sites in a natural setting. Hike-in sites for those looking for a little more adventure and privacy. Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals for guests wanting a rustic, mountain getaway while staying in comfort. Located just 8 miles north of Boone, NC on over 150 acres of pristine mountain land, miles of hiking trails, a trout pond, and spacious low-density sites allow the guest to get away from it all in a rustic, remote setting. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At 4,000 feet elevation, come enjoy cool mountain breezes and mild temperatures. Blue Bear Mountain is a scenic location for large events such as weddings, corporate events, and family reunions. Come Get away from it all at Blue Bear Mountain! Blue Bear Mountain offers spacious, Low-Density RV camping, spacious, private, rustic car-accessible tent camping, and spacious, private remote tent camping. Blue Bear Mountain also offers luxury Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals to provide you with more choices of how to experience your mountain getaway. In a beautiful mountain setting with incredible views, the Stargazer Domes are a great way to enjoy the camping experience without really roughing it. Great for a romantic getaway or bringing the family. Furnished with a queen size bed, complete with high-quality linens, a bistro table, and chairs, you will stay in complete comfort. Conveniently located near the bathhouse with private bathrooms, a Laundry room, and a dishwashing station. You can drive right up to the handcrafted stargazer dome. Relax and take in the views while sitting around your stone fire ring. A park grill, picnic table, and free bundle of firewood are also provided to complete your glamping getaway.

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Dark Ridge Hide Out (Adults Only)

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Elk Park, NC

"Adults only" doesn't mean anything other than just "no children", so as to preserve the natural peace and quiet, and assurance that there won't be loud and unruly children on the property. Inquiries and booking requests received after 9: pm may not be answered until the next morning. Dark Ridge Hide Out, is a 20 acre parcel in the Blue Ridge Mountain's on the back side of the Beech Mt Ski Resort in a secluded quiet and safe community with less than a dozen homes in a one mile radius. Away from light and sound pollution. Except for an occasional passing vehicle "and often none at all from 10pm to 6am" all you will hear is the sound of the creek which runs through the lower section by the RV sites, cricket's and frogs at the nearby fish pond and only the light from the moon and star's in the clear mountain sky and fire flies. It is my home place with a tobacco barn and a big combination cattle/tobacco barn built almost entirely just by my Mom and Dad in early 1940"s. My parents and grand parents lived off of the land here and raised cash crops like cabbage, corn and tobacco, we also raised sugar cane and made molasses, we had free range chickens, as many as 50 honey bee hives and over 50 head of cattle, two or three hog's and of course a horse. There was four main fields; two for cow pasture, one meadow to grow hay "now Christmas trees" and the main one on my part where all crops were grown is where the camp sites are. I grew up helping with the crops and other farm chores, one was to go to the pasture and bring the milk cows in and do the milking every day before and after school, feed the hogs and chickens, gather the egg's, let the chickens out in the morning and close the chicken house in the evening to protect them from critters like opossums, raccoons and wildcats. This is where I grew up, my dad grew up and, near where my mother and both of my grandparents grew up. My house was built in 1905 the same year my dad was born. The campsites are on my 20 acre section section of the original 82 acres with the house and barns, the remainder went to my brother but now is out of the family. The section of Elk River with the Compression Falls "45 ft high" and Twisting Falls which is part of Pisgah National Forest is less than two miles from here, and an old logging road going around the mountain above the river for about three miles to another Falls "Elk River Falls, 65 ft high" is a great place to hike or mountain bike. You will be free to explore and hike any part of my property except the house and out building's. The pond's are full of Trout and Blue Gill fish that are like pet's they love little pieces of bread. You can feed the fish but no fishing.

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Blowing Rock TreePod & Geodome

2 sites · Lodging17 acres · Lenoir, NC

**Hurricane Helene Update** Unlike many areas in Western North Carolina the Blowing Rock and Boone area faired very well. Fortunately, both of our domes did not sustain any damage and are fully operational and never stop hosting Hipcampers. All of the main and secondary roads are fully operational in our area and the businesses and restaurants are fully operational and open at normal business hours. We’d like to welcome you and your closest to enjoy the views at our dome post Helene! ********** The Blowing Rock TreePod and Geodome is only 2.5 miles from Main Street in Blowing Rock, NC and a just a short drive from Boone. Enjoy 100 mile views from your private TreePod or Geodome (both domes have 100 mile views). Relax on the well-appointed deck, complete with an equipped kitchenette, luxurious bathroom, and unique dome featuring a private hot tub, fire table, grill, hammock and comfortable outdoor furniture. Recharge and reconnect with nature as you explore our 20 acres of trails and private pond. ————————————————————— ————————————————————— Experience unforgettable moments at one of the domes of Blowing Rock, where every detail is designed for lasting memories. Enjoy breathtaking 100-mile vistas from the deck, a plush King Bed, and a well-equipped kitchenette paired with a luxurious glamping bathroom. Sleep beneath the stars in comfort, nestled in a King Bed beneath a transparent roof, while the fully functional bathroom offers hot water and a conventional flushing toilet just steps away. This 350-square-foot retreat is complemented by a nearby 300-square-foot bathhouse exclusively for your use. Perched among the trees and carved into the mountainside, the Tripod boasts a deck featuring a hot tub, fire pit, grill, and hammock, inviting relaxation and connection with nature. Built and designed to soak in long range 100 mile views from every angle, the Geodome offers the unique sense of living on the side of a mountain. Lavash in the large deck, see if you can spot Charlotte from the Hot Tub, or lounge in an Adirondack chair by the firepit on cool evenings. Whether indulging in reading, napping, stargazing, or simply soaking in the tranquility, the outdoor furniture and hot tub for each dome provides the perfect vantage points. Keep an eye out for birds and deer as you explore the surrounding 20 acres, including a private pond with fish included for your enjoyment. All of this just minutes to Main Street in Blowing Rock, NC. One of North Carolina's premier mountain towns. OTHER PROPERTY DETAILS LOCATION: We’re located on a 17 acre tract of land with two domes. Both domes can be booked individually or together (please see my other listings in my profile for availability). My goal is always to maximize privacy and I’ve worked hard to create guest seclusion and minimize visibility from the other dome. With that, the domes are separated by 150 feet but are connected via a staircase that has been built into the mountain. If another couple is staying in the other dome during your stay, it is likely that you may hear them during your stay. Finally, our ideal location and close proximity to Blowing Rock is a direct result of our proximity to NC 321. Guests should be aware that they may hear road noise. STEEP MOUNTAIN DRIVEWAY: Please note that the driveway to the TreePod is a mountain road that is ONLY accessible by AWD or 4x4. If you are not comfortable driving on gravel mountain roads, or do not have a 4x4 or AWD, you’re welcome to park at a dedicated space at the top of the driveway and take a 450’ hike to the dome. WINTER WEATHER: In the event of a winter weather during your stay you will be required to park at the top of the driveway regardless of what type of vehicle you arrive in. This does involve a short 350’ walk from that location to the GeoDome door. In general snow fall is light and usually melts the next day. HEATING/COOLING: The Treepod includes both heating and cooling as well as several space heaters and electric blankets. While we make every attempt to create a comfortable environment the domes are not insulated in the same way your home may be and does not heat and cool like a conventional home or apartment. We’ll provide the heated blankets, please bring plenty of warm clothing in the winter. PARKING: Parking is FREE and on Premises but we are only able to accommodate ONE vehicle during your stay. KITCHEN: During the winter months, the kitchen sink may be closed to prevent freezing pipes. If so, water is accessible in the fully functional and heated bathroom. As always, your welcome to use the grill with the supplied grilling tools for cooking. You’ll also find a French coffee press, water kettle, and coffee/creamer/sugar in the event that the Keurig is not available.

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Mountains, hot tub, romantic

5 sites · Lodging60 acres · Bakersville, NC

Not impacted by Hurricane Helene! Our pods (arched cabins) are newly constructed tiny homes, well situated for both spectacular views as well as romantic privacy. Each home has an arched cabin style, cozy, yet well-appointed with a bedroom (queen bed), full bathroom, full kitchenette and living area with sofa and Roku TV. Homes are located close enough to enjoy a campfire with neighbors, but separated enough to enjoy that special romantic evening on your own large deck with spectacular views, or late at night enjoying the stars above. Each cabin has its very own fire pit. All cabins are outfitted with an outdoor hottub. Property is over 60 acres of onsite hiking trails, or find your special spot to sit on a bench and enjoy the view. We are just up the road from the Toe River. The famous Appalachian Trail is just minutes away, as are the Gem mines that made Mitchell County famous. Our property is historic and once a famous location for moonshine production, detailed in the book "Red Hill" available on Amazon. Or Google the "Bakersville Riots". Truly a place to enjoy hiking, or just relaxing on the beautiful large decks.

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TangleWood Creekside Campsites

23 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents170 acres · Marion, NC

A rocky creek winds through the woods at the base of several hikable peaks hidden just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to explore, on foot or mountain-bike, anywhere within our 170 acres (or the adjoining 250 acres owned by the US Forestry Service off our Western border) and are likely to catch glimpses of turkey, beaver, deer, fox, eastern box turtle and the many species of songbird and raptor. The location is convenient to tons of local attractions for sightseeing and outdoor activities as well as shopping, dining, even wine tasting. We would be happy to supply a comprehensive list of the various local attractions upon request but the following are a few of our favorite things to do within a short drive: visit Linville Falls, Caverns, Gorge and/or Winery; drive the Blue Ridge parkway; tube/kayak down the Catawba river; hike beautiful Crabtree Falls; cross Grandfather Mountains mile high bridge and explore the nearby towns of Spruce Pines or Little Switzerland. The scenic drives to Asheville, Blowing Rock or Banner Elk make them each wonderful day-trip destinations.

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A Frame Cabin in East Tennessee

1 site · Lodging24 acres · Butler, TN

Adorable A-Frame cabin in Butler, TN. Cabin has wifi, tv, twin bunk bed on top and Queen bed underneath. Mini fridge and microwave. Cute front porch and perfect for overnight stays or a mini weekend away. Bath house has his/her toilets and his/her showers down a quick trail. Lots of trails, bring your horses, dirt bikes or ATVs. 30 minutes from Boone, 30 minutes from Beech Mountain, Roan Mountain, 10 minutes to Lake Watauga. Enjoy the mountains of East Tennessee and GET OUTSIDE!!

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Tri Mountain View

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents27 acres · Shady Valley, TN

Tri Mountain View Campground is located in the Northeast corner of Tennessee in the town of Shady Valley. With an elevation of 2,800 feet, Shady Valley is the second highest town in Tennessee. It is just 26 miles from the Bristol Raceway and the Bristol Caverns. It is just a 15 minute drive to Backbone rock and a short drive to the Appalachian Trail. The property was a Dairy Farm and went out of business in the late 90’s and since then there has been over 3,000 trees planted. Some of these trees include the rare Butternut and Hazelnut, but mostly White Pine, Walnut and Oaks. The property has approximately 1,000 feet of fishing on Beaver dam creek, so we recommend bringing waders. There is also a shower house, washer and dryer. https://trimountainview.com/ trimountainview.com

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Two Sisters and a Goat

3 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Burnsville, NC

Spectacular mountain views, native trout waters, privacy, and kindness are the cornerstones of “Two Sisters and a Goat.” We have two spacious RV sites with full hookup located approximately 13 miles SE of Burnsville, NC and in the township of Celo. We provide a family friendly environment and an outdoor fantasy for hiking, biking, fishing, etc. Also, we have plenty of room for tent camping. The entire site can be reserved for special events. Our property is nestled in the foothills of Mount Mitchell and has been in our family name since 1970. White Oak Creek runs along the property and has a beautiful 20-foot-high multi-tiered waterfall on the Pisgah National Forrest, only a 0.5 mile walk from the RV sites. The creek serves as a tributary to the South Toe River, meandering 2 miles from the waterfall. The Blue Ridge Parkway is only 7.5 miles and to drive to the peak of Mount Mitchell is an additional 17 miles. *Caution: Do not drive to the end of White Oak Creek Road with your RV. This is where the waterfall is located and the turn around area small and can be extremely difficult to turn your rig around. There is no other outlet. Please be advised to stop along side the road in front of The RV sites. We will assist and ensure that you can safely back your RV into one of the sites. Please call one of the Sisters when you are close. Susan +1 828-208-1125 (Primary Host) or Elaine +1 828-208-4519 RV Site 2 has 30 and 50-amp, 110 W connections, water, sewer, and free WiFi. RV Site 1 has 50-amp and 110 W connections, an adapter is needed for 30-amp users. We have an adapter on site for your use if needed. Enjoy your private deck, jacuzzi, and breathtaking views. There is a small store, Sasquatch less than a mile a that carries several items. Focusing on camping, hunting, fishing, and pet needs.

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Creag Creek Farm

4 sites · Lodging, Tents20 acres · Bakersville, NC

A high elevation working farm with a cabin (sleeps up to 8), barn with hayloft and tent sites for rent by individuals and small groups. Located at 3,500 feet in elevation on north flank of Roan Mountain.Three miles from the Appalachian Trail, five miles to Buladean, North Carolina and a 40-minute drive to Carvers Gap, our 18-acre, high elevation, wooded and meadowed Christmas tree farm is a wonderful jumping-off point for some of the best hiking, apple picking, and bird watching the Southeast has to offer. Unplug during your stay while you soak in the mountain views, peaceful sunsets, and local wildlife. Our guests love staying here: "Loved it. A thoroughly beautiful building in an equally beautiful location. It had everything we needed and more. We'd planned to use the cabin as a base to go hiking from but it was so beautiful there that we ended up not leaving for the entire time - we just stayed and watched the hummingbirds on the balcony. Will look forward to returning."

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Blue Ridge Ranch

21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents440 acres · Ferguson, NC

Blue Ridge Ranch, established in December of 2020, is located on 440 acres nestled between two mountain ridges in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The property features an established pasture, mountain ridges, barns, and a homestead. In addition, the ranch is home to five ponds (some stocked and one trophy), more than a mile of trout streams, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Together, they provide the perfect foundation for the establishment of farming, livestock, camping, and community events. All profits of Blue Ridge Ranch go to Hope for His Children, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that conducts youth camps at the ranch. Tours of the ranch are available for $10/person (to offset fuel expense) and includes interaction with some farm animals. We pride ourselves in doing everything possible to help our guests have a great experience. We offer coffee during morning hours in our farm store! We are sorry, but we are not able to allow guests to bring ATV's and motorcycles to operate on the property. There are many acres of hay that we must protect and our agritourism insurer does not allow guests to operate ATV's and motorcycles on property.

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Mountain Farm Camping & Glamping

33 sites · Lodging, Tents200 acres · Moravian Falls, NC

Nestled in North Carolina's Brushy Mountains, Growing Faith Farms & Retreat offers a tranquil escape from modern life, just 90 minutes from Charlotte. Perched atop the mountain, our retreat overlooks vast stretches of mountaintops, rolling hills, and verdant landscapes. Here, we cultivate more than just crops; we nurture a profound sense of tranquility and community. Our space is designed to encourage guests to pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the beauty and simplicity of nature. Our campsites provide a variety of camping options, from predefined sites to walk-in spots throughout our expansive 200-acre mountain. You can choose to camp by the creek, in a sunny field, or deep in the woods. In 2024, we introduced our private Shower House, featuring three fully equipped bathrooms with showers, sinks, and toilets, plus heating and air conditioning. We also offer pre-furnished bell tents, camping platforms, and at site water and electricity (select sites) for your convenience. If you want to immerse yourself in outdoor camping without sacrificing the comforts of home, our glamping tent features a queen-size bed with linens, as well as a twin bed that converts into a second bed for added convenience. Stay cozy with a heated indoor wood stove, and enjoy a kitchen table, dresser, and chair for your convenience. You'll also have access to a private bathroom complete with a fully functioning toilet, indoor/outdoor hot shower, and sink. Outside, a private covered kitchen awaits, equipped with a kitchen sink, cooler, pots and pans and cooking utensils. Relax in your lounge chairs on the porch and take in the views, and indulge in outdoor cooking with a gas grill, picnic table, and outdoor fire pit area. During your stay at our farm, guests can unwind amidst natural surroundings, visit with our animals, enjoy on farm activities and explore the wide variety of local attractions that the surrounding area has to offer. Just 30 minutes west, you’ll find the Blue Ridge Parkway. Kerr Scott Lake is only 10 minutes away, where you can swim, rent kayaks and pontoon boats, fish, or enjoy mountain biking and hiking on extensive trails. Prayer Mountain is about 2 miles up the road. To the east, explore several wineries and a local moonshine distillery. A half-hour away, visit the Amish community with shops like Shiloh Bakery and General Store (closed Sundays and Mondays). For fantastic hiking, head northeast to Stone Mountain, about 45 minutes away, which also features a renovated homestead. To the south, Rocky Face Park offers hiking and rock climbing, while Emerald Hollow Mine allows you to search for and keep precious stones. There are always concerts, movies and festivals happening in the area too for entertainment. Check the activities section below for more details!

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OnTop.camp - NW NC Ashe Co

5 sites · Tents100 acres · Jefferson, NC

www.ontop.camp STATUS of OT DOT CAMP 10.09.2024 All is well! A few ruts and downed trees is all. You’re welcome to come enjoy the mountain with us! Feel free to message me with any questions. October - Gold, Purple, Gold, Blue... wild flowers are making a show. The seasons are shifting. Since the hurricane the leaves started their change. It’s here! Share the open air and space with us. Welcome! Our farm is vast and sparse, focusing on sustainability while giving back to the community. We are a safe haven for animals and humans alike. Situated on and between two peaks of Little Phoenix Mountain range in Jefferson Ashe County. Our sites’ altitudes range from 3100 feet to over 3600 feet, which is a lot of slope and hillside to say the least. As a guest you will be offered insane long views and limited exposure to the oldest registered breed of bovine in the world. Our Scottish Highland Cattle are majestic and fit in quite well in the NC mountainside. Located in the Blue Ridge mountains, we have natural water springs popping out, some of which are tapped to drink from. (10.1.23 currently farm springs are not accessible to guests, shatley springs up the road approx 4miles north has a public spring that we highly recommend) If you are looking for a camping spot that is only 5-10 minutes from town (Jefferson NC or the quaint Downtown West Jefferson) but feels like you're in the middle of no where, then we have it! The Blue Ridge Parkway is less than 20 minutes away and the New River equally close. Looking Forward: July update. We are currently working on provided an all downhill mountain bike trail from 3600 to 3150ft. This path will be double wide for the most part and wide open at first to soak in the se view. Will update when completed! *a ride back up for your bike and yourself will be scheduled if requested OnTopOfTheWorld.camp *firewood is available if you pay on site you will have to use Venmo/Paypal *We do not allow any harvesting of campfire wood or burning of our property outside of the designated fire ring. We use any downed wood on our property for our family to keep warm and to cut and split ourselves to sell to our guest. A “full nights worth” of campfire wood is roughly a 3 x 2 stacked pile of wood keeping you warm all night. Please let us know ahead so we can prepare it for you OnTop.camp

The best camping near Cherokee National Forest guide

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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!