Black Mountain Campground
Black Mountain Campground sits in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River. Black Mountain is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast.
More like this: electric hookups in North Carolina · full hookups in North Carolina · reservable in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 25 |
| Tent-only | 9 |
| Standard with electric | 3 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
37 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | River | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 002 | River | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | River | Tent only | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 004 | River | Tent only | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | River | Tent only | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | River | Tent only | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | Full | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | River | Standard | Gravel | Full | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 008 | River | Standard | Gravel | Full | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 009 | River | Standard | Gravel | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 010 | River | Electric | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 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, water, sewer |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground offers 37 primitive campsites with 3 campsites with electric hookups. The campsites are 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 and souvenirs.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | April 15 to Oct 30 |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Booking | This campground can only be reserved by contacting Recreation.Gov. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Asheville, North Carolina, take I-26 west to exit 9 onto 19 east towards Burnsville. Follow 19 to Micaville and turn right onto Highway 80. Continue south approximately 12-14 miles to Mount Mitchell Golf Course. Turn right on South Toe River Road and follow signs to Black Mountain Campground.
| Nearest town | Burnsville, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.7527° N, 82.2211° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx - Stone Mountain
32 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Bobs RV Body Shop & Service Center ↗ | 8.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Take A Hike Outfitters ↗ | 10.9 mi |
| Dump station | RV Dump ↗ | 29.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Black Mountain Campground/Campsites NC (See timestamps below for specific campsites)
Worth a stop
Groups can easily head out for a day of scenic driving along Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park.
- 8.2 miOld Fort Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 11.8 mi
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miDevils Den Nature0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miNorth River Loop1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miBriar Bottom Bike0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miGreen Knob2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miMt. Mitchell ↗5.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miSetrock0.2 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
The campground sits at an elevation of 3,040 feet. The 6,684-foot Mt. Mitchell towers over the area, with several other high peaks of the Black Mountains nearby. This lush Appalachian forest is rich with wildlife, plants and scenery.
Recreation
With the South Toe River located adjacent to the campground, visitors will have no shortage of things to do, including picnicking, day hiking, scenic driving and trout fishing. Hikers will be pleased with a variety of trails from which to choose, including a leisurely half-mile walk through the forest or a challenging 5.6-mile hike to Mt. Mitchell.
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 Black Mountain Campground?
Sites at Black Mountain Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. This campground can only be reserved by contacting Recreation.Gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Black Mountain Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Black Mountain Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 15 to Oct 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Black Mountain Campground have?
41 sites, including 25 standard sites without power, 9 tent-only sites, and 3 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Black Mountain Campground?
Black Mountain Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Black Mountain Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Black Mountain Campground?
The facility provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Black Mountain Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Black Mountain Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Black Mountain Campground?
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
What is there to do at Black Mountain Campground?
With the South Toe River located adjacent to the campground, visitors will have no shortage of things to do, including picnicking, day hiking, scenic driving and trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Black Mountain Campground?
Burnsville, North Carolina. Groups can easily head out for a day of scenic driving along Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park.
Source: Getting there
What if Black Mountain Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Briar Bottom Group Campground (under 0.1 mi), Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area (3.7 mi), and Curtis Creek Campground (5.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby