North Mills River
North Mills River Campground is a rustic mountain getaway in Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Located just outside the popular city of Asheville, the campground provides access to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including an arboretum, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and numerous hiking, fishing, and mountain biking opportunities. Winter Operations (November 16, 2025 - March 20, 2026): During winter months, this facility operates with limited services: No running water No electricity Pit toilets only Sites 1-13 are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $15 per night (14-day stay limit). Sites 14-26 are closed during winter.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 20 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
| RV with electric | 1 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
25 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | |||||
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | |||||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | |||||
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | |||||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||||
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 2 | ||||||
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | |||||
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | |||||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | |||||
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 006 is listed accessible |
This is a relatively small facility with campsites organized into two loops on opposite sides of the river. Sites are mostly shaded and lie within a short distance of the water. The facility provides picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, in addition to restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Campers can purchase firewood and fire starter on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year-round, Limited services, November-March |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Booking | Reservation available March 23 through November 15. Same day walk up permitted year-round for 1 night at a time. |
| Fees | Standard Campsite: $30 Group Campsite: $40 Day Use: $5 per vehicle or $30 season pass. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Asheville, take U.S. Highway 280 west to North Mills River Road. Follow North Mills River Road to the campground.
| Nearest town | Mills River, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.4072° N, 82.6458° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | RV Dump ↗ | 5.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 7.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 7.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
North Mills River Campground Complete Walk-Thru Oct 2021
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miNorth Mills River1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miTrace Ridge4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miWash Creek0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miYellow Gap0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miBear Branch1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miFletcher Creek2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
National Forests in North Carolina begins about 4.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.2 miNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
- 9.2 miShining Rock Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 18,477 acres
- 14.8 miCherokee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,228,298 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated in the Appalachian Mountains at an elevation of 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes densely forested with hardwoods. The group camping area is adjacent to the beautiful, shallow waters of the Mills River.
Recreation
The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are near the campground. Mills River offers excellent trout fishing, as well as tubing and swimming, which are kid-friendly favorite activities. Visitors wishing to learn more about the area can attend educational programs during the summer.
Nearby
Several natural and cultural attractions are within close proximity to the campground. Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway are among the most popular sites. The small town of Brevard offers various amenities and services, and visitors can take a trip to Asheville to visit art galleries, music venues, shops and restaurants.
Guidebooks for North Carolina
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea TrailFriends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Jim Grode, 2020Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at North Mills River?
Sites at North Mills River are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservation available March 23 through November 15. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at North Mills River?
Standard Campsite: $30 Group Campsite: $40 Day Use: $5 per vehicle or $30 season pass.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at North Mills River?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is North Mills River open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year-round, Limited services, November-March.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does North Mills River have?
29 sites, including 20 standard sites without power, 3 tent-only sites, 1 RV site with electric, and 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at North Mills River?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does North Mills River have hookups?
Yes, water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at North Mills River?
The facility provides picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, in addition to restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at North Mills River?
Yes, pets are allowed at North Mills River. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at North Mills River?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at North Mills River?
Site 006 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at North Mills River?
The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are near the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation