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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Activities powered by Viator. Prices and availability come from each provider and are confirmed when you book with them.

Featured in: Most popular federal campgrounds near Asheville · How far ahead do you need to book a campsite near Asheville?

  1. Home
  2. North Carolina
  3. Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

Camping at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area near Burnsville

Public campground · Burnsville · 35 campsites

A forested campground near trout fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Most campsites have no hookups, and RV fit varies by site.

About this campground

The South Toe River is the centerpiece for day-use activity here: families and water-goers commonly swim and tube in calmer reaches, and anglers fish from shore for trout and smallmouth bass. 8-mile route for more of a workout.

4.0 on Recreation.gov · 141 reviewsBook on Recreation.gov
View all 5 photos

At a glance

  • RV sites up to 35 ft

    Length limits vary by campsite.

  • No hookups
  • Pets welcome
  • Public land
OverviewCampsitesAmenities & locationReviewsPlan your stay

0 available sites

0 open of 35 sites
Check with Recreation.gov.

We checked every night of your stay on Recreation.gov: no site is open for all 2 nights. Some sites are open on some nights.

Flexible dates

View the next available two-night stay.

Looking for the next open dates…
Fixed dates

Compare nearby campgrounds open for these dates. Your camping setup, rig size, hookups and dates stay applied.

Nearby campgrounds open for these dates
Check Recreation.gov directly ↗
View full availability calendar · night-by-night from Recreation.gov

Availability on Recreation.gov.

SiteFr
13
Sa
14
Price
23
standard nonelectric
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16
standard nonelectric
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32
standard nonelectric
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09
standard nonelectric
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37
standard nonelectric
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28
standard nonelectric
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26
standard nonelectric
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01
standard nonelectric
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02
standard nonelectric
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27
standard nonelectric
X
No site is open for every night of your stay

You book directly on Recreation.gov. Rates and availability can change until reserved. Campground page on Recreation.gov ↗

Check with Recreation.gov
Book on Recreation.gov

Amenities & location

Check-in
2:00 PM
Checkout
12:00 PM
Pets
Allowed (per listing)

Hookups (individual campsites): 35 no-hookup individual sites.

Location

8516 HIGHWAY 80 SOUTH
Open in Google Maps ↗

Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area: questions answered

What is the maximum RV length at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?
Longest RV site listed: 35 ft (34 of 35 RV sites list a length) (per the listing)
Does Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area have RV hookups?
35 no-hookup individual sites (per the listing)
How do I reserve a site at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?
Reservable on Recreation.gov (per the listing)
Are pets allowed at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?
Allowed (per the listing)
Sources and details

At a glance

Official facts link to their source; “Listing” facts come from the Recreation.gov listing. Anything we can't source says so.

Max rig length
Listing Longest RV site listed: 35 ft (34 of 35 RV sites list a length)
Hookups & power
Listing 35 no-hookup individual sites
Pull-through / back-in
Listing 11 pull-through, 21 back-in
Road & site access
Listing 35 paved site driveways; 3 hike-in sites
Pets
Listing Allowed
Cell signal
Listing Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): Verizon 2 (67 reports), AT&T 2 (29 reports), T-Mobile 2 (12 reports)
Shade
Listing 11 of 39 sites that report shade are listed as shaded
Booking
Listing Reservable on Recreation.gov
Price
Listing Lowest listed rate $28/night (live price once you pick dates)
Getting there
Listing 8516 HIGHWAY 80 SOUTH (map in Location below)
Generators · Quiet hours · Starlink / satellite · Water · Stay limits
Not listed — check with campground

Reviews

Selected reviews

Verbatim from guest reviews on Recreation.gov ↗ (141 reviews, ★ 4.0). Not written or edited by us.

“Due to Helene, there are no catchable trout.”

william l 4 · Oct 2025 · Recreation.gov

“Campsite had almost everything we needed. A shower on this side of the campsite and grills would make the site on this side of the road perfect. These site are a lot more spaced out and less people traffic than those on the river side.”

Craig M 5 · Oct 2025 · Recreation.gov

“Pretty to look at but could use some work. Road around park was noisy.”

terri N 3 · Oct 2025 · Recreation.gov
Nearby

Campgrounds to compare

Prefer a roof?

Prefer a roof over your head

All glamping →
  • Campgrounds at Little Switzerland5.6 mi · Spruce Pine
  • Armstrong Creek RV Park & Cabins8.6 mi · Marion
  • Wunderland Resort10.8 mi · Old Fort
  • TangleWood Creekside Campsites11.4 mi · Marion
  • Soulshine Farm11.8 mi · Green Mountain
  • Catawba Falls Campground13.2 mi · Old Fort

Explore nearby

  • Campgrounds near Burnsville
  • RV rentals near Burnsville
  • Glamping & cabins near Burnsville
  • RV rentals in North Carolina
  • Glamping in North Carolina

Guides for this trip

  • Cabins and glamping in the Smoky Mountains
  • How much does it cost to rent an RV?
  • Camping with dogs
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✓ available · R reserved · X not available · C closed · W first come, first served · N not yet released

Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights3 sites open for every night

South Toe River Sites- Simple Camp

1.1 mi from Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area (straight-line)
Sites from $53/night
$106 total for Nov 13–15 · before taxes & fees
Rates & availability from Hipcamp · you book on their site
View Campsites
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights1 site open for every night

Rock bottom campground

5.1 mi from Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area (straight-line)
Sites from $41/night
$83 total for Nov 13–15 · before taxes & fees
Rates & availability from Hipcamp · you book on their site
View Campsites
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights9 sites open for every night

Campgrounds at Little Switzerland

5.6 mi from Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area (straight-line)
Sites from $10/night
$20 total for Nov 13–15 · before taxes & fees
Rates & availability from Hipcamp · you book on their site
View Campsites
Trip idea

Ideas for your stay

An idea to start from, built from this campground's listing and real tours nearby. Times, openings and prices change, so check each before you go.

  1. Day 1 · Arrive and settle in

    • Check in and set up camp.
    • fish for trout (per the campground listing)
  2. Day 2 · Get out and explore

    • Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views Asheville area · 3 hr · from $74/person
    • Asheville Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour Asheville area · 2 hr · from $27/person
  3. Optional full-day extension

    Longer tours — plan travel time before and after.

    • Blue Ridge Parkway and Waterfall Hiking Tour from Asheville Asheville area · 5.5 hr · from $110/person
Ways to stay

Bring a tent or have an RV waiting

  • Tent camping here: 35 sites take tents. See open sites ↑

Need an RV for your stay?

Rentals that may deliver here and whose listed length fits sites up to 35 ft. Delivery may be available — confirm fees and dates with the owner before you book.

PUMPKIN 2021 Sunray 109
PUMPKIN 2021 Sunray 109

Travel trailer · 12 ft · sleeps 2 · 128 mi from campground

$75/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available

View rental
2022 Keystone RV Outback Ultra-Lite
2022 Keystone RV Outback Ultra-Lite

Travel trailer · 23 ft · sleeps 6 · 144 mi from campground

$115/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available

View rental
2022 Dutchmen Coleman Lantern LT
2022 Dutchmen Coleman Lantern LT

Travel trailer · 29 ft · sleeps 8 · 164 mi from campground

$110/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available

View rental
Things to do

Activities near Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

Bookable tours nearby

Paid experiences on Viator. Distances are from this campground when the tour lists its own start point.

Asheville Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour
Asheville Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour

Asheville area · 2 hr · from $27/person

Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views
Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views

Asheville area · 3 hr · from $74/person

Blue Ridge Parkway and Waterfall Hiking Tour from Asheville
Blue Ridge Parkway and Waterfall Hiking Tour from Asheville

Asheville area · 5.5 hr · from $110/person

See 6 more bookable tours
Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Tour with Expert Naturalist
Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Tour with Expert Naturalist
Happening during your dates

Ranger programs and events Nov 13–Nov 15

  • A Wooded Walk: Guided, Low-Elevation Hike (Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center - Milepost 384) · Nov 13 · 10:00 AM–11:30 AM · Free

    Meet at the flagpole in front of the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center.

  • Biodiversity on the Blue Ridge Parkway: Ranger-Led Talks and Activities (Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center - Milepost 384) · Nov 13 · 02:45 PM–03:15 PM · Free

    This program will be inside the visitor center. We are at Milepost 384, and our "normal" street address is 195…

  • Bluegrass Mountains: Ranger-Led Talks and Activities (Craggy Gardens Visitor Center - Milepost 364) · Nov 13 · 11:00 AM–11:30 AM · Free

    This talk will be outside the visitor center. In high winds or inclement weather, the talk will be canceled…

  • History of a Heath Bald: Guided High Elevation Hike (Craggy Gardens Visitor Center - Milepost 364) · Nov 13 · 01:45 PM–03:15 PM · Free

    Meet in front of the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center.

  • I Asked a Bat For Some Advice. It Said “Just Wing It.”: Ranger-Led Talks and Activities (Waterrock Knob Visitor Center - Milepost 451) · Nov 13 · 01:30 PM–02:00 PM · Free

    This talk will be outside the visitor center. In high winds or inclement weather, the talk will be canceled…

  • People of these Mountains: Guided High Elevation Hike (Waterrock Knob Visitor Center - Milepost 451) · Nov 13 · 10:45 AM–12:15 PM · Free

    Meet in front of the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center, which is at Milepost 451 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Best time to go

Seasons, rates and how booked it gets

  • Peak season Apr 15–Oct 30: Tent $70, RV & Tent $28 per night
Plan your stay

How far ahead to book Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

For July weekends, book about 124 days ahead. Three in four July Friday and Saturday arrivals were booked later than that, and half were booked 75 days or less before arrival. Past timing is guidance, not a guarantee of what is open now.

See booking patterns
Arrival monthFri/Sat arrivals: half booked at leastA quarter at leastOther days: half booked at leastA quarter at least
April33 days ahead49 days ahead24 days ahead65 days ahead
May47 days ahead95 days ahead29 days ahead66 days ahead
June61 days ahead100 days ahead32 days ahead83 days ahead
July75 days ahead124 days ahead37 days ahead96 days ahead
August67 days ahead121 days ahead38 days ahead91 days ahead
September39 days ahead94 days ahead36 days ahead85 days ahead
October47 days ahead70 days ahead30 days ahead73 days ahead

Months with fewer than 30 reservations of that kind are left blank. Sites where nearly every booking was made the day of arrival (pay on arrival) are left out. Closed seasons, windows not yet released for booking, and currently unavailable nights are separate from this history.

Based on Recreation.gov reservations, FY2015–2025 (5,448 reservations in the years scored). Counts reservations made, not nights actually camped: cancellations aren't in the data, and nights a site was closed count as not booked. FY2020–21 (COVID) are left out of the scores.

Asheville area · 4 hr · from $109/person

Asheville Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley Tour
Asheville Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley Tour

Asheville area · 1.7 hr · from $41/person

Comedy Sightseeing Tour Hey Asheville by LaZoom
Comedy Sightseeing Tour Hey Asheville by LaZoom

Asheville area · 1.5 hr · from $52/person

Waterfall Jeep Tour - Backroads and Scenic Views
Waterfall Jeep Tour - Backroads and Scenic Views

Asheville area · 3 hr · from $119/person

Gem Mining and Goat Farm Walking Tour in Hendersonville
Gem Mining and Goat Farm Walking Tour in Hendersonville

Asheville area · 2 hr · from $30/person

Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour
Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour

Asheville area · 1.8 hr · from $35/person

Free things to do (National Park Service)

Ranger programs, trails and park activities — typically free. Separate from paid tours above.

From the National Park Service · 2 mi away, Blue Ridge Parkway

A bull elk with antlers crosses a road in front of a stopped car
Photo: NPS
Spot an Elk on the Heintooga Spur Road

Heintooga Ridge Road on the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good place to spot elk.

color photograph of the junior ranger activity sheets and wooden badge and fabric patch
Photo: NPS Photo
Become a Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger

20-120 Minutes

Becoming a Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger is exciting and rewarding! Pick up your Junior Ranger Folder and instructions at any park visitor center. Then travel the parkway to get…

Night sky with multitude of stars over silhouetted tree topped mountains
Photo: NPS
Stargaze at Waterrock Knob

1-4 Hours

Stargazing on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be an amazing experience. Waterrock Knob at Milepost 451.2 is a great place to enjoy the calm quiet of the night and contemplate the…

The sun rises above mist filled valleys surrounded by mountains.
Photo: NPS
Watch the Sunrise from Pounding Mill Overlook

1-3 Hours

Sunrise on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pounding Mill Overlook at Milepost 413 is a great place to welcome the dawn of a new day and…

Peregrine falcon perched on rocks, blue sky behind
Photo: NPS Photo / Mitch Urban
Watch Peregrine Falcons at Devils Courthouse

1-3 Hours

Peregrine falcon, once near extinction, now can be viewed in the skies over the Blue Ridge Parkway.

A woman using binoculars looks up in the sky
Photo: NPS Photo / Laura White
Watch for Hawks at the Mills River Overlook

The raptors are coming! And they’ve got the “kettle” on!

Source: National Park Service (Blue Ridge Parkway). Photos link to nps.gov and are credited to their photographers.

Source: National Park Service (Blue Ridge Parkway). Photos link to nps.gov and are credited to their photographers.

Compare site types

35 individual reservable campsites from Recreation.gov, checked Nov 7. Rates are the listed nightly rates.

Standard sites (tent or RV)

Tent, van or small RV, no power

35 sites

Loops: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA (35)

0 open Nov 13–Nov 15