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? Let us know

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

Logan S

Verified

July 13, 2026 Stayed at: 12, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

I’ve been coming here for over 20 years. It’s always a great family friendly place. They have done their best cleaning up after Hurricane Helene and was a great trip as always!

Michael H

Verified

July 12, 2026 Stayed at: 07, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Always a great time!!!
Site 7 is a bit tight for tent camping but very doable!
We used a "6person" and a "2 person"
for 7 people total.
Showers and flush toilets in great shape.

Ryan D

Verified

July 12, 2026 Stayed at: 03, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

2

If people picked up after themselves this place could be beautiful. And I'm sure fall,winter and early spring ,this place is top notch. Literally the only issue I had all weekend was the trash that the other people (gun toting folks that I had to run off from my site at check in time) left behind. It was hundreds of cigarette butts,candy wrappers,food trash,hair products, clumps of hair and various splashes of condiments on the picnic table. Also what appeared to be a smoldering shoe in the fire pit.
It was july4th weekend so it was packed. Still no excuse to leave your trash in a national forest campground. I spent all weekend picking up behind people,it just started at out campsite. There should be a litter police, giving out 1k$ tickets for every speck of trash you leave. Also please dont take glass bottles to the river bank where kids run around barefoot. Ill come be the campground litter police for 24$ an hour and a permanent spot. Also, nobody needs a gun on their waist at a family campground,NOBODY. I dont care what the open carry laws say, you look absolutely foolish. And we burying the trash leavers on the culbert ridge trail,lets goooo!
Beautiful place, obnoxious humans will get this place shut down.

Elisa G

Verified

July 12, 2026 Stayed at: 05, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Love it

Tom S

Verified

July 9, 2026 Stayed at: 12, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

We had a great time camping here. The bathrooms and showers were clean. Visited some golf courses in the area. recommend Silver Creek Golf Club. Unfortunately , Mount Mitchell golf course was closed due to hurricane damage. The swimming at the camp ground was awesome. Recommend Pig and Grits Restaurant in Burnsville for breakfast. We will be back, Loved it.

Sabrina J

Verified

July 3, 2026 Stayed at: 02, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Had a great time with family and friends. The hostess were great. My family and I have been going here since I was a little girl and I turn 60 this year.

Suzanne W

Verified

June 28, 2026 Stayed at: 34, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

We travel to the area every year from Florida. We just retired and purchased a camper. Carolina Hemlocks was the first place we wanted to stay. It is one of the most beautiful settings to camp. The bathrooms were super clean and great showers. If there were sites with hookups, we’d be there for extended stays. Hoping the Blue Ridge Parkway to Mount Mitchell, which was shut down due to Hurricane Helene, opens back up soon. We love the Burnsville area!

Crystal C

Verified

June 21, 2026 Stayed at: 01, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Always an amazing experience! From check in to check out! Staff was awesome and super helpful. Site clean and plenty of space. Bathrooms and showers clean. Swimming area is excellent and the grandkids loved tubing and jumping from the rocks! No better place to spend a week tent camping. Kiddos were not ready to go home. Absolutely beautiful area!

Michael O

Verified

June 16, 2026 Stayed at: 12, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Helpful staff

Andrew B

Verified

June 13, 2026 Stayed at: 13, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Such a great spot! Waterhole perfection!

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