Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area sits in the scenic mountains of Pisgah National Forest. This is a great place for small to medium-sized groups to swim, fish, tube, hike, camp, picnic and simply relax in the cool shade of the forest.
More like this: electric hookups in North Carolina · reservable in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina · dark sky in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 35 |
| group shelter electric | 3 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
39 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 04 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 06 | Standard | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 07 | Standard | 40 | Paved | None | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 08 | Standard | 20 | Paved | Partial | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 09 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 12 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
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 | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Dark sky | 8.6 miles from Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Sites Pavilion Carolina Hemlock, GRP1, GP1AM, GP1PM are listed accessible |
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area offers 35 primitive campsites, sites equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. The facility provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets. Campers can purchase firewood, ice, tee shirts, souvenirs.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April 15th to October 30th |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Fees | There are fees for camping and day-use. The site is operated by FIND Outdoors. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Asheville, North Carolina, take I-26 west to exit 9, onto 19 east toward Burnsville. Follow 19 to Micaville and turn right onto Highway 80. Follow 80 south approximately 8 miles to the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area.
| Nearest town | Burnsville, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.8044° N, 82.2044° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx - Stone Mountain
29 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Appalachian Sheds and More ↗ | 9.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bobs RV Body Shop & Service Center ↗ | 10.8 mi |
| Dump station | RV Dump ↗ | 32.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area Campground Review. Small, spacious and fun!
Worth a stop
Visitors can enjoy scenic driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park.
- 9.2 mi
- 11.8 miOld Fort Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miHemlock1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miColbert Ridge3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miBuncombe Horse ↗16.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miWoody Ridge2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miMst - Grandfather Rd ↗70.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miMst - Appalachian Rd ↗35 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
As the name suggests, Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is shaded by a thick hemlock forest with a mix of deciduous trees and rhododendrons. The facility is adjacent to the South Toe River and sits at an elevation of 2,900 feet.
Recreation
The river provides endless hours of fun for families and water enthusiasts, including swimming and tubing. Anglers can also try their luck for trout and smallmouth bass from the shore. Picnickers will enjoy relaxing in the shaded picnic shelter set amidst the deep woods. After eating, visitors can take a leisurely walk along a one-mile trail or get a workout on a 3.8-mile trail.
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 Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
Sites at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
There are fees for camping and day-use. The site is operated by FIND Outdoors.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 15th to October 30th.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area have?
39 sites, including 35 standard sites without power, 3 group shelter electric, and 1 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
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 Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
The facility provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
Sites Pavilion Carolina Hemlock, GRP1, GP1AM, and GP1PM are 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
Is Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area good for stargazing?
Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 8.6 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International