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

Ronald P

Verified

June 3, 2026 Stayed at: 31, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

One of the prettiest places we have stayed. Lots of trees and rhododendrons, large sites. The only ones I wouldn’t like would be the ones right next to the bathrooms, where there is always light. Gorgeous spot right along the Toe River. Nice host as well.

Nicholas C

Verified

June 5, 2026 Stayed at: 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Great! Stayed 3 nights, loved the forest spot, easy/quick access to Mt Rogers, a couple local waterfalls on the Toe River. Did not take advantage of anything more than the location for tent camping as a hub for hiking in the Pisgah, running over to Asheville, etc.

BETH S

Verified

June 11, 2026 Stayed at: 12, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Lovely campground with wonderful river access

Jerry M

Verified

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

5

Beautiful campsite & campground - river next to campsites - saw people catching trout - also met a beautiful girl. - great trip!

Andrew B

Verified

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

5

Such a great spot! Waterhole perfection!

Michael O

Verified

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

5

Helpful staff

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!

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!

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.

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.

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 10, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service