OutReserve

Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

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

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

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Fishing

Hiking

Swimming

Tubing

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

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

Reviews (296)

What Guests Are Saying

Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area offers clean and spacious campsites, friendly and accommodating staff, and beautiful river access for activities like swimming and tubing. While some areas are affected by road noise and lingering effects from Hurricane Helene, the overall experience is positive, with well-maintained facilities and a picturesque setting. Many visitors express a desire to return, highlighting the campground's charm and family-friendly atmosphere.

Review Summary

4.3
296 reviews
5
59.8%
177
4
21.3%
63
3
10.1%
30
2
4.7%
14
1
4.1%
12

Jenny K

Verified

August 18, 2021 Stayed at: 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

The campground was even prettier than the photos suggest. It was lovely to hear the river at night and be so close to such a nice body of water. I will definitely come again!

Jenny K

Verified

August 18, 2021 Stayed at: 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

The campground was even prettier than the photos suggest. It was lovely to hear the river at night and be so close to such a nice body of water. I will definitely come again!

Robert D

Verified

August 13, 2021 Stayed at: 35, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

the campsite was nice and quiet and the camp host was very kind.

Robert D

Verified

August 13, 2021 Stayed at: 35, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

the campsite was nice and quiet and the camp host was very kind.

Jack R

Verified

July 30, 2021 Stayed at: 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

We enjoyed two nights midweek at our private, shaded campsite that was not on the river side of the area. Quiet hours observed. Nice mix of friendly folks - some families, retirees, young couples, etc. Some road noise, but it did not prevent us from sleeping. We hiked Mount Mitchell, Roaring Falls, and enjoyed tubes and swimming in the Toe River. Bathrooms were ok. Would return.

Jack R

Verified

July 30, 2021 Stayed at: 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

We enjoyed two nights midweek at our private, shaded campsite that was not on the river side of the area. Quiet hours observed. Nice mix of friendly folks - some families, retirees, young couples, etc. Some road noise, but it did not prevent us from sleeping. We hiked Mount Mitchell, Roaring Falls, and enjoyed tubes and swimming in the Toe River. Bathrooms were ok. Would return.

Darren F

Verified

July 26, 2021 Stayed at: 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

The online reservation information is inconsistent, the reminder email states check-in is 2:00pm, but elsewhere it states 4:00pm. There were people still on the reserved site at 2:30pm. Dogs were yelping and crying at several sites and nothing was done to resolve the nuisance. I did not report it to the Host to avoid conflict but it was clearly noticeable.

Darren F

Verified

July 26, 2021 Stayed at: 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

The online reservation information is inconsistent, the reminder email states check-in is 2:00pm, but elsewhere it states 4:00pm. There were people still on the reserved site at 2:30pm. Dogs were yelping and crying at several sites and nothing was done to resolve the nuisance. I did not report it to the Host to avoid conflict but it was clearly noticeable.

Paul D

Verified

July 23, 2021 Stayed at: 31, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Nice and well maintained campground! Each employee involvement went well. The swimming hole, tubing, fishing are easily accessed. We enjoyed our stay there.

David M

Verified

July 23, 2021 Stayed at: 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

Nice clean cool river for fishing, tubing, especially. I wish they would use leaf blowers!!! Horrible noise plus the rain washes the roads nicely-It was a hot day and I had upper tent flaps down, so I got huge cloud of dust covering the inside of tent plus, of course, my van. MAYBE use a blower around office and sidewalk from office to the swim area but NO WHERE else. Hearing a leaf blower and having clouds of dust coat your picnic table, car, tent, dog water....EVERYTHING is NOT a desirable experience. Otherwise, it is a fabulous campground for tents and SMALL RVs. If they converted the NEVER used picnic sites for campsites for SMALL van camper conversions (no appropriate place to tents) that would be nice for visitors and profitable for FIND.

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 35.8044 / -82.2044

Elevation: 842 feet

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service