Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

River
Entrance
CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA 2
CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA
CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA 1

Featured amenities

General Store General Store
Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Restrooms Restrooms
River Access River Access
Showers Showers

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

20 total sites

RV Sites

17 sites

Tent Sites

3 sites

About Carolina Hemlocks Rec 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.

Number of accommodations: 20

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer
Tubing

Tubing

Spring Summer Fall

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 4 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

General Store General Store
Pet friendly Pet friendly
Restrooms Restrooms
River Access River Access
Showers Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
  • Showers
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • General Store
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

20 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 02, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 03, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 05, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
07, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 09, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
28, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 30, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 31, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 32, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 33, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 34, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
35, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 36, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (327)

What Guests Are Saying

Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area is praised for its beautiful location near the river, well-maintained facilities, and friendly hosts. Many visitors enjoy the campground's relaxing atmosphere, ample opportunities for swimming and tubing, and the accessibility of nearby trails. While some issues with noise and management have been noted, the overall experience remains positive, with many campers expressing a desire to return.

Review Summary

4.3
327 reviews
5
61.2%
200
4
20.8%
68
3
9.5%
31
2
4.9%
16
1
3.7%
12

jess w

Verified

September 8, 2024 Stayed at: 35, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

2

The office staff was wonderful and accommodating. This site was very loud (close to the road) and very minimal privacy - I felt like I was camping *with* my neighbors on both sides. I would not stay here again.

Kelly H

Verified

September 6, 2024 Stayed at: 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Great comfortable place. Facilities are not too far from any camp site. The entire area is well maintained.

Kelly H

Verified

September 6, 2024 Stayed at: 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Great comfortable place. Facilities are not too far from any camp site. The entire area is well maintained.

Bruce R

Verified

August 25, 2024 Stayed at: 34, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

Best swimming hole, spacious campsites with different site options across the road. There is a little road noise but didn’t bother us.

Bruce R

Verified

August 25, 2024 Stayed at: 34, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

Best swimming hole, spacious campsites with different site options across the road. There is a little road noise but didn’t bother us.

Hannah H

Verified

August 16, 2024 Stayed at: 35, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

2

The campsite is close to Mt.Mitchell, that’s nice. However, the camp is right next to a highway so you definitely don’t get the “in complete nature” feel. Probably will never return but it wasn’t that bad.

Hannah H

Verified

August 16, 2024 Stayed at: 35, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

2

The campsite is close to Mt.Mitchell, that’s nice. However, the camp is right next to a highway so you definitely don’t get the “in complete nature” feel. Probably will never return but it wasn’t that bad.

David G

Verified

August 4, 2024 Stayed at: 02, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

Absolutely wonderfully helpful campground hosts!

David G

Verified

August 4, 2024 Stayed at: 02, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

Absolutely wonderfully helpful campground hosts!

Sheryl H

July 24, 2024

4

The pavilion is a great spot but the electrical has been out all summer. If you plan to picnic there, plan your activities around the day time hours.

Location Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

Address:
8516 Highway 80 South
Burnsville, NC, 28714
United States

Highway access

Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is accessible via I-26, with exit 9 leading to Highway 19, which connects to State Highway 80. Highway 80 provides direct access to the campground.

Elevation: 842 feet

Distance to downtown

14 mi drive to downtown Burnsville (about 21 min)

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 7, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service